UFOs and Space Aliens
Michael Gleghorn
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A Tale of Two Hypotheses
It seems that almost everyone is interested in reports of UFOs and
alien encounters. But how should these reports be understood? Where
do these "unidentified flying objects" come from and what are they?
Are intelligent beings visiting us from another planet or some other
dimension? Or are UFO reports merely a collection of hoaxes,
hallucinations, and misidentified phenomena? Can all UFO reports be
adequately explained, or are there some that seem to defy all
natural explanations? These are just a few of the questions we want
to consider in this article.

First, however, it's essential to note that most UFOs (unidentified
flying objects) become IFOs (identified flying objects). John
Spencer, a British UFO researcher, estimates that as many as 95
percent of received UFO reports "are turned into IFOs and explained
satisfactorily."{1} For example, the report might be found to have
been a clever prank or to have some natural explanation. Planets,
comets, military aircraft, and rockets (among many others) have all
been mistaken for UFOs. But even if 99 percent of UFO reports could
be satisfactorily explained, there would still be thousands of cases
that stubbornly resist all natural explanations. These are called
residual UFO reports.

If residual UFOs are not hoaxes, hallucinations, or some natural or
man-made phenomena, then what are they? Most UFO researchers hold
either to the extraterrestrial hypothesis or the interdimensional
hypothesis. The extraterrestrial hypothesis holds that
technologically advanced, interplanetary space travelers are indeed
visiting our planet from somewhere else in the cosmos. Stanton
Friedman, a representative of this view, states clearly, "The
evidence is overwhelming that some UFOs are alien spacecraft."{2}

The interdimensional hypothesis agrees "that some UFOs are real
phenomena that may exhibit physical . . . effects."{3} However,
unlike the extraterrestrial hypothesis, this view does not believe
that UFOs and alien beings come from somewhere else in our physical
universe. So where do they come from? Some suggest that they come
from some other universe of space and time. But others believe that
they come from some other dimension entirely, perhaps a spiritual
realm.{4}

How might we tell which, if either, of these two hypotheses is
correct? Astronomer and Christian apologist Dr. Hugh Ross suggests
that we employ the scientific approach known as the "process of
elimination." He writes, "Mechanics use it to find out why the car
won't start. Doctors use it to find out why the stomach hurts.
Detectives use it to find out who stole the cash. This process can
also be used to discover what could, or could not, possibly give
rise to UFO phenomena."{5}

So what happens if we apply this process to the extraterrestrial
hypothesis? Although quite popular here in America, there are some
serious scientific objections to this viewpoint.

The Extraterrestrial Hypothesis
In the first place, it is highly improbable that there is another
planet in our cosmos capable of supporting physical life. Dr. Ross
has calculated the probability of such a planet existing by natural
processes alone as less than 1 in 10174. You actually have "a much
higher probability of being killed in the next second by a failure
in the second law of thermodynamics (about one chance in 1080)."{6}
Thus, apart from the supernatural creation of another suitable place
for life, our planet is almost certainly unique in its capacity to
support complex biological organisms. (See the Probe article "Are We
Alone in the Universe?") This alone makes the extraterrestrial
hypothesis extremely improbable. But it gets even worse!

Suppose (against all statistical probability) that there is a planet
with intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. What is the
likelihood that such creatures are visiting our planet? And what
sort of difficulties would they face in doing so?

Probably the greatest challenge to interstellar space travel is
simply the immense size of the universe. One group of scientists,
assuming that any alien spacecraft would likely maintain
communication with either the home planet or with other members of
their traveling party, "scanned all 202 of the roughly solar-type
stars within 155 light-years of Earth. Not one intelligible signal
was detected anywhere within the vicinity of these stars."{7} This
implies that, at a minimum, E.T. would have to travel 155 light-
years just to reach earth. Unfortunately, numerous galactic hazards
would prevent traveling here in a straight line. Avoiding these
deadly hazards would increase the minimum travel distance to
approximately 230 light-years.{8}

Dr. Ross estimates that "any reasonably-sized spacecraft
transporting intelligent physical beings can travel at velocities no
greater than about 1 percent" of light-speed.{9} Although this is
nearly 7 million miles per hour, it would still take about twenty-
three thousand years to travel the 230 light-years to earth! Of
course, a lot can go wrong in twenty-three thousand years. The
aliens might run out of food or fuel. Their spacecraft might be
damaged beyond repair by space debris. They might be destroyed by a
contagious epidemic. The mind reels at the overwhelming
improbability of successfully completing such a multi-generational
mission.

In light of these facts, it doesn't appear that the extraterrestrial
hypothesis can reasonably survive the process of elimination. Does
the interdimensional hypothesis fare any better? A growing number of
serious UFO researchers believe it can. Let's take a look.

The Interdimensional Hypothesis
The interdimensional hypothesis holds that residual UFOs "enter the
physical dimensions of the universe from 'outside' the four familiar
dimensions of length, height, width, and time."{10} Where do they
come from? Some believe that they come from another physical
universe of space and time. But this does not seem possible. General
relativity forbids "the space-time dimensions of any other
hypothetically existing universe" from overlapping with our own.{11}
For this reason, many researchers believe that residual UFOs must
come from some other dimension entirely, perhaps even a spiritual
realm.

What evidence can be offered for such a bold hypothesis? Many point
to the strange behavior of residual UFOs themselves. Hugh Ross
contends that residual UFOs "must be nonphysical because they
disobey firmly established physical laws."{12} Among the many
examples that he offers in support of this statement, consider the
following:{13}

Residual UFOs generate no sonic booms when they break the sound
barrier, nor do they show any evidence of meeting with air
resistance.
They make impossibly sharp turns and sudden stops.
They send no detectable electromagnetic signals.
If residual UFOs are real (as credible testimony from astronomers,
meteorologists, pilots, and others suggests), then their ability to
defy the well-known and well-tested laws of physics is a strong
indication, in the minds of many researchers, that they must be
nonphysical in nature. Additionally, many researchers argue that
residual UFOs also manifest characteristics consistent with
intelligence.

For example, "relative to the number of potential observers, ten
times as many sightings occur at 3:00 A.M (a time when few people
are out) as at either 6:00 A.M. or 8:00 P.M. (times when many people
are outside in the dark)."{14} If residual UFOs were simply random
events, then we would expect more sightings when there are more
potential observers. The fact that these events are nonrandom may
suggest some sort of intelligence behind them. This is further
supported by the fact that some people are more likely to see a
residual UFO than others. Numerous researchers have observed a
correlation between an individual's involvement with the occult and
their likelihood of having a residual UFO encounter. This may also
suggest some kind of intelligence behind these phenomena.

Finally, residual UFOs not only appear to be nonphysical and
intelligent, they sometimes seem malevolent as well. Many of those
claiming to have had a residual UFO encounter have suffered
emotional, psychological, and/or physical injury. A few people have
even died after such encounters. In light of these strange
characteristics, many researchers have reached similar conclusions
about the possible source of these phenomena.

The Occult Connection
Many serious UFO investigators have noticed a striking similarity
between some of the aliens described in UFO reports and the demonic
spirits described in the Bible. Although it may not be possible to
know whether some aliens are actually demons (and I certainly do not
claim to know this myself), the well-documented connection between
UFO phenomena and the occult cannot be denied.

In 1969 Lynn Catoe served as the senior bibliographer of a
publication on UFOs researched by the Library of Congress for the
U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. After a two-year
investigation, in which she surveyed thousands of documents, she
drew explicit attention to the link between UFOs and the occult. She
wrote, "A large part of the available UFO literature . . . deals
with subjects like mental telepathy, automatic writing and invisible
entities . . . poltergeist manifestations and 'possession.'
Many . . . UFO reports . . . recount alleged incidents that are
strikingly similar to demonic possession and psychic phenomena."{15}
Veteran UFO researcher John Keel agrees. After surveying the
literature on demonology he wrote, "The manifestations and
occurrences described in this imposing literature are similar if not
entirely identical to the UFO phenomenon itself."{16} The bizarre
claim of alien abduction may lend some credibility to these remarks.

Many (though not all) of those who report an abduction experience
describe the aliens as deceptive and hostile. Whitley Strieber,
whose occult involvement preceded the writing of both Communion and
Transformation, at times explicitly referred to his alien visitors
as "demons." For example, in Transformation he described his
emotional reaction to the aliens with these words: "I felt an
absolutely indescribable sense of menace. It was hell on earth to be
there, and yet I couldn't move, couldn't cry out, couldn't get
away . . . Whatever was there seemed so monstrously ugly, so filthy
and dark and sinister. Of course they were demons. They had to be.
And they were here and I couldn't get away."{17}

Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that abduction is often
physically and emotionally painful, Mr. Strieber tends to believe
that its purpose is ultimately benevolent. When integrated
correctly, the abduction experience can provide a catalyst for
spiritual growth and development. Still, he candidly admits that he
is really not sure precisely who or what these beings actually are,
and he continues to warn that many of them are indeed hostile and
malevolent.{18} In light of this, one can't help wondering about the
experiences related in Mr. Strieber's books. If his encounters with
aliens were not merely hallucinatory, or due to some mental
disorder, isn't it at least possible that his sinister visitors
really were demons? As noted above, many UFO investigators would
indeed consider this (or something very much like it) a genuine
possibility.

Another Gospel?
In his letter to the Galatians the Apostle Paul delivered a stirring
indictment against every gospel but that of Christ. "But even though
we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary
to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we
have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you
a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed"
(1:8-9). Evidently, the purity of the gospel was deeply important to
Paul.

In today's pluralistic society a variety of gospels are being
preached. And among the great throng of voices clamoring for our
attention are many UFO cults. Since the 1950s a number of these
cults have arisen, often around a charismatic leader who claims to
be in regular contact with otherworldly beings. Interestingly,
unlike the abduction phenomenon, most contactees do not claim to
have ever seen the aliens with whom they communicate. Rather, they
claim that the aliens communicate with them psychically or
telepathically. The contactee is simply a channel, or medium,
through whom the aliens communicate their messages to humankind.
This method of contact is rather intriguing for those who favor the
interdimensional hypothesis. As John Saliba observes, "Many
contactees . . . write about UFOs and space beings as if these were
psychic phenomena, belonging to a different time/space dimension
that lies beyond the scope . . . of modern science."{19}

So what sort of messages do the aliens allegedly communicate to
contactees? Often they want to help guide us to the next stage of
our spiritual evolution or give us advice that will help us avoid
some global catastrophe. Strangely, however, many of them also want
to deny or distort traditional doctrines of biblical Christianity.
Oftentimes these denials and distortions concern the doctrine of
Christ. For example, the Aetherius Society "views Jesus Christ as an
advanced alien being . . . who communicates through a channel and
travels to Earth in a flying saucer to protect Earth from evil
forces."{20} As a general rule, "UFO religions . . . reject orthodox
Christology (Jesus' identity as both God and man) and thus reject
Jesus Christ as the . . . Creator and . . . Savior of
humankind."{21}

A deficient Christology, combined with an acceptance of biblically
forbidden occult practices like mediumistic channeling (see Lev.
19:31; Deut. 18:10-12; etc.), make many UFO cults spiritually
dangerous. By preaching a false gospel, they have (perhaps
unwittingly) placed themselves under a divine curse. By embracing
occult practices, they have opened the door to potential demonic
attack and deception. Nevertheless, there is hope for those involved
with these cults. There is even hope for those tormented by hostile
beings claiming to be aliens. The Bible tells us that through His
work on the cross, Jesus disarmed the demonic rulers and authorities
(Col. 2:15). What's more, for those who flee to Him for refuge, He
makes available the "full armor of God," that they might "stand firm
against the schemes of the devil" (Eph. 6:11). Regardless of who or
what these alien beings might be, no one need live in fear of them.
If Jesus has triumphed over the realm of evil demonic spirits, then
certainly no alien can stand against Him. Let those who live in fear
turn to Jesus, for He offers rest to all who are weary and heavy-
laden (Matt. 11:28). http://www.probe.org/docs/ufo.html