From: Roger Evans <moviestuff@cyberjunkie.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 22:33:12 +0000
Fwd Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 13:29:01 -0500
Subject: Re: Abductions: Return to the Herd


>From: Leanne Martin <leanne_martin@hotmail.com>
>Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 21:59:22 PST
>Fwd Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 15:34:27 -0500
>Subject: Re: Abductions: Return to the Herd

Leanne, Mike, Jim and the list...

Wow. It's a good thing that I specifically limited this thread
to those that believe in abductions. (see original post) I'd
hate to think about the arguments that might take place if I
hadn't! ;-)

As I indicated before, this thread was not intended to be a
debate regarding whether or not abductions are real. However, in
an effort to get things back on track, I'll step in for a moment
and try to make a gentle point.

Previously, Leanne wrote:

>I do in fact think that life, in some forms, exists outside of
>Terra. I like to think that is possible that alien life has
>visited, or will visit us, if it does indeed exist. Until I see
>some empirical evidence of visitation then I see no reason to
>have 'faith' as I am not religious.

>Obviously UFOs exist or else there wouldn't be evidence of them
>in photographic form and expert testimony, but that only means
>that they are unidentified not that they are extraterran
>vehicles piloted by intelligent alien beings.

>A belief based on solid scientific facts is good enough for me.

No offense, Leanne. But each of these statements is in direct
conflict with your basic intent. Since there is no solid
scientific fact that proves life elsewhere in the cosmos, then
your statement

>I do in fact think that life, in some forms, exists outside of
>Terra.

is actually, whether you like it or not, based soley on faith.

Further, your declaration that

>Obviously UFOs exist or else there wouldn't be evidence of them
>in photographic form and expert testimony

is bogus for two reasons. First off, photos (as we all know)
mean nothing and are the furthest thing from proof in this day
and age. Number two is the notion of "expert testimony". Expert
on what? UFOs? I know of no expert that has seen a UFO up close
and personal. Do you? And if you did, why would their testimony
be more valid than someone that claimed to have been abducted?
After all, the testimony of the abductee is about as first hand
as your "expert's", maybe even more so.

Your cry of "show me the science" assumes you'd recognize the
science if it were presented to you. Just because you personally
don't buy into an unproven concept doesn't mean it isn't true.
It simply means you buy into an alternate, unproven concept.

In the world of UFOs and abductions, I know of no actual "proof"
for either. I respect your opinion, Leanne. But to be quite
honest, if you lack evidence, then NOT believing in something is
also an act of faith.


Take care,
Roger Evans