1987 02 00 OMNI - Oberg

Magazine Overview

Title: OMNI
Issue Date: February 1987
Cover Headline: SCIENCE AND CENSORSHIP
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated February 1987, prominently features the theme of 'SCIENCE AND CENSORSHIP' on its cover, accompanied by a striking, surreal illustration of a human head with abstract elements. The cover also includes the price of $3.00 and the issue identifier '02'.

Anti Matter: Brothers in Belief

The 'Anti Matter' section delves into a fascinating contrast between two brothers, Kendrick and James Frazier, who hold vastly different views on the paranormal and extraterrestrial phenomena.

Kendrick Frazier: The Skeptic

Kendrick Frazier, 44, is the editor of Skeptical Inquirer, a quarterly magazine published by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). He is described as a debunker of UFOs, psychics, and astrology, and a staunch advocate for scientific rigor. Kendrick views claims of the paranormal as a threat to scientific progress. He was alarmed by reader interest in such topics while at Science News and, along with longtime debunker Martin Gardner, co-founded CSICOP to address what they saw as 'public misunderstanding.' Kendrick states, 'I don't question the seeming realness of the experience. I question the experience itself,' indicating a focus on the psychological or subjective nature of reported phenomena rather than their objective reality.

James Frazier: The Believer

James Frazier, 39, is the editor of the local Greeley News and holds a belief in a superior intelligence that will transform the human race. He asserts that 'Our benefactors have been here as long as we have,' suggesting ancient alien or divine intervention. James's own journey into these beliefs began on May 17, 1976, when he claims to have heard the voice of Beelzebub speaking through radio show host Brian Scott. Scott recounted his own experience of being abducted by aliens in 1971 and claimed that disembodied entities were using his vocal cords. James was captivated by Scott's story and later accompanied him to Inca ruins at Tiahuanaсо, Bolivia. There, James claims, he witnessed Scott become possessed by a being he identified as Ticci Viracocha, the Inca god of civilization. James believes that individuals like Brian Scott, who have survived such encounters with their faculties intact, can guide humanity toward a new world, philosophy, and understanding of the unknown.

The Brothers' Relationship

Despite their differing viewpoints, the brothers admit to having 'lively disagreements' during family reunions. Kendrick is reluctant to discuss his brother's beliefs publicly but acknowledges that 'it's possible for people to have vivid personal experiences from which belief systems stem.' James Frazier has acquired the rights to Brian Scott's life story and has written a television miniseries about him, indicating a continued deep involvement in these experiences.

UFO Update

The 'UFO Update' section, though brief, likely continues the magazine's exploration of UFO phenomena, possibly linking to the broader themes of belief systems and the interpretation of experiences discussed in the 'Anti Matter' feature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of OMNI magazine appears to engage with the tension between scientific skepticism and belief in the paranormal and extraterrestrial. The cover headline 'SCIENCE AND CENSORSHIP' suggests an exploration of how certain ideas or experiences are suppressed or promoted within scientific and public discourse. The contrasting perspectives of the Frazier brothers highlight this dichotomy, with Kendrick representing a rigorous, evidence-based approach and James embodying a more open, experiential, and perhaps spiritual interpretation of unusual events. The magazine seems to provide a platform for exploring these complex issues, allowing readers to consider different viewpoints on phenomena that challenge conventional understanding.