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This is a much-needed update to an article I first authored almost twenty years ago. Due to its contents, and to offer a more clear idea of what it is about, I have renamed it from "Keeping Things in Proper Perspective" to "Keeping Things in Proper Perspective: ET, Where Are You?". About two decades ago, when BBSing was still somewhat of a rage, in an online comment that was made on the pretty much now-defunct FidoNet BBSing network, a particular individual made the following startling remark:

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". . . A very few select scientists will be making presentations in keeping with the Summit's agenda of what America's objectives for space should be, now that we know for certain that extraterrestrial life exists . . ."

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Following is my response to the previous comments, which I wrote during that same time period. Please note that I have taken the liberty to update my remarks here and there where necessary and appropriate, and I have added some additional information as well, in order to round out this article and give you a fuller picture regarding what was being discussed when I first wrote this article back then.

Based upon the questionable data which had been presented by the scientific community up until that point in time, I must say that I found this individual's final comment to be very much an over-exaggeration and distortion of the truth; that is, assuming there is any truth to it at all. He said, and I quote, "now that we know for certain that extraterrestrial life exists." Oh really? It does? Where? What proof do you have to justify such an outlandish comment? Please remember, dear reader, that this comment was made by this person about twenty years ago. Things haven't changed much, have they?

Now, to the point. In my opinion, the possible discovery of carbonaceous deposits along side what were theorized to be ancient bacterial signatures in what is believed to be a Martian meteorite -- that is, the famous ALH 84001 Martian meteorite -- is obviously a rather far cry from intelligent, sentient, extraterrestrial life. I mean, seriously folks. You just cannot extrapolate so quickly from possible ancient bacterial signatures -- and I stress the word "possible" -- to real, living, breathing alien life, as this individual was trying to do.

To say the least, the entire ALH 84001 scenario had been completely blown out of proportion since the first day that it was announced. Sadly, as they are prone to do, it appears that, as still occurs today, certain individuals within the UFOlogical field were grabbing at any straws they could in order to support their pet doctrines and theories regarding the existence of extraterrestrial life, whether that life was sentient and intelligent or not. The claims which were being made by these scientists was only adding fuel to the fire.

We would all be very wise to remember that we are dealing here primarily with pure theory and speculation, nothing more, and nothing less, despite how it is so dramatically dressed up by the sensationalistic mass media, and by the scientists who announce these kinds of things. At that time when the amazing announcement was made regarding the Martian meteorite, the world at large had yet to be presented with any real, solid, physical evidence. All we had was the word of certain enthusiastic scientists. We were being asked to accept their interpretation of what they were seeing in the Martian meteorite ALH 84001.

As I explain in the article called "Science and Technology: The Forbidden Knowledge?", I am sure that there are many scientists who are honorable, well-meaning individuals who are truly trying to better our world, as well as trying to help us to better understand the Universe. But we likewise need to remember that some of them tend to fall under the temptation of the fame game, and they want to make a certain name for themselves. Or maybe they want to ensure that the budget of their favorite college or university will be met.

As some of you will know, college professors are sometimes under an extreme amount of pressure. They must produce something quite convincing, regardless of how controversial or theoretical in nature it may be, in order to keep the funds flowing into their particular department; because if they don't, their college-funded pet project may be killed. Some of them also fall under the temptation of wanting to be the first to discover and announce something, and in some cases, this has led to a number of scams, as well as public humiliation when their foul deeds were discovered. It is just plain old human pride and vanity winning again.

But let us now consider some of the "evidence" which was presented to the world at that particular point in time, as well as newer "evidence" which has been made known to the world since that time, in order to convince us all of the reality of extraterrestrial life in some form, somewhere in our Solar System, or perhaps even beyond our own system:

1. A Martian meteorite -- that is, ALH 84001 -- which was thought to bear signatures of ancient bacterial life. Please note again that this alleged discovery had absolutely nothing to do with sentient, intelligent, space-faring, alien life. Anything said beyond this by anyone -- such as the person I quoted at the beginning of this article -- was merely wishful thinking, and over-zealousness, and was based on theory and speculation, or in some cases, even fanaticism and personal imagination. In fact, as you may already know, when all was said and done, the claims which were made by these scientists proved to be false. According to a statement which can be found on the Wikipedia website regarding meteorite ALH 84001, "As of 2005, scientific consensus was that the microfossils were not indicative of Martian life, but of contamination by earthly biofilms." So much for ancient Martian life forms.

2. The possible discovery of water ice in a lunar crater in the South Pole-Aitken basin. The obvious importance of this alleged discovery is that where there is water, there is also usually some form of life as well. For those of you who may not be familiar with it, the South Pole–Aitken basin is a very huge impact crater that is found on the far side of the Moon; that is, on its dark side. This amazing crater is about 1,600 miles in diameter, and about 8.1 miles deep. Folks, that is even deeper than the Mariana Trench in the Western Pacific Ocean. The South Pole–Aitken basin impact crater happens to be one of the largest known impact craters in our entire Solar System.

At any rate, at the time that this was first announced, this had not been positively identified as actual, physical water ice, so it was still an on-going theory. In fact, even the composition of the "ice" had not yet been firmly established. Since that time, a number of other observations, analyses and scientific expeditions have been made, in order to determine whether or not real water ice is found on the Moon in some of its permanently shadowed craters. While there has been some evidence to suggest that water ice may possibly exist in these craters, perhaps even in large quantities, to date, and to my knowledge, it is still just a matter of scientific speculation at best, and it hasn't been physically observed. We could say that circumstantial evidence points to water ice existing on the Moon, but that still does not make it a fact.

3. Directly related to the idea of lunar water ice, is the increasingly popular belief in subsurface oceans possibly existing on other planets and moons in our Solar System. In particular, scientific data which has been acquired from a number of different space probes and fly-bys suggests that such subsurface bodies of liquid water may possibly exist on such satellites as Europa and Enceladus. Europa is one of the many moons of the giant planet Jupiter, while Enceladus is a satellite of Saturn. There is lesser confidence regarding such oceans possibly existing on Callisto, Ganymede and Triton. Callisto and Ganymede are both moons belonging to the Jupiter system, while Triton is the largest moon of Neptune.

In upcoming years, as NASA, ESA and other space agencies are able to send out more complicated probes and landers, it may become possible to make concrete determinations regarding how valid these subsurface ocean theories are. As I said, where there is water, the rule is that there will also exist some form of life; so we will just have to wait and see. But in the meantime, scientists and conceptual artists have not wasted any time trying to tell us what to expect if these bodies of water do in fact exist on these other bodies. If you have seen some of their drawing, then you will already know that they are rather wild. So let me remind you again that for now, it is all just speculation and theory at best.

4. The purported discovery of new planets revolving around other stars in our galaxy; that is, extrasolar planets, or exoplanets. According to Wikipedia, "as of 6 December 2016, there have been 3,545 exoplanets in 2,660 planetary systems and 597 multiple planetary systems confirmed."

Personally, I take that word "confirmed" with a big grain of salt, and I will tell you why. At this current time, despite the way in which this kind of information has been announced to the public, as with so many other things which have been announced by the scientific community, it still remains in the realm of speculation. As I explain in the lengthy series "Alien Life, Extrasolar Planets and Universal Atonement", the public needs to be reminded that these scientists and astronomers have not actually physically seen these planets, because, currently, they do not possess powerful enough instruments to actually view said bodies through an eyepiece. That is why whenever such announcement are made, they are usually accompanied by an artist's conception, and not with an actual astronomical photograph. Please keep this point in mind the next time that you read such an article.

As a result, based on the Doppler effect, an observed wobble in stellar movement, etc., these scientists are merely theorizing as to what might be causing this. Even the Hubble Space Telescope is not powerful enough to actually see these exoplanets. Yet despite this truth, which anyone can verify for themselves, ever since the discovery of the very first extrasolar planet, there has been a mad dash by astronomers around the world to discover more and more of them. Oh that elusive quest for fame!

As I explain in the aforementioned series, even if the day arrives when the existence of such exoplanets can actually be physically verified, it is important to mention that it is still just the beginning of the journey to discover any form of extraterrestrial life, whether it is a bacteria, or a more advanced species. Why? Because even if those planets do exist, based on our current knowledge, those bodies need to exist in the Habitable Zone -- a.k.a. the Goldilocks Zone -- of a star's gravitational field, so that the planet has climatic conditions which are suitable and conducive to some form of life, whether it is a simple life form, or a complex one. In just looking at our own near solar neighborhood, it becomes rather obvious that this is not an easy task. Earth still remains alone at this current time, the end of 2016.

At this point, let me emphasize that I am not saying that other planets do not exist in our galaxy. Neither am I denying the possibility that there may in fact be life -- intelligent or otherwise -- somewhere else in the Universe, perhaps even in our own Solar System. As I ask in other articles, who am I to try to judge or limit the power and will of Almighty God? I am reminded of verses such as the following:

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable."


"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all."


"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding."


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."


"Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number."


"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"


In short, rather unlike some of my more conservative-thinking Christian brethren, I embrace the view that what God did here on Planet Earth, He could have likewise done elsewhere, and perhaps in many elsewheres. I believe that it is foolish and arrogant to think otherwise. In my view, God is under no obligation whatsoever to tell us everything that He does, or has done in the past. Furthermore, all of His great acts are most certainly not contained in the pages of the Bible. In fact, even all the things which Jesus did are not contained in the four Gospels, as we can clearly determine by the following verse that is found at the end of the Gospel of John:

"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."


There are many things in the Bible which, partially due to translation, as well as due to some political and religious influences, are not made clear to the modern reader. There is a substantial amount of evidence -- sometimes very subtle hints -- in the Bible which does point to ancient visitation by out-of-this-world beings. Of course, whether these beings are/were physical or spiritual in nature, is something which we must all decide for ourselves. I explore these ideas in other articles which are listed at the end of this current article.

Taken as a whole, the main point I wish to emphasize in this current article, is that it is imperative that we learn to differentiate between what is actually established scientific fact, and what is merely theory and speculation, no matter how convincing it may appear to be on the surface. Let me add that, personally, I believe that true scientific discovery will always agree with and support God's Word. At the very least, it won't contradict the Bible, or detract from the truths which are expressed in the Scriptures. Knowledge is important, but not all knowledge and wisdom is necessarily good, or even always true. Let us not forget that Adam and Eve ran into trouble when they partook of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. I am reminded of the following verses:

"And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil . . . But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."


"For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge."


"O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:"


"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."


"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"


"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."


Please note that in 1 Timothy 6:20 above, the word "science" is derived from the Koine Greek word "gnosis". This word is normally translated as "knowledge" in the New Testament of the King James Version of the Bible. This is the only verse where it is actually translated as "science", and I am not sure why the translator made this choice. At any rate, there is such a thing as evil, wicked, devilish knowledge. Sadly, as I explain in "Science and Technology: The Forbidden Knowledge?", humankind has learned some of it. For example, what happened at Nagasaki and Hiroshima was obviously the result of obtaining some very evil knowledge. All of the Weapons of Mass Destruction -- chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological -- which have resulted in the death of millions of people around the world over the decades, are likewise the fruit of such devilish knowledge. Of course, the tragedy is that nations continue to desire to build and possess these wicked devices.

So again, we need to keep things in proper perspective. We need to maintain a balance. We cannot, and must not, allow ourselves to be fooled by every wind of doctrine that comes along, whether it is religious doctrine, or new scientific theories which have yet to be thoroughly proved. Consider the following verses:

"Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."


"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"


"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein."


"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."


"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"


"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"


The only way to avoid such deception in our modern day is by asking God to give us Wisdom and Spiritual Discernment, so that we can each see through the modern deceptions. Consider the following verses where we learn that this Wisdom and Spiritual Discernment is a by-product of being filled with God's Holy Spirit:

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."


"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."


"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."


"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"


"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."


"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;"


Thanks to an overly-hyped and controlled sensationalistic mass media, and to some people within the UFO community who want "easy proof" to support their pet doctrines and beliefs regarding the possibility of the existence of intelligent alien life, for decades now, we have been bombarded with all kinds of wild theories, channeled messages, talk of mass UFO landings, aliens incarnated in human form, etc. In short, we have been flooded with the whole gamut of fringe ideas. As I said, certain claims which have been made by the scientific community -- even though that was not their intention -- has only made the current situation worse. In other words, some UFOlogists have piggybacked on certain scientific theories and discoveries, in their endeavors to promote their own agenda, and add validity to their own fringe ideas.

To reiterate, we would all be wise to maintain a certain level of self-discipline regarding the whole aliens and UFOs affair, and to also take with a grain of salt, some of the theories and speculations which are being proposed by the scientific community as well. There is nothing wrong with being hopeful that we are not alone. After all, even God saw that Adam required a mate in the Garden of Eden. Yet at the same time, let's also be smart by embracing a healthy degree of skepticism until things are positively and definitively proven one way or the other, with solid, physical evidence. Surely, in time, we will know one way or the other. As I have said before, time has a way of exposing the charlatans, false prophets and joy riders for what they really are, while at the same time revealing the truth to those who are willing to receive it.

Exactly what is the current truth and status regarding alien life? What is the bottom line? It is simply this: Despite all of the amazing announcements which have been made by modern science over the years and decades; despite the billions of dollars which have been spent over the decades to find out exactly what is out there in the Universe; and despite all of the wild stories which have been concocted and promoted by UFO enthusiasts and their ilk, to date, not one single living extraterrestrial microbe has been found; not a single living virus; not a single living bacteria; not one protozoan; not one moss; not one lichen; not one carbon-based organism or any other higher life form, much less some kind of sentient, intelligent life form. Absolutely nothing, my friends. Zilch. Zero. Absolutamente nada.

Not only that, but unless all world governments, all of the world's scientists, and all of the world's mass media is outright lying to us and deceiving us, and for decades no less -- many conspiracy theorists in fact believe that they are lying -- not one single intelligent signal has ever been received -- or at least identified as such -- from any known portion of the cosmos, in the years that the SETI project -- Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence -- and other such institutions, have been trying to locate and decipher such signals. Absolutely none. Now that is the plain and simple, irrefutable truth. We have come up empty-handed in every regards; unless you too believe that we have been seriously lied to. Will it change in the future? Time will tell. Only God knows; but being as I am an old man, I seriously doubt that such an event -- if it were to occur -- will occur during my lifetime. I'd love to hear about it, if and when it happens.

With these thoughts, I will bring this article to a close. It is my hope that you have found it informative, enlightening, and I pray that it has been a blessing in your life as well. If you have an account with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or with any other social network, I would really appreciate if you'd take the time to click or tap on the corresponding link that is found on this page. Thanks so much, and may God bless you abundantly!

For additional information and further study, you may want to refer to the list of reading resources below which were either mentioned in this article, or which contain topics which are related to this article. All of these articles are likewise located on the Bill's Bible Basics web server. To read these articles, simply click or tap on any link you see below.

Alien Life, Extrasolar Planets And Universal Atonement
Science and Technology: The Forbidden Knowledge?
Nature of the Alien : ETs, Demons or a Government Plot?
Alien Intervention, Raelians, Pyramids and Nazca Geoglyphs
Billy Meier and the Pleiadian UFO Encounter
Comet Hale-Bopp, Chernobyl and Deathstar Wormwood
Heaven's Gate, Suicide and Other Death Cults
Heaven's Gate: A Subliminal Message Concealed in Their Logo?
The Nibiru, Planet X, Wormwood Controversy
Under the Cloud: UFO's and the Holy Bible
Chariots of Fire : A Voluntary Voyage to Heaven?
"Aliens to God or Aliens to the World" KJV Bible Verse List

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