What’s the deal with UFOs?
In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down UFOs, explaining what's in the Pentagon's newly declassified UAP files, why they were released now, and what they do (and don't) reveal about alien life.
Why’s everyone talking about UFOs?
Last Friday, the government declassified 160+ files related to UFOs UAPs (Didn’t you hear? UFO is so 2020 according to the Pentagon).
UAP stands for unidentified anomalous phenomena, which is just a catch-all for unknown observances typically suspected to be of the extraterrestrial variety.
What’s in the files?
It’s not just Roswell-era stuff (you know, the 1947 incident near Roswell, NM, which became the basis for UFO chatter).
The material does date back as far as the 1940s but is also as recent as 2024. Think: military memos, videos, images, and transcripts, most of it never-before-seen by the public.
Some of the notable shenanigans include:
- Weird particles and unexplainable flashing lights from the Apollo space missions;
- U.S. military videos of dancing points in the sky over the Middle East;
- Accounts from Californian farmers about fire-belching, chicken-disturbing aircrafts;
- Federal agent reports of “orbs launching other orbs”;
- And a bunch of blurry photos.
Why release them now?
The Pentagon has been working on it for a while, but earlier this year, President Trump put some pep in their step (read: ordered them) to get UAP files declassified.
Supporters are praising the administration for their transparency, while critics warn about “shiny object” propaganda distracting from other issues.
Where can I find the files?
Here.
The Pentagon released them on a retro-style website that even has a cool acronym (so you know they mean business) PURSUE: the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters.
So… are aliens real?
The Pentagon says no.
A 2024 statement denies claims that they’ve found evidence of alien life, and the release of these files hasn’t changed their stance. Uncle Sam encouraged the public to comb the files and draw their own conclusions (or just fall into the rabbit hole of wild pictures).
All that to say 🤷♂️… you tell us.
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
It can be fun to dive into topics like outer space, but we shouldn’t let it distract us from our God, who is bigger than all that. He made the universe and breathed life into everything in it. Only He is worthy of our full attention and worship.
“The God who made the world and everything in it —he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.”
Acts 17:23-26 (CSB) (read full passage)