If you’re following this blog you may have had two recent thoughts: (1) Mike’s time is being spent more on replying to comments than blogging; and (2) the comments are drifting away from the UFO theme.
Agree on both counts. Now for the remedy.
One of the stated goals of this blog was to introduce readers to peer-reviewed scholarship that in some way relates to UFOs (or re-introduce for some – I’m guessing the minority). To that end I am posting the following two articles for readers to read, as I’ll be commenting on them in the very near future (I’ll give you all a couple days to read them). The first is self-explanatory. The second will raise some eyebrows and prompt the question of how it relates to UFOs and religion. Oh … it does. This one won’t make me any new friends in the UFO community. In the immortal words of Richard Hoagland, “stay tuned.”
Please read:
Thomas E. Bullard, “UFO Abduction Reports: The Supernatural Kidnap Narrative Returns in Technological Guise,” Journal of American Folklore 102:404 (Apr-June 1989): 147-170
Christa Kamenetsky, “Folklore as a Political Tool in Nazi Germany,” Journal of American Folklore 85:337 (July-Sept 1972): 221-235
So, the larger UFO community looks at all UFO lore, modern or ancient, in one particular way–is that what you’re getting at? All of the folklore is channeled into a secularist-scientific view of humankind and aliens. The difference, however, is that there is no central authority moving all the different elements of the UFO community in one direction, except the Zeitgeist of the late 20th and early 21st century that combines science with mysticism.
@aeneas: Nope; that’s not what I’m thinking.
Then you’ve succeeded in stumping me! I do like this new approach to posing questions by the way.
Well I read the first article last night and it was very, very interesting. A friend of mine recommended I read a book called Daimonic Reality, which I have, but haven’t read yet. The description of the book sounds a lot like this article. One thing I find interesting is that I do not ever hear much mention of the military/ufo connection that was pointed out in a book called “Milabs:Military Mind Control And Alien Abduction”. A very interesting book, and I wish that foray got more attention. As to the whole abduction phenomenon, a while back I read a book called “The Abduction Enigma” in which the author makes note that abductees tend to have “memories” that are similar to the types of experiences that the hypnotherapist specializes in…I am anxious to see where you are going with these two threads. I have a suspicion that it might be that you are pondering as to whether the government is using this folklore, possibly steering it as well, to manipulate the general public towards something? But then again, I am not known for my psychic abilities :o)
@Catherine_B: I’ve read MILABS. In a nutshell, this book and the work of some abduction researchers put forth convincing evidence that a percentage (can’t put a number to it) of “alien abductions” are really very human events where military personnel (for whatever reason – and I’ll get to that eventually) implant or induce the “memory” with known psychological techniques.
Yes, and I am thinking THAT ties in with the second article you recommended. Also, have you heard of Christian dominionism? I am guessing you have since you know the Gilberts, and they have discussed that topic a few times on their podcast (I miss them btw)and given the fact that there are new elements added to these “otherworldly” encounters that were not previously there…..one can connect the dots, perhaps….
@Catherine_B: Dominion theology (not sure if they are using the academic term I am used to) has to do with making the US a sort of theocratic state, ruled under the Mosaic law. Think of a Christian version of a Muslim sharia law situation and you have it. The relationship of this to what I’m angling for in the second article (next post) is a bit peripheral. And for the record, I am opposed to dominion theology.