So many good questions here, my friend. You could write your own essay with just these questions. Forgive if I don't hit them all. As for Strieber, maybe start with is newest. Majestic, the grays...

Was it simpler then, or we just weren't informed?

What if the best answer is we are children of God. We are then, by default, co-creators in this game. I always found that explanation reasonable. My family's faith of origin, that would get me excommunicated. :)