Q: Are UFOs real?

A: Some of them, sure. But UFO means Unidentified Flying Object, not alien space ship. Skeptics are willing to concede that some people really do see things in the sky that they cannot identify.

Q: Do aliens exists?

A: Nobody knows. So far, no sign of intelligent life originating elsewhere than the planet Earth has been found. However, given the sheer scale of the universe, skeptics admit that it is likely that alien life exists out there somewhere.

Q: If skeptics agree that UFOs are real, and that aliens exist, why don't they believe that aliens are visiting the Earth?

A: Because there is no properly scientific evidence that they are.

Q: No evidence?! What about the thousands of sightings and hundreds of photographs?

A: Remember what we need to prove: that the thing in the photograph is an alien space ship. How can we determine that the object in the photograph is a space ship, if we do not have a genuine space ship with which to compare it, or if we do not observe the object doing what space ships do: flying through space? How can we determine from a photo that the object came from outer space? We need physical evidence: a piece of the UFO to analyze by scientific means, to show that it is made from a material unknown to science or having a composition that indicates an extraterrestrial origin.

Q: Does the government cover up what it knows about UFOs?

A: Yes. Some unidentified flying objects are quite possibly in reality secret military projects, about which the military would rather not talk.

Q: Are aliens abducting people?

A: There is no compelling evidence that they are. No abductee has recovered (or had "implanted ") any material of a demonstrably alien nature.

Q: Then what motivates all the claims of alien abduction?

A: There is probably no single explanation. Some claims are simply lies, fabricated to garner attention or money. Some might be mistakes, faulty interpretations of abduction by humans or of memories of a childhood trauma. Others might be the result of a mental aberration, such as an hallucination or lucid dream, or even the creation of a memory as a result of the use of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool.

Q: Does our government have captured flying saucers?

A: There is no compelling evidence that they do. Claims by one individual to have worked on a captured saucer at a secret government facility lack scientific credibility. Other documents relating to a secret deal with aliens have been shown to be a forgery.

Q: Can you prove that aliens are not visiting the Earth?

A: It is very difficult to prove any negative like that. For example, how could I prove that there are no kangaroos in the wild in Canada? I would have to search every square foot of Canada simultaneously. It would be much easier to prove the positive assertion: that there are wild kangaroos in Canada, simply by capturing one. To prove that aliens are not visiting the Earth would require a constant surveillance of every square inch of the planet. On the other hand, the notion that aliens are visiting the planet should be much easier to prove. A captured alien, a working ray-o-zap, an alien hair, even an alien ash tray would do it.

Q: It seems to me that skeptics are closed-minded to the idea that aliens are visiting the Earth.

A: Skeptics don't believe an extraordinary claim without having obtained extraordinary proof.

Q: Then why do some skeptics believe in God? Isn't that hypocritical?

A: Skeptics require proof of extraordinary but testable claims. Therefore, if somebody says "my heart was touched by God", there is no reasonable way to provide proof of this. However, if somebody says that he was kidnapped and examined by God, or that God mutilates cows, then skeptics would feel justified in asking for supporting evidence.

Q: What would convince you that aliens are visiting the Earth?

A: Hard evidence like an alien space ship landing on the White House Lawn, the discovery of a demonstrably alien artefact, the reception of an alien radio signal describing Earthly visits, an announcement from a responsible government agency, and so on.

Q: If you do not believe in UFOs, then why do you bother with IUFOS? Why not leave us in peace to discuss UFOs?

A:But I do believe in UFOs! I would just like to see some proof that they are alien space ships. While keeping an open mind to the possibility that they are, I would also like to explore more prosaic explanations for the UFO phenomenon.

Q: So what do you think UFOs are?

A: They are unidentified flying objects.

Q: Is that it? Can I go now?

A: Yes, off you trot. The cheque is in the mail.