The unreasoning horrors of war, the advance of rationality in public discourse and widespread acceptance of the empirical nature of science chipped away steadily at man's religious faith during the More see truth
‘out there’20th century. The notion of an unknowable supreme being with mysterious values slipped in popularity until humans with religious values were largely considered zealots.
But man, the only animal that has a grasp on the past as well as an appreciation of the future, has an innate desire to believe in a larger universe and in magic. Shortly after World War II something appeared that filled the void in faith -- flying saucers.
The notion of aliens moving silently among us created new legions of believers. Blurry snapshots became the New Stigmata, tales of abduction the New Catechism. By the end of the century, as many may believe in flying saucers as believe in a Supreme Being.
By Burl Burlingame, Star-Bulletin "Everyday Life" is a photo feature that examines the 20th Century.
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