Okay, so this will require some explanation.It came about like this: I was in a used bookstore.(This in itself requires no explanation, of course.)I noticed a slim book, cover out, called A Pocket Guide to UFO’s and ETs: A biblical and cultural exploration of aliens.Biblical?I picked it up only to discover it was from Answers in Genesis.Please note: I do not buy books or paraphernalia of Fundamentalist groups unless I can get it used.I don’t want to support this particular weirdness in any way.Well, the money for this used book was going to support a used bookstore and not a religious aberration, so I figured it would be good to see what the Fundies have to say about a topic that seems to have started to engage public interest again.
The book begins by helpfully pointing out that if there’s life on other planets the Bible doesn’t mention it.And since the only way it could’ve got there is by evolution—for surely the Almighty would’ve said something about it in his book, if he’d invented it—the whole idea is a non-starter.Evolution, as everyone knows, is a satanic idea meant primarily to challenge the Bible and secondarily explain the diversity of life forms on earth.And since earth is the only planet the Bible recognizes, it is the only one with life.So, UFOs, it stands to reason don’t exist.Well, that’s not quite fair.They do exist but most can be explained away and those that can’t may well be demonic.Since there can be no aliens, and since some sightings can’t be otherwise explained, then demons—which the Bible does mention—must be responsible.They (demons) can also explain why other world religions exist.
There’s plenty in here to offend just about everyone apart from the Answers in Genesis crowd.The screed spends quite a bit of time knocking down ancient astronaut ideas, and taking Erich von Däniken to task.Science is useful in explaining how pyramids were built, but not in how the rock used to build them was formed (it takes far too long to make limestone the old fashioned way; God simply used a variety of different rock types to make the one inhabited planet more interesting geologically).And those UFO religions?Inspired by demons, no doubt.In fact, even reading a little book like this could lead you to become interested in the subject, so be careful!In fact, the safest thing of all (and I’ve only got your well-being in mind) is to leave it on the shelf.
