The Allure of the Unseen: Belief in the Extraordinary
More than a century ago, the idea of a shark swimming through New York’s subway system seemed laughable—yet, during Hurricane Sandy, it sparked a wave of interest. During this tumultuous time, Senator Dick Durbin took part in debates about immigration policy, while unusual images circulated online, including one of a headless ICE officer. Among these was a photograph reminiscent of the Cottingley Fairy Incident, where two young girls claimed to have discovered fairies in the woods. Dr. Merrick Barrow, curator of a new exhibit on the subject, remarked that, “I don’t think anyone really believed it…but they also couldn’t explain how it was done.”
These fairy images remarkably convinced even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle—creator of the logical Sherlock Holmes—who initially approached the matter with skepticism. As it turned out, after a while, he became a staunch advocate for the fairies as evidence of the paranormal. Years later, one of the girls admitted to having merely used a picture from a children’s book. “I had no idea it was a scam,” said Frances Griffiths in a 1983 interview. “It was just Elsie and I having a little fun.” Yet, this innocent prank stirred an impression that perhaps there were unseen forces at play in the world.
Why would intelligent individuals be swayed by such fabrications? Conan Doyle was no fool; his interest in spiritualism grew particularly after he lost his son during World War I. In that context, the notion of fairies offered him a glimmer of hope—that perhaps something endures beyond this life and he might someday reunite with his child.
This fascination with the spiritual seems to rise and fall in cycles. Despite the prevailing sentiment that advances in science should curtail such beliefs, people continue to explore alternative spiritual practices in a quest for meaning. Even in an age where formal religious practices decline, the human desire for something beyond the tangible persists. Often, beliefs linger in the air, evoking feelings that can’t be easily discounted or disproven. It’s common to find oneself dreaming or yearning for something greater—an inclination deeply rooted in our human nature, it seems.
As time passes, it’s easy to overlook the longing for connection beyond our immediate experience. Despite the lessons of reality, we often wish there’s more than meets the eye. If everything we experience is merely chance, certainly, the grief of loss would seem more manageable. Yet, such feelings often point to a deeper longing for truth. This is a sentiment echoed by C.S. Lewis, who argued that our unfulfilled desires suggest we are made for a reality that extends beyond this life.
People today, who explore spirituality, mirror the Athenians described by Luke. They’ve erected altars and rituals, often dedicated to “unknown gods.” They sense the existence of something greater but seem lost about how to seek it out. Like the Apostle Paul, we have the chance to guide them in this search.
