I just discovered that this very old web page (2003) doesn’t live anywhere in my new website ecosystem. It’s an orphan of my old website. Consequently, I’m posting it here so it does. Sorry that this appeared on Twitter, but that’s automated. Anyway, I’ve been asked four times now to be on Ancient Aliens and a similar show (America’s Book of Secrets) for an in-kind episode on ancient astronauts. My answer is always the same: “I’d love to be on your show, but can you promise me in writing you won’t do this ….?” (This effectively kills the conversation for months).
History Channel Censors Facade Author Mike Heiser from its “UFOs in the Bible” Show
February 6, 2003
Well, if you’ve clicked here you no doubt by now have seen the History Channel’s special, “UFOs in the Bible” (aired 1/28, 29), or your curiosity was at least piqued by the front page blurb. Let me give you some brief background before I turn my attention to the telling and cowardly effort of Weller-Grossman Studios, who produced the show.
Last February (2002), Weller-Grossman Studios (hereafter WGS) flew me out to Los Angeles to be interviewed for the UFOs and the Bible special. The reason was simple: they had heard of me from Guy Malone (also interviewed) of Roswell, NM’s “Alien Resistance HQ”. They learned from Guy that I had academic credentials in biblical studies and biblical languages, and an interest in UFOs. The choice was natural.
When I received my list of questions from WGS prior to the interview, I noticed the questions were very stilted toward “confirming” that the Bible indeed gave evidence of ETs and UFOs, neither if which I believed. I called my contact at WGS, and told them up front that if they interviewed me, they would not get the answers they evidently wanted. I was told this was no problem, since they wanted to give all sides to the issue. I also sent Gabe the link to the ancient iconography behind the visions of Ezekiel 1, which obviously did not look like a flying saucer (ancient sculptures which account for all the “craft” details in Ezekiel’s vision – in effect, the polaroids of the day). I went to LA and had a great time. In fact my planned one hour interview was extended about half an hour at their request. They let me know that the show would likely air in January of 2003. I also got to meet my friend Lynn Marzulli (author of Nephilim) at the set, who had arranged his own schedule so he could take me back to the airport. It was a lot of fun. A month or so ago I got a courtesy call from WGS informing me of the airing time. I then relayed the information to my newsletter subscribers and others on my email lists. I hadn’t planned to watch it, but I was very curious as to how it would be edited. It was evident to all but Gabe (who sort of knew what to expect) that the crew was surprised that I didn’t gush about aliens in the Bible, but rather gave clear, coherent reasons that such ideas were bogus and completely contrived and inserted into biblical narratives. I expected that my part would be small, since I wasn’t following the party line (but at least, I thought, people like WGS were interested enough to do a show on the subject).
If you watched the show, you’ll know that my part WAS small – in fact, I didn’t appear in it at all. WGS completely cut my entire interview out of the production (at least Guy Malone made it into a few frames, but he and others were, pardon the pun, framed). Instead, the audience was treated to the wild, baseless speculations of pseudo-authorities on the Bible who told us things like:
- The three “men” who met Abraham in Genesis 18 were aliens
- Two of these aliens went to Sodom and Gomorrah, which city was destroyed by alien technology
- Elijah was taken to heaven in a UFO
- Ezekiel saw a UFO in his vision
I’ve had people ask me if I was upset at not being in the show. My answer is that, personally speaking, this worked out well, actually. Sure, it would have been nice to be on TV (providing I didn’t have to watch myself). No, I wasn’t afraid about my academic reputation being tarnished (I went on to demonstrate that ancient astronaut ideas were ludicrous, which would hardly damage me). Rather, this decision by WGS is powerful evidence at the utter falsity of the claim that they wanted to give their audience the truth, or even more than one view. I couldn’t have asked for more striking evidence that my own work matters – and so I say to the pusillanimous effort by WGS: thanks for the shot in the arm. I feel re-energized.
What do I mean by all this? Ask yourself some simple questions:
- Why is it that, in a show about UFOs and the BIBLE the only person interviewed with recognized graduate credentials in the Hebrew BIBLE and all the related ancient languages was excluded from the show?
- Why is it that WGS did not show the ancient artwork I sent them that SHOWS us what Ezekiel saw (his vision’s descriptions match these artistic representations of the throne-chariot theophany in every detail)?
- Why is it that other ufologists who have broad media exposure, like Whitley Strieber, refuse to interview me (There have been a few courageous exceptions, most notably the stellar staff and hosts of Coast to Coast AM).
- And, most telling, why is it that Zecharia Sitchin refused to debate me after I was asked by Art Bell on the air for such a debate?
The (longer) answer is pretty obvious: I’m the only guy in this game who (a) has taken real classes for real credits from real professors at real universities in the ancient languages of the Bible and its surrounding civilizations, which means (b) I can demonstrate from these texts, using sound scholarly methods and resources, that the ancient astronaut idea is an intellectual dogpile. The short answer is FEAR. These people, all of whom want to portray themselves as “digging for the truth,” are doing anything but that when it comes to analyzing the data of ancient texts. They refuse to look at the demonstrable ineptitude of Zecharia Sitchin’s work in the ancient languages (as well as those who defend him) because they WANT to believe his hypothesis. I’m the fly in their ointment, so censorship is the response. I have the goods on Sitchin’s bogus scholarship, and these individuals don’t want to be confused by the facts. The truth doesn’t make for good TV (and, more importantly, doesn’t help them get their intended message out to the public).
As I noted above, people like George Noory, now having taken Art Bell’s mantle on Coast to Coast, are the noteworthy exception. It is no secret that George is a fan of Sitchin’s views, but to his credit, he truly wants to engage all sides for his audience. He had me on recently about the James ossuary, and still decided on his own to bring up Sitchin. My guess is that his genuine journalistic curiosity got the best of him, and the thought of bias never occurred to him. I have to agree with Art Bell about George: he “gets it” when it comes to delivering for his audience. He deserves to be publicly commended, since his actions stand in such stark contrast to the super-evident bias and intellectual cowardice of others.
What’s especially energizing about all this is that this wholesale, gutless censorship will be duly noted by thousands who click to this editorial. Even more encouraging, those same thousands will get to read my not-so-amazing predictions and my open challenges below to other media cravens. If they had nothing to hide, if they had real scholarship on their side, they would have no trouble with interviewing me, inviting me to their conferences, and even taking it upon themselves to arrange a debate with Zecharia Sitchin. Don’t hold your breath.
This brings us full circle for now. Why exclude my voice? Because I can show the entire “aliens in the Bible” paradigm is a contrivance that lacks any substance or coherence.
It’s not about seeking the truth or presenting all viewpoints. It’s about money — titillate the audience, get viewers, sell advertising.
Wow-really appreciate your sharing this. I teach 1st century history within churches and enjoy watching the history channel. I have always wondered why the history channel has this type of programming about ancient aliens. Just listening to some of these programs it is evident that it is built upon pure speculation-how can it be considered history? Surely history channel gets questioning about these programs. At least to me, anyone who is interested in history would be quickly dismissive to this kind of program because the speculative nature of these series is extremely self evident.
Thanks for re-posting this. Your work and the work of others like Joe Jordan and Wes Clark will never be featured on “Ancient Aliens”, and as you alluded to these sensationalized researchers would take a hit in the wallet if the other viewpoint was given airtime.
Any plans for a return visit to North Carolina? To talk about “Unseen Realm”
no plans at present.
Mike will you give us the link to the following: “I also sent Gabe the link to the ancient iconography behind the visions of Ezekiel 1”
Kr Jimmy
This is very old, but I think I meant this:
http://www.sitchiniswrong.com/ezekielnotes.htm
Oh.
I remember this bunny trail.
WGS. I wouldn’t use the word “corrupt”. Post-modernism and existentialism have, once again, rendered a useful word meaningless. Curious since both those schools of thought were declared ‘in failure’ at the start of the 21st Century. Guess somebody didn’t get the memo.
Our rabbit hops past Garner Ted A and a merry bad of Looney Tunes (*shudder*). Luther-v-Pope Leo sort of broke the mold on calling each other heretics and the antichrist. “The World Tomorrow” stuff is, as the kids say, ‘weak sauce’.
Nope.
I say gas that bunny and fill in the hole.
WGS. Maybe a 1Tim 6:10 deal.
Productively. Still like “many kinds of evil” vice “all evil”. Somebody notable recommended word study. Off I go.
Sorry the snakes bit ya.
Best.
MSH – I’m so glad to have discovered your work. Your latest book, “Unseen Realm” is on my list now.
The reason you were censored is because the Truth you show in the Bible doesn’t align with the NWO agenda. The powers that be are busily producing an ‘end times’ scenario with a staged UFO invasion and imposter (demonic spirit) savior-type entity. They know there are many who do not read the Bible or have a living relationship with Yaweh or His son. Therefore they believe they’ve a good chance of getting votes for their counterfeit kingdom.
Just listened to podcast 83 re: God’s plan to re-set THE system. The IMF is frantically negotiating a ‘global financial reset’ this year, but they’re finding negotiations challenging. Shows how arrogant they are as only God has the right to do the re-setting!
Thanks for the reminder that the process that has begun cannot be ceased! (Hence the enemy’s desperate tactics.)
@ Max – Indeed, the holes will be sealed. The deals have always been about vices and selling out (short of eternal life). I anxiously await the moment when this saga concludes.
On the edge of my seat,
VA
Oh.
I work with,
“Never ascribe to evil and malice that which can be simply explained by stupidity.”
The other one is,
“Read history. Know the future.”
YMMV
I would gladly donate to your cause if you had actually given even one example of your claim of censorship !_!
The whole episode is the example. I filmed for two hours. Gave them answers they didn’t want (after telling them that’s what I was going to do), and they eliminated me from the show. There’s no cause to donate to connected with this post, either.
” !_! ”
…you made a point…not.
Let’s skip the nonsense.
It’s about “controlling”-> “the narrative”. The 21st Century edition of this business is a wretched, thread-bare version.
“They” don’t even bother to misrepresent the opposing view, rather they eliminate it entirely. Most people are too intimidated to ‘question’. I blame Hegle. Another story. Perhaps another time.
This authoritarian game has been running for a few thousand years. You’re trying to chump on a man who reads Ugaritic. Your only move, at this juncture, is continued billigerance. Ya got nothin’ bro.
Which brings us to the point, dear Oblio. The Point.
It’s about asking the next question. Every statement engenders the next question. It’s why the Bible is the coolest book. Ever. Driven by the Infinite. You are always forced to ask the next question (if you’re paying attention). It’s an infinite progression not a ‘regression’.
Perhaps another time.
Best.