A Genealogy of the Extraterrestrial in American Culture
A Genealogy of the Extraterrestrial in American Culture
A Genealogy of the Extraterrestrial in American Culture
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promises <strong>of</strong> evolutionary progress held out to I Am devotees <strong>in</strong> exchange for tith<strong>in</strong>g and various<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r sacrifices (no meat, onions, garlic, alcohol, television, or sex) <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong>violable youth<br />
and health and limitless wealth. One website run by former members (<strong>the</strong> I AM Activity is<br />
ongo<strong>in</strong>g) responds to such promises by propos<strong>in</strong>g a wager:<br />
W<strong>in</strong> $10,000 Cash!!! Seriously!!! (n.b. real cash, not <strong>in</strong>visible Ascended Master cash)<br />
We really would love to f<strong>in</strong>d <strong>the</strong> Ballards never lied so we encourage you to take<br />
a trip down to your local I AM sanctuary, and play ‘spot <strong>the</strong> wealthy, self made 90 year<br />
old youth.’<br />
We are putt<strong>in</strong>g our money where our mouths are (someth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Ballards never<br />
did) by <strong>of</strong>fer<strong>in</strong>g $10,000 cash for <strong>the</strong> first person to f<strong>in</strong>d a youthful 90 year old I AMer.<br />
As pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> youthful countenance, <strong>the</strong> student will need to complete tests at a<br />
medical facility <strong>of</strong> choice. We also need a legitimate birth certificate. For detailed<br />
conditions <strong>of</strong> entry, please e-mail us. This is a serious <strong>of</strong>fer. 191<br />
The sarcasm evident <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fer comb<strong>in</strong>ed with a certa<strong>in</strong> hopefulness (“We would really love to<br />
f<strong>in</strong>d...”) ev<strong>in</strong>ces <strong>the</strong> desire that draws seekers to such organizations as <strong>the</strong> Great I AM, <strong>the</strong><br />
disappo<strong>in</strong>tment that follows from f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>the</strong> promises held out are merely more pie-<strong>in</strong>-<strong>the</strong>sky<br />
and <strong>the</strong> residual belief that maybe <strong>the</strong> promise could yet be fulfilled.<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
The cases exam<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> this chapter carry through many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> attributes established by<br />
Spiritualism. A tendency toward <strong>the</strong> fem<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> modes <strong>of</strong> communication and be<strong>in</strong>g (trance and<br />
harmonialism); a rough alignment with <strong>the</strong> politics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day; a tendency toward suspended<br />
opposition (mascul<strong>in</strong>e and fem<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>e, earthly and div<strong>in</strong>e, s<strong>in</strong>cerity and flummery, centripetal and<br />
centrifugal) all recur throughout Christian Economics and <strong>the</strong> Great I AM Religious Activity.<br />
Like Spiritualism and Theosophy before <strong>the</strong>m, Pelley and <strong>the</strong> Ballards <strong>of</strong>fered access to<br />
privileged <strong>in</strong>formation. Those who delved <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> nexus <strong>of</strong> communication between human and<br />
191 “W<strong>in</strong> Ten Thousand Dollars Cash” <strong>in</strong> The I AM Activity Exposed. www.home.gil.com.au/~perovich/Ballards.<br />
(accessed July 1, 2005).<br />
114