EL OJO CRITICO

Magazine Overview

Title: EL OJO CRITICO
Issue: Nº 1
Date: Approximately June 26, 1994 (based on article publication dates).
Publisher: EL OJO CRITICO
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish

This issue of "EL OJO CRITICO" focuses on exposing alleged frauds within the realms of ufology and esotericism, with a strong emphasis on critical analysis and scientific skepticism. The magazine aims to debunk pseudoscientific claims and highlight the manipulation of individuals by those presenting themselves as experts.

Un Origen Sexual del Fraude UMMO

The lead article, "UN ORIGEN SEXUAL DEL FRAUDE UMMO" (A Sexual Origin of the UMMO Fraud), investigates the notorious UMMO case. It posits that the fraud's author, the parapsychologist Jose Luis Jordan Peña, was motivated by sexual factors rather than purely scientific experimentation. Young investigators like Carles Berché, José J. Montejo, and Javier Sierra are credited with uncovering Jordan Peña's authorship. The article details how Trinidad, a self-proclaimed esoteric intermediary known as "Marisol," allegedly acted as a conduit for UMMO messages, depositing letters and making calls on behalf of the supposed extraterrestrials. However, Trinidad confessed that these messages and actions were dictated by Jordan Peña. The piece also touches upon Mercedes Carrasco, another individual allegedly subjected to similar manipulations by Jordan Peña, including hypnotic sessions and claims of past-life connections, which were used to justify a "sadomasochistic" relationship.

Caso Dosanjos: La Vidente Procesada

This section reports on the legal proceedings against Paula Filomena Dosanjos Lopes, a Portuguese psychic based in La Coruña, who was prosecuted for fraud. The case was initiated by D. Jose Rios Pereiro, who claimed to have been defrauded of over three million pesetas. According to the fiscal's report, Dosanjos convinced Rios that his family was under a curse and performed various rituals, including the sacrifice of a cat, charging substantial sums for each. The defense argued she merely read cards, while the fiscal sought a two-year prison sentence. The article notes that other similar complaints against Dosanjos existed, totaling over seven million pesetas. It highlights the role of private investigators in gathering evidence, suggesting their findings could be decisive where official justice had lacked proof.

En Prensa: News Briefs

This section compiles various news items related to paranormal phenomena and their investigation:

• Los Paz Cara a Cara: Announces a public confrontation between brothers Sixto Paz and Charlie Paz at a Ufology and Parapsychology Congress in Lérida. Charlie Paz promised to reveal embarrassing information about Sixto's group, "Misión Rama."
• Crean un Servicio para Denunciar Falsos Videntes: The Association of Magic and Occultism of Galicia has launched a telephone service in Santiago de Compostela to report fake psychics and charlatans. The service offers psychological and legal support to victims.
• Famosos Camino de Santiago: Notes the trend of celebrities, including actress Shirley McLaine, undertaking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, possibly influenced by books like Paulo Coelho's "Diario de un Mago."
• Los Platillos Volantes del Siglo Eran un Fraude: This report concludes that the famous 1988 UFO photographs, dubbed "the case of the century," were a fraud. The author, Amauri Rivera, claimed abduction, but investigations revealed the photos were created using small models of a UFO and a military jet, with Rivera profiting from the publication rights.

De "Parasito-Logos" y "Bi-Dentes"

This article discusses the prevalence of fraudulent esoteric professionals, referred to as "parasito-logos" (parasite-logicians) and "bi-dentes" (two-fanged). It describes how these individuals emotionally blackmail clients, often those with limited cultural and economic resources, threatening them with grave misfortunes or even death if they do not pay for costly magical "jobs" to ward off evil spirits. The piece criticizes the widespread use of the term "parapsychologist," noting that there are no officially recognized university degrees in parapsychology in Spain, implying that those who claim such qualifications are misrepresenting themselves.

Científicos encabezados por Carl Sagan critican que cada vez más gente crea haber sido secuestrada por alienígenas

This article, originally published in "La Vanguardia" on June 26, 1994, reports on criticisms from prominent scientists, including astronomer Carl Sagan, psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, and ufologist Philip J. Klass, regarding the increasing public belief in alien abductions and other pseudoscientific phenomena. Sagan expresses concern that this trend reflects a "scientific ignorance" in society. Loftus points out how hypnosis can create false memories, leading individuals to believe they have experienced abductions. Philip J. Klass criticizes the lack of critical thinking in ufology. The article also mentions John Mack, a Harvard psychiatrist who believes many of his patients have been abducted, and contrasts his views with journalist Donna Bassett's experience of being manipulated by Mack's methods. The piece concludes by referencing the debunking of the Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting from 1947, attributed to natural atmospheric phenomena (mirages), and reiterates that there is no empirical evidence of alien visitation.

Notas a "Un origen sexual del fraude UMMO"

This section provides footnotes and clarifications related to the main article on the UMMO fraud:

1. It references Jose Luis Jordan Peña's public confession of authorship in "La Alternativa Racional" and notes that three other articles by young investigators had already reported on this before his confession.
2. Mentions Enrique de Vicente as a witness to an interview.
3. Notes the existence of an unpublished book by Trinidad Pastrana titled "El fascinante bio-ritmo astral" and her frequent appearances as an astrologer and psychic on radio and TV.
4. States that details of Jordan's alleged sexual practices, beyond their direct relation to UMMO, will not be elaborated upon, but mentions that evidence exists (audio and video) of potentially violent episodes, suggesting these could have motivated "brainwashing" schemes like UMMO.
5. Refers to a letter from February 27, 1983, and the Gnosis groups' philosophy based on sexual magic and tantra, where the woman is dominant.
6. Cites an article in "Año Cero" about a suicide influenced by UMMO messages, suggesting UMMO may have encouraged suicidal tendencies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exposure of frauds within the paranormal and ufological fields, the critique of pseudoscientific beliefs, and the emphasis on scientific skepticism. The editorial stance is clearly one of debunking and critical inquiry, aiming to educate readers about the manipulation and lack of evidence behind many sensational claims. The magazine champions a rational and scientific approach, contrasting it with the credulity often found in popular media and among certain investigators.