Science & Tech · Space · 6 hrs ago
Former Apollo astronaut says he believes UFOs are demonic
Charles Duke, a former NASA astronaut who flew on the Apollo 16 moon mission in 1972, says he believes UFOs are demonic rather than extraterrestrial.
He cites a verse in 2 Corinthians that says Satan can appear as an angel of light.
Duke says UFOs can draw people away from Christianity, and he recalls taking a friend's mention of UFOs after a prayer as confirmation of his belief.
His view is one religious interpretation, not an established finding about what UFOs are.
Father Lee Taylor, a church leader in North Wales, argues that some Bible passages could be read as pointing to non-human intelligence instead.
Taylor says discovering intelligent life beyond Earth would not undermine Christianity.
The two views show why some Christian leaders are considering how their faith might relate to possible life beyond Earth.
Former Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke says he believes UFOs are demonic rather than extraterrestrial.
Duke cited a biblical warning that the devil can appear as an angel of light.
He said UFOs are trying to turn people away from Christianity.
Father Lee Taylor disagrees, saying biblical passages point more toward non-human intelligence than demons.
Taylor said the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth would not undermine Christianity.
- Who
- Charles Duke, a former NASA astronaut who served as lunar module pilot on Apollo 16, shared the belief. Father Lee Taylor offered a differing view.
- What
- Duke said UFOs are demonic beings, not extraterrestrials. Taylor said they may be better understood as non-human intelligence.
- When
- The date of Duke’s comments is not stated.
- Where
- Duke shared his belief with the Christian Broadcasting Network. The location of the interview is not stated.
- Why
- Duke cited a biblical warning that the devil can appear as an angel of light and said UFOs draw people away from their faith.
Charles Duke
Father Lee Taylor
Nature of UFOs
Charles Duke
Duke believes UFOs are demonic beings rather than extraterrestrials.
Father Lee Taylor
Taylor says passages of Scripture suggest mysterious objects are better understood as non-human intelligence than as demonic beings.
Meaning for Christianity
Charles Duke
Duke says UFOs are trying to turn people away from the truth and their faith.
Father Lee Taylor
Taylor says discovering intelligent life beyond Earth would not undermine Christianity but expand understanding of God’s creation.
Apollo 16 launched on April 16 and returned on April 27, with Duke serving as lunar module pilot.
Duke said he prayed for a sign that would confirm his suspicions about UFOs.
Duke said a close friend brought up UFOs at breakfast, which he took as an answer to his prayer.
Tucker Carlson said on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast that UFOs were spiritual entities.
- Astronaut
- Charles Duke, Apollo 16 lunar module pilot
- Apollo 16 launch
- April 16, 1972
- Apollo 16 return
- April 27, 1972
- Biblical reference
- 2 Corinthians 11:14
- Different interpretation
- Father Lee Taylor said UFOs may be non-human intelligence rather than demonic beings
What people are saying
UFOs are trying to turn us away from the truth,
They're demonic.
The Lord says what we're seeing is real, but the devil can appear as an angel of light, the Bible says,
They're from here, and they've been here for thousands of years, whatever they are.










