Magonia - No 54 - 1995 11

Magazine Overview

Title: Magonia
Issue: 54
Date: November 1995
Price: £1.25

This issue of Magonia, titled 'Magonia 54', delves into the complex and often intertwined nature of UFO phenomena, religion, mythology, and psychology. The cover features a dramatic illustration titled 'Holy Violence', hinting at the issue's exploration of the darker, more primal aspects of belief systems and their connection to the UFO phenomenon.

Articles and Content

Holy Violence: masochism, theophany, idolatry and the myth of the crashed flying saucer

This extensive article by Peter Brookesmith explores the deep connections between religious belief, particularly the concept of the Semitic God, and the UFO syndrome. Brookesmith argues that the 'UFO syndrome' is essentially religious in nature, with belief systems adapting ufological raw material. He critiques the 'ancient-astronaut' hypothesis and suggests that traditional fairy and supernatural lore may have provided the template for modern UFO stories, including abductions. The article examines the 'otherness' and omnipotence of the Semitic God, drawing parallels with the perceived attributes of aliens. It highlights the 'holy violence' of this God, citing biblical examples and the Book of Job to illustrate his capricious and amoral nature. The author also touches upon Gnosticism, which divorces a true God from the material world created by a lesser deity (the Demiurge), and contrasts this with Eastern religions' focus on self-realization. The concept of the 'UFO syndrome' is defined as a complex web of claims, reports, reflections, and beliefs involving witnesses, investigators, and commentators.

Abduction Updates

Peter Rogerson's section addresses early abduction cases, confirming that the Antonio Villas-Boas (AVB) case was initially reported in English in the SBEDV Bulletin. He also discusses Mike White's calculation that Venus was the stimulus behind the 'Rocky Mountain High' case, suggesting that misperceptions of planets can generate complex experiences and beliefs, potentially rooted in popular culture and folklore rather than solely ufology. This reinforces the idea that notions of abductions and poltergeist effects were present in public imagination before the mass publicity of current abduction stories.

American Religion and the UFO Syndrome

Brookesmith further explores the idea that the UFO syndrome is overwhelmingly an American phenomenon. He discusses Harold Bloom's analysis of 'the American Religion,' which he characterizes as 'almost wholly experiential' and centered on the 'solitary knowledge of God' or Jesus. This perspective emphasizes a Gnostic belief in the soul predating creation, the essential solitude of religious experience, and faith based on direct experience. The author connects this to the American mythos of the 'Edenic' landscape and the 'lonesome, drifting Western hero.' He notes that while American religion is often described as 'religion-mad,' a significant portion of the population believes in an evil spirit, and a substantial number of religious groups exist in the US. The article suggests that the 'American Myth' and 'American Dream' are deeply intertwined with these religious concepts, making the US fertile ground for the UFO phenomenon.

The Empty Cross and One Nation Under God

This section delves into the specifics of American religious beliefs, highlighting the focus on the Resurrection rather than the suffering of Christ. It discusses the concept of 'One Nation Under God' and the high percentage of Americans who believe in God, pray, and believe God loves them, while also noting a significant belief in evil spirits. The article references statistics on religious group membership in the US, with the Southern Baptist Convention being the largest single church. It argues that even as secularization increases, the mythic underpinnings of belief systems find new outward forms, and that the UFO experience is a prime example of this.

The Attributes of God and Christian Terrors

Brookesmith examines the attributes of the Semitic God, emphasizing his 'otherness' and the philosophical problem of evil in the light of God's alleged justice and compassion. He discusses how Christianity, like Judaism and Islam, maintains the tradition of an absolutist, capricious God. The article touches upon the 'holy violence' of the Hebrew God, as perceived by Marcion, and the inconsistencies in divine pronouncements. It also explores the concept of predestination in Islam and its connection to the idea of Allah as the supreme source of both good and evil. The section on 'Christian Terrors' highlights the perceived horror of living under the constant scrutiny of an omniscient God and the Christian emphasis on personal salvation through suffering and martyrdom, linking this to masochism.

American Gnosticism

This section introduces the concept of American Gnosticism, which aligns with the idea that Americans believe they are older than creation and the Edenic Fall, and are in some sense equal to God. This perspective sees the body as imprisoning a 'divine spark' longing to escape. The author notes that this belief system is deeply embedded in American culture and can manifest in various ways, including the political implications of right-wing militias.

Footnote: Smelling as Sweet?

This footnote critiques the use of extravagant titles by some figures in the UFO community, likening them to false Messiahs. It provides examples of individuals who adopted grandiose titles, contrasting them with how they were perceived by their neighbors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Magonia revolve around the profound and often overlooked religious and mythological dimensions of the UFO phenomenon. The magazine consistently argues that UFO experiences and narratives are not merely about technology or extraterrestrial visitors but are deeply rooted in human psychology, ancient beliefs, and religious archetypes. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, seeking to deconstruct the UFO phenomenon by examining its cultural and psychological underpinnings, particularly through the lens of comparative religion and mythology. There is a clear emphasis on understanding how these deeply ingrained belief systems shape our interpretations of anomalous experiences, suggesting that the 'alien' may often be a projection of our own inner landscapes and cultural narratives. The magazine also highlights the importance of rigorous investigation and the need to establish the background of claimants to close encounters, implying a commitment to a more nuanced and scholarly approach to the subject.

MAGONIA 54 is an issue of the ufological journal Magonia, focusing on a detailed analysis of the "Father Gill" UFO case. The article, written by Martin Kottmeyer, critically examines this well-known encounter, questioning the prevailing extraterrestrial hypothesis and exploring alternative interpretations.

The Father Gill Case: A Critical Examination

The article begins by highlighting the significance of the Father Gill case, as noted by various ufologists like Ron Story, Jerry Clark, J. Allen Hynek, and Jacques Vallée. The case, which occurred in 1959 in Papua New Guinea, involved 38 witnesses who observed a circular UFO with a wide base, a narrow upper deck, legs, and four human figures. A shaft of blue light shone upwards at a 45° angle for hours. The Australian Air Force confessed to being unable to reach definite conclusions.

Kottmeyer delves into the criticisms raised by skeptics such as Phil Klass and Donald Menzel. Menzel suggested Father Gill suffered from myopia and astigmatism, mistaking the object for clouds or eyelashes. Klass proposed the case was a hoax. However, Kottmeyer notes that Father Gill convincingly answered major charges when interviewed by Hynek.

Questioning the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis

A core paradox of the UFO phenomenon, as highlighted by the Gill case, is the lack of direct contact despite apparent friendliness (figures waving). Kottmeyer raises several questions that challenge a straightforward extraterrestrial interpretation:

• Why Papua New Guinea?
• Why only in 1959?
• Why did the object float for hours instead of moving at high speeds, as was common in other reports?
• Why was the UFO depicted as thicker than most contemporary saucers?
• Why were the figures walking on top, and why were they so human-looking, unlike typical "Greys"?
• What was the significance of the 45° shaft of blue light?

These singular aspects lead Kottmeyer to question if the case even belongs within the broader UFO phenomenon.

Exploring Alternative Explanations

The Hoax and Religious Influence Arguments

Klass's hoax theory faces difficulties, particularly given Father Gill was an ordained Anglican priest. The involvement of five teachers also suggests a group of people with a higher moral standard. Kottmeyer finds the story itself rather banal for a hoax, lacking dramatic conflict or horror.

The Cargo Cult Connection

Kottmeyer explores Paul Rydeen's comparison of UFO belief to cargo cults. In Papua New Guinea, cargo cults involved the expectation of ancestral ships arriving with wealth. The Gill case, occurring in a region where cargo cults were prevalent, is examined through this lens. The witnesses' anticipation of a landing and their spontaneous waving are seen as consonant with cargo expectations. However, Kottmeyer also notes that this behavior is consistent with normal everyday interactions.

Mirages and Perceptual Puzzles

Kottmeyer considers the possibility of mirages, noting that optical phenomena can create illusions of ships in the air. He discusses how light can be bent by stratified air layers. While initially considering this, he was told by an expert that it was unlikely to explain the figures on the deck at a distance. He also notes that mirages typically stretch images vertically, which doesn't fit the drawings.

The Squid-Boat Hypothesis

A more developed alternative explanation is proposed: the object was a brilliantly lit squid-fishing boat. This could account for the slow drifting motion, the long presence in the area, and the "bright white halo" observed. The figures on deck could be fishermen, and the "branching legs" in drawings could be fishing nets. This hypothesis suggests the witnesses were tricked by a false horizon, leading them to believe the object was hanging in the air.

Kottmeyer acknowledges that this explanation might seem unrevolutionary and boring, but argues it is more plausible than extraterrestrial or hoax theories. He notes that the case, while perhaps not evidence of extraterrestrials, remains a significant historical encounter.

Book Reviews

The issue also includes several book reviews:

• "The Gods Have Landed; new religions from other worlds" edited by James R. Lewis: Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this anthology is found to be curiously disappointing, with only one relevant paper on the religious dimensions of UFO abductee experiences. The other papers are deemed less useful, though a bibliography of contactee literature is noted as a redeeming feature.
• "Wondrous Events: foundations of religious belief" by James McClenon: This cross-cultural study of how anomalous experiences influence folk beliefs and religious ideologies is recommended.
• "Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind; alien abductions and UFOs, witnesses and scientists report" by C. D. B. Bryan: Reviewed by Peter Rogerson, this book provides an account of abduction experiences, drawing on a conference and interviews. The conference is described as a hybrid of scientific discussion and a "freak show and revivalist meeting."
• "A History of UFO Crashes" and "Roswell UFO Crash Update: exposing the military cover-up of the century" by Kevin D. Randle: Reviewed by David Barclay, these books are criticized for their reliance on questionable evidence, such as memories from decades ago, and for promoting conspiracy theories without sufficient justification. Barclay argues that a cover-up of a crashed spacecraft would be illogical.
• "Seven Experiments that Could change the World; a do-it-yourself guide to revolutionary science" by Rupert Sheldrake: Reviewed by an unnamed author, this book explores anomalous effects and suggests experiments, though many are deemed beyond school laboratory capabilities.
• "Lost was the Key" by Leah Haley: Reviewed by an unnamed author, this is described as another abduction book where dreams and paralysis experiences are interpreted as abductions, leading to paranoid worldviews.
• "The Warminster Triangle" by Ken Rogers: Reviewed by an unnamed author, this book is seen as a condensation of earlier works, omitting certain episodes and curiously not mentioning a known hoax photograph as such.
• "Projekt UFO: the case for man-made flying saucers" by W. A. Harbinson: Reviewed by an unnamed author, this thesis suggests Adolf Hitler and Nazis escaped to the South Pole and built flying saucers. The reviewer finds the idea absurd but notes that some ufologists take it seriously.
• "Eccentrics" by David Weeks and James Joyce: Reviewed by an unnamed author, this study of eccentricity is found to be interesting, though the authors are seen as indulgent towards subjects while harsh on paranormal claims.

Commentary: Invasion of the Barbarian Monsters from Heaven and Hell

Nigel Watson's "back page" commentary discusses how UFOs have become integrated into modern technological belief systems, akin to new Gods. He argues that "scientific" ufologists often ignore the religious elements in contactee reports. Watson critiques the culture industry's role in popularizing UFOs, turning them into entertainment (e.g., "The X Files") and sensationalizing cases for media consumption. He suggests that the UFO phenomenon, like astrology, can serve as an "ideal stimulus" for those seeking answers but lacking the intellectual rigor for deeper insight.

Watson posits that UFO stories help people forget their earthly troubles by suggesting that UFO entities and governments have absolute control, absolving individuals of responsibility. He draws parallels with contemporary cinema, which offers escapism and contrasts the mundane with the extraordinary. He criticizes the "blind belief" in space visitors, seeing it as a sign of immaturity, referencing Immanuel Kant's definition of enlightenment as "man's emergence from his self-incurred immaturity." Watson concludes that the culture industry, by promoting such beliefs, renders audiences "immature imbeciles" and that the UFO phenomenon has sold its soul to commerce, becoming a product to be consumed rather than analyzed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently questions the conventional UFO narrative, particularly the extraterrestrial hypothesis. There is a strong emphasis on critical analysis, exploring psychological, sociological, and cultural factors that may influence UFO reports. The magazine appears to favor debunking sensational claims and promoting a more grounded, skeptical approach to the subject, while acknowledging the enduring fascination with the unexplained. The editorial stance is one of rigorous investigation and a willingness to challenge established ufological dogma, as evidenced by the detailed deconstruction of the Father Gill case and the critical reviews of UFO-related books.