Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 09 no 4 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 9, No. 4
Date: Spring 1997
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of TBS Report Online focuses on two primary topics: the widely publicized "Virgin Mary Apparition" in Tampa Bay and a review of a book on human evolution. The magazine adopts a skeptical and evidence-based approach to both subjects.

Tampa Bay's Christmas 1996 "Virgin Mary Apparition"

The lead article, "Tampa Bay's Christmas 1996 'Virgin Mary Apparition'" by Gary P. Posner, investigates the phenomenon that occurred on December 17, 1996, in Clearwater, Florida. A customer entering the Seminole Finance Corporation building reported seeing an extraordinary image on the south wall's exterior reflective-glass windows. This sighting quickly gained widespread media attention, with numerous local and national news outlets, including AP, CNN, ABC's World News Tonight, the Today Show, and American Journal, covering the story. By the new year, hundreds of thousands of visitors, some from other continents, had come to witness the purported apparition.

The author, Gary P. Posner, was interviewed by several local media outlets, including Channel 8, 970 WFLA, Channel 44, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida's News Network. Based on the images he saw, Posner initially offered the opinion that the "apparition," a 30-foot-tall likeness, appeared to be the work of an artist rather than a natural phenomenon or a miracle.

Fellow Tampa Bay Skeptics member Guss Wilder III, the issue's photographer, documented the scene. Traffic along U.S. 19 was significantly impacted by the influx of sightseers. The image, visible on nine window panes of the three-story glass wall, was illuminated by TV van floodlights. Wilder noted that the resemblance to the Madonna was evident, especially when one knew what to look for.

Posner describes the "Mary" image as appearing hand-painted in iridescent hues, with the head/hood on the top row of panes and the neckline/shoulders on the middle row. He notes that believers debated whether her hands were folded in prayer or holding an infant. The article points out that similar iridescent staining was apparent around the building's circumference, particularly where vegetation and sprinkler heads were near the glass. Some observers commented that the stains resembled a lady or an Indian.

Closer inspection revealed the shimmering color streaks to be composed of grainy, crusted debris. The building's owner, Michael G. Krizmanich, stated that the stains were present even when he purchased the building a year prior and proved too stubborn to remove. An attempt to scrape away the staining in the lower-right pane resulted in a scratchy, displeasing result.

Regarding the cause of the staining, the St. Petersburg Times quoted local chemist Charles Roberts, who explained that the "rainbow" effect is due to water deposits and weathering creating a chemical reaction, similar to what is seen in old bottles. Roberts, with 40 years of experience, suggested a broken sprinkler head could have contributed to higher areas of stain. Guss Wilder mentioned that temporary sprinklers are often used when transplanting mature palms to keep them moist, which could explain the water source. Stephen Hughes of the National Glass Association, interviewed by Mark Douglas, corroborated this, stating that such stains are caused by sprinklers' mineral residue accumulating on the glass's porous coating and are not uncommon.

The article also notes a similar image near the building's west wall, partially obscured by trees, which some interpreted as the Buddha. A key piece of evidence refuting the miraculous nature of the apparition was a Florida Department of Transportation photograph published by the Times, showing the image was present in 1994, predating the 1996 event. While palm trees partially obscured the older image, it was still recognizable. Pat Johnson from City Glass & Mirror demonstrated how similar iridescent images could be produced by mixing oil and water on glass, suggesting palm oil might have been a factor. The overspray from a nearby car wash was also proposed as a contributor.

The site became a pilgrimage destination, with visitors leaving offerings and collecting donations. Over $30,000 was collected for a local children's hospital. Vendors sold "Mary apparition" T-shirts and souvenirs. A "Miracle Management Task Force" was established by Clearwater officials to manage public safety issues, costing the city over $40,000 for crowd control, including police vehicles and a mobile command center. A new traffic signal was installed, and police had to extinguish a small fire at the "altar" caused by candles, with some individuals suffering minor burns.

Reporter Mark Douglas recounted an experience with the Today Show, where he was asked if he believed in the "miracle." Upon answering "No," the show opted to find someone with a more "positive" viewpoint, likely interviewing the building's owner instead.

Despite cautionary admonitions from the Catholic diocese and skepticism from local clergy, Channel 28 ran a 30-second promotional spot multiple times daily throughout the holiday season, framing the event as a "Miracle on 34th Street." The spot included a narrator and a spectator's testimony.

When contacted by Posner, 28 News Managing Editor David Mays defended the promo, rejecting Posner's interpretation and offering an apology for his "upset" without addressing the misinformation.

The article concludes by noting that the faithful and curious continue to visit the site, contemplating either a religious apparition or a manifestation of nature. A note indicates that a version of this report also appears in the Spring 1997 issue of Free Inquiry magazine.

Book Review: "From Lucy to Language"

The second major section is a book review by Terry A. Smiljanich of "From Lucy to Language" by Donald Johanson and Blake Edgar, with photography by David Brill. The book, priced at $50 and containing 272 pages, discusses human evolution.

Smiljanich highlights that the word "evolution" often generates controversy, particularly concerning human evolution. The review emphasizes that scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports evolution, and the resistance often stems from the idea that humans are special and separate from other species, potentially linked to angels.

Charles Darwin's second book, "The Descent of Man," is mentioned as addressing human evolution as a significant obstacle to his theories. Darwin predicted that humans' affinity with apes suggested remote ancestors came from Africa.

The review details key discoveries in paleoanthropology, starting with Raymond Dart's 1924 discovery of the "Taung child" (Australopithecus africanus) in South Africa. This was followed by a cascade of discoveries in Africa, particularly in the Rift Valley, by Louis Leakey and his family, uncovering "missing links" or "hominids" that pointed to human evolution over three million years.

A dramatic discovery was Donald Johanson's 1974 find of the "Lucy" skeleton in Ethiopia, identified as Australopithecus afarensis, dating back over three million years. Despite its ape-like appearance, Lucy walked upright, distinguishing her from other primates.

"From Lucy to Language" is described as a comprehensive survey of human evolution, accessible to readers interested in scientific investigation. The book delves into the ingenuity of investigators who can interpret details from ancient bones.

The review acknowledges that the exact path of evolution over the past five million years is not fully known, and paleoanthropology involves considerable controversy, citing disagreements between Donald Johanson and Richard Leakey regarding "Lucy's" role and species naming. It contrasts this with pseudoscientific "creationists" who interpret uncertainty as weakness, whereas science embraces ongoing human endeavor.

The book also explores human migration out of Africa, ancestral societies, customs, and culture, and examines Neanderthal Man. The review notes that cannibalism was part of humanity's past, and early humans were scavengers rather than noble hunters.

The book's second half, "Encountering the Evidence," features nearly 100 pages of full-scale photographs of important hominid finds, presented as a "coffee table book." These detailed photographs of fossils like Australopithecus afarensis and Homo habilis are described as giving a three-dimensional quality, allowing readers to virtually "touch" these ancient individuals.

Smiljanich refutes creationist arguments about the lack of transitional fossils, stating that the book provides evidence of slowly evolving jaws, teeth, and brain cases, demonstrating humanity's connection to nature and the continuous story of evolution.

The review concludes by stating that science doesn't have all the answers but asks the right questions, challenging human arrogance.

Snippets

This section presents brief news items:

• Psychic Failures: CSICOP's annual press release details the failures of tabloid psychics. In 1996, none predicted the death of Jeane Dixon, who died of a heart attack on January 25.
• Science Newscast: The Discovery Channel plans to air a weekly half-hour science newscast produced by ABC-TV News, intended as the only prime-time science program. Its success is uncertain, with a note suggesting it might disappear due to low ratings.

Spirituality and Healing in Medicine

A brief mention is made of an article about a meeting at Harvard Medical School on "Spirituality and Healing in Medicine." It notes that "ninety-nine percent of the [family] physicians surveyed recognize that belief can heal," according to Dr. Herbert Benson. Dr. Dale Matthews of Georgetown University's School of Medicine is quoted as saying that people with strong religious commitment are less likely to engage in unhealthful behavior and that he regularly prays with his patients.

Letters to the Editor / Readers' Forum

Lisa Foronda from WTSP-TV 10 News writes to clarify that her station's story revealed the claims of the Wesley Chapel "Weeping Icon" to be false, referencing page 3 of the current issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Tampa Bay Skeptics, through TBS Report Online, consistently promotes a skeptical, evidence-based approach to extraordinary claims. The magazine critically examines phenomena like the "Virgin Mary Apparition," seeking natural explanations and highlighting media sensationalism. Its editorial stance favors scientific inquiry and rational analysis, as demonstrated by the detailed debunking of the apparition and the positive review of a book on human evolution, which emphasizes scientific evidence over dogma. The inclusion of snippets on psychic failures and the promotion of a science-focused TV program further reinforces the publication's commitment to promoting scientific literacy and critical thinking.