Unfortunately, there are some who take this idea to an extreme, suggesting that all religions are due to this kind of misidentification, and thus use this extreme view to rationalize an atheistic perspective. The following is my rebuttal to this extreme position, while simultaneously acknowledging that misidentification could have played a part in ancient myth making.

Absolutism can be Dangerous

While I understand much of the position that the basis of “gods”, fairy myths, and other legendary stuff may come from encounters with extraordinary beings, i.e. extra-terrestrials, extra-dimensional entities, etc.; I would ardently caution against such absolutism as indicated by statements like, “All god’s are illusion. They’re all based on the misunderstandings of our primitive ancestors.”

Try not to use Blanket Proclamations

This kind of blanket proclamation could be an example of throwing out the baby with the bath water. The concept of “gods” may have its origin in what we might call cases of mistaken identity, but the further advanced monotheistic thought form comes more from within, rather than external influences. The idea of one all encompassing God is a much more highly evolved concept, as long as one does not fall into the trap of anthropomorphizing that singular deity, which unfortunately many do, {however, that is a topic for an altogether different debate}.

Let’s not Anthropomorphize

However, I will say this on the topic of giving God a “human” like form, it could be argued that part of this tendency to anthropomorphize God might have its origins in this same alien misidentification, given that these “aliens” were humanoid in body shape. If the ancients came to see the “gods” as beings whose basic form had the same general shape as we do, then this could be when the anthropomorphic way of thinking came into the picture. And while this may cast an unfavorable light on the concept of an anthropomorphic God, it does not indicate the non existence of God in principle, nor does it suggest any lack of validity in the concept of a singular deity of cosmic proportions. The most advanced monotheistic visions, elevate God to an entity of infinite nature, which clearly leaves behind the limited anthropomorphic view in the proverbial dust, and cuts away any past ties with mythic origin.

Technology or Magic?

Arthur C. Clarke’s Third Law from
Profiles of the Future
could shed some light on the past if we truly embrace the idea of ancient visitations from the stars. He said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” If indeed, as some have suggested, aliens introduced to us the concept of gods by being mistaken for them by our ancient ancestors thousands of years ago, then Clarke’s third law no doubt applies to this situation. This scenario could also be an answer to Fermi’s Paradox, {but ideas regarding that paradox deserves its own article, as well}. While there certainly are other possible explanations for these myth origins, and other scenarios able to apply to this third law of Mr. Clarke’s, we’ll examine the extra-terrestrial angle in this article, and save the other possibilities for future articles.

The Stone Age Reaction

Let’s consider “Stone Age” humankind. If the people of this time found themselves confronted with beings of advanced technological means, how would they perceive these advanced alien visitors? The answer is simple; these advanced beings would be seen as “gods”. As Clarke said their technology would be indistinguishable from magic. If such aliens, and/or extra-dimensional types did come to our ancient world, how could they have not been perceived either as gods, or at the very least as messengers from the gods? Today, we tend to look as these ancient myths and legends as illusory fantasy, but the vast majority of them may well have some basis that is quite real.

Medieval Fairy Myths

A few years back, I did an extensive research project on the fairy myths of medieval Europe. Of course, here we’re looking at a much later time than the afore mentioned ancients, but among the common populous the perspectives of this time weren’t that much more sophisticated, especially when compared to space faring levels of technology. In these fairy myths, I found some fascinating similarities to modern day alien abduction scenarios. Now some of our more pragmatic psychologists would no doubt say these similarities prove that neither represent reality, but are rather a part of our inner mental landscape. However, I’m not buying that particular kind of pragmatism. Conversely, my reaction is just the opposite. I see this commonality as a possible clue that may be uncovering something tangible. The people of medieval times did not have the language or conceptual background to see these “trolls” and “elves” for what they may have actually been. Today, we use different terminology to refer to them, but much of what we describe is the same.

A Fairy Abduction Case History

For instance, in one fairy story from a medieval German source the witness described a fairy hill, which he claimed to see sitting beside the road. He testified that this “hill” had not been there when last he’d passed that way. He also said that this hill was supported on legs. The fairies, of course, came out of their hill and persuaded him to enter. Now I can’t speak for others, but I can say with fair certainty that I’ve never seen a hill supported by legs. However, a classic saucer shaped craft with a domed “hill like” top, which has landed, resting on the ground, with its legs extended for support, would look a great deal like what this witness describes. The witness of that time did not have the terminology to describe it the way a witness would today, but with only a little extrapolation one can surmise what he could have been talking about, a medieval era alien abduction, or as our witness would have seen it a fairy abduction.

Shy Away From Dogmatism and Being Dismissive

To summarize, while I accept the possibility that myths and legends could have alternative explanations for their origins, I would caution against being absolute about this concept. Such absolutist proclamations have the danger of being just as dogmatic as those toward whom these arguments are pointed. Likewise, I can not and indeed will not dismiss the possible connections between extraordinary experiences reported in the past that appear to correlate with equally extraordinary encounters claimed in our present day. Mundane rationalizations are rarely adequate, and tend to discourage honest inquiry into these curious phenomena. We may not yet have a complete picture of just what these encounters mean, but if we ever hope to understand them, we can not afford to follow the model of the dismissive pragmatists. Were ancient alien visitors involved with myth making? Are they responsible for the modern UFO and/or abduction myths of today? With such sketchy evidence, we can’t say the answers are definitive. However, likewise, if we’re honest, we shouldn’t dismiss the possibilities either. Rather, it behooves us to keep searching for explanations of the extraordinary.