Mysterious lights in the sky and tales of extraterrestrial beings aren’t just the stuff of science fiction. Today in Britain, millions of people genuinely believe in UFOs and think they’re real. Some go as far as suggesting monumental conspiracies are underway to keep the truth hidden, orchestrated by shadowy, powerful agents ruling the world from behind the scenes.
I’m Dan Schreiber, a writer and comedian, and I’m fascinated by the world of conspiracies and intrigue. I’ve embarked on a journey across the UK to meet the most prominent alien conspiracy theorists, eager to hear their newest ideas. I want to understand their beliefs, not debunk them.
If you type “UFO” into a search engine, you’ll get 144 million hits. Surveys suggest that more people believe in aliens than in God. There’s even a helpline for those who think they’ve been abducted by aliens. These beliefs aren’t just paranoid rants; they’re views held by millions worldwide. Alien conferences attract thousands across the UK, turning theorists into stars within their communities.
One such prominent figure is Tony Topping. He claims to have had a life-altering UFO encounter and believes he is being chased by covert officers trying to prevent him from investigating further. He’s convinced there’s an international cabal covering up UFO secrecy.
Tony recounts an encounter where a UFO hovered just a few hundred feet above his rooftop. He describes being deeply affected and obsessed with filming UFOs, recalling a moment of standoff with one of these objects near the A63 Selby bypass. According to Tony, his experiences have invited unwanted attention from mysterious authorities using green unmarked helicopters and shadowy figures making threatening phone calls.
Timothy Good, a violinist turned ufologist, is revered in the UFO community. His book “Above Top Secret” laid the groundwork for many current conspiracy theories. Timothy claims extraterrestrials are amongst us, and even prominent figures like NASA astronauts and former presidents have encountered them. He explores theories of alien encounters on the moon and suggests the Catholic Church might hold significant knowledge about extraterrestrial beings.
Intriguingly, some, including Timothy, believe Jesus could have been an alien, highlighting elements in religious texts suggesting otherworldly origins. The UFO community has explored this notion for years, connecting figures and symbols in religious art with possible extraterrestrial influences.
In Wiltshire, I attended a UFO conference filled with enthusiasts swapping the latest theories. Some believe crop circles, now thought to be man-made, are still somehow influenced by aliens who telepathically guide the creators. Matthew Williams, a crop circle maker, describes seeing mysterious lights and phenomena near crop circles, hinting at something larger at play.
Theories continue to spiral as I delved deeper, encountering ideas about genetically altered rabbits used to transport alien embryos and stories of reptilian overlords controlling human affairs. Max Spears, a purported whistleblower, shares tales of reptilian beings altering human perceptions and leaving clues through symbols we see every day.
Even Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, is reimagined as “Ray Crocodile,” part of an elaborate extraterrestrial network. Max names Pindar, the so-called pinnacle of the dragon, as the ultimate reptilian ruler overseeing global control.
But a new twist comes from the film “Mirage Men,” suggesting that rather than covering up aliens, the government has been creating alien myths to hide its own covert activities. This theory introduces the idea of government disinformation, deeply embedded in public beliefs about extraterrestrial visitation.
Mark Pilkington, the film’s director, reveals leaked documents training agents in deception, showing how easily public perception can be manipulated. This perspective turns the conspiracy narrative on its head, suggesting that the very belief in UFOs is part of a grander scheme of control.
Despite these revelations, believers like Miles Johnston remain convinced that more sinister forces are at work. He introduces me to the concept of black goo, a sentient fluid supposedly spreading through our environment, poised to reset life on Earth if we don’t correct our ways.
Through this journey, I’ve learned that at the heart of these elaborate theories lies a pervasive distrust of authority and a quest for deeper truth. Conspiracy theories, while wildly imaginative, resonate deeply with a fundamental skepticism and longing for certainty amidst the unknown.
In the end, it seems, we find comfort in the idea that we are not alone, driven by the ever-present suspicion that something monumental is being concealed from us by those in power. Whether rooted in fact or fiction, these stories continue to captivate, offering a profound commentary on our relationship with truth and authority.
