The Handbook of UFO Religions, edited by scholar of new religions Benjamin E. Zeller, offers the most expansive and detailed study of the persistent, popular, and global phenomenon of religious engagements with ideas about extraterrestrial life.

The Handbook of UFO Religions, edited by esteemed new religions scholar Benjamin E. Zeller, offers the most expansive and detailed study of the persistent, popular, and global phenomenon of religious engagements with ideas about extraterrestrial life. The present work considers not only new religions founded on ideas about extraterrestrials and UFOs, but how those within more mainstream religions have responded to the science, scientific speculation, and popular culture involving extraterrestrials, UFOs, and related concepts. Global in reach, it includes chapters considering South and East Asia, Europe, and North and South America, and draws on several interdisciplinary methods. In addition, the handbook traces connections between UFO religiosity and cultural patterns such as science and scientism, esoterism and occultism, millennialism, and popular culture.

Religion and Outer Space examines religion in and on the final frontier. This book offers a first-of-its-kind roadmap for thinking about complex encounters of religion and outer space. A multidisciplinary group of scholarly experts takes up some of the most intriguing scientific, spiritual, trade/commercial, and even military dimensions of the complex entanglements of religion and outer space. Attending to the historical reality that the interconnections between religion and the heavens are as old as religions themselves, the volume starts with an examination of "outer space" elements in the most sacred writings of the world’s religions. It then explores some of the religious questions inevitable in this encounter, analyzing cultural constructions (both literary and actual) of religion and outer space. It ends with examinations of the role of religion in the very real and very present business of space exploration. What might motivate the spread of religion (or at least fantasies of religion in its myriad possibilities) into new interior and exterior dimensions of the cosmos? Only the future will tell. Religion and Outer Space is essential reading for students and academics with an interest in religion and space, religion and science, space exploration, religion and science fiction, popular culture, and religion in America.

The spectre of the UFO, as popularized by shows such as The X-Files, has brought an astonishing slant to the face of modern religious practice. But what motivates the fantastical and sometimes sinister beliefs of UFO worshippers? UFO Religions critically examines some of the fascinating issues surrounding UFO worship - abduction narratives, UFO-based interpretations of other religions, the growth of pseudo-sciences purporting to explain UFOs, and the responses of the core scientific community to such claims. Focusing on contemporary global UFO groups including the Raelian Movement, Heaven's Gate, Unarius and the Ansaaru Allah Community, it gives a clear profile of modern UFO controversies and beliefs.

The present collection examines the many different ways in which religions appeal to the authority of science. The result is a wide-ranging and uniquely compelling study of how religions adapt their message to the challenges of the contemporary world.

What makes this UFO book different? The Reliable Field Guide to UFO Science, Media and Data Sources contains an incredible amount of research and source material, including: • What Proof Is Out there? • The Various Hypotheses and Phenomena • Relevant People, Science Experts, Programs and Projects • Research Organizations, Archives, Databases and Government Reports • 20th To Early 21st Century Researchers, Authors and Documentarians Remember, if you have been searching for an organized and holistic collection of data on this fascinating and divisive subject, The Reliable Field Guide to UFO Science, Media and Data Sources is the book you’ve been searching for. Not another UFO Book? This book is a complete and comprehensive 548 pages of solid resources and knowledge, not just on the subject of UFO’s but also a deep dive into the various branches and related concepts such as the Starseed Hypothesis, the Sasquatch/Bigfoot Phenomenon, the Crop Circle Hypothesis, the Men In Black Hypothesis and many more. Is the TRUTH really out there? Exceptional claims require exceptional proofs however and the concept of Unidentified Flying Objects is no longer purely in the realms of science fiction/fantasy. Recently, with the latest improvements in image capturing and analytical technology and the proliferation of media and data sources we have acquired fantastic amounts of knowledge about the universe but still do not know how much more there is to be discovered. As J B S Haldane once said: 'The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.' It is only natural that an intelligent and inquisitive mind, fascinated by anomalous experiences, should eventually turn its attention to the UFO mystery. Whatever your position on UFO’s, from total believer to a complete skeptic, it’s always better to arm yourself with the most up-to-date information on what we currently know, what we think we know and the people and personalities behind the theories and explanations of the various phenomena. The Reliable Field Guide to UFO Science, Media and Data Sources recognizes that the concept of “UFO” must also incorporate the possibilities of a wider spectrum of "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena/UAP" and explores these concepts and ideas thoroughly. This book takes a wide, holistic view of the subject and recognizes that the concept of “UFO” must also incorporate the possibilities of a wider spectrum of "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena/UAP".. USO, Unidentified Submerged Phenomena - Psychic Phenomena - Paranormal - Survival of Consciousness after death - Sasquatch, Bigfoot - Government Black Programs, Conspiracies, USAP/Unacknowledged(waived) Special Access Programs - Breakaway civilization - Time Travel - Unknown Secret Histories of Humankind - Roswell and UFO Crash Retrievals - Government Cover-ups and Disinformation Programs - Remote Viewing - Ancient Cultures - UFO/UAP Hypotheses

This volume fills a lacuna in the academic assessment of new religions by investigating their cultural products (such as music, architecture, food et cetera). Contributions explore the manifold ways in which new religions have contributed to humanity’s creative output.

This volume addresses philosophical questions raised by the possibility of alien life and extraterrestrial intelligence. The different philosophical perspectives and approaches presented across the chapters will provide a foundation for future work on exophilosophy. Interest in space, space exploration, and alien life has never been greater. In popular culture, for example, it has proven a persistent theme in science fiction films (e.g., Star Trek, Star Wars), books (e.g., H. G. Wells, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury), and computer games (e.g., Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri), as well as bestselling ‘non- fiction’ books (von Däniken’s multimillion-selling Chariots of the Gods?), and hit ‘documentary’ shows (e.g., Ancient Aliens). There has also been persistent interest in these topics amongst scientists with organizations such as NASA and SETI having an enormous impact on both the scientific and popular imagination. Yet, curiously, the topic has received relatively little philosophical attention. Whilst certain aspects of these topics remain within the proper purview of the sciences, a host of philosophical questions are raised by the possibility of alien life and extraterrestrial intelligences, and the possibility of our coming into contact with them. This collection of essays will examine some of these questions whilst laying the groundwork for future study in an as-yet under-researched area of philosophy. Exophilosophy is essential reading for scholars and students with an interest in space and philosophy, especially those working in philosophy of science, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of religion.

The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements both covers the current state of the field and breaks new ground. Its contributors, drawn form both sociology and religious studies, are leading figures in the study of NRMs.

The "Handbook of New Age" is a comprehensive survey of alternative spiritualities: their history, their global impact, their cultural influence and how they are understood by scholars. Chapters by many of the leading scholars of the movement give the latest analysis of contemporary spiritual trends, and present up-to-date observations of the interaction between the New Age movement and many different fields of knowledge and research.