Aetherius Society

The Aetherius Society is a UFO religion founded by George King in 1954 (or 1955), combining UFO claims, yoga, and ideas from various world religions, notably Buddhism, Christianity, and Theosophy. The religion's stated goal is to prevent the annihilation of the Earth by improving cooperation between humanity and various alien species, and by improving the spiritual lives of the world. The society has claimed that various disasters may be prevented by prayer, often aided by "Spiritual Energy Batteries" meant to store healing psychic energy The society also believes that it is to make the way for the "Next Master," a messianic figure who will descend upon Earth in a flying saucer, possessing magic more powerful than all the world's armies. The society is named after Aetherius, a being King claims to have telepathically contacted and channeled. Aetherius is believed to be a "Cosmic Master" from Venus, along with Buddha and Jesus. The society's membership, although international in composition, is not very large, consisting of approximately 650 members as of 1993.