The Alien God — Replacing One Myth with Another
In today’s episode, we’re revisiting Ancient Alien Theory, discussing its origins and dangers, and then contrasting it to F. Herbert’s DUNE saga. This episode was particularly enjoyable as I took the opportunity to restrain myself in discussing a masterpiece that’s had such a lasting effect on my life.
Transcript
Welcome back to another episode of Zero Barriers Podcast, where we challenge conventional wisdom and explore the questions that shape our understanding of the world. Today, we're diving into the somewhat murky waters of Ancient Alien Theory, a topic that has fascinated many but also raises important questions about how we interpret history and spirituality. We'll explore its origins, its impact, and even draw some intriguing parallels with Frank Herbert's DUNE saga. So, buckle up as we replace one myth with another and ask ourselves: what are we really searching for?
Q: "What are the origins of Ancient Alien Theory, and how does it draw from ancient myths like those of the Sumerians and Hindus?"
Ancient Alien Theory, or AAT, is a concept that suggests extraterrestrial beings visited Earth in ancient times and influenced the development of human civilizations. The theory gained mainstream attention in the late 20th century, thanks in part to works like Erich von Däniken's “Chariots of the Gods?” and the History Channel's series “Ancient Aliens”.
Zecharia Sitchin is often considered the 'father' of the modern incarnation of Ancient Alien Theory. His works, particularly “The 12th Planet”, have been instrumental in shaping the contemporary narrative around AAT. It's worth noting that Sitchin shares a common trait with other personalities who've challenged mainstream ideologies to create their own narratives. For example, Gerald Gardner did this with Wicca, Marshall Applewhite with Heaven's Gate, and L. Ron Hubbard with Scientology. Each of these figures held skeptical or even antagonistic views toward mainstream beliefs and sought to replace them with their own interpretations, often drawing from a mix of ancient myths, personal revelations, and selective use of science.
What's fascinating is how AAT often leans on ancient myths to build its narrative. For example, the Sumerian myths speak of the Anunnaki, gods who descended from the sky to teach mankind various arts and sciences. Similarly, Hindu myths feature Vimanas, flying chariots piloted by gods. Proponents of AAT argue that these 'gods' and 'chariots' are actually extraterrestrials and advanced technology, respectively.
So, in essence, AAT doesn't just propose a radical reinterpretation of history; it also recontextualizes ancient myths, turning gods into aliens and miracles into technology.
Q: "How does Ancient Alien Theory incorporate elements of quantum physics and other scientific concepts, and where does it veer into the realm of pseudoscience?"
Ancient Alien Theory often attempts to legitimize itself by borrowing from scientific fields, most notably quantum physics. For example, some proponents argue that quantum entanglement could explain how extraterrestrials communicate across vast distances, or that quantum mechanics could provide a basis for advanced propulsion systems.
However, this is where AAT starts to veer into pseudoscience. While it's true that quantum physics has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, its principles are often misused or taken out of context in AAT. The theory also dabbles in concepts like the 'Law of Attraction' and 'energy detoxification', which have little to no empirical evidence to support them. Movements such as Wicca, Heaven's Gate, and Scientology have also dabbled in similar pseudoscientific concepts like energy detoxification (often seen in New Age practices) and the Law of Attraction (a cornerstone in the prosperity gospel and self-help movements).
It's worth noting that pseudoscientific concepts aren't always harmful or misleading; they can be used creatively and effectively in certain contexts. Take video games, for example. The Mass Effect series employs the idea of Quantum Entanglement Communication to allow for near-instantaneous communication across galaxies. While this is currently theoretical in the realm of astrophysics, it's presented as a fully realized technology in the game's universe. This kind of imaginative use of scientific concepts can enrich storytelling and world-building in science fiction, offering us compelling narratives that, while not scientifically accurate, are internally consistent and engaging.
In essence, AAT uses scientific jargon to lend credibility to its claims, but a closer look reveals a lack of rigorous scientific methodology. This selective use of science not only muddies the waters but also risks undermining genuine scientific inquiry.
Q: "How does Frank Herbert's 'Dune' saga mirror the conventions of Ancient Alien Theory and Christian myth-writing, and what can we learn from this?"
On a personal note, in the interests of full disclosure, I should let you know that I can talk (and have) for hours upon hours about the vast Dune universe. Picking just a few elements to touch on was very difficult for me.
Frank Herbert's DUNE saga is a masterclass in blending myth, religion, and speculative fiction. Much like Ancient Alien Theory, DUNE takes existing myths and religious concepts and recontextualizes them in a universe where the lines between gods, aliens, and humans are blurred.
In DUNE the concept of the “Kwisatz Haderach”, a prophesied messiah, is far from one-dimensional. The universe Herbert created is teeming with factions like the Bene Gesserit, Bene Tleilax, Mentats, and the Spacing Guild, each with their own agenda to influence this messianic figure. Initially, these factions appear to be counterpoints to the Messiah narrative. But as the saga unfolds, we see a series of unexpected messiah-figures—God-Emperor Leto II and the many incarnations of Duncan Idaho—giving these factions opportunities for redemption. By the end of the saga, both the concept and the function of the “Kwisatz Haderach” have evolved dramatically, showing the fluidity and complexity of such narratives.
What's fascinating is that Herbert doesn't just borrow these themes; he critiques them. Through the character of Paul Atreides and later messiah-figures, Herbert explores the very dangers of messianic figures and the blind faith they can inspire. By the saga's end, Herbert's skillful myth-making guides the reader to see themselves in various factions at different times and to recognize the Fremen as the true heroes of the tale. Contrary to the common critical notion that Paul Muad'Dib was their 'saviour', the Fremen always saw him as the “voice from the outer world”, their “Lisan al Gaib”. They were instrumental in shaping the beliefs and behaviors of both God-Emperor Leto II and the various Duncan Idaho incarnations, who considered themselves Fremen above all else.
By the end of this science-fiction saga, the focus shifts dramatically from the science to the human element. No 'alien,' real or imagined, swoops in to save humanity from itself, contrasting sharply with the savior narratives that are often found in Ancient Alien Theory and similar ideologies. This serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us to approach such narratives with a critical mind.
So, in a way, DUNE acts as a meta-commentary on the very themes we're discussing. It shows how easily myths and theories can be constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed to serve various agendas, reminding us to approach such narratives with a critical mind.
Q: "How do modern theories like Ancient Alien Theory influence our understanding of spirituality and history, and what are the potential pitfalls of such influence?"
Ancient Alien Theory, much like the DUNE saga, has a way of captivating our imaginations. It presents a narrative that's both fantastical and rooted in elements of truth, making it all the more compelling. However, the danger lies in how easily these theories can be used to rewrite history and spirituality to fit a particular agenda.
For instance, AAT often appropriates cultural myths and historical artifacts to support its narrative, effectively silencing the voices of the cultures from which these myths originate. This is similar to how the Fremen were initially portrayed in DUNE—as a backdrop to the more 'important' galactic events—before their true significance was revealed.
Moreover, AAT and similar theories can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases. They often imply that ancient civilizations couldn't possibly have achieved their feats without 'alien' intervention, undermining the ingenuity and resilience of these cultures.
In the end, while theories like AAT can be fascinating and even enlightening in some respects, they also come with a responsibility. We must be cautious in how we engage with them, always questioning the sources, the motives, and the implications. Otherwise, we risk replacing one set of myths with another, without ever truly understanding the complexities of our shared human history.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through Ancient Alien Theory and its complex relationship with our understanding of history and spirituality. As we've seen, theories like AAT can be both enlightening and problematic. They can open our minds to new possibilities but also risk silencing the voices that don't fit their narrative. It's a reminder to always question the quality of the questions we ask, as we've emphasized throughout this Zero Barriers Podcast series. Until next time, keep challenging the status quo and remember: the Answer always precedes the Question.
Coming Next
Be sure to join us this weekend, where I’ll give a condensed recap of these past three episodes of Zero Barriers. I’ll also begin to flesh out why I feel so strongly about lending my voice to those that have been silenced, how my history has molded my perceptions of myself and others, and, more importantly, how I spent much of the past 30 years developing and refining this “Zensunni Bardo Path” paradigm that I keep referencing.
Through my own experiences and the wisdom of others, I've come to question the very foundations of how we understand ourselves and the world around us. Why do I believe, in the core of my soul, that “Answer precedes Question”? What happens when a Mormon, a Wanderer, and a Pagan walk into a bar? What do Plato, Frank Herbert, Steven Erikson, and Stephen King have in common? I’ll answer these questions and more…next time
