Editing Aetherius Society (section)

== Belief and activities ==
[[File:The Aetherius Society, explained by Richard Lawrence (Interview 1986).mp3|thumb|Richard Lawrence (London HQ of the Aetherius Society) describes the basic concept. (Interview 1986)]]
In Aetherius Society teachings, various religious figures come from different planets,<ref name=F2011p594/> and throughout history Cosmic Masters such as Buddha, Jesus and [[Lao Tzu]] have come to Earth to teach mankind the right way of living.<ref name=Sa2003p128-9>Saliba, John A. (2003) pp.128-9</ref><ref>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp.122-4</ref>{{rp|122–124}}<ref name=Is2000TWATAeth>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section: "The World According to Aetherius"</ref>  They are regarded by the society as [[Avatars]].<ref>Saliba John A. (2003) p.127</ref>{{rp|127}}<ref name=B2011p121-2>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp.121-2</ref><ref name=E1988p128>Ellwood, Robert S. (1988) p.128</ref> Krishna, for example, is from [[Saturn]], which is the home of a "Cosmic Hierarchy" or "Interplanetary Council", while Jesus and Buddha are from Venus.<ref name=F2011p594/><ref>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp.123-4</ref><ref>Saliba, John A. (2003) p.129</ref>{{rp|129}} The society therefore claims that these religions sprang from the same source and their principles were identical.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=Is2000TWATAeth/><ref name=Sm2003p92>Smith, Smon G. (2003) p.92</ref> These beings are, however, spiritual beings on another dimension or plane, as the idea of corporeal intelligent life on the other planets was known to be unlikely in the 1950s.<ref name=B2011p123>Barrett, David V. (2011) p.123</ref> The society's concept is that these beings exist on a 'spiritual level' by maintaining a 'higher vibratory rate' which can be lowered, and this explains the reported blinking in and out of UFOs.<ref name=Is2000TWATAeth/><ref name=B2011p123/><ref name=Sm2003p95>Smith, Simon G, (2003) p.95</ref> The society also refers to the [[vimana]]s found in Vedic and Hindu texts, and to the [[Star of Bethlehem]], as UFOs and examples of peaceful aliens that have been visiting to teach humanity throughout history.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=Sm2003p95/><ref>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), sections: "Ancient Extraterrestrials" and "The Spacecraft and Their Crew"</ref>

King taught a belief in reincarnation based on the "Law of Karma" according to which humanity progresses life by life towards the goal of perfection. Everyone is destined eventually to become a Master and to continue evolving from there.<ref name=Sa2003p128/><ref name=Sm2003p92/><ref name=B2011p123/> The society claims that evolution also includes planet Earth, which is regarded as a living entity at a much higher state of evolution and importance than its inhabitants.<ref name=B2011p128/><ref name=Sm2003p92/><ref>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section: "Mountains and Operations"</ref> They allege that because of the backward evolution of humans, the Earth has been under frequent attacks from evil forces from other parts of the universe and that the Cosmic Masters of other planets are fighting off a number of evil alien invaders.<ref name="Smith, Simon G. 2003">Smith, Simon G. (2003)</ref>{{rp|92–93}}<ref>Saliba, John A. (2003) pp.132-3</ref><ref>Wojcik, Daniel (2011)</ref>{{rp|73}} In Aetherius Society literature, the cosmic battles with evil forces or intelligence "bear some resemblance to the fundamentalist Christian concept of '[[spiritual warfare]]', shorn of its imminent apocalyptic content."<ref name="Saliba, John A. 2003">Saliba, John A. (2003)</ref>{{rp|132}}

As in other New Age religions, [[alternative medicine]], [[spiritual healing]], [[yoga]], and [[dowsing]] are also accepted and practised by the Aetherius Society.<ref name="Barrett, David V. 2011">Barrett, David V. (2011)</ref>{{rp|124–125}} It has also launched initiatives against pollution and [[nuclear power]], and generally identifies with the ideals of the [[Green politics|Green Movement]]. However, the society believes that environmental and societal problems are only symptoms of a much larger spiritual problem that, once solved, would cure all other problems. This is the 'spiritual energy crisis'.<ref name="Barrett, David V. 2011"/>{{rp|126}} King designed many items of equipment intended to contain and redirect 'spiritual energy' for such purposes.<ref name=LSm2003pp93-4/><ref name=Sc2003p158>Scribner, Scott (2003) p.158</ref><ref name="Ellwood, Robert S. 1988">Ellwood, Robert S. (1988)</ref>{{rp|127, 129–130}}

Probably the best known of these is the "Spiritual Energy Battery".  Its precise design and composition are not in the public domain. Its purpose is to hold a 'charge of spiritual energy for an indefinite period'. When connected to a "Spiritual Energy Radiator" (again designed by King), it can be 'discharged'.<ref name=LSm2003pp93-4/><ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="ReferenceA">''Out Of This World'' UFO contactee documentary, BBC May 1977</ref> 'Spiritual workers' pray, chant mantras, and 'focus the energy' into the battery where it is 'stored'. The society's belief is that in times of crisis the energy can be released in a concentrated form and manipulated by cooperating Masters to the area in need. King named this activity "Operation Prayer Power".<ref name=LSm2003pp93-4/><ref name=B2011p125/><ref name=Sc2003p158/> The Aetherius Society claims that under the guidance of the Cosmic Masters and with the aid of Spiritual Energy Batteries, they have prevented wars, and relieved the effects of natural disasters. King taught that these spiritual exercises help to prevent worldly destruction.<ref name=LSm2003pp93-4/><ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="Saliba, John A. 2003"/>{{rp|135}}

To help with this, the Aetherius Society regularly engages in "Spiritual Pushes" in which they pray and meditate to draw [[Prana]] to Earth from an orbiting spaceship known as "Satellite Number Three" which increases the amount of spiritual energy available. They claim that this satellite is shielded from telescopes and radar.<ref name=S2003p89-90/><ref name=B2011p125/><ref>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section: "Sacred Days - Spiritual Pushes"</ref> In "Operation Starlight", between the years 1958 and 1961, King and various members climbed eighteen mountains throughout the world, so that the mountains could be 'spiritually charged' by the Cosmic Masters using King as the link.<ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="Smith, Simon G. 2003"/>{{rp|89}}<ref>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section: "Operation Starlight"</ref> Members often make pilgrimages to these mountains where they have painted the movement's symbol, believing they receive more power than they can send out to the world through prayer.<ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="Ellwood, Robert S. 1988"/>{{rp|127}}<ref name="Saliba, John A. 2003"/>{{rp|134}} They believe that service to mankind is the most essential yoga or religion in the modern day.<ref name=B2011p125/><ref name=Sm2003p92/>

King is now regarded by the Aetherius Society as an Avatar and Cosmic Master, though he did not make any claim to being either in his lifetime.<ref name=LS2003p124/><ref name=B2011p121-2/> The Aetherius Society also believes that King was the only person in the society to receive mental transmissions.<ref name="Barrett, David V. 2011"/>{{rp|121}}<ref name=Smith2003p98>Smith, Simon G. (2003) p.98</ref>

=== Eschatology ===
King claimed to have been contacted by many aliens, including [[Venusians]], [[Martians]], [[Deva (Buddhism)|Devas]], and the [[Great White Brotherhood]] to spread a message to aid humanity.  This message exalted the promising future humanity has should Earthlings turn to better ways of living, while warning of the possible consequences otherwise.<ref name=Zeller2009p331>Zeller, Benjamin E. (2009). "Apocalyptic Thought in UFO-Based Religions". In {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_UoNsXawpSIC&q=aetherius%20society&pg=PA331 |title=End of Days: Essays on the Apocalypse from Antiquity to Modernity |first1=Karolyn |last1=Kinane |first2=Michael A. |last2=Ryan |publisher=McFarland |page=331|isbn=9780786453597 |date=2014-01-10 }}</ref> King taught that humans had the choice of self-destruction or the enjoyment of a New Age that was coming to Earth. He also taught that the Cosmic Masters had intervened via the Aetherius Society to help humanity into the New Age.<ref name=LR2003p144-5/><ref name=S2003p89-90/><ref name=Sa2003p131/>

As Zeller notes in his chapter "Apocalyptic Thought in UFO Religions," King believed there would not be a catastrophic end to the world, but that the planet was on the verge of a new millennium of peace and enlightenment and the Age of Aquarius; King believed that this would also require human effort.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=Zeller2009p331/><ref name=LR2003p153>Rothstein, Mikael (2003), p153</ref> The Aetherius Society's teachings share the individualism of not only other New Age teachings of the era, but of the [[Protestantism]] King grew up in, i.e. individual humans face the decision of whether to join the millennial kingdom.<ref name=Sa2003p131/><ref name=Zeller2009p331/><ref name=LR2003p153/>

The society also predicts the coming of 'the next Master' from space at an indefinite time, which is said to depend on the advancement of humans and the balance of karma.<ref name=LR2003p144-5/><ref name=E1988p128/><ref>Smith, Simon G. (2003)p97</ref> It is claimed he will arrive in a spacecraft with great power, and present his credentials to the leaders of Earth.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=Sa2003p131/> Those who engage in war or ignore the 'Divine Law', will be removed from the Earth and reborn upon another planet where they will continue their progress. Those who understand the law will be left on Earth to enjoy the new millennium.<ref name=B2011p124/><ref>Zeller, Benjamin E. (2009) pp331-2</ref><ref name="Saliba, John A. 2003"/>{{rp|130–132}}<ref>Rothstein, Mikael (2003)</ref>{{rp|148}}

Zeller also compares King's call to correct living (with threats of suffering otherwise) to many forms of Christian apocalypticism, with King's claimed mental transmissions replacing the [[Bible]] as the standard for what that moral living is.<ref name=Zeller2009p331/> The Aetherius Society's eschatology is millenarian and, like Christian apocalypticism and [[Manichaeism]], features a strong [[Dualistic cosmology#Moral dualism|moral dualism]] in that the society seeks to follow the positive forces of the white magicians, rejecting the opposing evil forces.<ref>Zeller, Benjamin E. (2009)</ref>{{rp|329, 333–334}}

=== The "silence group" ===
The Aetherius Society claims that 'space beings' have contacted the leading governments of the world in many ways, but a group of individuals described by UFO researcher [[Donald Keyhoe]] in ''[[The Flying Saucer Conspiracy]]'' as "the silence group"<ref>{{cite book |last=Keyhoe |first=Donald E. |title=The Flying Saucer Conspiracy |year=1955 |publisher=Holt |isbn=978-1-122-70944-6 |pages=1–315}}</ref> have been deliberately suppressing this information so as to keep people uninformed, or misinformed, as to their true nature.<ref>{{cite journal |title=none|last=King |first=George |year=1957 |journal=Cosmic Voice |volume=2 |publisher=Aetherius Society |pages=37–38}}</ref> According to King, "the silence group" uses fear and ignorance to control humanity.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

=== Theology ===
The Aetherius Society's theology is theosophical<ref name=B2011p122/><ref name=Sm2003p96/><ref name=Is2000TWATAeth/> and is also based on the continual evolution of all beings back to the source which is God.<ref name=B2011p128/><ref name=Sm2003p92/> The society also refers to God as being "All in All, and All in All That," and the highest aspect of God as "The Absolute." The society believes that other beings exist that are so evolved compared to humanity that they are sometimes referred to as 'Gods' to distinguish them.<ref name=LR2003p143/><ref>{{cite book |last=King |first=George |title=The Twelve Blessings |year=1958 |publisher=The Aetherius Society |location=U.S. |isbn=0-937249-02-5 |pages=1–63 |url=http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&SectionID=67&PageID=110}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=The Aetherius Society |title=The 50th Anniversary Twelve Blessings Podcast |url=http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&SectionID=62&PageID=524 |publisher=Aetherius.org |access-date=2011-05-04}}</ref> "There is nothing but God in the cosmos, in varying stages of evolution. Everyone will eventually become a Master and will continue evolving from there."<ref name=Sa2003p128/><ref name=B2011p123/> The society regards itself as a spiritual path rather than a religious movement per se.<ref name=Sm2003p84/><ref>Scribner, Scott (2003)</ref>{{rp|168}} Its path contains various stages of spiritual evolution from earthly to cosmic.<ref name=Sa2003p128-9/><ref name=I2000NineFreedoms>Isaksson, Stefan (2000), section "The Nine Freedoms"</ref> Karma and reincarnation are accepted by the religion as laws of nature.<ref name=Sm2003p92/><ref>{{cite book |last=King |first=George |title=Karma and Reincarnation |publisher=The Aetherius Society |location=U.S. |pages=1–22 |url=http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&SectionID=67&PageID=107}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=The Aetherius Society |title=Karma |url=http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&SectionID=45&PageID=66 |access-date=2011-05-04}}</ref>  The society claims it is "not out to change existing religions so much as to add a cosmic dimension to them".<ref name=B2011p124/><ref name=I2000NineFreedoms/> Its religious services use both Christian prayers and Eastern mantras.<ref name=B2011p123/><ref>Scribner, Scott (2003) p163</ref>

===Criticism===
Many of King's claims, particularly claims to various titles and honors, have been shown to be questionable at best.<ref name=B2011pp119-120>Barrett, David V. (2011) pp119-120</ref><ref name=Smith2003pp94-5>Smith, Simon (2003) pp.94-5</ref>

Simon Smith states that the Aetherius Society has to bridge a number of credibility gaps exacerbated by scientific and technological advances, and mentions some seemingly insurmountable problems facing its world view, such as the non-existence of life on the other planets of the Solar System, and scarce evidence of spacecraft visiting Earth. The society uses the concepts of 'higher spheres of existence' to explain life on the other planets, and the 'lowly karmic position' of mankind to explain why extraterrestrials do not land openly.<ref name=Smith2003pp94-5/> Hence the movement, while failing to keep pace with science and technology, has tried to explain consequent incompatibilities. However, explanation has become increasingly unnecessary for adherents due to their growing acceptance of King's charismatic authority.<ref name=Smith2003p98/>

Rothstein suggests that the Aetherius Society touted a 1959 BBC television appearance of King <ref>{{cite web |title=Lifeline: Mars and Venus speak to Earth |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/e0d931fe04cb41eb8b9e0f787abfdb57 |website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> as a momentous event, whilst in fact contemporary media coverage of King was mostly negative.<ref name="Rothstein, Mikael 2007">Rothstein, Mikael (2007)</ref>{{rp|18}}

In 1958, the society's publication ''Cosmic Voice'' claimed to give details transmitted by the Cosmic Masters of an atomic accident in Russia, i.e. the [[Kyshtym Disaster]], that was not known about in the West until 1976 when revealed by the ''[[New Scientist]]'' magazine.<ref name=B2011p125/><ref name="Scooped by a UFO">{{cite journal |title=Scooped by a UFO |journal=New Scientist |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YvpI6azxNaoC&pg=PA241 |date=27 April 1978 |publisher=Reed Business Information |volume=78 |issue=1100 |page=241 |issn=0262-4079 |access-date=4 August 2014}}{{dead link|date=December 2024}}</ref> The magazine, after receiving a claim about the transmission from the Aetherius Society, entered a two-paragraph item under the title "Scooped by a UFO!", next to other news items intended to be humorous, such as a report of a "Dolphin Embassy."<ref name=" Scooped by a UFO"/>{{dead link|date=December 2024}} The Aetherius Society, however, interprets the ''New Scientist'' coverage as recognition of King's integrity, and admission by the magazine that they had been scooped by a UFO.<ref>[http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&PageID=653] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430084852/http://www.aetherius.org/index.cfm?app=content&PageID=653|date=April 30, 2013}}</ref> The Cosmic Voice reported, early in its history, that King's mother was often a passenger in the flying saucers from various planets, was once in a Martian spaceship when she was introduced to a Venusian whom she recognized as "our dear Jesus", who solemnly declared of one of George King's books,{{efn|The Twelve Blessings (1958)}} "this book is now and forever will be – Holy."<ref>Nebel, Long John, ''The Way Out World'' (hardcover, 1961, NY, Prentice-Hall) page 53, (paperback, 1962, NY, Lancer) page 48.</ref>

King claimed that Aetherius enabled him "to speak all terrestrial languages"—although he seemed unable to respond when asked questions in [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]] and [[French language|French]].<ref>Moore, Patrick, ''Can You Speak Venusian?'' (1972, London, Wyndham Publ'ns) pages 97-98, also in Moore, Patrick, ''Countdown! or How Nigh is the End?'' (1983, rev. 2009, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, The History Press) pages 137-138.</ref>