Alien Nation

I've noticed several extra-terrestrial and UFO stories in the news as of late.

From the Guardian.co.uk: Pope's Astronomer Says he Would Baptize an Alien if it Asked Him

(Sounds like a tongue-in-cheek answer, given that he doesn't believe in extra-terrestrial life, despite his personal feelings on the matter.)

From SPACE.com: United Nations to Appoint Alien Ambassador?

(I think this might be a spoof, but even if it's not...in my opinion, I'd rather have Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart handle alien negotiations. His policy? Service revolver at point blank range.)

From ABC News: Air Force Vets Discuss UFO Sightings

(OK. 15 minutes of fame, or something sinister? I opt for the former.)

I don't think it means anything other than that people continue to be fascinated by things Not Of This World - and as our telescopes continue to find evidence of more and more planets out there in the big ol' universe, more and more often the question gets raised: Is there sentient life on other planets?

I don't think there is - when you consider that out of the billions of species on Earth since life appeared here - animal, vegetable, microscopic, etc - and only one is, for all intents and purposes, sentient (that would be us) - an analogy of sorts can be drawn as to the possibility of sentient life on other worlds. It's possible, but highly, highly improbable.

I wonder if Mormons will call dibs on any of those worlds? Y'know, when they die and become a god of another planet.... "I call PSR B1620-26 b!" "Not fair, Kyson! I wanted that one! Mooooommmmm!!"

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, and I don't buy the cover-ups. I do believe, however, that Satan will use anything to help draw us away from God - so the idea of 'lights in the sky' and 'alien abductions' could have a supernatural origin, manifestations of the Evil One and his demons who conspire to steer folks out of faith and into fear. I'm not saying that people who claim such events haven't experienced something - my contention is that they didn't experience what they think they experienced. As Shakespeare penned many years ago: "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Oh! There are some who think the governments of the world will conspire together and use alien abductions as a cover-up for the Rapture. I know! Everyone knows that aliens love Earth fashion, so the thought that people would be abducted sans clothing is ridiculous.

Of course, my opinions and views might draw some scorn and mockery, but I don't care. UFO's and alien abductions are faith-based, too.