Abduction Watch - No 21

Magazine Overview

Title: ABDUCTION WATCH
Issue: 21
Subtitle: Doing it for money
Date: Implied early 2000s (transitioning to new format)
Publisher: Kevin McClure
Country: UK

This issue marks the end of 'Abduction Watch' as a newsletter, with the editor, Kevin McClure, planning a new, longer, twice-yearly publication focusing on research progress. The current issue delves into the perceived commercialization and sensationalism within the ufology community, particularly concerning alien abduction narratives.

The Problem with Publicizing Abductions

McClure begins by expressing concern over the effect of publicizing extreme abduction material. He argues that the endless recycling of dubious abduction accounts, exemplified by Jenny Randles' work, only serves to perpetuate the myth and create more frightened individuals. He feels that his own efforts to highlight the negative aspects of abduction have, perversely, led some to see him as an agent of disinformation, thus reinforcing their beliefs. He concludes that his overall achievement in this public confrontation has been markedly negative, failing to grow his audience or effect positive change.

He notes that he is not alone in this effect, with others, even those with seemingly good intentions, contributing to the belief in alien abduction, often reaching a wider audience. This leads to the issue's subtitle, 'Doing It For Money'.

McClure announces his intention to work on a new project, tentatively titled 'Be Afraid', which could potentially become a book. This project is inspired by the work of Hilary Evans, who explored 'Visions-Apparitions-Alien Visitors' and 'Gods-Spirits-Cosmic Guardians'.

'Sacred Sites' and Spiritual Experience

The editor references an article he wrote for Gloria Dixon's magazine 'Strange Daze' titled 'Sacred Sites'. He posits that the term 'spiritual' is the most appropriate descriptor for rich, personal, non-physical encounters that communicate beyond the physical senses. He contrasts this with the 'nasty' tales of figures like Hopkins and Jacobs. Human beings actively seek spiritual experiences, constructing places like churches, temples, and mosques, often on sites previously known for such experiences. These sacred sites, whether structures or natural formations like stone circles, are believed to facilitate spiritual encounters. McClure suggests that the intensity of these experiences, particularly when predicted, like a sunrise over a specific stone, is what many desire, leading them to give power to those who provide or explain these experiences.

He argues that most abduction accounts arise from fragments of puzzling or anomalous events that are difficult to identify. These brief, odd perceptions can facilitate a sense of spiritual experience and demand an explanation. Sacred sites, he notes, have long been associated with facilitating such experiences and are believed to be places where non-human forces or intelligences visit or dwell. The relationship with these forces underpins many societies, and where repressed, it can lead to dramatic social and political change.

However, McClure laments that the world of alien abduction is characterized by 'stinking ignorance,' where authors and investigators mislead individuals who have had common, potentially enriching experiences, twisting them into narratives of depravity, pain, and fear.

The Nature of Spiritual Experience vs. Abduction Narratives

McClure asserts that spiritual experience, historically, has been positive and life-enhancing, fostering hope, care for others, and personal development. He contrasts this with the abduction narrative, which he sees as a harmful distortion, persuading individuals that they were chosen for hybrid interbreeding with cruel aliens. He argues this is untruthful and has the effect of deliberate abuse. He suggests that the real sacred sites are human beings experiencing these complex phenomena, and that these experiences should not be desecrated by the 'dark, harsh, and unjustifiable fantasy of abduction.'

His research aims to acknowledge and collate reports of contact with non-human intelligences, accepting that most reportees are sincere and mystified. He views alien abduction reports as a common human experience whose temporal origins are unknown, taking on characteristics influenced by social, religious, and scientific contexts. This focus will not be solely on abduction but will explore similar experiences over millennia.

Manipulation and Exploitation

McClure plans to investigate how belief in these experiences has been manipulated by groups, individuals, churches, cults, and others for personal power, financial gain, and other selfish advantages. He highlights the abduction field as offering 'rich pickings' for the exploitation of hurt and helpless individuals. He intends to use his newfound internet access to carefully examine extreme religious and political material that may link to these phenomena. His research will also explore apparent links between abduction accounts and narratives of disempowerment, sexual abuse, and extreme right-wing beliefs.

Commercial Considerations and Critiques of Ufologists

The issue critically examines the presentation of abduction material to the public, noting that a small number of individuals control the primary narratives. Jenny Randles is identified as a highly influential figure in UK ufology. McClure questions the validity of her figures for abductions in different countries (e.g., 192 in Brazil, 43 in Australia, 87 in the UK, 1,272 in the USA). He argues that given the extraordinary nature of abduction claims and the lack of physical evidence, a high level of proof is expected. He believes Randles cannot prove her figures and that she, along with her publishers, presents these unsupported statements to create an overall impression that abduction is real, primarily to sell books.

McClure also critiques Randles' occasional 'sceptical' passages as a 'moral fig-leaf' rather than a genuine attempt at truth. He seeks direct answers on whether she believes in genuine physical abductions and if she believes humans are somehow different from other humans, as suggested by her book 'Star Children'.

Nick Redfern is criticized for his claim in 'Planet on Sunday' that animal mutilations are caused by aliens, despite abundant evidence pointing to natural causes and predator activity. McClure doubts Redfern's awareness of this evidence, suggesting his statement was misleading and casting doubt on the reliability and scope of his research.

Peter Hough's book 'Visitation - The Certainty of Alien Activity' is also criticized for being 'tragically misleading.' McClure notes Hough's shift from a fact-based approach to accepting the claims of regressionist Moyshe Kalman, leading him to conclude that 'aliens' control human evolution, beliefs, and freedom, rendering humans powerless.

Malcolm Robinson is mentioned for his idea of a BUFORA debate on hypnosis. McClure declines an invitation to speak at this event, citing a lack of medical or psychiatric qualifications and a belief that there is no 'for' argument for hypnosis in abduction cases that is supported by qualified professionals. He argues that amateur hypnotherapists with questionable qualifications are not equipped to handle such sensitive issues and that the debate lacks a reasonable basis.

McClure also expresses skepticism about BUFORA's ability to competently organize such an event, referencing their previous involvement with Derrel Sims and his UV light at a conference, where they seemed unaware of his methods.

Conclusion and Future Plans

McClure reiterates that his new publication will be a twice-yearly progress report, approximately the length of two 'Abduction Watch' issues, offering unfamiliar source material, tentative conclusions, and questions for readers. He offers refunds for remaining subscriptions. He concludes that 'Abduction Watch' is shuffling off, with its editor having learned much that he hopes will be useful in the future.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the commercialization of paranormal phenomena, the distinction between genuine spiritual experiences and exploitative abduction narratives, the critique of prominent ufologists and their methodologies, and the dangers of misinformation and manipulation within the ufology community. The editorial stance is critical, skeptical, and concerned with the potential harm caused by sensationalist reporting and the exploitation of individuals seeking answers.