Magonia Supplement - No 24 - 2000 02

Magazine Overview

Title: MAGONIA Monthly Supplement
Issue: No. 24
Date: February 2000
Editor: JOHN HARNEY

This issue of the Magonia Monthly Supplement delves into the intersection of ufology with what it terms 'superstition' and 'irrationality', particularly in the context of alleged Satanic rituals and alien abductions. The editorial expresses concern that some individuals in ufology prioritize superstition over science, leading to potentially serious consequences in other fields, such as child abuse investigations.

Editorial: Superstition vs. Science

The editorial sets a critical tone, lamenting the presence of individuals who prefer superstition to science within ufology. It posits that these individuals not only harm the field of ufology but can also operate in more serious domains, such as the investigation of child abuse allegations involving Satanic rituals. The editor poses the question: "What can be done about superstitious ufologists?"

Irrational Ufologists

This section reviews a book by Peter Hough, which is described as an "uncritical rehash of old UFO incidents" followed by chapters on his investigations of alleged abductees. Peter Rogerson, the reviews editor, deplores Hough's methods, particularly his use of hypnotic regression with the assistance of psychologists, which he believes reinforces witness fantasies instead of dispelling them. Rogerson likens Hough's approach to medieval beliefs in demons and witches, noting the modern victim's perceived lack of defense against these entities, unlike past societies that could rely on faith or magic. Hough's book concludes with a statement expressing a paranoid view of aliens controlling human evolution, beliefs, environment, and personal freedom, stating that humans are powerless against them.

The article draws parallels between Hough's reasoning and the methods used by those investigating alleged Satanic abuse. It points out that investigators using close questioning and hypnotic regression often elicit expected responses. The piece highlights the troubles caused by psychotherapists, both amateur and professional, who are obsessed with the idea of Satanic abuse, leading to torn families and wrongful imprisonment. It also mentions the practice of regression therapy for past-life memories.

However, the article notes that with ufology, "The alien abduction/demonic entities crowd can seemingly get away with anything." It suggests that ufologists who advocate for rational, physical, or psychological explanations for UFO experiences are partly to blame due to their "indulgent attitude" towards alien abduction enthusiasts. The author calls for a "harder line" against such individuals.

Satanism Update

This section reports on the continued belief in widespread and organized Satanic abuse. It details how psychiatrists Valerie Sinason and Rob Hale, critics of Jean La Fontaine's 1994 report that dismissed Satanic abuse stories as myth, received a government grant of £22,000 to compile a document on ritual abuse from their patients' experiences. Sinason is quoted as saying that 46 of her patients claimed to have witnessed murders during ritual abuse ceremonies involving up to 300 people. Professor La Fontaine criticized Sinason, accusing her of being "out of her depth."

A critical article in The Sunday Telegraph is cited, where Sinason alleges that men and women worship Satan in private, engage in extreme sexual perversions, consume bodily fluids and insects, and are involved in pornography and drug dealing to raise money. She also claims children are raised for sacrifice and their births are unregistered, offering no evidence beyond stories from "survivors."

The article notes that the apparent credulity of Sinason and Hale echoes findings from a 1994 British Psychological Society working party, which concluded that the psychiatric profession generally believed the Satanic abuse stories elicited from patients were genuine. It quotes Ofshe and Watters from their book "Making Monsters," who commented that the psychological profession's "willingness to believe in fairy tales" is appropriate for children but not for adults tasked with serious matters.

Letters

Letter from Hilary Evans, London:

Hilary Evans writes in response to a previous discussion, agreeing that a single case, like the Walton case, is a good arena to challenge ETH (Extraterrestrial Hypothesis) believers. Evans emphasizes that the alleged witnesses' stories are the sole basis for the case, making it a study in human behavior rather than clinical psychology. Evans discusses how individuals undergoing UFO experiences can behave oddly, citing examples like Whitley Strieber and Tony Dodd. Evans suggests that while some might be deliberate liars, many may come to sincerely believe their fabricated experiences, likening it to how patients in child abuse cases can be convinced of guilt through therapy, referencing the Paul Ingram case where psychologist Richard Ofshe fabricated an incident that Ingram later insisted had happened.

Evans draws parallels to the Allagash abductions and the Cergy-Pontoise abduction, where witnesses insisted on the reality of their experiences despite confessions of hoaxing from some involved. Evans believes that the witnesses in such cases may reach a point where their story becomes true for them, even if it doesn't explain the initial trigger event. Evans concludes by stating that the updated "Fire in the Sky" reads as if the writer sincerely believes his account, and perhaps he does.

Odds and Ends

This section presents a collection of brief news items and commentary:

• British ufology reborn yet again? Reports on the resignation of prominent BUFORA members and the formation of the National UFO Research Association (NUFORA) by Tim Matthews and others. The article questions NUFORA's membership policy, which excludes voting rights and committee participation for paying members, suggesting it may not last long.
• Area 51: Mentions a three-part feature in Aircraft Illustrated (March 2000) about the Groom Lake facility, discussing claims by enthusiasts of a sighting of a large, black triangular aircraft believed to be a successor to the SR-71 and linked to rumors of a secret aircraft called the 'Aurora'.
• A pint of Crop Circle, please! An American brewing company, Crop Circle Beer, has ordered barley grown in fields with crop circles.
• Yeti captured in China: Reports on peasants in China's Henan province who were detained by police after parading a creature claimed to be a yeti. The 'yeti' was discovered to be a diminutive villager dressed in black fur.
• Silly names: Comments on amusing names found in the 'Director's Message' of the MUFON UFO Journal, contrasting them with British naming conventions. It then mentions a man who gave his daughters distinctive names he received in dreams, Zanya Obea Fotherby and Zaedea 21a Fotherby, suggesting they might do well if they joined MUFON.

The issue concludes with information on how to subscribe to Magonia Monthly Supplement and submit contributions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of ufology, particularly concerning alleged alien abductions and the potential for irrational beliefs to take hold. The magazine expresses a strong stance favoring scientific skepticism over what it perceives as superstition and credulity. It criticizes methods like hypnotic regression when used to reinforce fantasies and calls for a more rigorous approach to evaluating UFO claims. The issue also highlights concerns about the conflation of ufology with unsubstantiated claims of ritual abuse, suggesting a need for clearer boundaries and critical thinking within the field. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting rational inquiry and challenging unsubstantiated narratives, even when they originate from within the ufology community itself.