UFO SpiritualitiesUFO Spiritualities

UFO UFO SpiritualitiesSpiritualities

50% of North Americans believe in UFOs

Two main belief systems in broader UFO movement:

•UFOS as alien technology – secret reconnaissance, biological/medical experiments, government conspiracy

•UFOs as space craft and/or psychic manifestation of alien spirit guides, visiting earth with spiritual agenda

• Most of those who believe in UFOs hold first belief system; both belief systems contribute to UFO spiritualities

Historical InfluencesHistorical Influences

Seeing strange objects in the sky is a Seeing strange objects in the sky is a universal phenomenon universal phenomenon

Carl Jung suggests UFOs = spiritual/ religious Carl Jung suggests UFOs = spiritual/ religious archetype - perfectionarchetype - perfection

Objects in sky always interpreted within Objects in sky always interpreted within language & metaphors of the age – gods, language & metaphors of the age – gods, demons, angels, space shipsdemons, angels, space ships

Today technology dominates our world: is that Today technology dominates our world: is that why we interpret UFOs as technological space why we interpret UFOs as technological space craft?craft?

1919thth Century Sightings Century Sightings

In 19In 19thth Century, precursors to both UFOs as technology camp, and aliens as Century, precursors to both UFOs as technology camp, and aliens as spirit guides camp.spirit guides camp.

Nov. 1896- May 1997, Alabama to Michigan to California – “airships” sightedNov. 1896- May 1997, Alabama to Michigan to California – “airships” sighted Cigar-shaped, propellers and/or wings, brightly lit, with people glimpsed insideCigar-shaped, propellers and/or wings, brightly lit, with people glimpsed inside Often landed to make repairs, asking witnesses for wrenches and water. Often landed to make repairs, asking witnesses for wrenches and water. Powered by “condensed electricity”Powered by “condensed electricity” Estimated speed = 150 miles per hour; could fly against direction of wind, stop Estimated speed = 150 miles per hour; could fly against direction of wind, stop

and start at will. and start at will. These sightings set pattern for 20These sightings set pattern for 20thth century sightings century sightings

Cigar-shaped UFO over race-track, 1910

1919thth Century Extraterrestrial spirit Century Extraterrestrial spirit guideguide

Helene SmithHelene Smith Traveled in trance to MarsTraveled in trance to Mars Points in common between Points in common between

Smith’s experience and other Smith’s experience and other 1919thth & early 20 & early 20thth c. contactee c. contactee experiences:experiences: Took place in our solar system Took place in our solar system

(Mars, Venus, Moon, etc.)(Mars, Venus, Moon, etc.) Took place via psychic means Took place via psychic means

(trance, astral travel, seances)(trance, astral travel, seances) Communication with Communication with

extraterrestrials via telepathyextraterrestrials via telepathy Message of Extraterrestrials is Message of Extraterrestrials is

metaphysicalmetaphysical These contacts set pattern for These contacts set pattern for

later 20later 20thth century contacts. century contacts.

Kenneth Arnold SightingKenneth Arnold Sighting June 24, 1947.June 24, 1947. Air rescue pilot, deputy Air rescue pilot, deputy

sheriff, sees nine “metallic sheriff, sees nine “metallic looking objects” while looking objects” while searching for downed plane searching for downed plane over Mt. Rainier, over Mt. Rainier, WashingtonWashington

Estimated their speed at Estimated their speed at (impossible for 1947) 1700 (impossible for 1947) 1700 miles per hourmiles per hour

Reports sighting; reporters Reports sighting; reporters waiting to question him. He waiting to question him. He says they flew like “saucers says they flew like “saucers skipping over water” – skipping over water” – invention of term “flying invention of term “flying saucer”saucer”

Kenneth Arnold with

US President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Kenneth Arnold SightingKenneth Arnold Sighting Arnold sighting important Arnold sighting important

for three reasons:for three reasons: First, respected witness – First, respected witness –

story considered reliablestory considered reliable Second, Invention of term Second, Invention of term

“flying saucer” – gave “flying saucer” – gave believers and skeptics a believers and skeptics a label to put on UFOs – also, label to put on UFOs – also, term implies “artificial”: term implies “artificial”: saucers, after all, don’t skip saucers, after all, don’t skip without helpwithout help

Third, encouraged other Third, encouraged other witnesses to report sightings witnesses to report sightings – 850 sightings reported in – 850 sightings reported in 1947.1947.

Roswell, New MexicoRoswell, New Mexico Most famous UFO sighting: Most famous UFO sighting:

July 2-3, 1947July 2-3, 1947 Bright glowing disk spotted in Bright glowing disk spotted in

sky on evening of July 2sky on evening of July 2ndnd.. July 3July 3rdrd, rancher William “Mac” , rancher William “Mac”

Brazil finds “metallic” wreckage Brazil finds “metallic” wreckage scattered across his fields near scattered across his fields near town of Corona, New Mexicotown of Corona, New Mexico

Reports finding to nearest Reports finding to nearest military base: 509military base: 509thth Bomb Bomb Group Intelligence Office at Group Intelligence Office at Roswell Field. They send Roswell Field. They send investigator, Major Jesse investigator, Major Jesse Marcel, who collects Marcel, who collects wreckage.wreckage.

Major Jesse Marcel with Roswell wreckage

Roswell, New MexicoRoswell, New Mexico Wreckage includes metallic foil Wreckage includes metallic foil

that cannot be dented or burned; that cannot be dented or burned; small beams with “hieroglyphic small beams with “hieroglyphic writing”writing”

Commander of Roswell base, Commander of Roswell base, Colonel William Blanchard, issues Colonel William Blanchard, issues press release stating Air Force press release stating Air Force had recovered wreckage of had recovered wreckage of crashed flying disk.crashed flying disk.

Commander of 8Commander of 8thth Air force, Air force, General Roger Ramey, issues a General Roger Ramey, issues a retraction: it wasn’t flying saucer, it retraction: it wasn’t flying saucer, it was a weather balloon.was a weather balloon.

Weather balloon story revised by Weather balloon story revised by US Government in 1994: not just US Government in 1994: not just any balloon, a top secret weather any balloon, a top secret weather balloon! (with nuclear blast balloon! (with nuclear blast detector)detector)

Colonel William Blanchard with memo and wreckage

Reconstructed July 8, 1947 Gen. Ramey Roswell MessageReconstructed July 8, 1947 Gen. Ramey Roswell Message Copyright © 2001 by David Rudiak, All Rights ReservedCopyright © 2001 by David Rudiak, All Rights Reserved ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ARMY CABLE BELL CBLARMY CABLE BELL CBL 17:13 CST17:13 CST A) URGENT A) URGENT B) HQAAFB) HQAAF C) WASHINGTON C) WASHINGTON D) 8 JUL 1947D) 8 JUL 1947 E) VANDENBERG E) VANDENBERG F) FROM: HQ 8TH AAF F) FROM: HQ 8TH AAF G) SUB: ROSWELLG) SUB: ROSWELL 0) FWAAF ACKNOWLEDGES THAT A "DISK" IS NEXT NEW FIND WEST OF0) FWAAF ACKNOWLEDGES THAT A "DISK" IS NEXT NEW FIND WEST OF 1) THE CORDON. AT LOCATION WAS A WRECK NEAR OPERATION AT THE1) THE CORDON. AT LOCATION WAS A WRECK NEAR OPERATION AT THE IN ADDITION "POD"IN ADDITION "POD" 2) "RANCH" AND THE VICTIMS OF THE WRECK YOU FORWARDED TO THE2) "RANCH" AND THE VICTIMS OF THE WRECK YOU FORWARDED TO THE 3) ??TEAM AT FORT WORTH, TEX.3) ??TEAM AT FORT WORTH, TEX. 4) AVIATORS IN THE "DISC" THEY WILL SHIP FOR A1-8TH ARMYAMHC4) AVIATORS IN THE "DISC" THEY WILL SHIP FOR A1-8TH ARMYAMHC 5) BY B29-ST OR C47. WRIGHT AF ASSESS AIRFOIL AT ROSWELL. ASSURE5) BY B29-ST OR C47. WRIGHT AF ASSESS AIRFOIL AT ROSWELL. ASSURE

ASSIST FLY-OUTASSIST FLY-OUT 6) THAT CIC/TEAM SAID THIS MISSTATE MEANING OF STORY AND THINK6) THAT CIC/TEAM SAID THIS MISSTATE MEANING OF STORY AND THINK 7) LATE TODAY NEXT SENT OUT PR OF WEATHER BALLOONS WOULD FARE7) LATE TODAY NEXT SENT OUT PR OF WEATHER BALLOONS WOULD FARE 8) BETTER IF THEY ADD LAND DEMORAWIN CREWS.8) BETTER IF THEY ADD LAND DEMORAWIN CREWS. stagestage

Barney Barnett SightingBarney Barnett Sighting July 3, 1947July 3, 1947 Barney Barnet was government Barney Barnet was government

geologist doing survey work.geologist doing survey work. Spotted crashed UFO about 120 Spotted crashed UFO about 120

miles from Roswell: 4 alien bodies miles from Roswell: 4 alien bodies insideinside

Aliens 3.5 – 4 ft tall, slim, hairless, Aliens 3.5 – 4 ft tall, slim, hairless, big heads, 4 fingers – classic big heads, 4 fingers – classic “grey” aliens“grey” aliens

Group of people claiming to be Group of people claiming to be anthropologists arrive, take anthropologists arrive, take charge of site, tell Barnet to keep charge of site, tell Barnet to keep quiet.quiet.

He tells only one person, best He tells only one person, best friend Vern Maltais.friend Vern Maltais.

Maltais later makes story publicMaltais later makes story public

Crashed UFO with Alien body – origin unknown

MJ 12 DocumentMJ 12 Document Reputedly a top secret government Reputedly a top secret government

document prepared for President-elect document prepared for President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower, informing him Dwight D. Eisenhower, informing him about “Operation Majestic-12” – a about “Operation Majestic-12” – a secret operation designed to study secret operation designed to study extraterrestrial contact.extraterrestrial contact.

Reports on recovery of crashed Reports on recovery of crashed Roswell UFORoswell UFO

Delivered anonymously to documentary Delivered anonymously to documentary film producer Jaime Shandera in film producer Jaime Shandera in December 1984.December 1984.

Controversy regarding document Controversy regarding document mainly focuses on recipient rather than mainly focuses on recipient rather than documentdocument

Roswell crash, Barnett sighting, MJ-12 Roswell crash, Barnett sighting, MJ-12 documents all now linked to “prove” documents all now linked to “prove” UFOs exist, aliens are here, UFOs exist, aliens are here, government conspiracy of silence.government conspiracy of silence. MJ-12 Document

Jaime Shandera

UFO SpiritualitiesUFO Spiritualities

Historical Influences, IIHistorical Influences, II

Contactee Contactee PhenomenonPhenomenon

Contactees are those who claim to Contactees are those who claim to have met, and spoken with, have met, and spoken with, extraterrestrial visitors to earthextraterrestrial visitors to earth

The three most famous are: George The three most famous are: George Adamski, Daniel Fry, and Billy Adamski, Daniel Fry, and Billy MeierMeier

George AdamskiGeorge Adamski

Saw and photographed UFOs in Saw and photographed UFOs in 19471947Contact with extraterrestrials in Contact with extraterrestrials in 19521952Blond-haired ET from VenusBlond-haired ET from VenusConcerned about nuclear testingConcerned about nuclear testingFlying Saucers have LandedFlying Saucers have Landed (1953)(1953)Inside the Space ShipsInside the Space Ships (1955) (1955)

Daniel Daniel FryFry

Contacted by UFO Contacted by UFO July 4, 1950 at July 4, 1950 at White Sands, New White Sands, New MexicoMexico

A-lan, A-lan, extraterrestrial on extraterrestrial on mothershipmothership

Concerned about Concerned about Nuclear testingNuclear testing

White Sands White Sands IncidentIncident (1954) (1954)

Billy Billy MeierMeier

Famous for photos as well as Famous for photos as well as contactee experiences: Billy Meier contactee experiences: Billy Meier photo featured in Muldar’s “I want photo featured in Muldar’s “I want to Believe” poster in to Believe” poster in The X-FilesThe X-FilesTelepathic contact with Telepathic contact with extraterrestrials in 1975extraterrestrials in 1975Semjase – pilot of UFO, Pleiadian, Semjase – pilot of UFO, Pleiadian, “nordic” (blonde, beautiful)“nordic” (blonde, beautiful)Ptaah – father of Semjase, captain Ptaah – father of Semjase, captain of mothershipof mothershipPleiadians are our genetic Pleiadians are our genetic ancestors, here to watch over us – ancestors, here to watch over us – responsible for birth of Adam, responsible for birth of Adam, JesusJesus

Other Other 1950’s 1950’s

ContacteesContactees Truman BethurumTruman Bethurum – meets Aura – meets Aura Rhanes from planet Clarion, here Rhanes from planet Clarion, here to help stop our moral & physical to help stop our moral & physical self destructionself destruction

Orfeo AngelucciOrfeo Angelucci – meets “space – meets “space brother” here to document human brother” here to document human spiritual evolution. Experiences spiritual evolution. Experiences missing time, past life memoriesmissing time, past life memories

Howard MengerHoward Menger – first contact as – first contact as a child, reincarnated being from a child, reincarnated being from Jupiter, here to help mankindJupiter, here to help mankind

Contactee PatternContactee Pattern

Travel via UFOs (not psychic, Travel via UFOs (not psychic, astral travel)astral travel)

All extraterrestrials from planets All extraterrestrials from planets without war, poverty, prejudicewithout war, poverty, prejudice

All here with message of cosmic All here with message of cosmic lovelove

All concerned about nuclear self-All concerned about nuclear self-destructiondestruction

Clear precursors to Clear precursors to channeling/contactee “camp” within channeling/contactee “camp” within UFO movementUFO movement

1960’s Phenomenon1960’s Phenomenon Most famous abductees Most famous abductees Betty and Barney HillBetty and Barney Hill

September 19, 1961 – September 19, 1961 – 2.5 2.5 hours missing hours missing timetime

StressStress-related -related symptoms – symptoms – nightmares, ulcersnightmares, ulcers

Betty and Barney HillBetty and Barney Hill

December 1963, go to December 1963, go to (skeptical) hypnotist, recall (skeptical) hypnotist, recall abduction experienceabduction experienceTelepathic compulsionTelepathic compulsionMedical examsMedical examsGrey aliens (Zeta Grey aliens (Zeta Reticulus)Reticulus)

Details of abduction not Details of abduction not released until 1966released until 1966

Betty and Barney HillBetty and Barney Hill

Well-respected, interracial coupleWell-respected, interracial couple Did not announce experience publicly – Did not announce experience publicly – published by researcher John Fuller in published by researcher John Fuller in The Interrupted Journey The Interrupted Journey (1966)(1966)

Opened door for other abductees to come Opened door for other abductees to come forward – narratives all very similarforward – narratives all very similar

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms – never known to be associated with – never known to be associated with imagined stress – something genuinely imagined stress – something genuinely stressful happened to abducteesstressful happened to abductees

Betty Hill InterviewBetty Hill Interview

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Ancient Astronaut Ancient Astronaut TheoryTheory

Erich von DanikenErich von Daniken

Religions of the world tell Religions of the world tell stories of alien/human contactstories of alien/human contact

Gods, angels, demons, etc. really Gods, angels, demons, etc. really just extraterrestrial beingsjust extraterrestrial beings

Evidence of these visitations to Evidence of these visitations to be found in archeological & sacred be found in archeological & sacred text sourcestext sources

Paleo-SETI researchPaleo-SETI research

Erich von DanikenErich von Daniken Born 1935 in SwitzerlandBorn 1935 in Switzerland Chariots of the Gods?Chariots of the Gods? (1968)(1968)

Chariots of the Gods?Chariots of the Gods? (Film-1973)(Film-1973) The Return of the GodsThe Return of the Gods (1997)(1997)

Controversial figure – Controversial figure – criminal record for criminal record for embezzling, accusations embezzling, accusations of misrepresentation of of misrepresentation of sourcessources

Erich von DanikenErich von Daniken Argues Extraterrestrials came to earth Argues Extraterrestrials came to earth following battle elsewherefollowing battle elsewhere

They genetically engineered humans using They genetically engineered humans using own DNAown DNA

Set humans up in protected biosphereSet humans up in protected biosphere Power struggle on mothership results in Power struggle on mothership results in rebels being exiled to earth, where they rebels being exiled to earth, where they interbreed with humans – disrupt genetic interbreed with humans – disrupt genetic experimentexperiment

Captain of ship sends flood using Captain of ship sends flood using meteor, wipes out tainted humans, saves meteor, wipes out tainted humans, saves “pure” humans by telling them how to “pure” humans by telling them how to build shipbuild ship

Alien ship remains in orbit, watching usAlien ship remains in orbit, watching us

Erich von DanikenErich von Daniken Does not intend theory to be Does not intend theory to be

“religious” – intends it as science“religious” – intends it as science Attempt to dismantle Attempt to dismantle

“superstitions” of religion.“superstitions” of religion. However, he has been hugely However, he has been hugely

influential on UFO spirituality influential on UFO spirituality movement:movement: Prehistoric contact with Prehistoric contact with

extraterrestrialsextraterrestrials Genetic link to extraterrestrialsGenetic link to extraterrestrials Ongoing interest of aliens in our Ongoing interest of aliens in our

evolutionevolution