If we'd just give each other a little personal space.

Lúcia Santos (left) with her cousins
Jacinta and Francisco Marto. They claimed
to see Mary six consecutive months in 1917
in Fátima, Portugal (Wikimedia Commons)

I've been listening to some books on church history and have been confused by "Our Lady of Fatima," "Our Lady of Lourdes," etc. I thought these were all different women, but they are rather appearances of the same Mary, the mother of Jesus, in those places.

(I suppose a Protestant can be forgiven the error, since each of these apparitions look quite different.)

The Fatima appearance is a fascinating story, even if only (and perhaps especially if only) a shared illusion, as it affected up to 100,000 people at the same time and in the same place.

[2012-12-01]

And now for something completely different…

This is the best article I read on the Zombie Parade accident, assuming the details are true...

Comic Con Zombie Walk Turns Violent Woman Hit By Car When Crowd Goes Berserk >

2009 Moscow Zombie Walk
(Wikimedia Commons)

A more traditional news story from NBC San Diego:

Passersby Struck by Car Amid Comic-Con Zombie Walk >

I'm reminded of a similar event a little while ago where a family fled some aggressive motorcyclists:

Bikers terrorize family in high-speed chase >

Sad events like this remind me that without notice, ordinary people can find themselves in circumstances where instincts take over and people can get hurt.

If we'd just give each other a little personal space, this wouldn't happen.

[2014-07-28]

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