<> Ask the Pastor Pastor Walter Snyder Q: I live in Harare, Zimbabwe. I am a Christian who is very interested in UFOs, especially from the Christian perspective. Do you believe UFOs exist? Are they demonic spirits masquerading as aliens to deceive mankind in the last days? Are they indeed aliens from another planet? Why is their doctrine so close to Eastern mysticism? How do you explain abductions--are these genuine physical experiences or are they in the mind/spirit realm? Where can I find other resources on this subject? A: I can't defend the possibility that we are regularly visited by alien life forms. I've seen no concrete proof that spaceships from elsewhere go flying through our atmosphere. Most of the film clips the true believers point to are inconclusive or are fakes. That doesn't mean that there is not intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, just that we have no solid evidence. Perhaps there are some manifestations which are demonic in origin. Satan has many means by which to deceive humanity into false beliefs and teachings. This theory is held by some Christians who write about various cults. And have no doubts, UFO cults abound. The Heaven's Gate crew was but one of many who look to some sort of salvation from the stars. And you are right that many UFO people have strong ties to eastern mysticism. I'm not totally sure why this is, but it probably relates to their discomfort with much of the world around them. They feel unable to make any real difference, perceive themselves as manipulated, and look for some sort of escape. Some also may have imported the underlying philosophy of the "Star Wars" movies into their thoughts on UFOs. However, the ties go back farther, as witness Scientology, which is largely based on eastern philosophy and was created by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. As for abductions, I think that these are, in large part, either outright lies or else the imaginations of minds willing to succumb to such hysteria. Again, perhaps some are of satanic origin. Those who make much of "gaps" in consciousness should better consider the effects of alcohol and drugs, sleep, medical conditions, and mental health before blaming them on alien abductors. I'm not a basher of television and the movies, though shows such as "The X-Files" feed conspiracy theories among certain segments of society. I've enjoyed much science fiction. But it isn't my standard for interpreting what I see and hear. Instead of buying into such perceptions, Christians would better serve God and their fellow man by focusing on the Scriptures and regular and faithful church attendance, then applying what God teaches them to everyday life. If we do someday encounter aliens face-to-face, I see no reason to abandon faith in Christ just because someone besides earthlings lives in the universe. After all, the Bible never says that we are the only physical beings he created and endowed with rational minds. As for further resources, many good cult books and web sites on the Internet will have more information. Q: I was looking in the Bible to persuade someone as to not get a tattoo. A friend of mine showed me a passage in the Old Testament years ago but I can't find it now. Can you help me please? A: Leviticus 19:28 says, "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord." This was probably because many in the pagan cults marked their skin in various ways. However, we need to be careful in applying the Old Testament law to current days. Verses in the same chapter say that we shouldn't wear clothes made of two types of fabric (that means no poly-cotton or wool blends) and that the hair around the temples shouldn't be rounded nor beards trimmed. Does the New Testament continue such prohibitions for the Gentiles? Do Christian men wear their hair like Hasidic Jews? For that matter, most Christians eat pork and many enjoy dishes of beef cooked or served with some sort of cream sauce or gravy. These, too, are prohibited by Levitical law. I would focus more on the reason why a person wanted a tattoo. Often the reasoning is anti-Christian, especially if it's an act of rebellion against parents or authorities. And in reasoning why not, health concerns are quite serious. Hepatitis and AIDS are strong arguments against allowing needles into one's skin. We also must consider whether this is honestly something we want to carry about for the rest of our lives, since removal is painful, expensive, and often causes scarring. So I can't argue that tattoos are the "mark of the beast." However, I will say that the mark of the Savior (the faith his Spirit gives us) is much more important to carry throughout life. Remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is the coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1997 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.