UFO Mail - No 225 - 2016

Magazine Overview

Title: Skandinavisk UFO Information
Issue: 225
Date: September 13, 2016
Publisher: Danmarks UFO Forening

This issue of Skandinavisk UFO Information, published by Danmarks UFO Forening, focuses on the origins and development of UFO mythology, particularly the role of George Adamski and the concept of 'saving space brothers'.

Frelsende rumbrødre (Saving Space Brothers)

The article posits that the UFO myth emerged during a time of Cold War anxiety, offering a perceived salvation through messages of love and brotherhood from extraterrestrial beings. This narrative aimed to integrate Earth into a 'cosmic brotherhood'.

En succesfuld ufoprofet (A Successful UFO Prophet)

George Adamski's 1953 book, 'Flying Saucers Have Landed', became a global bestseller, translated into 50 languages and selling over a million copies. This book significantly influenced the public's view of UFOs as alien spacecraft piloted by 'space brothers' from the solar system. The book was a collaboration, with Adamski contributing a 54-page account of his alleged encounter with 'Orthon' from Venus on November 20, 1952. This account was incorporated into a larger manuscript by Irish occultist Desmond Leslie.

Adamski is presented as the first famous contactee, a role followed by many others, including Daniel Fry, Truman Bethurum, Orfeo Angelucci, and Howard Menger.

Telepati og rejser i solsystemet (Telepathy and Journeys in the Solar System)

Contactees claimed to communicate with beings from spaceships, often via telepathy. Some even reported taking trips to the home planets of these 'space brothers'. These beings were described as coming from utopian societies free from war, death, and disease, aiming to help humanity, stop nuclear testing, and prepare Earth for entry into the cosmic brotherhood. The contactees' mission was to spread this message of love and brotherhood worldwide.

Selvoptagede og ambitiøse (Self-absorbed and Ambitious)

Religious historian Mikael Rothstein is quoted from his book 'UFOer og rumvæsener' (2000), stating that UFO prophets like Adamski insisted on their originality to place themselves at the center of events. Rothstein notes that they provided solutions to the UFO mystery and added an ideological dimension that met an emotional need for many, often using religious or mythological language to capture public attention.

Gammel vin på nye flasker (Old Wine in New Bottles)

Adamski's philosophy and the content of his books are described as recycled material. His ideas drew from his experiences in the 1930s as leader of his own neo-religious group, the 'Royal Order of Tibet', and from his science fiction novel 'Pioneers of Space'.

Lovlig sprut krævede en ny indtægtskilde (Legal Booze Required a New Source of Income)

The 'Royal Order of Tibet' was founded during Prohibition in the USA, and Adamski held a license to produce wine for sacred rituals. When Prohibition ended, this lucrative venture ceased, prompting Adamski to shift his focus to flying saucers and space brothers.

The article mentions Adamski's alleged encounter with 'Orthon' from Venus in 1952, depicted in a painting. He later befriended other alleged 'space brothers' named Firkon (from Mars) and Ramu (from Saturn). These names were reportedly invented by Charlotte Blodget, the ghostwriter for Adamski's second book, 'Inside the Space Ships' (1955), which contained further fantastical accounts of his encounters.

I efterretningsagenternes søgelys (In the Spotlight of Intelligence Agents)

Declassified FBI documents reveal that American contactees, especially George Adamski and George Van Tassel, were taken seriously by intelligence agents. The FBI suspected they might be part of a communist conspiracy to promote the idea that aliens were communists. Adamski himself believed the beings he met were communists and predicted a thousand years of peace after Russian global dominance. In 1954, a person from Yucca Valley, California, suggested to the FBI that Van Tassel might be a Soviet spy, noting that Van Tassel discussed economics and the Bible, controversial topics in Cold War USA.

„Ufosagen“ fødes (The "UFO Case" is Born)

Desmond Leslie, George Adamski, and Donald E. Keyhoe (1897-1988) are credited with inspiring public interest in UFOs by providing access to official documents and encouraging critical questioning. This spurred the amateur-driven exploration of the UFO phenomenon, known as 'ufology'.

Donald Keyhoe, author of 'The Flying Saucers Are Real' (1950) and head of the UFO organization NICAP from 1957, distanced himself from contactees like Adamski. Keyhoe discovered that many contactees, including Van Tassel, Angelucci, Bethurum, Menger, Reinhold Schmidt, and Buck Nelson, were honorary members of NICAP. He revoked their memberships, causing internal friction. Adamski's and Keyhoe's approaches represented two distinct directions within the 'ufosagen' movement.

Læsetip om George Adamski (Reading Tip about George Adamski)

Marc Hallet, a former member of BUFOI (affiliated with Adamski's IGAP), initially believed Adamski but grew skeptical over time. His research has led to French publications and now an English release: 'A Critical Appraisal Of George Adamski The Man Who Spoke To The Space Brothers' by Marc Hallet and Richard W. Heiden (July 25, 2015), available for download.

Læs om konspirationsteorier (Read about Conspiracy Theories)

This section, written by Kim Møller Hansen, discusses the enduring popularity and fascination of conspiracy theories. It references books on the topic, including Lars Bugge's 'Flere konspirationsteorier' and Ole Retsbo's 'Konspiration?'.

A recent book, 'UFOs, Conspiracy Theories and the New Age - Millennial Conspiracism' by David G. Robertson, is highlighted. The book, described as academic yet accessible, analyzes the development of UFO myths and the worldviews of figures like Whitley Strieber, David Icke, and David Wilcock.

Læs ufo-beretninger på www.ufo.dk (Read UFO Reports at www.ufo.dk)

The magazine directs readers to www.ufo.dk for the latest UFO reports and observations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the historical development of UFO mythology, the role of key figures like George Adamski, and the psychological and social factors that contribute to the belief in UFOs and extraterrestrial contact. It also touches upon the intersection of UFO beliefs with conspiracy theories and the New Age movement. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination, presenting historical accounts and research while also highlighting skeptical perspectives and academic analyses of the phenomenon.