Magonia - No 98 - 2008 09

Magazine Overview

Title: MAGONIA
Issue: 98
Date: September 2008
Theme: Contemporary Vision and Belief

Editorial Notes: It's Déjà Vu All Over Again

The editorial reflects on a nostalgic visit to Cradle Hill, Warminster, a site historically associated with UFO sightings. The author, John Rimmer, notes the continued efforts by Kevin Goodman and Steve Dewey to organize skywatch events, but expresses a personal sense of detachment from the phenomenon's past excitement. Despite the changes to the site, including increased military lighting, a significant number of people still gathered for the event, indicating Warminster's enduring pull. The author observes that while some attendees are there for nostalgia, many are modern ufologists seeking 'real flying saucers.' This experience leads Rimmer to reaffirm his decision to discontinue Magonia with issue number 99, feeling that ufology has largely 'drove itself into the ground.'

UFOs at The National Archives

This article by David Clarke details the history of the British government's involvement with UFOs and the gradual release of related documents through The National Archives. For decades, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) maintained a policy of secrecy, preferring to monitor the subject quietly and avoid public attention, unlike the US which had a funded 'UFO project.' This secrecy, coupled with the destruction of some records, fueled conspiracy theories. The article explains that prior to 1994, government papers were typically retained for 30 years, with sensitive intelligence records kept longer, and a 1957 committee recommended the destruction of records deemed of 'no historical significance,' which included UFOs until 1967.

Early British Interest and Policy (1950s-1960s)

British ufologists had limited success in obtaining information from the MoD until the late 1990s. Requests to the MoD's 'UFO desk' were often refused, citing confidentiality and processing costs. The first UFO files reached the Public Record Office (now The National Archives) in the mid-1980s, but were found to be fragmentary. The article traces the origins of British government interest back to the early 20th century with reports of 'phantom airships.' The 'Flying Saucer Working Party,' established in 1950, concluded that UFO sightings could be explained by misidentifications, optical illusions, or psychological delusions, recommending no further investigation unless material evidence emerged. This set the template for future British policy. Despite this, the MoD continued to monitor UFO reports, partly to address public and parliamentary inquiries and to reassure the public that UFOs posed no threat to national defence. The term 'aerial phenomena' was preferred over 'flying saucers,' later evolving to 'UAP' (unidentified aerial phenomena).

MoD Investigations and Record Keeping (1960s-Present)

From 1958, the Air Ministry's S6 (Air) branch handled public relations on UFOs, adopting a 'politely unhelpful' stance. Following the creation of the Ministry of Defence in 1964, intelligence sections were merged, and responsibility for UFO investigations shifted. The MoD logged over 11,000 UFO reports between 1959 and 2007, but detailed studies were rare until recently. The article highlights the role of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in increasing the release of documents, with the MoD releasing files in batches. Key documents and series are detailed, including those related to the 'flying saucers' of the 1950s, 'ghost rockets,' and the Rendlesham Forest incident. The article also mentions the MoD's involvement in BBC and Yorkshire TV productions on UFOs.

Key Documents and Resources

The article provides a comprehensive guide to accessing UFO-related files at The National Archives, listing key document references and search terms. It also includes a bibliography of relevant books and articles on the subject.

From Conspirators to Contactees: The World of Conspiracy Theories

This section, a reprint from Magonia 5 (1980), discusses the nature of conspiracy theories. It posits that the idea of vast, secret organizations controlling the world is spread through obscure publications. The author notes that conspiracy theories often seem bizarre and absurd, but argues that they have a long political history, originating in the late 1790s with theories about the French Revolution being orchestrated by secret societies like the Freemasons and the Illuminati. The article cites examples from various authors and commentators who believe in hidden forces controlling global events, from the USSR being controlled by the Rockefeller family to the CIA using zombie agents.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly focuses on the historical documentation and official handling of UFO phenomena in the UK, particularly through the lens of The National Archives. It highlights the shift from government secrecy and dismissal to a more open approach driven by freedom of information legislation. The editorial expresses a personal disillusionment with the state of ufology, suggesting it has become stagnant. The article on conspiracy theories links the modern phenomenon to historical roots, suggesting a persistent human tendency to seek hidden explanations for world events. The overall stance appears critical of the more sensationalist aspects of ufology while acknowledging the importance of documented evidence and historical inquiry.

This issue of Magonia, titled "13 1983", focuses on the examination of evidence related to physical phenomena, particularly UFOs, and delves into the historical development of conspiracy theories. The cover features a striking image combining Masonic and religious symbolism with Hebrew text, under the title 'A PHYSICAL PHENOMENON? Examining the Evidence'. The magazine is published by CFZ Press and the issue date is 1983.

The Evolution of Conspiracy Theories

The issue traces the historical trajectory of conspiracy theories, starting with the fears surrounding secret societies like the Bavarian Illuminati and Freemasons in the late 18th century, particularly in relation to the French Revolution. It highlights how these ideas were amplified by writers like Barruel and Robison, who posited a secret plot to overthrow European monarchies and religion. The article notes that while early Freemasonry often enjoined loyalty to church and state, its association with the French Revolution led to its suppression in France.

A significant portion of the analysis is dedicated to the rise of modern antisemitism, particularly its definitive form in Tsarist Russia following the failed revolt of 1905. This period saw officially encouraged pogroms and the dissemination of antisemitic propaganda, most notably 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion'. This forged document, presented as minutes of a Jewish leaders' meeting, alleged a plan for world domination through the encouragement of vice, revolutionary movements, and financial manipulation. The article points out that this forgery was taken seriously by the Tsar and became influential beyond Russia.

The mid-19th century saw a sinister element enter conspiracy theorizing, exemplified by Herman Goedesche's novel 'Biarritz', which depicted Jews using their influence to rule the world. This anti-Semitism combined medieval ideas of Jews as Satan's allies with the concept of secret societies manipulating political events. The issue notes that by 1893, such sentiments were voiced by religious figures, anticipating Hitler's rhetoric.

In the early 20th century, conspiracy theories continued to thrive, particularly in the context of social and political upheaval. The article mentions the 'Syndicate' as a perceived sinister force behind the Dreyfus case in France, an alliance of Jews, Masons, radicals, and German agents. In Britain, social crisis and international tension fueled panics about spies, invasions, and mystery airships, alongside a rise in antisemitic and conspiratorial ideas. Thrillers like Guy Thorne's 'When it was Dark' and Rudyard Kipling's 'Puck of Pook's Hill' reflected these anxieties.

During World War I and the subsequent revolutions (1914-1920), defenders of the old order increasingly turned to conspiracy theories. 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion' were distributed to soldiers, and figures like Field Marshal Ludendorf blamed Germany's collapse on a conspiracy of Jews, Freemasons, and Jesuits. The 'Hidden Hand' was frequently suspected of sabotaging the war effort, and the Russian Revolution was described in an official Foreign Office report as the work of 'International Jews'. John Buchan's 'The Thirty-Nine Steps' is cited as an example where conspiracy theories were woven into popular fiction.

Nesta H. Webster is identified as a major disseminator of conspiracy theory in this era, with her books 'World Revolution; the Plot Against Civilisation' and 'Secret Societies and Subversive Movements' synthesizing previous themes. She posited a mediaeval sect of fanatical Moslems, the Order of Assassins, as the ultimate origin, whose ideas were passed to the Knights Templar and subsequently influenced Freemasonry and the Illuminati, leading to revolutions and controlling radical movements, Zionists, and the German General Staff.

Modern Conspiracy Theories and Ufology

The issue notes a revival in conspiracy theorizing in recent years, partly attributed to conflicts within the Roman Catholic Church, where opponents of reform disseminated anti-Masonic and antisemitic propaganda. However, the main source of modern conspiracy theorizing is identified as the USA, fueled by political assassinations in the 1960s, the Watergate scandal, and revelations about CIA activities. The article points to the Trilateral Commission as a focus for conspiratorial interpretations, with groups like the John Birch Society linking it to international bankers and the Illuminati.

The Pelican Writes: A Critical Look at Ufology

'The Pelican' column offers a critical perspective on ufology. It distinguishes between studying UFO reports through physical sciences and through social sciences. The column argues that many 'classic' UFO cases are either misidentifications or hoaxes. It uses the Arizona lights sighting of March 1997 as a case study, where initial explanations of a V-shaped UFO were later identified as aircraft, though some ufologists resisted this conclusion.

'The Pelican' criticizes 'Serious Ufologists' for entertaining the notion of alien craft and for making ufology a pseudoscience by assuming unidentified sightings are extraterrestrial. The column advocates for a purely objective approach and highlights the lack of technical detail and verifiable sources in many UFO stories, suggesting that the US government possesses no evidence of extraterrestrial spacecraft.

Book Reviews

The issue features several book reviews:

• David Frankfurter. Evil Incarnate: rumours of demonic conspiracy and Satanic abuse in history. This book links historical witchcraft fears, contemporary panics, and Satanic abuse allegations, exploring the imagination of monstrous rituals that invert social order.
• Susan Faludi. The Terror Dream: what 9/11 revealed about America. This review discusses how Faludi connects fears of the 'terrible others' and the wilderness to modern anxieties, including alien abduction narratives and the concept of 'anti-society' and 'anti-life'.
• Mark Fraser (editor). Big Cats in Britain Yearbook 2007. This review discusses the phenomenon of mystery big cat sightings, noting the reliance on eyewitness testimony and the lack of unambiguous physical evidence, suggesting possible explanations like modern releases or misidentifications.
• Philip C Almond. The Witches of Warboys: an extraordinary story of sorcery, sadism and satanic possession. This review examines a historical case of witchcraft accusations in Elizabethan England, highlighting the difficulty in understanding the motivations behind the accusations.
• Antonio Melechi. Servants of the Supernatural: the night side of the Victorian mind. This book explores the roots of spiritualism and psychical research in mesmeric and hypnosis movements, focusing on the role of 'servants of the supernatural' and the performance aspect of these phenomena.
• Martin S. Kottmeyer (editor). An Alien Who's Who. This review critiques a collection of names of alleged alien contactees, finding the messages repetitive and lacking originality, and suggesting it reflects the poverty of imagination in UFO contactee culture.
• Frank C Feschino Jnr. Shoot Them Down: the flying saucer air wars of 1952. The review notes the book's presentation of cases from the 1952 UFO wave, suggesting many were astronomical objects or autokinesis, and criticizes the author's speculative claims of US Air Force shoot-outs with alien spaceships.
• Stanton T. Friedman. Flying Saucers and Science. This review criticizes Friedman's approach to ufology, arguing that he focuses on background issues rather than UFO reports themselves and that his claims about ET spacecraft lack compelling evidence. The reviewer questions his logical arguments and his dismissal of SETI.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Magonia revolve around the persistent nature of conspiracy theories, their historical evolution, and their often antisemitic underpinnings. The magazine critically examines the field of ufology, questioning the validity of many UFO claims and advocating for rigorous, evidence-based investigation. There is a strong emphasis on debunking sensationalist claims and distinguishing between genuine phenomena and misperceptions, hoaxes, or psychological effects. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, particularly in the realm of UFOs and elaborate conspiracy narratives, while acknowledging the historical and social contexts that give rise to such beliefs.