Think alien abduction is all codswallop? Here are four reasons why you might be correct, says RICK HALE
I have always maintained the belief that keeping an open mind does not mean believing everything you hear.
However, on the opposite side of the coin, approaching anomalous phenomena with a healthy dose of scepticism isn’t only smart, it’s healthy.
Nevertheless, when it comes to something as controversial as alien abduction, the line in the sand is clearly drawn by sceptics. And sitting on the fence post is not as simple.
Either these reports are true and aliens are forcibly taking humans for god knows what. Or, people are lying for, well, god knows what.
Sceptics believe they know what’s going on as far as alleged alien abductions are concerned. And their explanations really aren’t that unreasonable.
Life In The Cosmos
First off, let’s be clear on something, sceptics and mainstream scientists have no doubt that life evolved on other worlds.
When you consider the diversity of life that evolved on our own little planet, it would be the height of hubris to suggest that we are the only life that evolved in the vastness of the cosmos.
So why the scepticism? To the sceptic it isn’t a question of life. But whether or not life on other worlds have the ability to make it from point A to point B.
That’s a viable point. Because unless those other worlds have found a way to navigate the distance between the stars than they’re not coming here.
But, what if they are that advanced and managed to rewrite the laws of physics, why would they bother coming here? And why abduct us?
These are not unreasonable questions. Here are four sceptical arguments concerning alien abduction.
Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis is a popular go to explanation for sceptics of alien abduction. And this explanation is a viable one.
Sleep paralysis occurs when there is a disconnect between the mind and body when either falling asleep or waking up.
While in this state people report bizarre hallucinations of an external force attacking them.
Some even report the physical sensation of being grabbed, poked and in some cases, being taken from their surroundings.
Sleep paralysis is a common affliction that affects thousands of people. It could very well explain some reports of alien abduction.
Read more about Sleep Paralysis here.
Mental Illness
A second explanation often used by sceptics is the alleged abductee suffers from mental illness. Or has suffered a temporary break with objective reality.
While it is true that illnesses such as schizophrenia with its hallucinations exist, many abductees, when tested, prove to not suffer from these problems.
Pop Culture
Before the great “Para-boom” of 2004, alien abduction played a huge part in the paranormal landscape.
Numerous books and movies were produced that featured alien visitation as well as alien abduction.
Some sceptics believe that some abductions can be chalked up to people who have a fantasy prone personality.
These people live a normal life, but have a tendency to allow their fantasies to creep into reality.
Sceptics say that thanks to pop culture, most alien abductions can be attributed to this.
Hypnotic Suggestion
Regression hypnotherapy has become a popular tool among therapists in recovering lost memories in their clients.
The human mind is a very delicate thing and some people who have experienced traumatic events can bury those memories deep in their psyche.
Regression hypnotherapy has also been used in reputed cases of alien abduction. And that’s where sceptics cry foul.
Sceptics of alien abduction believe that while in a hypnotic state people are highly suggestible and these regression therapists implant these memories in their subconscious.
Many would argue that implanting memories isn’t possible.
Even if it was possible the majority of regression hypnotherapists are trained professionals and would never do anything to lose their license or practice. So this explanation is highly unlikely.
As far as alien abduction is concerned, I was once a hardened sceptic and accepted these explanations as fact.
That was until I met an elderly war veteran who convinced me that this phenomenon does happen. But it still leaves me with the aforementioned question: why?