UFO Sighter

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Sighter
Issue Date: Summer, 1965 (Volume 4, Number 3)
Publisher: Published Quarterly in Atlanta
Character: A UFOlogy magazine focused on investigations, reports, and critical analysis of the phenomenon, with a particular interest in its intersection with religion and established institutions.

Cover Story: Minister Ties UFOs To Bible

The cover prominently features Dr. F. E. Stranges, a Hollywood minister and evangelist, who claims to find "more confirmation than conflict" between reports of flying saucers and biblical scripture. Dr. Stranges, who has investigated UFOs since 1945, believes they "do more to glorify God than to detract from Him." He asserts that humanity should not assume it is the only intelligent life, citing scriptures from Job, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah as evidence. His lectures aim to foster a "greater appreciation of the Almighty."

1965 UFO Congress

The issue includes several photographs from the "1965 UFO Congress," showcasing attendees and event settings. Images depict a speaker at a podium with a "UFO" logo, a gathering of people, and exterior shots of a venue with a "WELCOME AMERICAN UFO CONGRESS" sign.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters address ongoing discussions within the UFO community:

• Lucius Farish commends the new issue and praises an article refuting Kor's "Thinking?" by Beasley & Erdmann.
• Eugene Steinberg responds to previous remarks about Mr. Steinberg's letter, clarifying the use of the term "Disciple" and defending NICAP against accusations of being an "Abysmal failure." He argues that while NICAP may have shortcomings, they are not as detrimental as the actions of the "X group."
• Steve Erdmann clarifies his previous statement that NICAP had not been successful, explaining that he meant their efforts had "not been successful" thus far, and that they had not realized their full potential since Major Keyhoe took over in 1957. He suggests a more careful examination is needed for improvement and defers evaluation of his own contributions to others.

Editorial: "In Defense of Orthodoxy" by Allen Greenfield

Allen Greenfield challenges the common UFOlogist sentiment that the field is inherently anti-orthodoxy. He argues that traditional science, by its nature, embraces change and new concepts, making those scientists who refuse to examine UFOs the true heretics, not the "orthodox." Greenfield posits that UFOlogists, by advocating for open, prejudice-free investigation, are actually adhering to the "orthodox" scientific method. He criticizes military censorship and suppression of UFO information as undemocratic and a form of dictatorship, arguing that advocating for freedom of information is the true orthodoxy in a republic. He also touches on the upcoming week-long UFO seminar in Atlanta and mentions the Post Office Department's new zip code requirement for publications.

Editorial: Tom Comella / Peter Kor's "Saucer Philosophy"

In a continuation of a serial, the editorial comments on the "Saucer philosophy" of Tom Comella/Peter Kor, deeming it a "threat to UFOlogy." The author believes Comella is an egotistical individual imposing "worthless ideas" on the field, creating "boredom" which is a "dangerous enemy." The editorial suggests Comella take his ideas elsewhere, as they "just don't belong" in UFO publications. Readers are invited to send letters, articles, or feedback.

Servomechanisms of the Mind and UFOs - Part III by Steve Erdmann

This concluding part of the serial examines cases used by Tom Comella to support his "Proof" theory. Erdmann analyzes the Jeff Lund case, which Comella presents as evidence of phenomena transforming into different forms. Erdmann then compares it to three other cases:

1. Thomas P. Weyer (June 1951): Discovered a "Hub-cap" like object, 15" in diameter and 6" thick, convex on both sides, warm, light, and made of aluminum. It rose rapidly into the sky.
2. Lt. David C. Brigham (March 1952): Sighted an almost identical object to Weyer's.
3. Mr. R.B. (June 1963): Investigated a "Landed Disc" in Philadelphia, described as round, saucer-shaped, grayish-white, and 3 feet in diameter. The owner later claimed it was "thrown away."
4. Mark George Muza, Jr. (October 1959): Encountered a "Disc, 4 feet in diameter, black body, encircled by a silver rim" in Virginia, which he fired at multiple times.

Erdmann argues these cases do not support Comella's philosophy, noting that the Jeff Lund case lacked lie-detection or truth serum, relying solely on personal integrity. He also references Curtis Fuller's view that apparitions may eventually be fitted into scientific knowledge, though progress is slow.

Collision! by Tadd Jach

Tadd Jach discusses the media's influence in creating a fear of alien life and contrasts it with those who anticipate alien arrival as beneficial. He questions the credibility of contactee reports due to varying descriptions of the beings. Jach suggests that advanced civilizations might avoid contact with Earth to prevent the destruction of our primitive culture, drawing an analogy to the collision of European and Amerindian cultures. Alternatively, he posits that aliens might have no more interest in us than a scientist has in a virus, potentially leading to our planet's destruction. He argues that the UFO problem remains unsolved because cultural collisions disproportionately affect the less advanced civilization's technology. He believes that if aliens were to "bring their civilization Down to earth," our science and technology, including military interests, would be the first to disappear, potentially explaining the Air Force's censorship of UFO evidence. Jach encourages scientifically minded individuals to engage with UFOlogy, suggesting they join organizations like NICAP and read books on physics, logic, and astronomy, rather than focusing on sensationalistic contactee accounts. He also notes the passing of George Adamski.

Press Time Notes

• The death of George Adamski is noted with respect, acknowledging his significant presence in UFOlogy.
• The Second Annual Congress of Scientific UFOlogists was held in Cleveland, Ohio, attended by approximately 300 people. A "Code of Ethics" for UFOlogy was developed. Notable attendees included James W. Moseley, Eugene Steinberg, and Tom Comelia. Plans for the 1966 Congress were made, and a permanent Congress Committee was established.
• The issue credits True Magazine, The Oklahoman, and the Oregon Journal for cover contributions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently advocates for a rational, scientific, and evidence-based approach to UFOlogy, often criticizing sensationalism, unverified contactee reports, and military secrecy. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of open investigation and the application of the scientific method. The issue also explores the potential connections between UFO phenomena and religious beliefs, as well as the broader societal implications of potential extraterrestrial contact. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, aiming to separate credible research from what is perceived as fringe or unsubstantiated material within the UFO field.