2010/10/11 by Paul B. Thomas · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Physics and Astronomy · Psychology · #Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life #Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
paper · doi:10.1525/nr.2010.14.2.6
openalex publication_date 2010/10/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
As an introduction to Nova Religio's special issue on ET-inspired (UFO) religions, this article maintains that despite less media attention since the furor surrounding the Heaven's Gate suicides, ET-inspired religions are still active. Moreover, increasing speculation linking extraterrestrials to 2012 apocalyptic scenarios, coupled with a significant percentage of the population who believe in extraterrestrial visitation, seems to indicate that purveyors of ET-inspired religious perspectives will continue to have a market. Rather than focusing upon the "strange" and seemingly "bizarre" nature of these religious groups, the articles in this special issue endeavor to demonstrate how members of ET-inspired religions appropriate materials and theological ideas from widely-accepted mainstream religious traditions. This article maintains that the value of such an approach lies in bridging the gulf between normalized religious perspectives and the marginalized religious "other."