A Czech UFO religion blending messages from cosmic beings with anti-modern technology sentiments.
The Universe People, also known as the Cosmic People of Light Powers or Vesmírní lidé in Czech, is a UFO religion that emerged in the Czech Republic and Slovakia during the 1990s. Founded by Ivo A. Benda, this new religious movement combines elements of ufology, New Age spirituality, and conspiracy theories to create a unique belief system centered around extraterrestrial beings and their influence on human affairs.
Origins and Founder
Ivo A. Benda, born in Czechoslovakia in 1961, is the central figure and founder of the Universe People. In the mid-1990s, Benda began claiming to receive telepathic communications from extraterrestrial beings. These alleged contacts formed the basis for the group’s ideology and teachings. Benda’s public activities started in the mid-1990s, during which he organized over 180 lectures that, according to his claims, were attended by more than 12,000 people.
In 1997, Benda published “Rozhovory s poučením od mých přátel z vesmíru” (Interviews With Instructions From My Friends From the Universe), which marked the beginning of the Universe People’s ideology dissemination. This publication coincided with the mass suicide of Heaven’s Gate members in the United States, leading Czech media to draw parallels between the two groups due to their similar ideologies. However, experts have since considered the likelihood of Universe People committing similar acts to be low.
Core Beliefs and Ideology
The Universe People’s belief system revolves around the existence of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations that are monitoring and guiding humanity. According to their teachings, a fleet of spaceships operated by these cosmic beings, led by the Ashtar Galactic Command, is orbiting Earth. These benevolent entities are believed to be closely observing human activities and waiting for the right moment to transport their followers to another dimension.
Central to their ideology is the concept of a cosmic struggle between positive and negative forces. The group believes that Earth’s society is in a state of decay, influenced by malevolent extraterrestrial entities often referred to as “saurians” or “lizard people.” These negative forces are thought to manipulate governments, corporations, and media to spread fear, violence, and materialism.
The Universe People incorporate elements from various sources, including Christianity, with Jesus being considered a being of “fine-vibrations.” They also embrace conspiracy theories, such as opposition to compulsory population chipping, which they view as a tool of control by negative forces.
Practices and Teachings
Members of the Universe People are encouraged to prepare themselves for eventual evacuation by raising their “vibrational frequency.” This is said to be achieved through meditation, positive thinking, and following a specific lifestyle that includes a vegetarian diet and abstaining from alcohol and tobacco. The group emphasizes the importance of spiritual purity, love, and rejection of materialism and technology, which are viewed as tools used by negative forces to control humanity.
The movement maintains an active online presence, with websites and forums where members can share experiences and read updates from Benda and other group leaders. These platforms often feature messages allegedly received from extraterrestrial beings, as well as interpretations of current events through the lens of the group’s beliefs.
Public Activities and Cultural Impact
The Universe People have engaged in various public activities to spread their message. They have held gatherings and demonstrations, sometimes featuring members dressed in colorful costumes meant to represent the cosmic people. The group has also attempted to engage with official institutions, such as sending instructions on defending against evil extraterrestrial entities to the Slovak Ministry of Defense, which led to a brief security scare.
Despite their unconventional beliefs, the Universe People have created a unique cultural footprint, attracting both followers and satirical interest online. Their practices and the propagation of their beliefs through the Internet and public lectures have contributed to their visibility in Czech and Slovak society.
Criticism and Controversy
Critics and opponents have often labeled Benda and his more active followers as mentally ill, and the Universe People as a potentially dangerous cult. The group’s teachings, which include predictions about imminent global changes and the arrival of extraterrestrial beings on Earth, have been met with skepticism from mainstream society and authorities.
Concerns have been raised about the potential psychological impact of the group’s beliefs on vulnerable individuals. However, it’s important to note that the Universe People generally operate within the bounds of local laws and have not been associated with violent or illegal activities.
image via Atollon
