Unidentified

So the other day some friends of mine suggested I watch a Christian movie which tackles the subject of UFO's and alien abduction. They had a lot of good things to say about it and since I'm always interested to see how a Christian movie will treat occult topics I thought I'd give it a go.

I have to say I DID like this film. 

It's not a perfect movie and I have some typical complaints such as stereotypical characters (a confrontational Athiest being the most stark and a really "in your face" Christian) but on the whole I think the message of the movie was excellent and Biblical. So Christian movie fans…this is definitely one you'll want to watch.

What I liked best about this movie is that it really didn't seek to answer the question of UFO's but rather to acknowledge that something is actually happening to people which needs to be recognized and addressed by the church. While there are a few theories offered by several characters as to why such things as UFO's and alleged alien encounters happen, the most notable is that such experiences are a spiritual deception, something I believe people interested in UFO's (and most notably Christians) need to understand.

After watching the movie "Unidentified" I did some reading on UFO's and claims of alien abduction.

In several articles it is suggested that certain common factors appear among those who claim to have been abducted or "taken" by aliens, most notably previous interest or involvement with the occult or the New Age movement. There are also those who claim to have had a "fourth kind encounter" who have come from religious or Christian backgrounds but the experience generally leaves the person questioning their faith, leaving the church and embracing only "spirituality", or draws them into extra-Biblical beliefs about God. (Here is an interesting article following the more famous "abductees").

As I read these articles and consider what people say about UFO sightings and personal encounters, what strikes me the most is the fear and trauma these events typically cause for individuals, not unlike the majority of recorded hauntings or ghost visitations.  Interestingly, another commonality are those who experience UFO's and "alien" contact and later embrace the phenomenon, proclaiming aliens are benevolent beings who desire to help humans reach the next stage of spiritual evolution, not unlike are people who embrace the paranormal through ghost hunting, psychics, and mediums,. In both cases, fearful encounters are generally explained away as limited or unenlightened understanding.

Where have I heard that before I wonder?

Whatever the case may be, it is my opinion that demonic spirits are perpetrating these encounters with the intent of deceiving people.  How? By frightening them and causing them to question God's goodness in allowing them to experience an "alien abduction", enticing devotees to learn more about aliens, UFO's, ascended masters, the paranormal and the occult, or by drawing people who've experienced the phenomena to believe things about God, Jesus, and the way of salvation otherwise not supported by the Bible.

There is a spiritual world, hidden but all around us, and things like UFO's and alien abduction fit right along into the same category as any other mystical, paranormal, or supernatural experience. The temptation with UFO's and aliens, just as with ghosts, hauntings, psychics, mediums, is to develop an unhealthy interest in them. This should be guarded against by pressing close to our Lord and knowing what the Bible says about the spirit world and spiritual warfare. We do need to have wisdom and understanding when it comes to the spiritual world and acknowledge it's reality without falling prey to it's deceptive charms but stay firmly rooted in God.

Do I believe there are UFO's and alien encounters? Yes, I do, right along with ghosts and hauntings. More important I understand the spirit of deception which is behind all of these things and stand firm in the truth and knowledge that Jesus Christ has overcome it all.

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