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From: Jakes Louw <louwje@telkom.co.za>
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 08:28:17 +0200
Fwd Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 10:43:34 -0400
Subject: Re: Walt's Woes - The Decline of MUFON


I was recently approached by one of the few MUFON members in
Southern Africa, who got my name and number from Cynthia Hind.
He wanted me to join MUFON, and to become a field investigator.

Having looked at the pre-requisites for qualification as a MUFON
field investigator, I must admit that the concept is good: here,
at least, MUFON was and is on the right track.

What is perhaps needed is a paradigm shift with regard to the
goals and objectives of MUFON and its members world-wide.

I have satellite TV, and obviously have occasion to watch the UK
(I think) SciFi Channel. They have insets between programs from
recent BUFORA conferences, and feature people from the UK and
the US like Derrel Sims (spelling?).

Most of these people espouse a paranormal belief, and in fact,
most claim they "believe in UFOs". What crap. How can I believe
in an Unidentified Flying Object? a) The object is unidentified
b) belief implies faith

So what are they saying? That they believe that Unidentified
Flying Objects exist? Or that they believe all UFOs are flying
saucers from another planet or dimension?

In either case, they have already decided. This, in my mind, is
unethical, and excludes that person from being a valuable
researcher, because he/she _already_ believes what they are
investigating is a flying saucer! Get my point?

A proper researcher will gather the evidence, and only maybe
then hypothesise regarding the origin and/or validity of the
sighting. Then other researchers, if they are proper scientists,
will test the hypothesis in isolation, and either confirm or
deny the validity.

One cannot and should not espouse a hypothesis based on faith.
Because then Ufology becomes a New Age religion.

End of chat.

To summarise: for MUFON to remain a valuable force and resource,
then internal ethics must be applied to its members by an
appointed board of peers.

If the scientists can do it, and must do it to retain
authenticity, then so must MUFON.

Other wise, yes, MUFON becomes another cult group with a cult
leader.

regards

Jakes E. Louw
louwje@telkom.co.za