3. They claim to have provided us with Jesus, and therefore our Christian faith, uniting many peoples of the world.
4. They claim that we should now be mature enough to 'know the truth'."
The interviewer studied Clarke intensely, with a furrowed brow, and stern expression. Then in serious tones he asked:
"So can we believe Them? Should we believe Them?"
"I'm sure those questions are going through the minds of every political and religious leader in the world as we speak. I think we have to look at the bigger picture to intelligently decide the answers.
Perhaps the first thing to do is warily ask ourselves 'what do They want from us?' In classic 1950's B movie form, They could be here to enslave us. Not as manual workers - I think that any race as advanced as They are would simply produce robots to do their work if They so desired - no, but as Their psychological slaves. If They somehow prove to the majority of people that They are our faith, then where will those people turn for answers about their God and religion but to Them? They will be the leaders of the New Church."
"But how would They go about proving such a thing?"
"A buried artifact might be one way."
"That sounds a little like the obelisk in your story 2001."
"Well, it would certainly be one proof wouldn't it? Can you imagine Them giving us the coordinates of a 2000 year old video disk, perhaps with a recording of the Last Supper?"
"It would be very disturbing to say the least?But how would They know it wouldn't be discovered much earlier than They planned?"
"Well, if we follow this line of conjecture, I would say a logical place to bury it might be a thousand feet or so below a holy building, in say, Jerusalem or Rome. The chances of it being discovered before Their return would be very remote indeed."
"So, if that was the case, what would They want from us?"
"There will almost certainly be technologies that humans will develop that even extremely advanced alien races will not, and probably could not, even conceptualize. It is quite probable that no matter how much common ground there is in scientific development to reach a specific point, - say, for instance, inter-stellar space exploration - there would logically always be differences in the evolution of thought and invention by different species. We can see this as a parallel to the evolutionary differences that obviously exist between animals even though all have to eat and reproduce. Of course looking at it from the optimistic side of things, we have so very much to learn from Them - If They'll teach us. In humans, there is always pride in teaching others, of showing them the right way to do something. It's quite possible that this trait is universal."
"What do you think would happen if They can't materially prove They were here before?"
"They still seem to know some of our established beliefs, and if They were really pressed I'm sure they could give a very detailed account of events of the period. Perhaps those would be verifiable. However, the problem with that kind of evidence is that it could be fabricated. If they've been listening and watching us, even if only since the beginning of radio and television, They probably know almost as much about us as we do ourselves. As with the meteor, They could easily be inventing this whole story. It's quite possible that They stumbled upon us only, say, ten years ago, and have written Their own script.
And if They did that, who knows? They could even be renegade alien juveniles, out for a bit of fun, scaring the life out of the inhabitants of developing worlds. We just don't know. We cannot know without more information."
"But surely, we can't wait for that information to act. Given that Their technology is so superior to ours won't we just have to do Their bidding, at least for the time being?"
"I absolutely agree. If They are playing a game with us, and to some degree, whatever Their motives, it is a game, They are making up the rules at they go along, and there's probably not much, if anything we can do to stop Them. At least, and I'll repeat myself here, not without knowing much more about Them."
"What do you think the world's leaders should do?"
"Normally I wouldn't touch that question with a ten foot pole. But, in this special situation, I will, because, quite honestly, I don't think our leaders know any more about what to do than you or I, at least not in the sense of a specific action on the part of humanity. I also think it's a really difficult call, since the aliens have introduced the inherently contentious issue of religion.
What I believe the leaders have to do is do their best to disregard the issue of religion altogether, since it will cloud their judgment, and sway their decisions. Can you imagine what's going on right now? The religious leaders must be in turmoil. How will any of them come to terms with this concept? I'm not sure its good for any faith."
"In what way?"
"Well, obviously for Christians to believe the aliens is to prove the existence of Christ while destroying the basis of their religion. Christ is no longer the Son of God, but the son of Johnny B. Alien. There's no real choice. It isn't possible for a devout Christian to believe the visitors, even if They're telling truth. Everything exactly the way it happened.
All non-Christians, on the other hand, would want the aliens to be telling the truth, or at least have Christians believe Their statements so that their own religions become the unassailable gospel, so to speak.
Of course, the danger for non-Christians positioning themselves that way, in effect backing the aliens, is what happens when They move on to discussing other events and other messiahs? It really becomes an all or nothing deal. Much like religion itself. Although I think that there is a position which Christians might, at least, be able to live with, and that's the idea that even if Christ was an alien, then perhaps They are the children of God, and, we are God's grandchildren. I don't think that would be so unpalatable to those of belief."
"That's an interesting idea. But it would still be very disruptive and disconcerting wouldn't it?
"Disruptive it may be, but it may be the best that organized religions can hope for. As for disconcerting, I find the whole event quite disconcerting. Don't you?"
"Of course, yes, I'm sure everyone does." The interviewer laughed, perhaps nervously.
"What about the meeting They have directed the world's leaders to arrange and attend? Should we be so submissive?"
"I'm of the opinion that, so long as there is no immediate danger that we are aware of, we should go along with what the aliens want us to do, at least for now. It's also probably prudent in light of Their demonstrations. Whether weapons or illusions, They almost certainly possess technology far in advance of ours, since They have apparently travelled across interstellar distances to reach us."
"So, on the positive side, what benefits could there be for humanity in this situation?"
Mr. Clarke paused and reflected for a moment, rubbing his chin while doing so, as if to make the thoughts form a little more clearly.
"Well, if for the time being we take Them at Their word we may find that we will have to re-evaluate our beliefs. Whatever the case on the religious side, if we take the optimistic view that They will judge us to be worthy of Their help, can you imagine the things They could teach us? The things we could share? What is Their music like? Their art? Their books? Their culture? Their science? Even if They share none of these things as long as They are not hostile, at the very minimum we can take comfort in finally establishing that we are not alone."
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2000.01.03 12:30 G.M.T. 7:30 E.S.T.
c24 Proof?
Samantha - Sammy to her friends - had seen the interview with the author and had watched numerous other hours of news, views and interviews since the arrival. She was eleven and inquisitive. But enough was enough.
By the third day Sammy was back to watching cartoons. She watched as Tom chased Jerry with a sledgehammer, but somehow Jerry always outwitted his assailant.
The program unexpectedly turned to interference. In its place the alien again ap
peared.
"Dad! Dad, come quick! The aliens are back!"
With shaving cream still on half his face her father rushed in just in time to see Him begin.
"We have, of course, been monitoring your broadcasts since we last spoke. You doubt our word. This was expected. Approximately two hundred and fifty metres below the centre of the Pyramid of Cheops in the Valley of The Kings in Egypt you will find a case containing what you would probably term a 'video playback device'. It is a simple unit and its function is obvious. Please broadcast its contents at 20:00 G.M.T. this evening without editing, and with its original sound. You may overlay a visual translation of the audio if you wish. We suggest you carbon date the device so that its authenticity can be attested to.
The alien disappeared in the same fog of interference in which he had arrived just in time for Sammy to see Tom miss striking Jerry, but in so doing he had swung his hammer so hard that it pulled him into a rubbery somersault and ended up landing on his head.
The alien's parallel with Mr. Clarke's theory was obvious. Indeed, there were now a growing number of people who suspected that he had given Them the idea. Yet for all of those there were billions of others who simply waited in anxious anticipation of the events yet to unfold.
At the designated time most of the world watched and listened. It was the quietest collective hour and fifteen minutes that the human race had ever shared together.
"This is going to be my last personal recording before my crucifixion. My brother will capture the event itself for future generations of humans to view, and hopefully to understand what they have done, and what we have tried to do for them."
What followed was sickening, an atrocity that was hitherto only beheld in scripture was now shown in its truth to be real, within its own reality. Hollywood had not been able to capture more than a grain of its impact. Strangely its effect was not what the aliens had anticipated. Far from proving the truth of Their statements, the scenes seemed only to further polarize the minds of the viewers. It was true that those who had believed the aliens previously now placed more weight in Their words, but so many others, the billions of faithful, only despised Them more for this effrontery to their beliefs. For those people the visions only confirmed Their deceit. They could not be real.
Sammy looked to her father.
"I think They're telling the truth Sammy."
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2000.01.04 12:00 G.M.T. 7:00 E.S.T.
c25 The Pope
From the Vatican the Pope, ever older and increasingly frail, called upon His flock.
"Children of God, have faith. God's Judgment Day is not yet upon us. These creatures that take our saviour's name in vain, are not of God. Whatever They have told us, or shown us, whatever power They may have, let it not be over our faith. Christ is unassailable. Christ is pure. God has been with us always, He is with us now, and shall be forever more.
Whatever these beings want, whatever They ask of us, let us be at peace with ourselves, and in that peace may we accept that fate which God, our Father, has determined for us.
If a battle befalls us, let us take comfort in the knowledge that God is with us. For His spirit shall always be with the righteous and faithful.
I cannot tell you what will happen today, tomorrow, or the next day, for of this, I know no more than you. I can only assure you that in the end God's Will will prevail. Of that, let us all be sure?in our faith.
Many have asked if these beings are the antichrist, the devil incarnate. Should we recognize Them in this way? I answer you that They have represented one of Their kind as Christ himself. What purpose can They have for this lie? What need do They have to try to portray Jesus and blasphemer against God? Why, if not to try and sway the weak of faith? Why, if not to try and spread confusion, fear and unrest?
They are trying to weaken our resolve. They are trying to use our own faith as a weapon against us. In this way, I must say to you, that they are acting against God.
They have no physical horns, and carry no tails, but should we be wary? Yes. Should we fear? Yes. Because to be fearful is to be prepared. I do not say that we are in a clash with the Devil, because of that we do not yet have proof. I say to you?prepare for the worst so that we may know only the best, so that we may truly know Christ.
But let me say to you: Be calm in your preparedness, for panic will feed Them and make us weak. Be calm for your family. Be calm for your children. Be calm for our Father."
The energy of the speech had taken much of the frail man's strength but he continued as if divinely upheld.
"Let us look to the book of John for guidance for he said:
'Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
This is the one who came by water and blood - Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, that he has given about his Son.
Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.'"
He paused to catch his breath, editing as he continued.
"'We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true - even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.'"
The pope continued with his own dialogue.
"John wrote these things so that we may be prepared and ever watchful. If we have been observant, then today we see a false idol indeed.
If we are to vanquish our foe, then let us do it because we are right, and not only because we believe ourselves to be so. Because we are righteous, we will prevail. Have no doubt, but do not shirk your responsibility. Victory will only be ours as long as we take it upon ourselves to fight on God's behalf.
Go now and pray to God. Pray to Him to guide us through these troubled times. Pray to Him to help us in our hour of need. Pray to Him. For He is listening."
The mass ended with a prayer. Even the most doubtful of attendees seemed to feel its power. If there was no God, the energy in that plea for help and guidance seemed to be enough to invoke one.
_______________________________
c26 The Children
Sammy had watched the mass. When the Pope had finished, she asked her father if what the Pope said was true.
Even at her young age she was quite sure she didn't believe in God, even th
ough some of her friends did. As eloquent as the Pope had been in his argument for belief to carry His people through the time of unrest, his words did little to influence most of those more questioning souls. For seeing there was not the same as being there. Technology could not yet transmit the power of a hundred thousand believers.
After thinking for a moment her father gave her the most truthful answer that he could.
"Sammy, I think what the Pope had said was true to the people who believe in God. They want it to be that way. For people who don't believe in God, it might be true, but I don't think it is."
She nodded understanding.
Sammy was not alone. Thousands of little Sammys, Lindas, Johns, Karens, Garys, Edwards and those of almost any other name and nation one could care to mention asked the same question. The replies varied in a myriad ways, but all could easily be categorized "No", "Maybe", and "Yes". And with the answer many of the children, for better or worse, became a little more like their parents.
The phone rang and her father left the room to take the call.
Sammy sat quiet and thoughtful for a moment, then turned back to the television and changed it to another channel.