Italian chemist uses science to explain paranormal events

[emad]

Researcher looks for substance behind miracles

Daniel Williams
Washington Post
Nov. 13, 2005 12:00 AM

PAVIA, Italy - Such is the supply of miracles in Italy that if a month goes by without one, it's, well, a miracle.

Weeping Madonnas, sacred blood that goes from solid to liquid and back again, lottery numbers divined by gazing at a photo of a deceased pope, sudden cures after contact with a holy relic: Miracles are old phenomena in Italy, the land where St. Francis tamed a wolf and wild doves.

But this is also the land of science par excellence, the home ground of Galileo, da Vinci, Fermi and Marconi. So there are also voices that say, "Hold on a minute." advertisement

Luigi Garlaschelli is a chemist, who from his perch at Pavia University, skeptically eyes Italy's parade of miracles. He belongs to a group called the Italian Committee to Investigate Claims of the Paranormal, made up of Italian scientists who use science to try to explain the inexplicable.

"Miracles are just paranormal events in religious clothing," he says. "I'm a chemist. I look for the substance behind things." He's not trying to undermine people's religious beliefs, he says, explaining: "We're just trying to study phenomena. If there's a non-miraculous answer, we say so."

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1113miracles13.html

[SteppingRazor]

1. It's a thankless job, but somebody's gotta shoot down shysters n/t

[Patiod]

2. I've been visited by aliens, squatting on my chest

Matches the pictures we've all seen - huge-eyes, small-mouths - very disturbing

Fortunately, it put up its pointy ears and started meowing for wet food....

Fortunately, a scientic explanation for the phenomenon -- Felis catus

[Orrex]

3. That's exactly what they want you to think. (nt)

[Patiod]

4. If they are aliens - Here's the new: "The Aliens Have Won"

We are abject servants - how much more conquered can we get?