Do UFO’s Lead to Harder Stuff?

[cardero]

When we were younger we were taught not to drink or smoke marijuana because this often led to harder drugs. That a person just couldn’t smoke pot because when one started to smoke pot, they were opening themselves to a whole drug scene that promised bigger and better highs. Once someone delved into this world of drugs, it was often difficult to turn back.

Religions used to tell me the same thing about UFOs. Instead of referring to scripture or praying on the matter, any study or interest in UFO’s was a one-way trip to the occult; destination HELL.

Even though most of the literature focused on the “nuts and bolts” aspect of the phenomenon, there seem to always be that area of the unknown that religions would occupy and substitute with demons and devils that were just waiting for young, impressionable souls who were seeking more unorthodox or mystical means to connect with the phenomenon.

They would coin any interest in the subject as new age even though we have no conclusive evidence whether aliens were on this planet before humans.


Does the interest or study of UFO’s really lend itself to mysticism, new age enlightenment or other matters of the occult? Is there really any relevance or relationship to UFOs and spiritualism or are religions just mistaking this for superior technology?

 

[BucephalusBB]

marihuana didn't lead me to harder drugs, so the statement feels flawed allready.

But I don't see how technology would lead to mysticism. In fact, I would think it would lead one away from it.

 

[monta]

marihuana didn't lead me to harder drugs .....

Yet

 

[BucephalusBB]

Yet

But really, before I started I set an endline and that line hasn't changed a bit since.
With that, I am old enough now to say my experimenting years are over

 

[angellous_evangellous]

The real danger is if you stop listening to Willie.

Once that happens, you really are on the road to hell.

 

[Caladan]

I was 'open minded' to the UFO phenomena, mainly when I was an adolescent and before that. but as the internet expanded and as my personal understanding and sources of information improved so did my filters.
Its hard to see on line UFO sources today who do not fall into petty conspiracy theories, and sometimes pseudo 'occult', one thing is for sure, if you have solid education in various fields of study, from the non exact sciences like archaeology to other sciences you understand that the 'pseudo' is pretty much in domination in the UFOlogy community. you read information which you understand to be false and hyped and many times simply ridiculous.

the conspiracy theory element is also disturbing, as it not only demonizes international figures and bodies, but many times it demonizes whole nations or groups of people, like in the case of Jews and Israel. this really gives me a bucket of cold water every time I show interest in the phenomena. and of course as an archeologist I'm saddened by absurd chronologies or claims that the pyramids were built by extraterrestrials.

 

[Apion]

But I don't see how technology would lead to mysticism. In fact, I would think it would lead one away from it.

Check out Jacques Vallee. The UFO issue isn't as simple as space visitors flying around in nuts-and-bolts saucers. Mysticism is also a contemplative procedure for ultimate nonduality, not much to do with the subject.

 

[BucephalusBB]

Check out Jacques Vallee.

Looks sexy, but not my thing..
Perhaps a link or at least a certain aspect of his thoughts could help..

The UFO issue isn't as simple as space visitors flying around in nuts-and-bolts saucers. Mysticism is also a contemplative procedure for ultimate nonduality, not much to do with the subject.

Could you expand?

 

[cardero]

Check out Jacques Vallee. The UFO issue isn't as simple as space visitors flying around in nuts-and-bolts saucers. Mysticism is also a contemplative procedure for ultimate nonduality, not much to do with the subject.

I like Jacques Vallee.

 

[Apion]

Looks sexy, but not my thing..

Old french guys aren't my thing either, then again I'm straight.

 

[Magic Man]

I was 'open minded' to the UFO phenomena, mainly when I was an adolescent and before that. but as the internet expanded and as my personal understanding and sources of information improved so did my filters.
Its hard to see on line UFO sources today who do not fall into petty conspiracy theories, and sometimes pseudo 'occult', one thing is for sure, if you have solid education in various fields of study, from the non exact sciences like archaeology to other sciences you understand that the 'pseudo' is pretty much in domination in the UFOlogy community. you read information which you understand to be false and hyped and many times simply ridiculous.

the conspiracy theory element is also disturbing, as it not only demonizes international figures and bodies, but many times it demonizes whole nations or groups of people, like in the case of Jews and Israel. this really gives me a bucket of cold water every time I show interest in the phenomena. and of course as an archeologist I'm saddened by absurd chronologies or claims that the pyramids were built by extraterrestrials.

This could not be more accurate for me if I had written it myself (well, except for the part about being an archaeologist ).

 

[Kilgore Trout]

People who have a tendency towards compulsion and addiction when it comes to substances, end up doing many different types. By the same token, people who have a tendency to believe in silly things, end up believing many different silly things.

 

[Apion]

if you have solid education in various fields of study, from the non exact sciences like archaeology to other sciences you understand that the 'pseudo' is pretty much in domination in the UFOlogy community. you read information which you understand to be false and hyped and many times simply ridiculous.

It's most apparent in pop archaeological circles (Sitchin, Von Daniken, Ike, etc.).

 

[Apion]

By the same token, people who have a tendency to believe in silly things, end up believing many different silly things.

Sounds like a great idea for a signature. :clap

 

[Nepenthe]

What Caladan and

By the same token, people who have a tendency to believe in silly things, end up believing many different silly things.

said.

Fantasy prone personalities tend to embrace a wide field of unsubstantiated claims. Alien abductee claimants, those who experience NDEs, ghosts experiences, etc. all statistically tend to lean towards the FPP trait(s).

 

[Apion]

For the hell of it and those who haven't seen it,

Why Smart People Believe Wierd Things

 

[cardero]

Why Smart People Believe Weird Things fails to consider that even smart people cannot keep up with every fact, belief or Truth. Truth can also be considered flat and uninteresting like a child trying to play with a dead puppy. What challenge is there in proving a Truth?

I think that the reason people who have a interest in UFOs (or even have witnessed one) get involved in metaphysical pursuits is because they tire of waiting for explanation of a Truth they feel they deserve. Do I understand that, yes I can understand that. Do I believe there are other ways to gather information, yes I believe that too.

 

[Apion]

Shermer isn't without criticism, but he does a good job explaining how and why people choose and defend their convictions. I agree with your second paragraph for the motivation, although I disagree that a feeling is a valid means to knowledge.

By the way, your first sentence is one of the central arguments in Shermer's essay; you aren't really disagreeing with him.