Pareidolia

Scott Hardie | April 22, 2005
Faithful Flock to Chicago Freeway to See Image of Virgin Mary: (link)

I've been watching this story build all week, and I'm sure those of you in Chicago have heard even more about it. What do you make of it?

Like with the "blood type = personality" thing I mentioned a few days ago, I am fascinated by something I cannot understand – not how the Virgin Mary can appear under a freeway, but how people can mistake a water stain for anything except a water stain. I want to ask one of the faithful on the scene whether there exists any doubt in their mind that maybe it is a water stain after all, but even if they answered in the negative, I don't think I could believe them, so it would probably be pointless. Maybe it's because it's a vision of Mary, who doesn't mean anything to me? Maybe if it was an apparition of my deceased father or something, I would believe it? I don't know how to answer.

Lori Lancaster | April 22, 2005
[hidden by request]

Amy Austin | April 22, 2005
I chuckled while reading the start of this conversation last night and then went on over and took a look, too. I must say that -- while I have no particularly strong faith -- even I was impressed by this one.

Moldy ham sandwiches that sell for *over* $1,000,000 on ebay -- on the other hand -- do not. It has to sell for *at least* 1.5M to get my attention...

Anna Gregoline | April 22, 2005
I think this is one of those instances where people are afraid to say they don't see it - because that would somehow mean they weren't faithful enough to see it.

Amy Austin | April 22, 2005
Oh, I see it -- and I'm not even "faithful"... I don't doubt that any of them sees it. It's more a question of do they believe in what they see. Apparently, many do. But yes, I understand what you mean.

Erik Bates | April 22, 2005
[hidden by request]

John E Gunter | April 22, 2005
That is a freaky looking image. When you view it in the smaller size, because of the loss of clarity in the picture, it almost looks doctored to me. Course; looking at their large version, I can see that the image isn't doctored. Is it an image of the Virgin Mary? Doesn't look like one to me.

Course, I don't need anything to cling to, to justify my faith. I believe therefore, that's all I need.

Also, I won't fault these people because they see the Virgin Mary. If that's what they see, then for them, it is.

I think I'd like to actually go there to see it though. Same as I'd like to go see Mount Rushmore. Course, for 2 entirely different reasons, but I would enjoy the experience.

Course, I've always been into watching the human condition as it were.

John

Kris Weberg | April 22, 2005
The other side of it is that it's easier for some people to see the Virgin Mary in a waterstain tellign them their beliefs are right on than to examine those beliefs.

Dave Stoppenhagen | April 22, 2005
I can see the BVM if I look at the correct angle, in the second picture on the page. But looking at that first picture it just looks like a water stain or a very tall person peed on the wall

If people need that to reaffirm their faith so be it, I agree with John regarding "I believe" that's all I need.

Michael Paul Cote | April 22, 2005
I can write my name in the snow, if I get really talented and learn to draw a picture of Mary, will I become famous too?

John E Gunter | April 22, 2005
[quote]I can write my name in the snow, if I get really talented and learn to draw a picture of Mary, will I become famous too?[/quote]

You know Mike, you get so proud about the oddest things! TMI man, TMI!!!

John

Amy Austin | April 22, 2005
Only, I'd say, if you could figure out a good means of preservation, Mike... ya' weirdo.

Kris Weberg | April 22, 2005
Hey, Amy, should we merge the "profane quotes about God" thread witht his one?

"God: Well, Homer, I've got to go. I'm supposed to appear in a tortilla in Guadelupe."

Amy Austin | April 23, 2005
HAHAHAHAHA... So this is what really goes on at your school, eh, Kris??? ;-DDDDD

(link)

Kris Weberg | April 23, 2005
'I remember that well. My slingshot used to be my cross."