In various conversations with reporters leading to the publication of my new book, Extraterrestrial, I encountered difficulties getting across one essential aspect of the scientific process. Science relies on reproducibility of results. In order to believe a phenomenon, it must be possible to reproduce it as an outcome of similar circumstances. Stories about one-time miracles are the foundation of myths and could be believed by the public, but they do not stand up to the standards of science.

According to the biblical story of the binding of Isaac, Abraham heard the voice of God asking him to sacrifice his only son. Today, with a voice memo app on his cell phone, Abraham could have recorded the voice of God and convinced all of humanity to believe in the reality of his experience. But without a recording device, hearsay evidence is not scientifically sufficient.

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