CENAP Infoline - no 070

Magazine Overview

This issue of cenap-infoline nr. 70, dated February 8, 1998, delves into the controversial topic of UFOs, sects, and apocalyptic prophecies, with a particular focus on the alleged 'Earth Jump' event and the activities of a German psychologist-led sect.

The 'Earth Jump' Prophecy and the Tenerife Sect

The cover story, "Haben Sie es mitbekommen: Am 8.Januar 1998 um 20.00h ging die Welt unter durch den 'Erdachssprung' ?" (Did you hear: On January 8, 1998, at 8:00 PM, the world ended due to the 'Earth Jump'?), highlights a disturbing prophecy that gained traction within certain circles. The magazine reports on the foiled mass suicide attempt by a sect on the Spanish island of Tenerife on January 8, 1998. The sect, led by German psychologist Dr. Heide Fittkau-Garthe, believed that God would arrive in a spaceship at 10 AM on March 31st to take them to another world. The 32 members, mostly from Germany, planned to end their lives with poison on the island's highest mountain, Teide, to be transported to a new existence.

Spanish police intervened just hours before the planned event, arresting Fittkau-Garthe and her followers. Fittkau-Garthe, who had a previous reputation as a successful psychologist and trainer for managers, is accused of inciting mass suicide, a charge that could carry a sentence of up to eight years in prison under Spanish law. Her lawyer, Enrique Porres, denied the accusations, stating his client was innocent and that the group was merely having a party.

Further reports detail that a tip from Germany led to a temporary arrest of 19 other sect members on Tenerife, but this was later deemed a false alarm. The investigation into Fittkau-Garthe's activities revealed that she had allegedly collected over 3.6 million Deutschmarks from her followers. The magazine also touches upon the connection to the 'Order of the Solar Temple' sect, which had been involved in previous ritualistic mass suicides.

Critique of Esotericism and 'Sect-Madness'

Beyond the Tenerife incident, the issue features an interview with Munich-based author Colin Goldner, who is critical of the esotericism scene. Goldner, a clinical psychotherapist, argues in his book "Psycho - Therapien zwischen Seriosität und Charlatanerie" that many alternative therapies, such as Ayurveda, Bach flower remedies, channeling, and rebirthing, are unscientific, ineffective, and potentially dangerous, especially when administered by unqualified practitioners. He criticizes the lack of rigorous oversight for 'Heilpraktiker' (alternative practitioners) in Germany, suggesting that many lack proper training and legal authorization.

Goldner specifically calls out esoterists Thorwald Dethlefsen and Erhard Freitag for their ideas, which he finds compatible with totalitarian ideologies, citing Dethlefsen's view that AIDS patients are being eliminated by nature for refusing 'obedience and service.' He also dismisses Indian guru Balaji Tambe as a charlatan who uses a mix of astrology, Ayurveda, and meditation to exploit his wealthy clientele.

Psychological Factors Behind Sect Membership

Psychoanalyst Dr. Christoph Fischer and Prof. Horst-Eberhard Richter discuss why educated individuals might join sects. They explain the phenomenon of 'regression,' where people revert to a childlike state of magical thinking and unquestioning obedience, seeking the security and lack of responsibility that sects can offer. This desire to escape rational thought and embrace simpler, albeit irrational, solutions makes them vulnerable to manipulation.

UFO-Nachrichten and CENAP

The magazine also includes information about the publication "UFO-Nachrichten," a bimonthly magazine founded in 1956 by Karl L. and Anny Veit. The issue also mentions CENAP (CENAP-Report), an information service on the UFO scene, and provides subscription details for its additional information service, 'cenap-jollin.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly criticizes the proliferation of unscientific and potentially harmful practices within the esotericism and alternative therapy scene. It highlights the dangers of cult-like groups and the psychological vulnerabilities that can lead individuals to join them. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a concern for the well-being of individuals exploited by unscrupulous 'gurus' and sect leaders. The magazine appears to be part of a broader effort to critically examine UFO phenomena and related fringe movements, warning readers against falling prey to what it terms 'UFO-sect-madness.'