Reality Checking with Brent Raynes

Searching For Alien Bugs, NASA Advances Technology, More on UFO theories Proposing Jungian Archetypes and Psychic Phenomena, January 2004 Opinion Poll on the Paranormal & Religion

Scientists Urged to Look for Alien “Bugs”

Allen Tough of the University of Toronto, Canada, has suggested that we begin in earnest looking for alien robotic probes or “bugs” sent from other worlds to search out for other life forms. SETI astronomer Seth Shostak (Space.Com, 01/22/04) speculated that advanced societies, even ones just modestly ahead of our own, will likely have identified planets known to support life. Such alien scientists could perhaps use powerful telescopes that would pick up “biomarkers” like oxygen and methane from a spectrographic analysis of the atmospheres of such distant planets. Tough was quoted as saying that these alien “bugs” “could be smarter and more knowledgeable than any human being, yet...be smaller than a basketball or baseball.”

Small UFOs have been fairly plentiful going all the way back to the Foo Fighters of World War II. In this issue, you can read of a recent foot long cigar-shaped object that buzzed an automobile in Pennsyvlania on December 31. The National UFO Reporting Center (www.ufocenter.com) also has posted recent incidents of small-sized UFO sightings.

Technological Advancements from NASA

There are quite a number of people in UFOlogy who spread the tale that from the Roswell “flying saucer” crash of 1947, assorted alien technology got secretly retro-engineered into all kinds of useful hi-tech stuff that we use today, like night vision scopes, fiber optics, lasers, and kevlar bullet proof vests (something any alien visitor to our planet should have). Readers might wish to read Phillip Corso’s The Day After Roswell for further details. But now in an article in USA TODAY.Com (01/21/04) we read where the NASA space agency, apparently not wishing to be outdone, is trying to take credit for many of our latest technological advancements, such as cell phones, MRIs, DVDs, and smoke detectors.

It’s good to see NASA finally catching up with the E.T.’s!

Another UFO Theory that includes Psychic Phenomena and Jungian Archetypes

Engineer Alexander Zikas, periodic contributor to our journal and the author of Greece: The Next 300 Years, has reached conclusions similar to our friend and co-editor Dr. Greg Little. He writes: “Regarding my overall theory on UFOlogy and psychic phenomena, I believe these are related to Jungian archetypes and the collective unconsciousness. Neither are symbolic hallucinations, but are real psychic experiences. The experiencer unconsciously taps into other human minds, sophisticated archetypes (instincts when in a primitive form), or other energy based intelligences. Since these are all right brain experiences, they are filtered to fit the left brain beliefs of the historic period. These beliefs include UFOs, elves, angels, demons, pagan gods, etc., depending on the time period and the individual. This theory is made more compelling by the fact that no physical evidence for UFOs exists. All unexplained UFO related events are energy, mental, or visual based experiences. Even so called abduction marks and implants (concentrations of organic based hard materials) can be explained by stigmata like processes. Once we realize this, the next step is to learn to control the archetypes for the beneficial purpose of individual and social growth. I believe the way to do this is to encourage and tap the archetypes with a right brain state of mind, then re-evaluate the experience in a rational left brain mindset. Few people or researchers understand this as they are either right or left brain dominant, and cannot switch between the two with ease.”

Now would seem a good time to mention UFOlogist Allen H. Greenfield, someone I’ve known for quite a number of years. He joined NICAP back in 1960, and by the late 1960s realized there was more to ufology than most ufologists recognized, and soon he was talking and writing about Jung, the collective unconscious, occult mysteries, and more, and still does to this day. His stance hasn’t really changed. In the next Alternate Perceptions, join us as we interview this long-time, pioneering researcher, now known today by many as the Gnostic Bishop Allen H. Greenfield.

Latest Opinion Poll Survey of Americans on Religion and the Paranormal

FATE magazine (January 2004) details the results of a new opinion poll survey of Americans sponsored by Fox News. Here’s the results:

92 % of Americans believe in God.

85 % believe in heaven.

82 % believe in miracles.

34 % believe in ghosts, as well as UFOs.

29 % accept astrology.

25 % believe in reincarnation.

The survey also reported that along gender lines women were more likely than men to believe in miracles and heaven. Men, on the other hand, were more likely to believe in UFOs.

Politically Republicans (by 8 %) are more likely than Democrats to believe in God. They are also more likely to believe in heaven (by 10 %) and in hell (by 15 %).

The Democrats prove to be more New Age oriented, with increased beliefs in reincarnation (14 %), astrology (14 %), ghosts (8 %), and UFOs (5 %).

The Passing of Constance Clear

Also from this edition of FATE, I was saddened to learn of the passing of abduction researcher Constance Clear. She had been severely injured, it was reported, in a motorcycle accident, and passed away in her sleep on the morning of October 21, 2003.

Stacey Allen McGee of the Alternate Realities Center has created The Clear Foundation to honor her achievements in the field. Anyone interested in supporting the foundation can send an email to: director@alternaterealities.org