Sceptical About the Sceptics

John Harney

Magonia 56, June 1996

 

On being invited to review this book, [1} one of the latest sceptical works, I decided to try to get a clearer idea of what scepticism is and what sceptics aim to do. What are sceptics supposed to be sceptical about? Do sceptics believe nothing at all about anything unless they have cast-iron proof? Where does scepticism stop? One of their main preoccupations is with the debunking of allegedly paranormal events. The problem here is that they do not give any definition of what they mean by paranormal.

Communion Cups and Crashed Saucers; Part 2, The Godlings Descend

Peter Brookesmith

Magonia 56, June 1996

In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, God may represent the overwhelming power of loving kindness, but he is also the primordial creative force, the primum mobile, and the controller of all things. And so – as the canonical texts make plain – God is also the source and ultimate embodiment of all evil. In UFO-related reports there is a cluster of symbols and images that directly parallel religious symbolism and imagery.

Organ Snatchers.

Peter Burger
Magonia 56, June 1996

For almost ten years a horrible story has haunted the world’s media: in Latin America children are robbed of their kidneys and corneas for the benefit of wealthy Americans. On closer examination these horror stories turn out to be based on rumours and legends. Organ-napping, the contemporary version of an age-old and universally known legend. The first images of the documentary show a man with a wispy beard rocking his head back and forth as if he is in a trance.

 

Remembering Roger

John Rimmer, Michael Goss, Peter Rogerson

Magonia 56, June 1996

"It is with great sadness that we have to tell our readers of the death of Roger Sandell. Roger died on January 20th, 1996, at Roehampton Hospital in London, after an unsuccessful operation for cancer. He was 51. Besides the tremendous personal loss which all of us at Magonia feel, and I am sure all who knew him will share, there is a great loss to everyone who studies the subjects we cover in Magonia."