A Genealogy of the Extraterrestrial in American Culture

casualty was the body. At a certain level of enlightenment, density, or rate of vibration, the body
becomes fungible, optional. Beings operating at such levels “can and do create by the UN the
casement or vehicle they choose to use in the seen.” A second motif in the messages received by
Martin from the Guardians —a motif we might call “the Teachers”—was that
the Guardians are instructors or teachers in a school of the universe, called ‘the Losolo’
(located on Cerus), who are communicating with Mrs. Keech in order to teach her - and,
through her, other humans-those principles, ideas, and guides to right conduct that are
necessary to advance the spiritual developments of the human race and to prepare the
people of the Earth for certain changes that lie ahead... ‘It is ignorance of the Universal
Laws that makes all the misery of the Earth... We see and know that you struggle in
darkness and want to bring real light, for yours is the only planet that has war and hatred.
We feel no sadness but are interested in the progress of the people of your Earth. Why?
We are all brothers. Need I tell you more?’ 231
Both motifs were consistent with later space brother religions. Highly advanced aliens
from other star systems were concerned about the destructive nature of human civilization.
“[T]he people of Earth are rushing, rushing toward the suicide of themselves ... To this we are
answering with signs and wonders in the sky.” 232
They chose a human interlocutor to
communicate their wisdom to other humans in the hope that this wisdom would help Earth to
raise itself to the “next level.” This shift to the next level was always imminent— “Surely there
is light and it shall be revealed to you. You are coming to the end of an age of darkness” —and
was often marked by some cataclysm or other types of “signs and wonders.” The mission
statement of Lori Toye’s “I Am America,” which draws both on the teachings of Martin and the
Ballards, quotes Master Koot Hoomi (one of the ostensible founders of Theosophy) in a clear
formulation of this particular trope, “A new cycle awaits humanity. It is a cycle filled with
growth, learning and life. Painfully and lovingly, sometimes, this growth is achieved through
disease, poverty, and destruction. However, within your heart lies the gentle revolution that can
redirect the course of such events.” 233
231 Festinger 45.
232 Festinger 46-47.
233 I AM America, Mission Statement (www.iamamerica.com/Pages/mission_statement.html), accessed 6/4/2004.
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