CIM Briefing Papers

C.I.M. Outline #40    Also see C.I.M. Outline #64

                     UFOS: THE NEW DECEPTION

I.  Introduction

   A.  Because of speculation about the possibility of
       intelligent life in outer space interest in unidentified
       flying objects has continued to rise around the world
       since the first major flying saucer event in the U.S. in
       1947.  Currently, there are several serious journals
       being published solely about UFO phenomena.

   B.  The subjects of space travel, flying saucers, and aliens
       from distant planets have had a profound affect on modern
       culture, i.e., in movies, television, and science
       fiction.  From 1950 to 1980 well over 100 films have been
       made with themes of extraterrestrials and space travel. 
       According to polls, 40% of Americans believe UFOs are
       real.

   C.  Those who study the UFO phenomenon estimate that 100
       sightings of UFOs occur around the world on a given night
       (Note: estimate was made in 1975).

   D.  Along with a huge increase in the sightings of UFOs,
       thousands are now claiming to have been abducted by
       aliens.  Thousands more are claiming to be in contact
       with alien beings.  Because of the traumatic nature of
       the abduction there are currently support groups
       springing up all over the country for abductees.  (Dallas
       Morning News, 3/14/93).  According to one poll 2% of
       Americans have experienced abduction (Roper)!  If this
       poll were extrapolated to all humans on earth it would
       translate  to 100 million people!

   E.  Millions of dollars have been spent by a variety of
       government agencies in this country investigating UFOs. 
       Some of these agencies are the three branches of the
       armed forces, the CIA, and the FBI.  Many of these
       reports have been obtained in recent years through the
       Freedom of Information Act.  In most cases these
       documents are so highly censored that little helpful
       information can be gained.  This leads many to conclude
       that there is a massive government cover-up.  The most
       famous government study was "Project Bluebook" conducted
       by the Air Force.

II. Reasons for Public interest in UFOs    

   A.  Man has an innate need for transcendental contact (beyond
       himself).  Man is finite and real meaning to the puzzle
       of life can only come from an infinite reference point. 
       When man first walked on the moon a scientist was asked
       by a reporter:  "Why are we so interested in space?"  His
       answer:  Mankind is currently struggling with so many
       seemingly unanswerable difficulties that we are hopeful
       that we will eventually make contact with a civilization
       of beings much further advanced than ours who will have
       already solved the problems that threaten to destroy us." 
       In other words, the longing for contact is a religious
       quest, a longing for cosmic salvation.  (Please note how
       Stephen Speilberg portrayed the contact with aliens in
       his film "Close Encounters." as a religious experience.)  
       Millions of dollars are currently being spent on projects
       to detect intelligent life in outer space (Project SETI).

   B.  Nagging doubts about the origin of life on earth.  Some
       intellectually honest scientists are well aware of the
       problems of life beginning and evolving by chance. 
       Therefore, some are very serious in their belief that
       life began on earth from intelligent "seeding" or by
       chance from a comet, or meteor.

III.  Explanations put forth to explain Unidentified Flying
      Objects

      (20-30 percent remain truly unidentified.)

      A.  Some have proven to be elaborate hoaxes, e.g.,
          doctored photographs, college pranks, etc.

      B.  The sightings are psychological in nature, i.e.,
          hallucinations, dreams, fabricated memory syndrome
          (FMS).  This is the view of Carl Sagan, High Priest
          and Televangelist of evolutionism (see Parade.
          3/7/93).

      C.  Unidentified natural phenomena.  They are not flying
          machines flown by intelligent beings, but simply
          misunderstood natural phenomena such as ball
          lightning, swamp gas, coronas, and optical illusions. 
          This view is held by very skeptical naturalistic
          humanists.  It is the view of Phillip Klass, writer
          for Skeptical Inquirer.

      D.  Some believe they are actual "nuts and bolts" flying
          machines manned by highly evolved beings from
          incredibly advanced civilizations in outer space.  They
          are coming here to explore, study, influence, and
          eventually contact mankind.  This view is likewise,
          held by naturalistic humanists.  

      E.  The sightings are inter-dimensional in origin.  UFOs
          are an incursion from a parallel reality.  In view of
          the long inter-galactic distances, this view is gaining
          in popularity and is the view currently held by Dr.
          Allen Hynek, one of the leading UFO researchers.

      F.  Spiritual deception (the difference between this
          category and the previous may only be semantic). 
          Demonic or occultic in origin.  This view is held by
          many Christian scholars, and surprisingly, it is held
          by some non-christians such as Jacques Vallee, who is
          perhaps the most rational of the UFO researchers. 

Note:  There is still no evidence that there are intelligent
beings in outer space or that UFOs are driven by beings who
originated in space.  Radar has yet to record one of these crafts
entering earth's atmosphere.

IV.  Types of UFO Experiences.7 Categories:

     A.  Observations of distant flying objects, generally in the
         night sky, usually saucer or disk-shaped, often they
         appear on radar (sometimes not).  CEI.

     B.  Observations of UFOs at a distance of 500 feet or
         closer with or without occupants.CEII.

     C.  UFOs that leave physical effects, i.e., landing marks,
         scorched earth, crop circles, etc.  CEIII.

     D.  Cases where humans are abducted and taken on board. 
         Close Encounters of a 4th kind!  CEIV.  The first
         popularized incidence of abduction in this country was
         that of Betty and Barney Hill.  For a more recent story
         see the current movie "Fire in the Sky".

     E.  People who are contacted by aliens usually through
         occult means.  CEV.  Actress Shirley MacLaine, and the
         Israeli, Uri Geller, are the most renown receivers of
         communications from aliens.

     F.  Cases which result in injuries or deaths as a result of
         contact with UFOs, or from the alien occupants.  CEIV. 
         These have been documented by Jacques Vallee.

V.  The Claims of UFO Entities and UFO Cultists

    These "travelers from outer space" and their apologists, the
    UFO cultists, though many and diverse, are near universal in
    claiming that these entities are benevolent, highly evolved
    intelligent beings who have come to bring peace, unity, and
    salvation to our planet.  

VI.  Christian Concerns

     A.  As Christians we are interested in the UFO craze and its
         implications because it threatens the foundational
         beliefs of the Christian worldview.  Some of these
         questions and concerns are as follows:
   
         1.  It extends the myth of human evolution into cosmic
             evolution.  The Bible teaches that man was created
             in God's image and is the crown of creation. 
             According to the UFO cultists man is a lower
             species of perhaps billions of more advanced
             species in the universe.

         2.  If there is life in outer space has it been
             affected by the Fall?

         3.  If there are sentient beings on other planets what
             is their moral state?

         4.  If there is other intelligent life in space why is
             the Bible silent?

     B.  UFO cults are springing up all over the country.  They
         claim they are receiving revelation from super-
         intelligent aliens who are motivated to assist
         earthlings in saving their planet.  The revelations are
         being received by the usual occult means such as
         telepathy, automatic writing, channeling (mediumistic),
         trances, dreams, and other psychic means.  

     C. Their goal seems to be psychological and sociological
        manipulation.  Many researchers believe that these
        entities are deliberately programming their human
        observers with false information in order to hide their
        true purpose.  Some are convinced that these beings are
        trying to change our belief systems.  
    
VII.  Some problems with UFO Phenomena and the Beliefs and
      Behavior of Their Occupants

      A.  Physical

          1.  The above-mentioned "Rev." Carl Sagan continues to
              spread the propaganda that given the size of the
              universe there must be an estimated 50,000 to one
              million planets in our galaxy alone which must
              harbor intelligent civilizations.  This is
              disputed by many scientists who nevertheless agree
              with his evolutionary assumptions.  They agree
              that life probably exists on planets in other
              solar systems.  However, they give impressive
              arguments against interstellar travel in metallic
              craft.  These scientists see the earth as probably
              unique in that it alone has ore-yielding metal
              (see DISCOVER. May, 1993, p.33ff.)

          2.  Another gigantic problem is the immense distances
              involved.  The nearest star is 26 trillion miles
              from the earth.  The skeptical scientists note
              that for interstellar travel to exist it would
              have to be in metal ships (unlikely) and travel in
              speeds exceeding the speed of light which they say
              is impossible.

          3.  The "spaceships" seem to defy all physical laws. 
              One hundred eighty degree turns at 5000 miles per
              hour have been documented.  Scientists say a craft
              would disintegrate.  Though they fly at these
              speeds, and even beyond, no sonic boom is ever
              heard, nor do they burn up in the earth's
              atmosphere.  They have been known to change
              shapes, color, multiply, then merge, or simply
              disappear without a trace.  They have been fired
              upon by American, Canadian and Soviet fighter
              planes without harm.

      B.  The Behavior of the "Occupants":

          The behavior of the aliens is peculiar.  If these
          aliens are highly evolved benevolent beings, as the UFO
          cultists would have us believe, why is their behavior
          so bizarre?  Their behavior more closely matches that
          of the demons of old and not a technically advanced and
          highly rational form of life.  

      C.  The Beliefs of "the Aliens":

          1.  Is it credible to believe that these beings have
              flown trillions of miles to teach us New Age
              Baloney!  Is it credible to believe that these
              advanced beings reflect what has been taught by
              decadent ancient pagan cultures?

          2.  Those who claim to have had a UFO experience often
              come away with a totally new way of viewing life,
              i.e. a worldview conversion (mostly New Age
              ideas).  (Note:  There is an interesting parallel
              with those who have had Near Death Experiences!).

          3.  What they teach.  The Major Ideas:

              a.  Biblical teachings are false.  The Bible is
                  best explained in terms of previous UFO
                  visitations, e.g., Enoch being caught up,
                  Ezekiel's spaceship, The Virgin birth of
                  Jesus, etc.

              b.  Man must develop his psychic ability.

              c.  Earth's civilizations are on the verge of a
                  New Age transformation.

              d.  God and man are part of the same essence.  All
                  is one.  Man is god.

              e.  The aliens (the extra-dimensionals) are here
                  and manifesting themselves to assist mankind
                  in leaving the old ways (read Christianity)
                  and to adjust to a New Age of spiritual
                  discernment.

              d.  Some form of drastic authoritarian social
                  control may be necessary to purge the world of
                  those who persist in the old ways (read
                  Christians).  The purpose is to assure the
                  world of survival!

VIII.  Conclusion:  UFO phenomena is not new.  Roman soldiers
       described them as flying shields.  This is simply another
       New Age deception .  Whether it has eschatological
       ramifications we cannot say. However, as the fire of
       Christian civilization burns low the encircling eyes of
       demonic fiends come closer to devour their prey.  These
       beings are lying spirits who seek to deceive.  If we
       catalog the essential characteristics of the occult and
       compare them with UFO phenomena we see a remarkable
       similarity.
     
For Further Study:

Alnor, William M.  UFOS IN THE NEW AGE.  
Ankerberg, John, and, Weldon, John.  THE FACTS ON UFOS AND OTHER
   SUPERNATURAL PHENOMENA. This 44 page book has 171 footnotes!
SCP JOURNAL. Vol. 1, No. 2. Aug. 1977.  The entire subject of
   this issue is: "UFOs:  Is Science Fiction Coming True?" 
   Excellent analysis.  This article contains some seminal
   thinking on the subject of the spiritual dimension and how
   interaction might be possible between it and the physical
   dimension.  

(Most of the material in this outline has been gleaned from the
above referenced works.  They are highly recommended to the
Christian community.)
    
 
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