The UFO Mythology.

Greetings. The UFO problem, and its attached subculture, has undergone a substantial transformation in the past few decades, changes that have accelerated in recent years. 

The UFO problem remains unexplained, and to a certain extent, undetermined. The UFO subculture is still the playground for people who hold an interest in the topic, as it will always be. The UFO mythology, the UFO religion as it were, has become the most powerful influence on the public, driving the course of the discussions and interactions. The UFO subculture's penchant for believing untruths, and the resulting legendary status of some invalid cases is a direct result of the almost total lack of critical thinking skills put on full display by many UFO people, some UFO "researchers," and the majority of UFO celebrities/personalities. A religion it is. 

Once upon a time, not in a galaxy far, far away, but in a world that seemingly doesn't exist any longer, the UFO "field" used to focus on UFO reports, historical cases, and field investigations, with only the occasional distraction leading some astray. The George Adamski types were always a presence, but their influence was limited in scope, and not too detrimental to the overall picture. The situation remained static for quite a number of decades, but as time irrevocably moved forward, the environment slowly morphed into what we have holding court today, a habitat that pushes back against reality and completely buys into the unproven, the debunked, the sensationalized, and the unsubstantiated. The UFO subculture now is all about ideas that cannot be refuted, which is a realm occupied by various religions on the planet. Things are taken on faith alone, with no proof or evidence needed by the true believers. At times, the true believers act as if they are members of a cult, not just a religion, which is truly a disconcerting development. A religion it is. 

The UFO religion has figures, personalities, that are the equivalents of Jesus, Moses, or John the Baptist. Their rhetoric, read gospel, is fully embraced, with anyone holding opposing beliefs vilified and ostracized. Their questionable beliefs, work histories, and backgrounds are a non-issue, with their followers incredibly adept at ignoring such obvious red flags, circling their UFO wagons in an attempt to defend themselves, and their UFO "deities," dammed the resulting consequences. As in other cults, some highly educated and credentialed people have bought into the mythology, abandoning their professional skepticism to snugly wrap themselves up in the club, the commune, the fellowship. A religion it is.

The national media has thrown their hat into the squared circle, with many UFO celebrities/personalities given full support, credentialed journalists not bothering to dig into the people who are given platforms to promote, promote, promote. Now we even have some members of the United States Congress becoming involved, not aware of what they are getting into, or perhaps knowing, and not really caring. All the discussions and promotions have completely distracted the UFO "field," with no proof or evidence of anything being considered, just talk, talk, and more talk about ancillary topics, not the actual UFO problem. A religion it is. 

A religion it is, not a field, nor a science. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.