Nick Redfern, Final Events and the Secret Government Group on Demonic UFOs and the Afterlife (Anomalist Books, 2010)
Well, I finally carved out some time to review Nick Redfern’s latest book. I’m hoping you all went ahead and bought it and read it during the wait (and despite the [deliberately?] cheesy cover). It’s worth a read since it will stimulate discussion in ufology. But as I said a few weeks ago when I first brought it to your attention on this blog, I have mixed feelings about it. My reservations are not related to Nick’s effort, but because of the content. I apologize ahead of time for the inordinate length of the review.
1. Content Overview
1.1. The Collins Elite and their Work
Primarily by means of informants whose true identities are concealed, Final Events tells the story of a secret government cabal called the Collins Elite (CE). The CE was formed in response to interest in the work of occultists such as Aleister Crowley and Jet Propulsion Lab co-founder Jack Parsons. The CE came to believe that the magical / occult activities of these two famous occultists possibly open portals between the human world and the “other side” allowing passage of evil, demonic entities into our world. The CE reached the conclusion that these releases (or transgressions) had explanatory power for the wave of UFO sightings in the late 1940s and which have continued to this day.
As the CE began investigating what they came to consider a cause-and-effect relationship between these entities, UFOs and, as time went on, alien abductions, the group began to pursue research into other paranormal issues that were also associated with alien contact and abductions: out-of-body experiences, the nature of the soul / consciousness, and life after death.
1.2. The Occult/Alien Endgame
Readers naturally wonder what the endgame is in this scenario, and the book doesn’t disappoint. Redfern’s information sources made it clear that the CE firmly believes that not only are the aliens who are thought by millions to be visiting earth and abducting people actually demons, but that these entities are controlling a process (involving humans) of disclosure. The goal of disclosure is quite sinister: to convince the public that ET life is real and that it has been in contact with humanity for some time. And this will of course make the idea put forth by wacky people of faith that aliens are demons look perfectly silly–when that is precisely what they really are. In order to meet the ET threat, or at least to stave off any deadly conflict, a new world order for global governance will have to be put in place. Evil demonic entities masquerading as aliens and wicked humans will run the new world order, thereby enslaving humanity. The alien goal is further described by the CE as the harvesting of human souls. That about covers it.
1.3. The Strategy of the Collins Elite
The CE is described as divided on what to do about all this. On one hand, there is a sense of urgency about stopping the enslavement of humanity and the soul stealing. Yet the CE has been afraid to publicize its findings, sensing that they would wreak social and spiritual havoc. Not only would an official government revelation that demons are real throw people into panic, but an announcement of the CE’s findings would amount to an endorsement of the Bible. End times hysteria on a massive scale would not be far behind. As a result of this predicament, Redfern details how certain members of the CE have in turn moved in the direction of doing all they can to re-establish what can only be called a Christian theocracy in the land. The logic here is that mass conversions would somehow result in a spiritual tide (of the right kind and moving in the right direction) to meet the demonic forces head on. (How that would *not* be Armageddon–or would be a better Armageddon — isn’t clear to me — but there’s a lot of thinking in the book that isn’t clear to me).
2. Content Analysis
2.1. The General Credibility of the Story
What can you say about a story that rises or falls on secret informants? Not a lot. Granted, the mode of information neither argues for or against the material. Nick of course knows this, and is up front about the nature of the material. Along the way, there are crumbs thrown here and there by his informants, mostly in the form of documents that affirm *pieces* of the narrative told by these mystery men — but those pieces tend to be quite innocuous and nothing surprising.. For example, there are documents that affirm that Jack Parsons had a top secret security clearance. Is that really unusual for the co-founder of JPL? There is documentation that the government was involved in having various occultists observed. Big deal. If you are watching Parsons you’re watching others associated with him. True, the intelligence community (and the CE) were interested in occult information and “abilities” — but that isn’t what we really need documented here. What we need is some actual data that shows a cause-and-effect relationship between these occult activities and UFO sightings and “alien abductions.” No such luck in that regard. This leaves me ambivalent toward the general credibility — an ambivalence that turns toward incredulity when I consider the “thinking” demonstrated by the CE.
2.2. Specific Problems
Ah . . . where to begin. There were a number of “this is silly” moments for me in the book with respect to the “research” of the CE. In my mind, the most disturbing thing about the book is that highly-placed insiders within the intelligence community could think so poorly — especially if they are Christians. Maybe I should stop being jolted by this, given that what passes for “serious” Bible teaching these days comes through folks who ought not be thought of as careful biblical readers much less biblical scholars. Think of it this way. The biggest non-fiction publishing sensation in the Christian orbit over the last decade was Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life. While I admire the intent, it’s pretty disturbing that a book whose message is that our lives have a purpose would rocket to bestseller status within the Church. Is it really that much of a revelation that the Bible says our lives have a purpose? Do people within the Church not know that? How could they miss it? Are Christians really that theologically illiterate? I guess the sales numbers answer that question.
2.2.1. Uncritical Assumptions About End Times
My illustration above was from the non-fiction world. The most successful fiction in Christian circles was of course Left Behind. How is it that millions of readers could simply absorb the ideas in Left Behind and have no idea that all its ideas derive from certain assumptions brought *to* the biblical text. Most Christians have no idea these ideas are *not* self evident realities in the Bible but only hold true if certain outright guesses are correct. Here’s a sampling of what I mean.
I ask again, are Christians really this theologically illiterate? Yes. And that includes those in the CE if the content of Final Events is any indication. Didn’t anyone in the CE ever really study eschatology? Aren’t they aware of how tenuous *any* position on end times really is? Did they not filter their “observations” and speculations through any other grid? Did they know any other grid even existed? If the Armageddon / Rapture position they cling to isn’t correct, what then? Was this given any thought at all? How might that position be used anyway to demoralize the Church even if it isn’t correct? Again, if the CE was so careless at analysis here, why should I trust anything else they’re thinking about? At least give some indication that end times has several possible scenarios (but maybe Tim LaHaye heads the CE!). At least Ray Boeche (a key contact person mentioned early in the book) is aware that there are issues here.
2.2.2. A Cartoonish Demonology and Human-Centered Theology
I’ve put my cards on the table (see these archived posts) regarding demons as an explanation for UFOs and alleged alien abductions before. I consider it one of several possibilities (with respect to abductions, not UFOs) and a minority explanation at that. Theologically, I accept the reality of God and a spiritual world. That means I accept the reality of what Christians call demons and angels — but most Christians’ grasp of what is actually said or not said about demons and angels bears little resemblance to the Bible — and it would be based on the English Bible anyway, not the original language texts. Think I’m overstating this? Try this out: Did you know that the word “demon” is only mentioned twice in the Old Testament and never in the context of a hell or underworld? Did you know that the Hebrew term used for “demon” has no parallel in other Semitic languages for a denizen of hell or an underworld? Did you know there are no instances of demonic possession in the Old Testament? And what about the word for “demon” (daimon) in the New Testament — it can be used of any spirit being, good or evil. There are also no biblical verses that call fallen angels demons. I could go on quite a while. My point here is that I wonder if the brain trust in the CE is even aware of any of this. My guess is that they aren’t. Again, why should I trust their thinking if they can’t get this much right? Why should I trust their intuition or whispers about documentation when they have a document right in front of them called the Bible that they haven’t paid close attention to?
My real “demonic gripe,” though, is how silly the demonology of Final Events / the CE sounds when you really think about it. While I would agree that the entities of the spiritual world (good or evil) can and do interact with the human world (that’s biblical), that is a far cry from saying that demonic entities must wait on the acts of humans to carry out a plan or evil act, or that human activities determine the scope of demonic activity. Think about the ideas that the book poses to us by way of the CE thinking:
a) That the activities of Alister Crowley and Jack Parsons were the catalyst for the UFO waves of the 1940s (and subsequent). Maybe its just me, but I dont find Crowley or Parsons or any such person frightening. I think they get far too much credit for power than they deserve. Crowley, the self-styled beast and most evil man in the world. BS. Try Hitler or Idi Amin or Stalin or Mao Crowley was nothing compared to those guys. Lets see, Maos arrogance and planning leads to tens of millions of deaths, and Crowley is having sex parties and practicing alchemy? Ooh, scary. What a crock. OK, they had sex parties and did incantations. Big deal. Its amazing the PR machine that has been erected by occultists around these spiritual buffoons.
b) Even worse, can you see what’s going on in the demonic realm in this view? Demon: “Oh, crap, Parsons *almost* got that incantation right so we could come into the human realm. Maybe that human idiot will succeed next time. Until then, we’re just warming our fannies here in hell waiting for him to say the right words with the right intonation.” Give me a break. Again, while someone wanting to solicit evil for personal gain may succeed, that is quite different than saying one human (or even on orgy of occultists) hold the key to triggering cosmic events. Where is the biblical support for such an arrogant view of our own human importance that the spirit realm depends on us to act?
c) If this notion were true — that evil entities are somehow dependent on the work of occultists to act — then why do the innocent suffer? If it is true that evil needs human spell casting or solicitation to act, then it is equally true that without it — or with opposite human “force of godliness” — the demonic world is crippled. This is actually a violation of free will when it comes to spiritual beings, not to mention (again) an inflated view of human influence. Frankly, it amounts to cosmic nose-counting and a proportionately low view of the sovereignty of God. Did the battle of Normandy tip in favor of the Allies because just the right number of people prayed? Did the bubonic plague ravage Europe because the godly prayer count missed by five people? (Boy, I’ll bet that frustrated God). Did the people who survived 911 do so because a certain number of people prayed for them but the same number wasn’t reached for those who died? Or stated another way, if a few less people had prayed or gone to church or read their Bible, then the demons behind the 911 terrorists would have had a higher body count — right? Is this biblical theology? I say it’s not. It’s Hollywood demonology and (bad) pop theology. The idea that Crowley or Parsons or anyone else had to do a lot of mumbo-jumbo *in order to usher in* something that demons and other fallen celestial beings would want to do anyway is ridiculous. Who made us their handlers?
d) This poor thinking is also reflected in the CE idea that, to stem this tide, a theocracy needs to be re-instituted. What is the theological logic of this? That if the ruling elite are Christians, the demons will be powerless? Or that if a majority of U.S. citizens are Christians, then God can or will act? (This makes God capricious to say the least [“I won’t intervene against evil unless enough humans measure up”] or powerless to act unilaterally [“I cannot intervene against evil unless enough humans measure up”]). You can have that God. And how small-minded is this approach — to presume that the fate of humanity lies in the hands of the Church in the United States? What a muddled theological mess.
2.2.3. An Uninformed and Theologically Naive View of Human Souls
The chapters (22-25) dealing with souls and the presumed knowledge of the soul are especially bad with respect to biblical theology and any sort of thoughtful theological approach. The CE bolsters its ideas without any appeal to exegesis of the Hebrew or Greek texts and no citation of scholarly sources. But wait, aren’t books by theologians and ancient theological authorities found in these chapters? Yes — and I’ll stand by what I said above. All of this source material is English-Bible based and amounts to theological speculation or antiquated traditions, not exegesis. And I’m nearing the point where the last person I want to see quoted about the Bible is Augustine. Augustine didn’t know Hebrew or Greek (and he is quoted as hating Greek). He did not know how to interact with the original language of the Scripture text. A fledgling seminary student who has a year of Hebrew and Greek under his/her belt could do more in the text than Augustine. Everything he does is based on the Latin Vulgate or Church traditions. Period. He is only viewed as an authority because he was a political-ecclesiastical heavyweight, not because he could delve into the Scripture text. Besides that issue, biblical scholars, textual critics, and archaeologists have actually learned a lot in the past 1500 years that Augustine couldn’t have known (and that goes for Aquinas and the Reformers as well). My point isn’t that these people were dumb. They weren’t. They were brilliant. But their limitations and resources are dramatically transparent to anyone in these fields. Just because they said something doesn’t mean it should be considered authoritative or, in some instances, even coherent.
The fact is that the Bible never actually tells us where the soul comes from. It merely presumes that a human being is only a complete human being when body and “life force” (Hebrew: nephesh) are united. Modern scholars/theologians continue to struggle with how to understand and articulate biblical anthropology. This is especially true now that brain science and neuroscience have produced findings that need to be factored into any such articulation. (See here for a whole series of posts I wrote on this on my Naked Bible blog).
I see no evidence that the CE gave the biblical text any thought at all when articulating their demonology or views of anything else. They are guided by tradition and popular theological speculation. That just doesn’t cut it. There is zero biblical warrant for thinking a soul can be taken or stolen from its body, or sucked away after death from the Creator who made it and gave it in the first place. More Hollywood theology. Would someone yank the CE away from the boob tube?
I know it may sound startling, but I could go on. I’ll just have mercy and stop here.
3. Impressions
My suspicion with the storyline of this book (and, again, I view Nick Redfern as merely an honest reporter) is that its ending has a sinister intent. I think the storyline is a set-up. It stinks like a ufological trajectory of the political Leftist strategy to cast Christians (and pious Jews) as clandestine fascists. Why is it that a much more coherent possibility (that UFOs are the result of decades of effort put into man-made technologies developed by gifted human scientific minds) is so easily dismissed in favor of Cartoon Network demons? Because when the military industrial complex is perceived to have the country in its grip (with or without some sort of “alien disclosure”) the ufological community will now know who’s responsible: the CE and its Christian theocratic fascists. This means that the Collins Elite, if it is real and if it is made up of Christians, could simply be a bunch of witless dupes that are being used to advance the propaganda I just described. Since they come across as tragically illiterate when it comes to biblical theology, that seems sadly possible. On the other hand, this group (and boy, doesn’t that term bring back Facade memories?) might be willing participants in the creation of this meme, or perhaps an intelligence fiction used as a storyline vehicle.
In any event, if you care about what the ufological community is thinking about, you should read the book — sort of like Belshazzar’s handwriting on the wall.
Hey Mike
Just read the review. First, many thanks for noting that I was just reporting on the story of the group and its beliefs, rather than endorsing it.
My view, I think, explains many of the valid issues you brought up namely, that as I mentioned here before, the group began to create its own beliefs and theories and interpretations of Christianity.
A perfect example is where you discuss the soul-stealing/sucking angle. The CE came to believe this for one specific reason: they interviewed people claimed to have had NDEs, and who saw this occurring in the afterlife.
Did they critically analyze such claims? Not as far as I can, tell. Rather, they added all this to the scenario they were developing.
I think that’s the most important thing when it comes to analyzing this group – that when those such as yourself note that the group was off-target on this or on that, I don’t personally think it was because they were ignorant or unaware of conventional Christian teachings.
I think it was the exact opposite – and I think they were arrogant enough to think their research was 100 percent correct, and that all other Christian teaching was either dead wrong, or incomplete.
In other words, they were creating a new form of Christianity, based on their NEW interpretation.
It’s the same re where you bring up Parsons and invoking things etc – that was how ther group came to view it, but again, it’s their own interpretation, which doesn’t square with what Christianity teaches. But, I think they were FULLY aware of that, but again were arrogant enough to think that rewriting teachings was oka because everyone had missed what they had discovered.
It’s important to note too that Ray Boeche was contacted by these same people and given the story back in 1991. And Lina Howe a couple of years later.
So, even if it is disinfomation (which, I don’t personally agree with – my view is as above: they were reinterpreting Christianity), it has a long history of at least 20 years.
I have much more too now that seems to add weight to their story re the Ruth Montgomery interview, some of the files they provided etc, and will be doing an update on that soon.
There’s a lot of data i was given that – for space reasons only – didn’t make it to the book.
Nick – thanks for the feedback. I think your notion that they were essentially creating Christianity in their own image has merit. FWIW, I had a very innocuous experience (conversation with a person) back in 2006 that now suggests to me that the CE is a real group. The conversation only has meaning now in light of your book. I’d rather not say more on this forum about it. Not spectacular or spooky, but it now suggests to me the group exists (and I’m of course not impressed with their thinking).
Mike, very interesting. I’ve read excerpts of the book and still plan to purchase it and read it completely. I’m fascinated, as well as perplexed, by this sort of thinking. I can understand (even while not condoning it) why secret groups want to keep advanced technology hidden from the public (Richard Dolan’s breakaway society and all that). But the agenda of the CE group sounds so absurdly ridiculous that I can hardly accept the reality of it. And yet, I look at society every day and see more and more absurdity taking place, so I guess anything is possible. I can certainly believe, as Nick Redfern stated in his response post that such a group arrogantly holds on to their beliefs, no matter how critically unsubstantiated they may be. There have always been groups like that, as you well know, from the earliest beginnings of Christianity.
What I dont get is how the CE thinks this will ever be brought to the publics attention in any significant way. If there is some sort of big revelation or disclosure in store for us all, and if the military-industrial complex, or secret Nazi-like organizations, or whoever it is out there holding back certain technological truths from us, finally reveal themselvesor even create some kind of fake the aliens have arrived type scenariohow does the CE think they can bring their agenda to bear in aftermath of it? Who do they think they are going to convince, and how do they think they will have the power to do it?
Maybe Ill find some of this out when I read the book. But right now it doesnt make a lot of sense to me.
Thanks for that Mike, very interesting. The main reason why I have no doubt as to the existence of the group is (a) because I met some of them; and (b) Ray Boeche – an Anglican priest and former MUFON state-director, met two members back in 1991. That does suggest to me that, rather than disinformation, it was/is a real think-tank that developed some odd ideas, because if disinfo, why only speak to a couple of people across 2 decades. To me at least, that doesnt sound like someone with a major plan to seed disinfo. Rather, to me it sounds like a small, think-tank body, from within which, occasionally, a few people have decided to spill the beans for personal or orchestrated reasons.
Understood – but I do not dichotomize a group that really exists from that group being used for disinformation. The two can mutually co-exist (and without a direct cause and effect relationship as well).
The Christian right has been publishing books on the same subject since the 70’s. Nothing new, except for the fact that there are probably more of them in government now.
Michael:
Just thought I’d dro[ a comment in here.
Your critical examination of the so-called Collins Elite belief system is spot-on.
I’m also greatly relieved to see the issues raised by the CE’s (and my two informants) views on eschatology, demonology, the efficacy of ‘ritual magic,’ and the nature of the soul, brought to the fore in an arena where it can be discussed with some degree of acuity and without the need to lay endless theological groundwork in order to even begin the discussion.
Nick’s comment regarding the CE creating a new form of aberrant Christianity is also right on target. But, as an adherent of historic, biblical, reformational theology, encounters with forms of Christianity which seem more or less aberrant occur on a regular basis.
Again, I want to congratulate Nick on a job well done, and you, Michael, for broaching those points which can really only be discussed in a forum of this nature.
I will look forward to Nick’s update regarding the Ruth Montgomery episode, etc.
There is great deception involved here, but it begs the question of who is deceiving whom.
Ray Boeche
Hello Ray! We’ve never met (that I can recall), and it’s nice to “meet” you this way. Maybe someday I can buy you lunch. Your last line is well put.
Thanks for your careful review Dr. Heiser. (I can’t help feel one can judge this book by its cover.)
> What can you say about a story that rises or falls on secret informants?
After reading the review, it’s still unclear to me: is it absolutely/reasonably/not established in the book that the Collins Elite even existed? Or it is JUST hearsay?
Judging by Dr. Heiser’s attempts to make sense of the group through its muddled theological assumptions, I take it the book does not confirm the reality of the group and the reader has to treat the content like a fragmentary cipher.
> I ask again, are Christians really this theologically illiterate?
Yes!
> Yes.
Ah! Sorry. I jumped the gun.
> I see no evidence that the CE gave the biblical text any thought at all when articulating their demonology or views of anything else….More Hollywood theology.
Now that is my point: I have known many Christians in my life but few with biblically sound or theologically coherent views. I always had the impression they believed in a folk religion that was informed by local traditions, family superstitions, and by personal sentiment, all in the total absence of actual church teachings (let alone scholarly findings). Hollywood plots are just a logical outgrowth of this folk religion (though I am at a loss to explain the current popularity of teenage vampires).
> political Leftist strategy to cast Christians (and pious Jews) as clandestine fascists
Well, be fair, there does seem to be no small desire for theocracy in the States — or at least a religious test for public office (recall especially Katherine Harris saying non-Christians could not be trusted in government, and of course the popular belief the president is a muslim usurper with various end times implications).
Nick adds:
> I have much more too now that seems to add weight to their story re the Ruth Montgomery interview
please tell me Ruth Montgomery is not a positive source of imformation! Please!
I think the group probably exists; I lean toward believing it does. On Ruth Montgomery, you’ll just have to read the book!
“begs the question of who is deceiving whom”. Exactly (x) infinity. At this point regarding end times I think I will only be surprised if an actual unicorn shows up on the scene with the “one true ring” on its horn. Then I’ll be able to say honestly that I really didn’t expect that. Otherwise I don’t think anything, even motherships, would be a surprise, because I would look up to the sky as I do now and think to myself how I will still have no clue what’s going on. How particularly frustrating the whole mess is for us that only get to dabble and try to understand as we are able but do not have the time to learn ancient languages AND grasp their context giving the great scope of so many ancient texts to deal with and especially as Mike notes, things are still being understood better to this day in light of further discovery.
I like putting everything on the table from the looniest to the most conservative and then finding the patterns therein hoping some of it will click. Sadly all of this is actually more convoluted than obamacare. I find myself following along with Mike’s research and believing that angelic beings did in fact inter-marry with human women as per Genesis 6 and Enoch then yet having to balance that with the idea that hey, these beings can have sex with humans, but they didn’t do anything else with man like help build megaliths and all that other interesting ancient crap and/or help build ufo’s. I have no idea where anyone of sane scholarship actually draws the line between the spiritual world and the natural, “man-made” one. Some lead you to believe there is indeed a spiritual world but it has little to do with us and some maintain it is busier than we could imagine even to the point of trying to hybridize us today.
Having expressed that confusion and occasional frustration, to Mike, Nick, Ray, et al involved in all such studies, thank you kindly for the hard work you do and please keep sharing generously as you have. All of it is at least a great stimulate for the mind and life has been all the more interesting for it.
you’re welcome; and the frustration is shared, but that’s also one reason I have other interests. There’s little sense in getting too absorbed with this sort of stuff in a way that it owns too much of your time.
Terry:
No, I don’t use Ruth Montgomery as a credible source in the book. But here’s why her story is important. One of the long-retired members of the Collins Elite told me that he had spoken with her in January 1960, to secure her views on certain things.
I’ve been able to get hold of her FBI file, which does confirm she had secretbmeetings – in the exact same time frame that I was given – with players in offcialdom on such issues as ESP, out-of-body type experiences etc.
The files don’t explicitly refer to the Collins Elite, but the timing and the fact that she had a meeting with unnamed sources on the inside working in such areas, is intriguing.
Now, it could of course, be argued that anyone could have got her FBI file and then tried to disinform me by using that.
However, very few people I would imagine have even any awareness that there was an FBI file on her in the first place.
So, my next step is to file a FOIA request to see who previously requested the Montgomery file via FOIA prior to me, how many people have done so before then, when, where, and what their names were etc.
It may, or indeed may not, add more to the story. But that I now have all these files AFTER publication of the book (rather than prior to, when I only had a couple of pages) is, I think, important in terms of adding some verification.
will there be a second edition? I guess too early to tell.
“Theres little sense in getting too absorbed with this sort of stuff in a way that it owns too much of your time.”
A point which can’t be given too much emphasis, Michael.
To paraphrase C S Lewis, we run the risk of either granting the Devil too much power and influence, or ignoring him entirely.
Michael, I’ll look forward to a face-to-face meeting. I’ve admired and been blessed by your academic work for some time, and a lively lunch conversation would be a treat!
my treat when it happens, Ray!
I doubt there will ever be a second edition (or not for a long, long time), as i’m guessing that I’d have to come up with a lot more info to justify that. What I’ll probably do is provide online updates at my blog etc/
I do have a question regarding this review, Mike, pertaining to your section 2.2.2 “A Cartoonish Demonology and Human-Centered Theology”. Obviously you feel strongly about how the CE appear to view their role in the grand scheme of things (rightly so), but to be clear to myself and other Christians reading this, are you being critical of the fact that they are trying to take credit and bear such a great spiritual burden in and of themselves alone?
Surely the Bible gives a strong responsibility to the nature of humanity in regards to what may go on in the world… So are you down playing man’s role in general terms? or just the idea that THIS particular group (CE) should really check itself..?
In other words might we say the CE has lost that balance between spreading the gospel and maintaining and understanding government’s role? Indeed, we are to offer the entire world the saving grace of Christ but there is no mandate of force for this upon the recipient, i.e. it is a gift to be received or rejected.
Humanity has a real role (as free will beings created as God’s imagers). That is different than thinking divine beings must wait on our beck and call to act, as though we must do “A” (and do it just right) so they can do “B”.
Did anybody watch Chris Carters Millennium, sort of a spin-off of the X-Files? Basically the show follows serial killer profiler Frank Black who has a knack for understanding evil minds, so much so, that he begins seeing a supernatural evil lurking in the background of the serial cases he investigates. He works for the Millennium Group, which is made up of ex-FBI agents and retired police detectives (the group is modeled on the real-life Academy Group). While the Millennium Group at first seems like nothing but a consulting group for law enforcement, Frank later learns that they are really attempting to anticipate and perhaps even trying to stop the end of the world. But as Frank delves deeper into their motives, he discovers that factions in the Group are trying to actually bring about the end of the world and that they may have been infiltrated by the very evil they set out to fight in the first place.
From what Ive read about the Collins Elite on these posts, there is an eerie parallel between them and the fictional Millennium Group. In the TV show the Group spouted off endless theories about evil and the end of the world that sounded like corny Hollywood type stuff. Oddly enough, especially considering this was coming from Chris Carter, there was never a connection made in the show between demons and aliens. Still, the Millennium Group did eventually become like the Syndicate on the X-Files.
Anyway, I remember wondering, while watching the series, how such supposedly intelligent and sophisticated individuals could believe in such unsophisticated and uncritical interpretations of eschatology. Still, the show was coming out of Hollywood after all, so I could make some allowances. It is harder, however, to understand how a real-life Millennium Group could believe in such nonsense. By the end of the TV series, Frank Black regrets ever becoming involved in the Group and no longer listens to their bogus predictions. I wonder if there are any real Frank Blacks out there disillusioned with the beliefs of the Collins Elite.
good question at the end. The “end of the world” scenario in Millennium was of course “averted” in the episode where that show dovetailed with the X-Files (Season 7, episode 4: “Millennium”). The episode was famous for being the first time Mulder and Scully kiss – a New Year’s eve kiss – after which Mulder says, “see, the world didn’t end”).
Boy I miss that show. Good writing through Season 7; after that, not so much.
I like aeneas’ comment, particularly the question of supposedly sophisticated individuals believing unsophisticated things. I realize there’s a very broad area here that ends up in places like intellectual claptrap of arguments over everything having a natural explanation such as terrorism being the result of “man caused disasters” vs the notion that, no matter the mechanism, there is real evil in existence.
I certainly agree that if a group or groups like the CE is basically watching for the characters from the Left Behind series to appear then definitely I would consider that unsophisticated thinking. I do wonder however what these individuals are like on a personal level. Are they honest, sincere? Simply misguided with good intent? Perhaps the book goes into that?
Anyway, regarding sophistication, that concept brings me right back to the frustration of where do we draw lines or have I reached that threshold in all of this where there is no overwhelming agreement between Christian and non-Christian scholarship? I mean, of course, I would be viewed by many to be unsophisticated for believing Jesus will indeed return one day. I’ll accept that label if necessary as I’m sure the CE would gladly accept ridicule because of what they believe. I am not saying it’s all just relative though or that they are correct in their thinking. I agree with Dr. Heiser and find it silly to believe that spirits are rabid dogs on chains just waiting to be released. Yet I would take some persuading to be convinced people (like Crowley) aren’t able to ‘invite’ spirits for unspeakable little get-togethers.
I’m guessing the real contention with the CE is their stretched views of eschatology, but I want to ask if the conclusions they come to could be related to a scenario such as this:
Suppose there is a city, fairly young, that is bustling with eager politicians to serve community and business is growing and there’s a strong Church presence and everything is normal, classic America. Then rumors stir of a few politicians making friendly with some out-of-town dark suited gentlemen who are reasonably known to have criminal connections. Mafia. It’s ignored and rumors are rumors like anywhere else, but suddenly anomalies appear. Windows shops are broken, more rumors of bribes, “insurance” to protect my business from “local thugs”, etc, etc. Yet some seemingly good things appear too. Some are richer, more successful or have fancy new cars to drive around town.
Some elders in this city’s Church realize that what happened is some key politicians have opened a door to relations with a very dark presence, the mafia, and now all sorts of unnecessary damage is infecting the city and all because a door was open that never should have been and in fact could have been prevented. Doesn’t mean this ‘mafia’ didn’t know how to take the city by force but I would say they cleverly knew what they were doing and as always used deception and the offer of power to certain persons letting them “think” they were in control as I’m sure Crowley and company assumed they were in control of something. Now, I suppose what would bridge my little scenario and the CE is that the CE believes it is Batman and must fight this evil in full costume and in the shadows.
As I noted in the review, I wouldn’t say Crowley and others are unsuccessful, but that is different than the caricature of the demonic world that is tied to such activity.
I forgot about the “first kiss” thing in the X-files/Millennium cross-over. I miss the show too. But I think X-Files and Millennium alike both ended with sort of the same message: While there are forces at work in this world (human and supernatural) that are working against our best interests, and while we can’t really stop them, there is a higher power than those forces, that can ultimately save us. Thus, becoming too obsessed with strange phenomenon does little good. It is like Mr. Boeche said above, Theres little sense in getting too absorbed with this sort of stuff in a way that it owns too much of your time.
As you say, aeneas, I do believe there are things we have no control over but there is a greater force that is on our side. And to everyone, I do understand not getting “too absorbed”. I don’t mean to come across as a fanatic. And I’m not a student but I wouldn’t tell a student to not waste time on a dissertation or perhaps say to Mike to quit trying to prove your view on Psalm 82. There are some things worth working on! I do waste my time in other ways for sanity’s sake. Trust me. 🙂 There’s just the occasion where once I’ve acquired enough understanding on any subject there comes this sort of hump that’s hard to get over, because I just want to sit down with someone and ask some questions to clear a few things up. Mike is kind enough to often respond to me, but I realize simultaneously that he and others must receive so many emails and so much attention otherwise that anything I ask can’t help but be viewed as just as idiotic or misinformed as all the other hustle and bustle being thrown at them, even when in fact I may have a valid question. So that’s where I am. I look forward to reading Nick’s book. Just listened to an interview with him on Future Quake that was most enjoyable and I recommend. Nick really is one of the best and most level headed investigators out there, I believe.
Cory,
Didn’t mean to imply that you’re fanatical for asking questions. I just meant that no one person or group is going to stop the devil by becoming, as you put it, Batman. Unlike the Collins Elite, I doubt that either Mike or Nick Redfern is so self-deluded to think that the destiny of humanity depends on either of their works. Yes, they do a lot of good in their research and should continue to get information out to people, but in the cosmic scheme of things, they are just simply two individuals among many.
On the other hand, you’re mafia analogy above is interesting; some people, even people in power, have probably been duped by malevolent entities. But like Mike argues, that does not mean that were going to have a Left Behind scenario as a result. People who get involved with the occult (and I mean those seriously inviting in evil), whether it is the Crowley or Parsons types, or whether it is some rogue government or military types, will usually find that any power they were hoping for is all a sham. Im guessing that what they find in the end is that the evil they are in contact with are bent on ultimately making fools out of them (and destroying them). Sure, the evil might use them for a while to try and bring down other people too, but in the end, I doubt that there is any grand scheme taking place behind the scenes. I think evil is more banal than that. For all its posturing, it is ultimately short sighted and small-minded.
Great review – thanks!
Loved this comment too;
“…I always had the impression they believed in a folk religion that was informed by local traditions, family superstitions, and by personal sentiment, all in the total absence of actual church teachings (let alone scholarly findings).”
There really is a lot of blundering about going on out there! [Is that an understatement?]
I think I’d enjoy conversation with you, aeneas. Just to make an extra clarifying point or two, and I’ll try to remain relevant to this blog and post, I think this book is probably going to stand out with some of the other few significant among the teeming masses. If for no one else, then for me, for now I know of Ray Boeche and recently read his paper on Men in Black, which he presented to the Gulf Breeze UFO Conference, 1994. It is excellent.
Regarding the question of “how evil is evil?” which I think is sort of what we’re approaching here. Is there an organized effort on the part of evil (Satan, however you wish to designate it) or is the arena of evil beings just a frat house of slackers occasionally vandalizing mankind but to no real strategic or conspiratorial end? I just thought it interesting to ponder what Mike was saying in terms of comparing Parson’s bad behavior with that of Hitler and company. I guess the influence of evil simply remains in speculation in those areas. Who is to say whether Hitler, Mao, etc were or were not directly influenced by evil or simply misguided in bad human philosophy. I don’t like completely separating the two. Otherwise you can end up making everything only academic in the worst liberal way and end up right back at deceptive views such as “religion vs science.” The notion of giving evil too much attention and not giving it enough is the key here, I’m sure.
Whether or not what the 2 gentlemen told Boeche about the CE is true or not, I’m glad to be aware of the ideas and questions. I don’t look for a Left Behind scenario in end times. Not at all. However, I do see how a similar scenario “could” play out if only as a means of deception by world leaders, which of course some do expect. Please do not think me simplistic for pondering this because I ponder many sorts of things. I only expect to see Christ’s return one day. I have no idea exactly how it will play out.
I have to say though, that I found it ironically amusing, if you will, to hear this idea that the only way to combat the unleashed evil was by a theocracy, shall we say “one world religion”, and to combat it by the very means most would not want. It’s as if the CE would be falling into the perfect trap. The very means by which it is thought to destroy or stop the enemy would be the very same means the enemy was planning to control mankind! But I guess it would go to show how terrified they were. It just makes you want to shake your head in disbelief, though let’s imagine something… If it’s true or isn’t true doesn’t really seem to matter. The number of people who seek a global community are growing regardless. It just does happen to fit if you want to imagine a good story, the CE’s belief of gathering the herd of mankind for protection to deal with a powerful predator. It just seems uncanny to me how they both align. It’s as if you have progressives pushing for one world government for seemingly innocent, ableit ignorant, reasons and then a secret government making the same push for more strategic reasons. If nothing else, this is one awesome screenplay.
Here’s what I bet fans of Dr. Heiser’s work want to know. Does this sort of information affect his sequel to The Facade…? 🙂
Cory is on to something with respect to the sequel. But it will be more informed and realistic than the CE stuff.
Isn’t the simplest explanation that this is just a bunch of made up junk spun by Phil Corso types that Redfern is putting out there to sell a book?
if so, the Phil Corso types that are the sources aren’t earning anything. But they may be having a good laugh … or enjoying the social experiment.
I’d give Crowley more credit and maybe consider him part of the Aquarian Conspiracy. He influenced all the “Influentials” and in unmeasurable ways. From Beatles to Led Zepplin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKIMJoKCe3o
Peace,
Ryan
It’s hard to care. He influenced them to be something other than theists and get into free sex and drugs. It’s not like that’s unique or evocative of some special power.
Mike,
Have you researched the Aquarian Conspiracy??? It puts a little more credit into the hands of the TAVISTOCK Institute and the strings attached to the puppets they control.
No comments on the YouTube video? Or did you watch it?
If influencing or evoking the youth into sex and drugs was easily doable BEFORE Crowley, well then Mike you might make your point. Technically, evoking the youth into such before this time would actually seem improbable, but your argument seems to go the other direction… I would argue that since the 60’s, the powers in control have been brainwashing us through music quite successfully, more so than previous eras.
Yes, by means of magic through music you are still witnessing the effects of the sixties revolution. Lady Gaga down to the Beatles, you need to listen to the lyrics and then the events of the current day unfold…
Need I remind you of Columbine?
The Marilyn Manson song Misery Machine contains the lyrics, Were gonna ride to the abbey of Thelema. The Abbey of Thelema was the temple of Satanist Aleister Crowley.
It is purported that the two boys who did the killings, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, where both followers of Marilyn Manson, and ran down the halls screaming “Marilyn Manson rules!” while shooting their classmates.
If these musicians go about claiming to be Satanic and are very successful with their influence, you might consider it to be beyond coincidence???
The greatest mistake you will ever make is questioning the power of the DEVIL himself.
I have to assume that you’ve always been a good faithful Guy? Maybe so much so that you’ve never felt directly compelled to challenge god??? I on the other hand grew up an atheist and with Darwinist parents, whom had rejected the church. I have casts spells and I used to practice magic, etc. I am familiar with the accusations that I make regarding magic, but I don’t feel you are in anyway shape or form… Nor have you adequately made any argument to support your opinion here: “its not like thats unique or evocative of some special power.” If it’s not unique, than it should be easily repeatable! But good luck finding somebody to repeat the influence of Crowley but without demonic intervention.
Have you ever rejected GOD and challenged him to prove himself to you? For if you had, I would wonder what credit you would give his adversary?
Shalom!
Ryan
Your last sentence doesn’t make sense to me (and I’ll admit that other parts of this don’t either). I don’t question the power of intelligent evil. I question hucksters like Crowley being empowered in any real way.
Mike,
Have you ever rejected god? Did you watch the youtube video? Are you familar with the aquarian conspiracy? Do you think music can be programmed with magic?
Can you make sense of those questions?
Peace,
Ryan
In order:
1. No
2. Sometimes, though I have better things to do. I read … scholarly material … not Wikipedia or YouTube.
3. Yes; I know of the myth.
4. No .. but people can be programmed to believe such nonsense.
5. I think I just did.
Yeah OK. Scholarly material like Nick Redfern? He’s working for the people that he’s exposing if you haven’t figured it out, kind of like Alex Jones, Icke, Etc.
Redferns Publishing company is Simon & Shuster, whom is a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc., of which the owner/chairman and CEO is Sumner Redstone. This guys is a known Luciferian. Duh, even the MTV2 symbol (viacom owned) is the 2 headed dog. Anyway…
Good luck with your real research. Maybe you should subscribe to “Atlantis Rising” where you and read this type of UFO DISINFO all day.
Peace,
Ryan
If you think this blog doesn’t tap into scholarly journals, you haven’t spent any time looking. That would be YOUR problem, not mine. Nick Redfern isn’t the only source that gets read or linked to on this blog.
Thanks for another feckless, silly conspiracy theory, too. When data can’t be produced, resort to conspiratorial arguments. It’s very poor, but common.
Rather than address anything I’ve pointed out factual, conspiratorial or otherwise your time is too precious to do anything but make snide comments which have no founding.
Have you read anything by Constance Cumbey? You say that you “know the myth” of The Aquarian Conspiracy??? If you did have a legit view and opinion against it, you would have and could have expressed it at this point. However, you are not familiar with it and it is very obvious…
Constance Cumbey’s work is awful. I do textual criticism, as my doctoral degree is in Hebrew Bible. She’s an example of how not to think clearly, use ad hominem attacks instead, and knows next to nothing about textual transmission of the biblical manuscripts.
I have just purchased ‘Final Events’ and look forward to reading it having read both your review and the following related comments… I do hope it is as good as the discussion that followed!
Mike,
I must also congratulate you on ‘The Facade’ (which I must admit I borrowed from my brother). I have already read it twice and will do again I’m sure before the next installment… what a fantastically well written and informed piece of writing. You have mastered merging fiction with facts into a truely brilliant novel that grips you to the end. Really, just sensational.
I do intend to order the book myself ofcourse 😀 and I eagerly anticipate the sequel. When might we be so lucky as to expect it may I ask?! I’m not quite sure how you find the time, but I do hope you manage it for your fellow readers. I wish you the very best in your endeavours.
Bless you
I’m into the sequel now and it’s frankly taking over every other interest (as I knew it would). Once in it you can’t just come and go.
Not sure when the sequel will be done; working on it now a little each day, and enjoying it, to say the least. (It’s basically all I think about now).
Oh, I would also like to add a cheeky request if I may (which I am sure you will be far too busy to accept)….. However, if you don’t ask, you don’t get, so…
I have just finished ‘The Omega Conspiracy’ by a Dr I.D.E Thomas who’s work I’m sure you are aware of, and almost certain you have probably read yourself.
It is an extremely interesting read at worst and fascinating throughout, so I would love to hear your thoughts on it, and perhaps dare I say, a short review?! I am aware it was published what would now be an ‘age’ ago, in the literary world, but nonetheless perhaps an important reference point for those of interest in the subject matter.
it’s been a long time since I looked at that. I’d have to go back through it for that. Honestly, with the sequel to The Facade now inaugurated and all the research that takes, a review of this book isn’t going to happen until that’s over.
Looking forward to both, but particularly the sequel….. as I’m sure the latter won’t be for some time as you say.
I wish you the best with it, and I’m sure it will not disappoint!
thanks!
Brilliant. Looking forward to it. If you are enjoying writing, I am positive we will all enjoy reading!
All the best