Do you remember Chariots of the Gods? This was a book by Erich Von Däniken that was followed by a movie which claimed that ancient Central and South American and Egyptian hieroglyphs depicted alien creatures. Von Däniken claims that these aliens instructed the ancient humans on such architectural feats as the pyramids. This gave rise, claims Von Däniken, to religions. He states that these humans perceived the aliens to be gods because of their superior knowledge:

All over the world there are ruins and improbable objects which cannot be explained by conventional theories of archeology or religion. But supposing you look at them in the light of today’s knowledge about space travel. A remarkable consistency emerges. They suggest the appearance of beings from other planets in prehistoric times and pose the question—Was God an Astronaut?34

Von Däniken claims that he was given this knowledge through telepathy with "an unknown source" and "out-of-body travels."

Von Däniken suggested that humans were really placed on Earth and nurtured by aliens somewhat like planting flowers in a desert.

So why do so many people believe this? Author William Alnor says:

People want to believe in ancient astronauts because it absolves them of their responsibility to their creator. It gives them an out, and most people will take it every time.35

It is interesting to note that Von Däniken "had multiple convictions in Swiss courts for fraud and embezzlement, and during one of the proceedings, a court-appointed psychiatrist pronounced him a ‘pathological liar’ and a ‘psychopath.’"36

Another author said of Von Däniken’s theory regarding the immense ground markings in Peru:

But while few scientists would deny the charm of Von Däniken’s story, fewer still lend it credence.37

At the age of about ten, I came across a book entitled The Stranger at the Pentagon. My grandmother had acquired the book and read it. She was apparently impressed with Stranges’ credentials (see below) and presented my father with the book. I read the book and even at the age of ten I found its claims preposterous.

The author, Frank E. Stranges, Ph.D. (what a name), claims that in 1959 he had access to the Pentagon and was led to a secret room where he met "Val Thor" (Val short for Valiant). Val Thor claimed (according to Stranges) to be from Venus, very familiar with the Bible, and sinless. Stranges’ book also goes to great lengths to prove, or at least add great plausibility to, the existence of alien life.

An introduction to the book contains the following statement:

This testimony is for the benefit of all Earth people. If you believe this really happened, then it is true. If you do not believe it happened, just treat it…as a novel.38

I have trouble understanding how a testimony can be either fact or fiction at the discretion of the reader. Another section of the book is written in the first person of Val Thor and describes an encounter with an investigator:

We discussed the merits of Jesus Christ. How He gave His life freely – so that men could enjoy the benefits of eternal life. He questioned me as to the Bible on Venus. I assured him that a personal unbroken fellowship with the "Author" did not necessitate the printing of a "book."39

In this passage, Stranges (or Val Thor, if you please) suggests that Jesus resides on Venus.

Stranges claims to be a Christian. And what’s even more peculiar is that Stranges’ message emphasizes a belief in Jesus as exclusive Lord. In the New Age arena, he stands alone in this emphasis. Stranges has served as president of the International Evangelism Crusades Inc., and director of Instructors of Faith Bible College & Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (from which he received his Bachelor of Divinity, Doctor of Psychology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees).

However, amid all the Christianity, one must still question the validity and objective of Stranges’ message. Val Thor, Stranges claims, has come to help humans find the way back to the saving grace of Jesus. Why would God send a Venusian to minister to humans? And why would a prophet be named "Thor" after the Norse (pagan) god of thunder? And why would Val Thor claim to be from a planet that we now know is totally inhospitable to any life that we could imagine?

34 Von Däniken, Erich. Chariots of the Gods? Memories of the Future—and Unsolved Mysteries of the Past. Translated by Michael Heron, New York, G. P. Putnam’s Sons. 1968.

35 Alnor, William N. UFOs in the New Age: extraterrestrial messages and the truth of Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Books. 1992.

36 Alnor, ibid.

 37 Casson, Lionel, et al. Mysteries of the Past. New York, American Heritage Publishing Co. ©1977.

38 Stranges, Frank E. PhD. The Stranger at the Pentagon. Van Nuys, California, I.E.C., Inc. Book Division. ©1967.

39 Stranges, ibid.