Georgia Skeptics - Vol 05 No 02

Magazine Overview

This issue of the "ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER OF THE GEORGIA SKEPTICS" (Volume 5, Number 2, March/April 1992) features several articles examining purported paranormal and fringe-science claims from a skeptical perspective. The publication is from the Georgia Skeptics, a non-profit local group aligned with CSICOP, dedicated to promoting critical thinking and scientific inquiry.

The Conyers Apparitions

The lead article, "THE CONYERS APPARITIONS" by Rebecca Long, details the alleged monthly appearances of the Virgin Mary to Nancy Fowler in Conyers, Georgia, beginning in October 1990. Hundreds of believers gather on the 13th of each month to hear messages broadcast from Fowler's "Apparition Room." Many claim to witness miracles, including the sun spinning and pulsating, or see holy figures. The article traces Fowler's history of visions, her move to Georgia, and the establishment of a shrine on a donated 30-acre site. It notes that while some Marian apparitions have Vatican sanction (e.g., Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima), the Catholic Church is generally cautious. The Conyers apparitions are compared to those in Medjugorje, Yugoslavia, which have attracted millions of visitors despite lacking Vatican approval. The article also mentions other reported sightings of Mary's image in mundane objects across the US.

The author, along with fellow Georgia Skeptic Larry Johnson, visited Conyers on October 13, 1991, to observe the event. They estimated at least 1000 people were present, with the Atlanta Journal later reporting over 3000. The observers noted the organized nature of the event, the diverse crowd, and the pilgrims' eagerness to share their experiences. While many attendees reported seeing different phenomena, the consensus was that cameras would record what the person holding them saw. The "miracle of the sun" was a focal point, with many people claiming to see it pulsate or divide into lights. However, the author and others using telescopes with solar filters saw nothing unusual, only sunspots. The author suggests that the perceived phenomena were likely afterimages or mild hysteria.

During a follow-up visit on February 13, 1992, the weather was poor, and no sun miracle occurred. The author interviewed people, including one who claimed blessed water from Fowler's well had healed his mother, despite reports that the water was contaminated with E. coli. The article notes that local media had not warned the public about the dangers of looking at the sun, with some reporters claiming to have seen the sun pulsate themselves.

The Photographic Evidence

This section discusses photographic evidence related to the Conyers apparitions. A Polaroid photograph, allegedly showing the Virgin Mary emerging through a "Golden Door" in the sun, was initially dismissed by the author as a hoax by Nancy Fowler's nephew. However, the author later changed his mind. The newsletter reproduces a photograph that appears to show a glowing figure in the Apparition Room, which is stated to be atypical of believers' photos. Most photos were of the sun, with a common type showing the "Golden Door," which appeared only with Polaroid cameras. Other cameras produced glare patterns that some interpreted as heavenly beings. The author contacted Polaroid Corporation, who stated that experts determined the "Golden Door" effect to be a film defect. Georgia Skeptics members Anson Kennedy and Dale Heatherington were able to duplicate this phenomenon using inexpensive Polaroid cameras.

The Pasta Jesus

"THE PASTA JESUS" by Lawrence Viele examines the phenomenon of a face resembling Jesus appearing in a forkful of spaghetti, which gained media attention in May 1991 after an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The image, featured on a Pizza Hut billboard, was quickly removed after the story broke. Viele posits that the image was intentionally created by Pizza Hut's marketing department as a gimmick for their "Spaghetti Junction" promotion. He suggests that a food stylist likely created the face using spaghetti strands for eyes and oregano/tomato for hair, possibly using a rubber model of spaghetti for a lengthy shoot. While this scenario is unconfirmed due to lack of access to the artists, the author believes it was a deliberate marketing tactic rather than an accident or a genuine supernatural event. He notes that many people sought solace and answers in such phenomena, highlighting a societal need for easy answers.

An excerpt from Lewis Grizzard's column "JESUS OF PASTA HARD TO SWALLOW" is included, humorously imagining God assigning Jesus to appear in a spaghetti billboard in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Evidence of Early Super-Culture in Jeopardy?

"EVIDENCE OF EARLY SUPER-CULTURE in JEOPARDY?" by Hugh Trotti, Georgia Skeptics, questions the prevailing view of historical progression from primitive to advanced civilizations. The article discusses the idea of lost super-civilizations like Atlantis or Mu. It mentions claimed evidence, such as a lens found at ancient Babylon, which some believe could have been used for advanced purposes. The article references a segment on the TV program Jeopardy! (January 20, 1992) that stated ancient Greeks used a lens to start fires, linking this to Alexander the Great's presence in Babylon.

Upcoming Meeting

The newsletter announces an upcoming meeting where Dr. Robert Baker will speak on "Hypnosis and the Paranormal."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of extraordinary claims, particularly those related to religious apparitions and purported supernatural events. The Georgia Skeptics, through its articles, consistently applies a scientific and rational approach, seeking explanations grounded in evidence rather than faith or anecdotal accounts. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, aiming to debunk pseudoscience and promote critical thinking. The newsletter encourages readers to question claims, investigate evidence, and rely on scientific methodology to understand the world. The analysis of the Conyers apparitions and the "Pasta Jesus" phenomenon exemplifies this stance, offering plausible, non-supernatural explanations for events that attract widespread belief.

This issue of The Georgia Skeptic focuses on the interplay between pseudoscience and the media, featuring a lecture by Dr. William Evans and commentary by Anson Kennedy. It also includes an announcement for an upcoming meeting.

Pseudoscience and the Media: A Lecture by Dr. William Evans

This section details a talk given by Dr. William Evans, a professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, at a meeting of the Georgia Skeptics on February 16, 1992. Dr. Evans's lecture, presented by Mary A. Long of Georgia Skeptics, examined the appeal of pseudoscience as presented by the press and on television.

Dr. Evans defined pseudoscience as a doctrine or belief system that pretends to be a science. He noted a shift in strategy by pseudoscientists over the past 20 years. Previously, they rejected science as too rigid, but now they actively exploit science, adopting scientific jargon and practices, and making scientific claims for their technologies. This change is attributed to pseudoscientists recognizing the public's high regard for science and scientific institutions.

He explained that pseudoscientists capitalize on the public's limited knowledge of what makes scientific claims valid. Studies suggest that those most disposed to accept pseudoscientific claims tend to have less education and lower incomes, often living in rural areas and experiencing feelings of powerlessness.

Dr. Evans discussed how science and technology are portrayed in popular media. He stated that television dramas, horror movies, and other media often disparage scientists, portraying them as closed-minded, eccentric, or dangerous, citing the 'mad scientist' stereotype and noting that scientists on TV shows have a higher death rate than police officers. Conversely, pseudoscientists are often depicted as enlightened researchers. He used the movie 'The Entity' as an example, where parapsychologists are presented as the ones with the 'technology' to confirm paranormal forces, implying that skepticism must yield to the acceptance of such forces.

Regarding the popular press, Dr. Evans provided examples from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. These included a graphologist claiming scientific methods for handwriting analysis, astrological advice tailored to socio-economic status, and a scientific method for predicting lottery numbers. He pointed out that these claims were not challenged by the press. Dr. Evans noted that most pseudoscientific articles are not written by science reporters, and science editors often do not review them. Science reporters themselves are generally skeptical, but journalists tend to report claims as human interest stories rather than evaluating them.

Commentary: Where's the Science

Anson Kennedy of Georgia Skeptics offers commentary following Dr. Evans's lecture, posing the question, "Where's the science?" He echoes Dr. Evans's observations about the media's deficient reporting on both science and pseudoscience. Kennedy highlights how extraordinary claims are presented as facts, often with the claimants shown in scientific settings to lend legitimacy. He uses the example of a graphologist featured in a local newspaper, depicted with scientific tools and credentials. Kennedy also points out that popular media, including movies and television, contribute to this unbalanced view, often featuring astrology columns more frequently than science articles.

Kennedy suggests that skeptics should actively identify and protest credulous articles by writing to newspapers. He also encourages members of Georgia Skeptics to share any letters to the editor they write so they can be reprinted in the newsletter.

Upcoming Meeting: Hypnosis and the Paranormal

The issue announces the March meeting of the Georgia Skeptics, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 1992, at the Steak and Ale Restaurant in Atlanta. The speaker will be Dr. Robert A. Baker, a CSICOP Fellow and author known for his work on hypnosis. Dr. Baker's talk will cover the history and status of hypnosis, explaining what it is and is not, and addressing specific hypnotic fallacies. He will also discuss the influence of hypnosis, imagination, and suggestion on beliefs in supernatural experiences, including past-life regressions, UFO abductions, and channeling.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the critical examination of how science and pseudoscience are presented to the public, particularly through the media. The Georgia Skeptics, as represented by the lecture and commentary, advocate for a more rigorous and critical approach to evaluating claims, especially those presented as scientific. The publication takes a clear stance in favor of scientific skepticism and against the uncritical acceptance and reporting of pseudoscientific ideas. The emphasis is on promoting critical thinking and accurate scientific understanding.