In the heart of Europe, nestled within the landscapes of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, there’s a truly fascinating and rather unconventional UFO religion that has captured the curiosity of many—it’s called Universe People. This movement, which sprouted in the 1990s thanks to a man named Ivo A. Benda, is all about believing in communication with extraterrestrial beings. Yes, you heard that right—aliens.
Ivo A. Benda stepped into the limelight during the mid-90s, drawing in crowds with his captivating lectures. People came in droves, intrigued by his bold claims of chatting with aliens via telepathy. Imagine a room full of people, hanging onto every word as Benda shared his interactions with extraterrestrial entities. His core belief? These advanced extraterrestrial civilizations, especially those linked with the Ashtar Galactic Command, are not just floating around up there; they’re very much involved in our lives here on Earth. They’re supposedly chilling in spaceships orbiting our planet, ready to guide us or whisk us away to another dimension when the time comes.
The worldview of Universe People is an eclectic mix, blending ideas from ufology, Christianity, and conspiracy theories. It’s like a spiritual smoothie with a dash of everything intriguing and mysterious. Benda asserted that since October 1997, he and his followers have been in telepathic chatter with these alien beings. Over time, he claims this turned into direct face-to-face contact, fortifying the beliefs of his followers. The idea is that these messages from outer-space guests are actually guidance for humans, focusing a lot on spiritual growth and the big impending need for us to be saved.
Despite what many skeptics say about Universe People, there’s no denying they’ve carved out a niche for themselves in the public eye. Benda has popped up on several TV stations, including Nova TV and Czech Television. His lectures have entertained and intrigued over 12,000 folks, though not everyone takes him seriously—some even write it off as a cosmic joke.
Universe People haven’t wiggled out of controversies either. Back in 2007, they sent out some eyebrow-raising materials to the Slovak Ministry of Defense, alerting them about attacks from not-so-friendly extraterrestrial neighbors—dubbed “saurians” or “lizard people”. Romanian Police and security services took it seriously enough to evacuate a building. The packages they sent weren’t tiny notes, but CDs and promotional content, which understandably raised a few eyebrows.
Their daily practices are truly a reflection of their beliefs. There’s a general distrust towards modern technology and societal control mechanisms among them, with mass media often seen as tools of the big bad wolf—oppression and manipulation. But here’s the twist—despite all this tech distrust, Benda is quite active in seeking out journalists to get his message across. In the financial domain, they advocate ditching money, viewing it as a big stumbling block on humanity’s path to real progress.
The future, for the Universe People, is not just a series of tomorrows but a hopeful arrival or rediscovery of alien civilizations that will supposedly usher in a new era for us all. Their vision encompasses resolving our ongoing ecological, spiritual, and social dilemmas with some good old-fashioned alien technology and maybe a pinch of spiritual prowess. This belief in an imminent transformation really fuels their every action and decision.
In Czech Republic and Slovakia, their cultural footprint is notable. Despite raising eyebrows and attracting critiques, they’ve managed to assemble a loyal band of followers. This intriguing blend of ufology, spirituality, and conspiracy theories distinguishes them as one of the most unique UFO religions in the area.
When stacked next to other UFO religions like the Aetherius Society or Raëlism, Universe People hold their ground uniquely. While these faiths also see extraterrestrials as interested in human affairs, Universe People mark their territory with a special emphasis on telepathic communication and their views on the not-so-nice aliens.
Universe People are a captivating glimpse at how modern spirituality can do a crossover with technology. Their beliefs are controversial, no doubt about it, but they echo a broader human yearning to connect with something greater, something beyond us. As we unravel more mysteries of the cosmos, Universe People remind us how diverse the quest for meaning can be, nudging us to sometimes look beyond our planet for answers.
In essence, Universe People stand as a fascinating case study of today’s UFO religions, showcasing the intricate and oftentimes contentious essence of such movements. Their narrative is a testament to humanity’s enduring search for connection and understanding, even if it takes us to the stars and beyond.