Magonia - No 65 - 1998 11

Magazine Overview

Title: MAGONIA
Issue: 65 (incorporating MUFOB 114)
Date: November 1998
Price: £1.25
Publisher: N/A
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Magonia, a magazine interpreting contemporary vision and belief, features a prominent cover story by John Harney and Peter Rogerson examining the science behind the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) concerning UFOs. It also includes an investigation by Danny O'Sullivan into the world of 'Wandering Bishops'.

The Return of the ETH: John Harney and Peter Rogerson Look at the Science Behind the Stories

This section, spread across pages 3-9, critically analyzes the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) as a scientific proposition. John Harney, in 'SAUCERS AND SCIENCE WHERE DID IT ALL GO WRONG?', discusses why the scientific community often dismisses UFO reports, citing issues with the reliability of eyewitness testimony, the influence of contactees, and the difficulty in applying diverse scientific expertise to the phenomenon. He highlights how early investigations were hampered by a lack of clear methodology and the tendency for scientists to explain reports within their own specialized fields.

Harney points out that the belief in secret government cover-ups of UFO evidence is irrational, as governments can only keep secrets about matters they control, not about phenomena that can appear anywhere at any time. He criticizes the idea that UFOs are necessarily alien spacecraft, suggesting that many reports can be explained by conventional aircraft, atmospheric phenomena, or optical illusions. The influence of figures like George Adamski and Donald Keyhoe is discussed, as is the impact of the Roswell incident on the ETH community.

Peter Rogerson, in 'IS THE ETH A SCIENTIFIC HYPOTHESIS?', further dissects the ETH. He argues that a true scientific hypothesis must yield specific, testable predictions and that the ETH, in its current form, often fails this test. Rogerson contends that the ETH is frequently used as an article of personal faith rather than a scientific tool, with proponents finding confirmation for their beliefs regardless of the evidence. He critiques the idea of 'parallel evolution' for aliens and questions the likelihood of biological beings traveling interstellar distances, suggesting that if ETs exist and travel, they would likely be robotic probes due to the immense challenges of long-duration human spaceflight.

Rogerson also touches upon the difficulties in establishing a reliable database of UFO reports and the anthropomorphic nature of many ETH assumptions. He concludes that while the ETH might be a valid personal belief, it is not a useful scientific working hypothesis due to its lack of falsifiability and reliance on unprovable assumptions about alien technology and psychology.

Following the Wandering Bishops

Danny O'Sullivan's article on page 10 introduces the phenomenon of 'Wandering Bishops' or 'bishops irregular'. It begins with the media attention surrounding Sister Frances Meigh, a 67-year-old mother of three, who was ordained a priest by Bishop Pat Buckley in Ireland. Buckley, described as a 'renegade cleric' in dispute with the Roman Catholic hierarchy for a decade, heads the Society of Saint Andrew. The article explains that while the Church may recognize Buckley's ordination as a priest, it does not recognize his consecration as a bishop, deeming him outside communion.

The concept of 'episcopi vagantes' is explored, drawing from the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. These are individuals consecrated bishop in an irregular or clandestine manner, or those excommunicated who maintain their episcopal status. The article notes that while such orders are considered 'valid' by some theological traditions, they are 'unlawful' or irregular and not recognized by the established Church. This distinction is highlighted as significant for individuals converting to Catholicism, where a valid but irregular ordination might be 'regularized' by the Vatican.

Other Content and Themes

Page 2 features editorial details, subscription information, and contact information for Magonia. It also includes a section titled 'PETER ROGERSON'S NORTHERN ECHOES' which discusses memory distortion in UFO cases, specifically referencing Jenny Randles' review of 'Something in the Air' and the famous 1954 Goose Bay Stratocruiser case. This section delves into how hypnotic regression and the passage of time can lead to significant misremembering of events, drawing parallels to the USAF claims regarding Roswell.

Page 4 continues the discussion on ufology, mentioning scientists like Dr. Jacques Vallee and John Keel, and the development of the psychosocial hypothesis. It touches upon the challenges faced by ufologists and the impact of sensationalism, such as the Santilli 'alien autopsy' film and the MJ-12 saga.

Page 5 discusses the difficulties in obtaining reliable statements from witnesses, citing the example of the Trindade Isle sighting. It also critiques the idea of government cover-ups and the lack of a clear, uncontaminated database of UFO reports.

Page 6 addresses the 'show business' aspect of ufology and the frustration of open-minded researchers. It highlights the Hudson Valley sightings as a source of potentially interesting UFO reports and calls for careful, scientifically informed investigation.

Page 7 discusses the challenges of interstellar travel, including the concept of a 'space ark', artificial hibernation, and relativistic voyages, noting the profound psychological and societal implications of such journeys.

Page 8 continues the discussion on interstellar travel, emphasizing the immense challenges and the unlikelihood of biological beings undertaking such voyages. It suggests that if ETs are similar to humans, they would likely send robotic probes rather than biological beings.

Page 9 reiterates the difficulties with the ETH, particularly its anthropomorphic assumptions and the lack of a clear, agreed-upon UFO database. It questions the likelihood of parallel evolution for aliens and suggests that the ETH is more a matter of personal faith than a scientific hypothesis.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO phenomena and the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH). There is a strong emphasis on scientific rigor, questioning the validity of unsubstantiated claims, and highlighting the role of psychological factors and memory in eyewitness accounts. The magazine appears to advocate for a more grounded, evidence-based approach to ufology, moving away from sensationalism and toward a psychosocial understanding of the subject. The editorial stance seems to be one of skepticism towards the ETH as a definitive explanation, while remaining open to the possibility of unexplained phenomena that require careful scientific investigation. The inclusion of the 'Wandering Bishops' article suggests a broader interest in unconventional belief systems and their intersection with established institutions.

This issue of Magonia, identified as issue number 11, focuses on the complex and often controversial world of fringe religious movements, particularly those claiming apostolic succession outside of established churches, and the pervasive influence of flying saucer imagery in mid-20th century culture.

The Rise of 'Bishops Irregular' and the Old Catholic Church

The issue delves into the phenomenon of 'bishops irregular,' individuals who claim valid ordination and succession but are not recognized by mainstream denominations. It highlights the 'Old Catholic Church' as a significant root for these irregular bishops in the UK.

The narrative traces the origins of the Old Catholic Church in Holland, which emerged in the late 17th century due to disputes with the Pope, and later in the late 19th century when Dutch Catholics rejected the doctrine of papal infallibility. A key figure is A H Mathew, ordained by Dutch Old Catholic bishops in 1908 to establish the Old Roman Catholic Church of Great Britain. However, Mathew's movement was found to be deceived, as many adherents were involved in occultism, particularly Theosophy. Mathew himself later became disillusioned and returned to the Roman Catholic Church.

The article details how Mathew, despite his disillusionment, had already ordained other priests and bishops who continued the 'bishops irregular' lineage. Theosophy's influence is noted, with figures like Annie Besant observing its spread among clergy. The Old Catholic movement was seen by occultists as a pathway to integrate Christianity with their own mystical traditions. By 1918, the Old Roman Catholic Church in Britain was largely Theosophical, and under James Ingall Wedgwood, it was renamed the Liberal Catholic Church.

The text highlights the controversial figure of Bishop Charles Leadbeater, Wedgwood's successor, who was suspended from the Theosophical Society for sexual perversion. The Liberal Catholic Church is described as distinct, with clergy not wearing black and focusing on ritual and magical properties.

The issue then discusses the modern-day 'Father Stephen' in Rochester, who claims valid ordination through a lineage not involving Theosophy, distancing himself from the scandals associated with other 'Old Catholic' groups like John Simmons's and Frederick Linale's, who were involved in child pornography. Father Stephen's group is tracing its succession from the original Old Roman Catholic Church of Great Britain.

The Catholicate of the West and Recognition

The article explores the 'Catholicate of the West,' a movement that evolved from the Old Catholic Orthodox Church of Europe. Its leader, Hugh George de Willmott Newman, became Mar Georgius, 'Patriarch of Glastonbury.' This movement claimed direct spiritual heirship from the Ancient Celtic Church. Despite its claims and numerous titles, it was largely unsubstantial on paper. However, a significant development occurred when the British Orthodox Church, which had roots in Jules de Ferrete's mission, became a Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in 1994. This union, facilitated by Mar Seraphim and Pope Shenouda III, meant the British Orthodox Church became an integral part of the Coptic Orthodox Church, achieving a level of recognition previously unseen for such groups.

The text notes that this union was accepted by the Coptic Orthodox Church based on a perceived lack of doctrinal difference, despite the questionable origins of some of Mar Georgius's claimed successions. The article suggests that this recognition might make the Coptic Orthodox Church appear 'foolish' to some, but implies Mar Georgius might be having the last laugh.

Book Reviews: Flying Saucers and 1950s Culture

The latter part of the magazine focuses on book reviews, particularly highlighting the pervasive influence of flying saucer imagery and mythos in the 1950s. The cover headline itself points to this theme.

• Dewayne B. Johnson and Kenn Thomas's *Flying Saucers over Los Angeles*: A reprint of a 1950 journalism thesis, it examines news clippings, interviews, and the psycho-social aspects of flying saucer reports. Johnson concludes flying saucers are real but likely American, not Martian. The work is noted for its early exploration of ufology before the term was widely established.
• Eric and Leif Nesheim's *Saucer Attack: pop culture in the age of flying saucers*: This book is praised for its visual material, showcasing flying saucers and space invaders as pop art. It includes illustrations from book jackets, magazines, and film posters, reflecting the era's fascination with the topic.

The reviews suggest that the 1950s saw a significant coalescing of themes related to flying saucers, with early analyses considering psychological factors like vertigo and hallucinations induced by staring at lights. The Nesheims' book is seen as reflecting the anxieties of the Cold War, where Martians and Communists were often conflated.

The reviewers note that the books demonstrate the extent to which flying saucer imagery permeated everyday life, even without direct engagement with UFO literature. The connection to the Cold War is emphasized, with the fear of nuclear conflict looming.

Other Book Reviews

The issue also includes reviews of several other books:

• *Destination Earth: a history of alleged alien presence* by Alan Baker and *Alien Intent, a Dire Warning: The truth behind the cover up* by Raymond A. Robinson are critiqued as compilations of UFO folklore, with the authors' personal beliefs being unclear.
• *The Culture of Fear: risk taking and the morality of low expectation* by Frank Furedi is discussed as a relevant critique of contemporary society's focus on vulnerability and fear, linking societal fears to the 'fantasy threats' of Satanic abusers and alien abductors.
• *The Best of Annals of Improbable Research* by Marc Abrahams is reviewed as a collection of satirical science articles, with mixed opinions on its humor.
• *Lancashire Magic and Mystery: secrets of the Red Rose County* by Kenneth Fields is described as a collection of folklore and paranormal stories with little scholarly rigor.
• *The Wreck of the Titanic Foretold* by Martin Gardner is noted for its focus on literary works that seemingly foretold the Titanic disaster, with Gardner's skeptical introduction being of interest.
• *Doubles: the enigma of the second self* by Rodney Davies explores phenomena of doubles and hallucinations, suggesting they might be projections of actual physical doubles.
• *End Time Visions: the road to Armageddon* by Richard Abanes critiques end-of-the-world beliefs, particularly those of conservative Christians, highlighting inconsistencies in prophetic dates.
• *The Ultimate Alien Agenda: the re-engineering of humankind* by James L. Walden is presented as an abduction narrative involving 'Greys' and reptilians, with the author linking abduction experiences to psychological issues like incest and sexual obsession.
• *Faces of the Visitors: an illustrated reference to alien contact* by Kevin Randle and Russ Estes is a collection of occupant reports with sketches, discussing the diversity of alleged alien types.
• *Electric UFOs; fireballs, electromagnetics and abnormal states* by Albert Budden is reviewed as presenting a new, pervasive scare about electromagnetic waves and their alleged effects on human biology and the atmosphere, linking them to UFO phenomena and poltergeists.
• *The UFO Encyclopedia 2nd Edition: The Phenomenon from the Beginning* by Jerome Clark is lauded as a comprehensive work, though the reviewer notes Clark's personal views on the content and treatment of UFO subjects, particularly his skepticism towards the 'psychosocial hypothesis' (PSH) and his tendency to dismiss occult speculation.
• *Fortean Times General Index Issues 1 - 66* compiled by Steve Moore is described as an impressive bibliographic index of Fortean phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of belief, the construction of reality through myth and narrative, and the societal anxieties that fuel interest in the paranormal and unexplained. The magazine critically examines claims of religious authority outside established institutions, the psychological underpinnings of belief in alien encounters, and the cultural impact of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, dissecting claims with a blend of historical context, skepticism, and an acknowledgment of the complex interplay between individual perception, societal influences, and the search for meaning in the unexplained.

There is a clear distinction made between legitimate religious institutions and 'bishops irregular,' highlighting the latter's often questionable origins and associations. Similarly, while acknowledging the cultural significance of flying saucer imagery, the reviews often probe the underlying psychological and societal factors rather than accepting the phenomena at face value. The magazine seems to encourage a nuanced understanding, distinguishing between genuine academic research and speculative or self-serving narratives.