Cults, Aliens and religion..

[siren13]

Not sure if this belongs here or not, but as close as it can get I guess.

I myself have found some things regarding aliens, alien abduction (not all some not all) as well as general theories around the subject of aliens to be rather entertaining at times making me skeptical. Not the general theories most of us believe - such as them visiting earth. That I believe, but some of this other stuff I have read on the internet and in a few books. It does almost seem cult like to believe in some of the things out there. This forum seems to be a very level headed group of people. On other UFO forums it can get down right crazy. Even some of the things I have read from authors I used to love in the past, such as Strieber. It gets weird. People in this field start what I would call their own religion based on UFOs and what will happen if they come here. I have heard many versions of what will happen either they destroy us or save us. Maybe all of it is true. Maybe none of it is. I did stumble across this thread from www.abovetopsecret.com

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread719445/pg1

Interesting thread. Just wondering what you all take on this individuals comments, because I myself find myself agreeing with some of it some of the time. I find myself getting really into the subject but it seems like the more you read on UFO you get deeper and deeper into the more bizarre aspects of it. I dont always have to see it to believe it. But I'm open minded to except things. Yet there is this nagging question in me that sometimes goes "Why?" "Who cares?" "Does it really matter?" "Will things really change?" And then I think maybe not at all. Or maybe we want to believe something else is out there in the vast darkness of the universe. My theory has always been to anyone that doesn't believe in anything. Is why did WE happen??? Something has to be controlling it. God, Aliens, both? or are we just a dream with in a dream?

Maybe I am thinking too much today. At least I'm thinking as my late father would say

Love your thoughts. Am I the only one partly skeptical? Not all but partly?

Feeling out of the loop today I think.

Kel

[Moon]

There are many reasons why when someone states UFOs are like a religious cult they can be correct:

1. Many fringe and New Age groups have very wild theories out there with no evidence backing them up (just like a cult or sect).

2. The use of the word/term believer to describe those who do hold the extraterrestrial hypothesis and other aspects of ufology. Believer connotes it is faith that brings us to these conclusions, not evidence.

3. Channellers are everywhere when one researches the subjects of ufology or extraterrestrials. Channellers are usually called prophets in cults and sects.

4. Use of selected information to advance an idea. Some sects do the same when it comes to promoting their views. If evidence comes up that solves a case, it gets ignored by many.

If one is just starting out researching and trying to find credible professionals and information, they can get very discouraged quickly. There are thousands of sites out there that make the most spectacular claims without one shred of decent evidence. This can turn someone who was searching for information to turn into a skeptic and even a debunker. I do think skepticism is needed in this area, but after a while, they start to dismiss everything.

It has been suggested that ufology needs to police itself, but where do they start? If you state no more channellers and whistle-blowers who have no proof, then many would be very irate. Also, many sell books on those ideas alone and do not want to give up a good bread earner.

The thing is, there are some very good cases out there with much evidence to support the incident was extraterrestrial in nature. Those cases get buried in sensationalistic stories such as Dulce NM and others because they sell more books.

Excellent post here, and religion is a good place to put it as it is a compare/contrast post.

[siren13]

That is why when I read about the Group that killed themselves over a comet, I started doing some research on some of these wild claims. I love to read spectacular things and I too would love to believe some of the claims but it is about research. I think when things do happen that is why it Is hard to see it real. Unfortunately in the area of ufo and science it seems we are only just starting to take it serious. Even if we find nothing it is better to look at it from an educated sometimes practical view, as well as with an open mind.

[Moon]

That is why when I read about the Group that killed themselves over a comet, I started doing some research on some of these wild claims. I love to read spectacular things and I too would love to believe some of the claims but it is about research. I think when things do happen that is why it Is hard to see it real. Unfortunately in the area of ufo and science it seems we are only just starting to take it serious. Even if we find nothing it is better to look at it from an educated sometimes practical view, as well as with an open mind.

There are some great cases out there that while not that out there would of been great to have witnessed. I always think about the Father Gill incident in Papua New Guinea during the 1950s. Here is a respected man of the cloth with many dozens of other people who witness and contact a craft floating above them by waving at the occupants. While it is not as wild as underground alien bases, this is an incident that the people never forgot for as long as they lived. They actually made contact with other beings from another planet. How many people can truly make that claim?

[Zero One]

Well i have problems with the word "cult" it is so subjective and does not really have any meaning. My mother in law thinks every non-christian religion is a cult for example. But who really cares what people believe in? I mean so what if people want to believe in alien light beings and reptilians, is it honestly ANY different than believing an undead jewish carpenter that can perform magic tricks is the son of god and tht he will return some day to suck up all his believers into the kingdom of heaven while fighting the army of satan on earth? But someone believes in reptilians and THEY are crazy right?

[siren13]

Of course they are crazy! (I say this in jest..) while I don't believe all of it. I definitely appreciate hearing about some of it.
It makes life more interesting.