Are UFO Sightings And Religious Belief Intimately Connected?
(ANALYSIS) Within the world of psychology, Carl Gustav Jung is considered something of a rockstar. The Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, who founded analytical psychology, is renowned for his profound contributions to our understanding of the human psyche. His theories on the collective unconscious, archetypes, and the process of individuation have profoundly influenced not only psychology but also fields as diverse as literature, religious studies and cultural anthropology.
Jung's conventional theories revolve around the concept of the collective unconscious — a part of the unconscious mind shared among beings of the same species containing universal experiences and archetypes. Archetypes are innate, universal symbols and themes that recur across cultures and epochs, such as the hero, the mother, and the wise old man.
These concepts were revolutionary in understanding how deeply embedded symbols and myths influence individual behavior and collective culture. Jung’s process of individuation, the journey toward self-realization and integration of these unconscious aspects, remains a cornerstone of modern psychological practice.
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However, one of the more intriguing and lesser-known facets of Jung's work is his fascination with unidentified flying objects and their connection to religious belief. This fascination was explored in his groundbreaking book "Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Skies,” written in the late 1950s. A surge in UFO sightings and reports coincided with the book’s publication. The 1950s and ‘60s were rife with accounts of flying saucers and alien encounters, capturing the public imagination and leading to a variety of speculations ranging from extraterrestrial visits to secret military technologies.
In his book, Jung approached the subject not as a ufologist or a believer in extraterrestrial beings but as a psychologist interested in what these phenomena revealed about the human psyche. At a time when UFOs were a cultural sensation, Jung’s analysis provided a unique perspective that diverged from both skeptical dismissals and credulous acceptance.
Jung argued that UFOs function as modern myths, akin to religious symbols and experiences that have been part of human consciousness for millennia. He suggested that these sightings and the stories surrounding them were manifestations of the collective unconscious, particularly in times of crisis and uncertainty. The Cold War era, with its pervasive fear of nuclear annihilation and profound social upheavals, created a fertile ground for such myths to emerge.
In his analysis, Jung posited that the circular shape of UFOs — typically described as flying saucers — resonated with the archetype of the mandala, a symbol representing wholeness, unity and the self. Mandalas appear in various religious traditions, often as representations of the universe or as aids in meditation and spiritual growth. By drawing this parallel, Jung suggested that UFOs symbolized an unconscious yearning for psychic wholeness and transcendence amid the anxieties of the modern world.
Furthermore, Jung tied these sightings to religious beliefs by examining the psychological functions of religious experiences and UFO encounters. Both, he argued, serve to address existential questions and provide a sense of meaning and order in a chaotic world. Just as religious visions and miracles have offered comfort and direction to believers throughout history, UFO sightings in the mid-20th century provided a modern mythos through which people could grapple with their fears and hopes.
Moreover, the ever-expanding UFO community offered a sanctuary to those convinced that alien life existed beyond the pages of sci-fi novels. In many ways, Jung was suggesting that we project our inner thoughts, hopes, fears and anxieties onto others — and, in the case of UFOs, into the sky.
Jung's work has since inspired other thinkers to explore the intersection between the search for alien life and religious belief. For instance, scholars like Jeffrey J. Kripal and Diana Pasulka have examined how contemporary fascination with extraterrestrials echoes traditional religious themes of divine encounters and transcendent knowledge.
Kripal, in his book “Mutants and Mystics,” explores how popular culture narratives of aliens and superheroes tap into ancient religious and mythological themes, suggesting a continuity of human spiritual imagination. Pasulka, in “American Cosmic,” investigates the religious dimensions of UFO culture, highlighting how experiences and beliefs about extraterrestrials fulfill functions similar to those of traditional religions, such as providing a cosmology, rituals, transcendent values and a sense of community.
Moreover, the Vatican itself has shown interest in the implications of extraterrestrial life for theology. Jesuit priest and astronomer Guy Consolmagno has discussed how the discovery of alien life would impact religious beliefs, suggesting that such a discovery would expand, rather than contradict, the understanding of God’s creation.
Jung’s exploration of UFOs as modern myths reveals his deep commitment to understanding the human psyche in all its complexity. By examining how these phenomena mirrored religious experiences and served similar psychological functions, Jung provided a framework for interpreting the seemingly inexplicable within the context of human consciousness.
His work invited, and still invites, us to consider how our modern myths, whether of flying saucers or other extraordinary phenomena, continue to fulfill ancient human needs for meaning, order, and transcendence. If Jung is to be believed, our search for understanding is deeply intertwined with our innermost spiritual and psychological needs. We look to the skies for hints, clues and sometimes answers to existential questions.
John Mac Ghlionn is a researcher and essayist. He covers psychology and social relations. His writing has appeared in places including UnHerd, The US Sun and The Spectator World.