Difference between revisions of "UFO"

From Conservapedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Copied large portion from ET Life article, still need cleanup.)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
The word 'UFO' stands for 'Unidentified Flying Object', but has come in general usage to mean a spaceship from outer space, piloted by [[aliens]], or non-human [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrials]]. UFOs are often believed to be in the shape of flying saucers, but many other shapes have been reported, such as cigar shapes and triangles. The first modern sighting was made in 1947 by US pilot Kevin Arnold. Arnold's description of "flying saucers" entered the public imagination. That summer a flying saucer was alleged to have crashed at a town called [[Roswell]], complete with miniature humanoid occupants. Many alleged sightings have been made since then, and many people claim to have been abducted by aliens and subjected to experimentation. Despite all these claims, no concrete evidence has ever emerged that aliens exist. Many alternative explanations for the abduction phenomena have been put forward by a number of people. Among the most prominent of these is "sleep paralysis," a sleep-related disorder which can induce sensations very similar to those reported in abductions, posited by [[Carl Sagan]], well-known for his thoughts on [[extraterrestrial life]]. Many conservative Christians believe that UFOs can be explained by 'false messiahs and false prophecies' as predicted to come by Christ.
 
The word 'UFO' stands for 'Unidentified Flying Object', but has come in general usage to mean a spaceship from outer space, piloted by [[aliens]], or non-human [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrials]]. UFOs are often believed to be in the shape of flying saucers, but many other shapes have been reported, such as cigar shapes and triangles. The first modern sighting was made in 1947 by US pilot Kevin Arnold. Arnold's description of "flying saucers" entered the public imagination. That summer a flying saucer was alleged to have crashed at a town called [[Roswell]], complete with miniature humanoid occupants. Many alleged sightings have been made since then, and many people claim to have been abducted by aliens and subjected to experimentation. Despite all these claims, no concrete evidence has ever emerged that aliens exist. Many alternative explanations for the abduction phenomena have been put forward by a number of people. Among the most prominent of these is "sleep paralysis," a sleep-related disorder which can induce sensations very similar to those reported in abductions, posited by [[Carl Sagan]], well-known for his thoughts on [[extraterrestrial life]]. Many conservative Christians believe that UFOs can be explained by 'false messiahs and false prophecies' as predicted to come by Christ.
 +
== Explanations given for UFO sightings and belief ==
 +
Lynn Cato, senior bibliographer for the library of Congress, created a 1600 entry on [[UFO]] bibliography for the [[United States Air Force]] Office of Scientific Research. After a two year investigation, in which she reviewed thousands of documents, Catoe stated:<ref name=Reason>Authors unknown. "[http://www.letusreason.org/NAM25.htm A UFO 2nd Coming]." Let Us Reason Ministries, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref><ref name=Gleghorn>Gleghorn, Michael. "[http://www.probe.org/cults-and-world-religions/cults-and-world-religions/ufos-and-alien-beings.html UFO's and Alien Beings]." Probe Ministries. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref> {{Cquote|A large part of the available UFO literature...deals with subjects like mental telepathy, automatic writing and invisible entities...poltergeist manifestations and 'possession'....Many of the UFO reports now being published in the popular press recount alleged incidents that are strikingly similar to [[demonic possession]] and [[psychic phenomenon]] which have long been known to [[Theology|theologians]] and [[Paraphschology|parapsychologists]].}}
 +
 +
Prominent UFO researcher [[John Keel]] concurred. After surveying the literature on [[demonology]] Keel stated,<ref name=Gleghorn/>{{Cquote|The manifestations and occurrences described in this imposing literature are similar if not entirely identical to the UFO phenomenon itself.}}
 +
 +
[[Astronomy|Astronomer]] Dr. [[Hugh Ross]] states that ninety-nine percent of what people have told him were UFOs, experienced astronomers can identify as a [[star]], cluster, or other object in the night sky. The 1 percent of sightings, which he calls residual UFOs, have attracted his attention. <ref name=Blade>Tarjanyi, Judy. "[http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73122266402007&Avis=TO&Dato=20030104&Kategori=NEWS10&Lopenr=101040052&Ref=AR Astronomer links UFOs to Occultism]." ''The Toledo Blade'', January 4, 2003. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref> According to Dr. Ross very few astronomers have seen residual UFOs.<ref name=Blade/>
 +
 +
The following newspaper excerpt<ref name=Blade/> summarizes Dr. Ross's findings:
 +
 +
{{cquote|In 1969, however, Dr. Ross met two astronomers who were having regular UFO encounters. Both also happened to be involved in occult activity.
 +
 +
Upon investigation, Dr. Ross consistently found a connection between occult involvement and residual UFO encounters. For example, he said, countries with a high degree of occult activity such as Russia during the Soviet era, France, and certain parts of Brazil also had high percentages of UFO encounters. During Russia?s Soviet period when every expression of religion except occult activity had been outlawed, he said, “Russians were seeing UFOs at five to eight times the rate Americans were.}}
 +
 +
[[Christian]]s who reject naturalistic explanations of life such as the [[theory of evolution]] have presented arguments in the field of [[Christian apologetics]] regarding UFO's being spiritual in nature and not amenable to naturalistic explanation.<ref name=Gleghorn/><ref name=Reason/><ref name=Bohlin>Bohlin, Ray. "[http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/lifemars.html Are We Alone in the Universe?]" Leadership University, July 14, 2002. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref><ref name=CMI>Authors unknown. "[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/2995/ Alien Life/UFO Questions and Answers]." Creation Ministries International. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref><ref name=AiG>Authors unknown. "[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/alien.asp Alien Life/UFO Questions and Answers]." Answers in Genesis. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref>
 +
 +
== Public speculation on ET's and UFO's ==
 +
Public discussion of the subject is mostly confined to the margins, but several scientists and celebrities have expressed opinions, as have a few politicians.
 +
Former [[President of the United States]] [[Jimmy Carter]] has openly speculated on the existence of extraterrestrial nation-states.<ref>Carter claims to have witnessed an unidentified flying object in 1969; he remains the only U.S. President to have formally reported a [[UFO]]. He filed a report with the International UFO Bureau in [[Oklahoma City]] after a request from that organization.[http://www.presidentialufo.com/carter_ufo_report.htm]  See [[Jimmy Carter]].</ref> More recently, [[United States House of Representatives|US Representative]] and Presidential candidate [[Dennis Kucinich]] [[Democratic Party|D]]-[[Ohio|OH]]) was asked in a primary debate whether he had, as earlier alleged, seen a UFO--and answered in the affirmative.<ref name=Kucinich>User "nikbaron". [http://youtube.com/watch?v=gSRWRbuMqyc Representative Dennis Kucinich UFO]." ''<http://youtube.com>,'' posted October 31, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2007.</ref><ref name=Feagler>Feagler, Dick. "[http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/opinion-0/1193474407233790.xml&coll=2&thispage=1 So Dennis Kucinich saw a UFO; what's the big deal]?" ''The Plain Dealer'' (Cleveland), October 28, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2007.</ref> Even more recently, [[Project Apollo]] [[Astronaut]] Edgar Mitchell, who flew as Lunar Module Pilot for [[Apollo 14]], declared that [[NASA]] has known for sixty years (as of July 24, 2008) that extraterrestrial scouts have contacted various governments of Earth, yet no government has ever dared admit this. NASA does not stand by Astronaut Mitchell's statements.<ref name=Mitchell>Authors unknown. "[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1037471/Apollo-14-astronaut-claims-aliens-HAVE-contact--covered-60-years.html Apollo 14 astronaut claims aliens HAVE made contact - but it has been covered up for 60 years]." ''The Daily Mail'' ([[London]], [[England]], [[UK]]), July 24, 2008. Accessed July 24, 2008.</ref>
 +
 +
Discussion of the religious implications of extraterrestrial life has been intermittent.  The subject is sometimes are referred to as [[Exotheology]].
 +
 +
==  References ==
 +
{{reflist|2}}
 +
 +
 +
 
[[category:science]]
 
[[category:science]]
−
[[Category:psychology]]
 

Revision as of 02:39, December 10, 2008

The word 'UFO' stands for 'Unidentified Flying Object', but has come in general usage to mean a spaceship from outer space, piloted by aliens, or non-human extraterrestrials. UFOs are often believed to be in the shape of flying saucers, but many other shapes have been reported, such as cigar shapes and triangles. The first modern sighting was made in 1947 by US pilot Kevin Arnold. Arnold's description of "flying saucers" entered the public imagination. That summer a flying saucer was alleged to have crashed at a town called Roswell, complete with miniature humanoid occupants. Many alleged sightings have been made since then, and many people claim to have been abducted by aliens and subjected to experimentation. Despite all these claims, no concrete evidence has ever emerged that aliens exist. Many alternative explanations for the abduction phenomena have been put forward by a number of people. Among the most prominent of these is "sleep paralysis," a sleep-related disorder which can induce sensations very similar to those reported in abductions, posited by Carl Sagan, well-known for his thoughts on extraterrestrial life. Many conservative Christians believe that UFOs can be explained by 'false messiahs and false prophecies' as predicted to come by Christ.

Explanations given for UFO sightings and belief

Lynn Cato, senior bibliographer for the library of Congress, created a 1600 entry on UFO bibliography for the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research. After a two year investigation, in which she reviewed thousands of documents, Catoe stated:[1][2]

“ A large part of the available UFO literature...deals with subjects like mental telepathy, automatic writing and invisible entities...poltergeist manifestations and 'possession'....Many of the UFO reports now being published in the popular press recount alleged incidents that are strikingly similar to demonic possession and psychic phenomenon which have long been known to theologians and parapsychologists. ”

Prominent UFO researcher John Keel concurred. After surveying the literature on demonology Keel stated,[2]

“ The manifestations and occurrences described in this imposing literature are similar if not entirely identical to the UFO phenomenon itself. ”

Astronomer Dr. Hugh Ross states that ninety-nine percent of what people have told him were UFOs, experienced astronomers can identify as a star, cluster, or other object in the night sky. The 1 percent of sightings, which he calls residual UFOs, have attracted his attention. [3] According to Dr. Ross very few astronomers have seen residual UFOs.[3]

The following newspaper excerpt[3] summarizes Dr. Ross's findings:


“ In 1969, however, Dr. Ross met two astronomers who were having regular UFO encounters. Both also happened to be involved in occult activity.

Upon investigation, Dr. Ross consistently found a connection between occult involvement and residual UFO encounters. For example, he said, countries with a high degree of occult activity such as Russia during the Soviet era, France, and certain parts of Brazil also had high percentages of UFO encounters. During Russia?s Soviet period when every expression of religion except occult activity had been outlawed, he said, “Russians were seeing UFOs at five to eight times the rate Americans were.

”

Christians who reject naturalistic explanations of life such as the theory of evolution have presented arguments in the field of Christian apologetics regarding UFO's being spiritual in nature and not amenable to naturalistic explanation.[2][1][4][5][6]

Public speculation on ET's and UFO's

Public discussion of the subject is mostly confined to the margins, but several scientists and celebrities have expressed opinions, as have a few politicians. Former President of the United States Jimmy Carter has openly speculated on the existence of extraterrestrial nation-states.[7] More recently, US Representative and Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich D-OH) was asked in a primary debate whether he had, as earlier alleged, seen a UFO--and answered in the affirmative.[8][9] Even more recently, Project Apollo Astronaut Edgar Mitchell, who flew as Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 14, declared that NASA has known for sixty years (as of July 24, 2008) that extraterrestrial scouts have contacted various governments of Earth, yet no government has ever dared admit this. NASA does not stand by Astronaut Mitchell's statements.[10]

Discussion of the religious implications of extraterrestrial life has been intermittent. The subject is sometimes are referred to as Exotheology.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Authors unknown. "A UFO 2nd Coming." Let Us Reason Ministries, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Gleghorn, Michael. "UFO's and Alien Beings." Probe Ministries. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Tarjanyi, Judy. "Astronomer links UFOs to Occultism." The Toledo Blade, January 4, 2003. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  4. ↑ Bohlin, Ray. "Are We Alone in the Universe?" Leadership University, July 14, 2002. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  5. ↑ Authors unknown. "Alien Life/UFO Questions and Answers." Creation Ministries International. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  6. ↑ Authors unknown. "Alien Life/UFO Questions and Answers." Answers in Genesis. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
  7. ↑ Carter claims to have witnessed an unidentified flying object in 1969; he remains the only U.S. President to have formally reported a UFO. He filed a report with the International UFO Bureau in Oklahoma City after a request from that organization.[1] See Jimmy Carter.
  8. ↑ User "nikbaron". Representative Dennis Kucinich UFO." <http://youtube.com>, posted October 31, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2007.
  9. ↑ Feagler, Dick. "So Dennis Kucinich saw a UFO; what's the big deal?" The Plain Dealer (Cleveland), October 28, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2007.
  10. ↑ Authors unknown. "Apollo 14 astronaut claims aliens HAVE made contact - but it has been covered up for 60 years." The Daily Mail (London, England, UK), July 24, 2008. Accessed July 24, 2008.
Retrieved from "https://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=UFO&oldid=582755"