IUFOPRA Newsletter - 1995 01

Magazine Overview

This is the January 1995 issue (Volume 9, Issue 8) of the IUFOPRA NEWSLETTER, published by IUFOPRA, based in Dublin, Ireland. The cover headline poses the question "Was Darwin only half correct ?", suggesting a deep dive into origins and evolution.

Mobile Phone Service

The newsletter announces the opening of a Mobile Phone Service to facilitate members and other UFO organizations. Service times are Monday-Friday, 2:30 PM - 4 PM, and Saturdays, 10 AM - 11 AM. Answering service is available.

Announcements

A gentle reminder is given about the next Committee Meeting at the Skylon Hotel, Drumcondra, on Monday, January 30th, 1995, at 8 PM. Members are also asked to notify the organization immediately of any change of address.

Director's Comments

The Director invites members to submit articles, comments, and suggestions for publication in the Monthly Newsletter or journal. Maximum lines allowed are 25 for the Newsletter and 60 or 3 pages for the Journal. All correspondence should be sent to the IUFOPRA address, specifically to Mr. Karl Morris, PRO.

The Director's Argument: A Challenge

The Director presents an argument, quoting Genesis 1:21-23, suggesting that the creation of Adam and Eve could have been a Genetic or Cloning experiment involving DNA, possibly conducted by a visiting Super Alien God-like Race. This experiment, he posits, went wrong due to interference from an "evil Luciferian Alien Race." Members are invited to challenge this argument with entries of one to three full pages, with the best argument winning a one-year free subscription and publication in the May Newsletter. Entries are due by March 31st, 1995. Committee members of IUFOPRA are excluded from this competition. A note clarifies that the Director's argument does not necessarily reflect his personal belief but is presented for debate.

New Year Wishes

The Directors of IUFOPRA extend wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year for 1995 to all members and exchange UFO groups.

Article: Was Darwin Only Half Correct?

This article delves into the question of human origins, suggesting that while religions offer answers, they often conflict. It proposes that the roots of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam can be traced back to Abraham, who made a covenant with God. The article highlights the Vedas, revered by Hindus, as originating from people from north of Sumer, Abraham's birthplace.

The author suggests that the Sumerian civilization, dating back almost 6,000 years, possessed advanced scientific knowledge, including an understanding of cosmology and the Earth's rotation, which predates modern discoveries by millennia. The Sumerian symbol of medicine, two entwined snakes, is noted as a precursor to the DNA double helix structure. Excavations in Nineveh unearthed a library with documentation dating back to the Sumerian civilization, revealing the number 12,960,000, which is linked to the precession of the equinoxes and the Earth's movement.

The article questions how the Sumerians knew about the Earth's movement and the planets revolving around the Sun, a concept not fully appreciated until Galileo and Copernicus in the 16th century. It further states that Sumerian knowledge of cosmology was far beyond contemporary understanding, including the exact description of planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, which were only discovered by modern technology in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Zecharia Sitchin, an archaeologist and biblical scholar, is cited for his research on Sumerian records, which suggest a race of people from another planet visited Earth 445,000 years ago. These beings, referred to as the Anunnaki (or Nefilim in the Bible), are said to have genetically upgraded primitive man (Homo Neanderthal) into Homo sapiens, imparting compassion, learning, and a spirit. This is presented as a sudden evolutionary leap, not a slow process.

The article also touches upon the biblical account of creation, noting that the Hebrew word "Elohim" used in Genesis 1:26 is plural, suggesting "Gods" rather than a single God, and that "man" was created in the image of "men," not a single man. This is reinforced by the Babylonian creation story, the Enuma Elish, which describes the planet Marduk colliding with another planet to form Earth and the Heavens.

Zecharia Sitchin's books, which have sold over 10 million copies, are mentioned, including references to NASA satellite photographs of pyramids and a sphinx on Mars, estimated to be 450,000 years old. A photograph of a model of a modern jet aeroplane found in an Egyptian tomb in 1896 is also presented as an anomaly.

Book and Film Availability

Information is provided on how to obtain "ARE WE ALONE," a film reputedly proving that "we are not alone," and other books by authors like Richard L. Thompson, John E. Mack, Curtis Peebles, Frank Edwards, Timothy Good, and Jenny Randles, through Anki International.

Event Announcement

A joint presentation by The Southampton UFO Group and Southern Paranormal Investigations Group is announced for April 22nd, 1995, at Warblington Secondary School Hall. Speakers include Paul Fuller, Malcolm Terry, Roy Lake, and Gordon Millington. Tickets are £5 in advance or £6 at the door. Contact is Steve Gerrard.

A late notice states that Paul Fuller will not be available to give a lecture due to a personal commitment.

Excalibur Books

This section lists various books available for purchase, including "ALIEN IDENTITIES" by Richard L. Thompson, "UFO" magazine issues, "UFO UNIVERSE," "UNSOLVED UFO SIGHTINGS," "ABDUCTION" by John E. Mack, "WATCH THE SKIES!" by Curtis Peebles, "SKYWAYS AND LANDMARKS REVISITED," "STRANGER THAN SCIENCE" and "STRANGEST OF ALL" by Frank Edwards, "ALIEN LIASON" and "ALIEN UPDATE" by Timothy Good, and "THE UFO CONSPIRACY" by Jenny Randles. "FATE" magazine is also available monthly from the USA.

Calendar

A four-month calendar for January, February, March, and April 1995 is provided.

IUFOPRA Advertising Facility

IUFOPRA has opened an advertising facility. Advertisements are charged at 10 pence per word, with no charge for size or design. Advertisements will be inserted in 3 issues of the IUFOPRA Journal for one year and 12 monthly issues of the NEWSLETTER. Advertisements must be submitted at least two months before the relevant publication date. Cheques should be made payable to I.U.F.O.P.R.A. and marked "ADV" on the envelope.

A sample advertisement for IUFOPRA is included.

Horizon Documentary: Alien Abductions - All in the Mind?

This section discusses a BBC HORIZON documentary that explored the theory that alien abductions might be a result of "Cerebral Electricity" creating illusions. The program, hosted by skeptic/psychologist Dr. Susan Blackmore, suggested that abductees might be suffering from mental delusions or dementia. The article mentions experiments by Dr. Michael Persinger, a neuroscientist at Laurentian University, who uses magnetic fields to induce sensations of presence and flashing lights, aiming to recreate aspects of abduction experiences in a laboratory setting. The author expresses skepticism about this approach, questioning whether 'real abductees' were used and if the scientists are genuinely debunking abduction claims or simply showcasing their own abilities.

Roswell Report No. 3

This report details a statement released by the Air Force to the 'Arizona Gazette' on September 9th, 1994, claiming that the supposed alien spaceship that crashed near Roswell in 1947 was a secret Air Force Balloon used for monitoring Soviet Nuclear Testing. The report dismisses claims made in recent books and TV specials as "undocumented, taken out of context, self-serving or otherwise dubious." The Air Force's investigation into the Roswell Incident suggested that the wreckage was from "Project Mogul Balloon Trains," a top-secret venture to alert the U.S. Military of Soviet Nuclear Testing. The article questions how this explanation accounts for the foil-wrapped fabric, wooden sticks, and rubber pieces found. It concludes that as long as the Military maintains a cover-up, the truth about Roswell will remain elusive, emphasizing that "NO MYSTERY IS CLOSED TO AN OPEN MIND."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around questioning established scientific and religious narratives, particularly concerning human origins and evolution, by drawing parallels with ancient civilizations (Sumerians) and extraterrestrial theories. The magazine strongly advocates for open-minded investigation into UFO phenomena, alien encounters, and unexplained mysteries, as exemplified by the critical examination of the Roswell incident and the debate on alien abductions. The editorial stance appears to be one of challenging conventional wisdom and encouraging members to engage in critical thinking and research, promoting a sense of ongoing discovery and the pursuit of truth, even against official narratives. The inclusion of book reviews and event announcements indicates a commitment to providing members with resources and opportunities for further exploration of these topics.

This document consists of three pages from what appears to be a UFO-related magazine or newsletter. Page 10 announces an upcoming Central TV documentary titled "UFO" from the "Network First" series, scheduled to air on UTV on January 10th, 1995. It clarifies that the previous decision not to screen it in October was not due to any sinister reasons. Pages 11 and 12 contain a review of an article by Dr. Susan Blackmore, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of the West of England, which appeared in New Scientist. Page 13 is an advertisement for a UFO conference.

Central TV Documentary Announcement

Page 10 notes that the Central TV documentary "UFO" was due to be transmitted on Tuesday, January 10th, 1995, at 10:40 PM on UTV. The documentary was part of the "Network First" series. The publication also apologizes if any previous newsletter gave the impression that the documentary was not being screened for sinister reasons, clarifying that the decision not to screen it in October was not sinister.

Review of Dr. Susan Blackmore's Article

Pages 11 and 12 present a critical review of an article by Dr. Susan Blackmore, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology. The reviewer notes that Blackmore was a subject in Dr. Persinger's experiment and expresses doubt that she has ever been abducted by an alien or can understand the experience. The review states that millions of people in America have reported alien abductions, and that reports in England have increased significantly over the past decade, with the total now standing at a few hundred.

Blackmore's article reportedly describes abductees as usually of above-average intelligence, from various social classes, and without signs of mental illness. The review mentions that scientists are exploring whether these stories reveal something about the workings of the mind, with neuroscientists linking physical experiences to neural firing, such as a "Flash of Light" causing electrical responses in the cortex. This suggests that the brain activity producing complex subjective states like the sensation of alien abduction is not easily discernible.

The article also suggests that some abductees only recall experiences under hypnosis, leading to the possibility that hypnotists may have implanted ideas, creating false memories. Another proposed explanation is sleep paralysis, a condition occurring during REM sleep where skeletal muscles are paralyzed. Waking during this state can provoke the sensation of being squashed, strangled, or suffocated.

A less well-known sleep disturbance, False Awakening, is also discussed. This involves eerie lighting and the dream-like experience of waking up, where familiar objects take on an eerie quality and appear lit from within.

The reviewer is particularly critical of Dr. Blackmore's personal experience during Dr. Persinger's work, describing it as dramatic and involving a sensation of something pulling her leg and distorting it. Blackmore's conclusion that alien abduction might be preferable is questioned by the reviewer, who asks how she can make this claim without having experienced an alien abduction.

The review concludes that the program (presumably the documentary or Blackmore's article) was "very anti-alien abduction" and that Dr. Blackmore did not conduct adequate research into the background of alien abductions. The reviewer argues that if she had, she would not be so quick to dismiss the phenomenon as "all in the mind." The review asserts that alien abductions have occurred for years, predating Blackmore and Persinger's laboratory experiments. A key point of criticism is that the laboratory experiment failed to replicate the actual marks or incisions on abductees' bodies that appear after an alien abduction. The reviewer expresses disappointment, stating that Horizon usually produces good scientific programs.

The review is attributed to Anne Griffin, ACI.

UFO Conference Advertisement

Page 13 advertises a "1995 ONE DAY UFO CONFERENCE" to be held on April 22nd, 1995, at Warblington Secondary School in Portsmouth, running from 10 AM to 4 PM. The event features guest speakers: Busty Taylor, Gordon Millington (SIGAP), Roy Lake (London UFO Studies), and Malcolm Terry (Andover Group). Contact details for more information are provided for Steve Gerrard at an address in Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the critical examination of explanations for alien abduction phenomena, particularly those that attribute them to psychological factors rather than genuine encounters. The editorial stance, as expressed through the review of Dr. Blackmore's work, is skeptical of purely psychological explanations and appears to favor the reality of alien abductions, criticizing research that dismisses the phenomenon without thorough investigation. There is also an emphasis on upcoming media coverage of UFOs and the promotion of UFO-related events like conferences.