Ufo's can't exist, because if they did exist we would know about them. This argument is perfectly reasonable, but its force is reduced considerably by recognizing that it is also the primary rationale for atheism.

Even the atheists will have to concede that this consideration poses a problem for ufo skeptics. The primary force behind ufo skepticism is ridicule, but very few are the atheists who consider the question of God's existence to be ridiculous. To the contrary, most atheists are all too serious about their atheism.

Why then is the question of ufo's treated so differently from the question of God? The reason is to be found in the dualism that is inherent to theism. Perhaps the deepest mystery of the human psyche is our passion for perfection, a passion that is integral to most other passions. God becomes the primary posit of that passion, and that is then the basis of dualism. If there is something that is not mundane then it must either be explicitly divine or else it must be satanic.

Ufo's are obviously neither mundane nor divine, therefor one should avoid all contact. Ufologists vainly argue that we should treat ufo's as a natural or scientific phenomenon, but neither the theist nor the scientist is to be persuaded. Despite the best efforts of ufologists, the taint of untouchability cannot be removed from the phenomenon. The ridicule referred to above is then a cover for our much darker suspicions, suspicions that are readily apparent in the ubiquitous popular treatments of the subject.

ET's are not angels and they are not rocket jockeys. The only reasonable alternative is that they are cosmic shock troops. They are here to awaken us to a much larger reality. Their initial target was the mundane power structure that was only too eager to cooperate in the subsequent cover-up and disinformation. With their cover in place, the ET's could undertake a broader program of cultural manipulation stopping short of disclosure. This approach may seem undignified and ungodly, but it has been effective. The barely concealed message is that our deepest assumptions, both scientific and religious are in for very serious revision.

The popular conception, being fueled by the media is that the ET's are attacking us, but actually they are attacking our belief structure, a fact with which we have even more difficulty dealing. The inevitable apocalypse that we face is much more psychological than physical. The ultimate outcome is our transcendence of the mundane. We should celebrate, but our perfectly natural reaction is instead to be petrified.

Why does God have to deal with us in such a devious fashion? The answer brings us back to the beginning. A primary attribute of God has been concealment, and most people would frankly prefer it to remain so. However, ultimate transcendence is the inevitable outcome of the human condition and this speaks to our otherwise inexplicable passion for perfection, misguided though it usually is.

Our sojourn with earth was never intended to be a permanent arrangement. This is not to say that the earth is disposable, but rather it is to be recycled into our new heaven and new earth. The recycling is not intended to be a spectator event. We will be the movers and shakers. In the process we will gain a much more accurate impression of the true nature of God. The truth will be vastly more subtle, more awesome and more personal than we can presently imagine. Our self-transformation will be the centerpiece of cosmic regeneration. We are the cosmic retards. But the scariest part is the simple fact that the last shall become the first. Wait till you see the looks on our faces!

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rev. 3/29/98