Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1988 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of "BASIS", the newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics, dated December 1988, is presented as an Information Sheet, Volume 7, Number 12. The editor is Kent Harker. The issue features several articles critically examining claims of the supernatural and pseudoscientific.

SOILED LINEN by William Bennetta

This article scrutinizes the Shroud of Turin, a 14-foot-long linen cloth bearing two full-length images of a man. The shroud is owned by the House of Savoy and kept in Turin, Italy, by the Roman Catholic Church, which has promoted beliefs about its authenticity as the burial cloth of Jesus. The article highlights a "New York Times" report from October 14, 1988, stating that radiocarbon dating had discredited the shroud, indicating it was no more than 750 years old. The Archbishop of Turin's statements attempting to downplay the dating results are also mentioned.

The author recounts visiting a shrine devoted to the shroud at Corpus Christi church in Port Chester, New York. He references Joe Nickell's book "Inquest on the Shroud of Turin," noting that the shroud was condemned as a fake as early as 1389 by the bishop of Troyes, who reported it to Pope Clement VII as a cunningly painted cloth.

Pope Clement VII imposed restrictions on exhibitions in 1390, requiring a statement that it was not the true shroud but a painting. Despite this, the Savoys acquired the shroud in 1453 and promoted it as Jesus's burial cloth, leading to its widespread acceptance as a relic for centuries, though the Church's central administration remained ambiguous.

The article argues that the authenticity question is a "nonsense" because the shroud's geometry indicates it is a work of art. The author explains that the head-to-head orientation and the realistic, well-proportioned images are inconsistent with the explanation of a corpse's impression. The absence of side-view images and the bare space between the front and rear images are cited as evidence against authenticity.

Furthermore, the "bloodstains" on the shroud are questioned. They are described as suspiciously red, unlike aged blood which turns black. The article points out that "picturelike" stains, particularly those from the crown of thorns, do not match the way real blood from scalp wounds would flow. Examinations have reportedly failed to find corpuscles or hemoglobin, but have found substances used by medieval artists as pigments.

The shrine at Corpus Christi church is attributed to Father Peter M. Rinaldi, who was pastor from 1950 to 1977 and a believer who wrote books about the shroud. The author describes purchasing Rinaldi's book "I Saw the Holy Shroud," calling it credulous and distortive. A full-sized statue of Jesus in the shrine is also described, noting errors in its depiction of bloodstains similar to those on the shroud.

The article concludes by mentioning the radiocarbon dating results and the media's prominent reporting of them, suggesting the current pastor of Corpus Christi church should be aware of the need to update the shrine's claims.

"PSYCHIC" SYLVIA

This section reports on accusations against Sylvia Brown, described as a well-known Bay Area psychic. The "San Jose Mercury News" reported that Brown was accused of defrauding lenders of over $200,000 and had filed for bankruptcy protection. The article notes Brown's animosity towards the Bay Area Skeptics (BAS) and Bob Steiner. It criticizes her involvement with a Los Gatos real estate broker in allegedly falsifying loan documents. Brown charges an average of $360 for a 40-minute psychic consultation and has founded a church, "Novus Spiritus," where she is minister. The article questions how her purported psychic powers did not prevent her financial troubles, especially her claim of having "NO IDEA WHAT HE DID WITH ALL THE MONEY!"

SUITLESS PSYCHIC

This article discusses a case involving parapsychologist Gharith Pendragon in Hawaii. Skeptics' groups have been following the case, which involved Pendragon teaching non-credit courses at Windward Community College, an adjunct of the University of Hawaii. The courses included "Introduction to Psychic Phenomena," "Mastering Clairvoyance," "Developing Telepathy," and "Psychic Development." The article highlights Pendragon's claim of holding a master's degree in psychology from USC and being a "licensed clairvoyant and psychic," which was later found to be false. He only had an excise tax license.

Pendragon filed a lawsuit against CSICOP, Paul Kurtz, James Randi, the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Skeptics, and others, alleging defamation, interference with contractual relations, and conspiracy. He claimed the defendants' actions led to the cancellation of his courses. The lawsuit was based on his claims of psychic powers and the defendants' public statements challenging them.

Judge Harold Fong ruled that Pendragon was a "public figure" in the context of parapsychology. The court required Pendragon to prove his psychic powers to substantiate his defamation claims, but he refused to provide evidence, even when ordered by the court. The court found no evidence of "actual malice" by the defendants and ruled the lawsuit frivolous, ordering Pendragon to pay court costs and attorney fees.

The article expresses satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that BAS is not affiliated with CSICOP and that individuals do not have authorization to speak for either organization. It cautions about libel issues while celebrating the victory for sanity in the court system.

CORRECTION PLEASE

This section provides corrections regarding a previous article about Loyd Auerbach's presentation. It clarifies his name (one 'l'), notes his gratitude for promotion but his declining of a conferred Ph.D., and corrects the confusion about a subtitle being a separate book. It also refines his description from "professional magician" to "professional-quality magician."

Further corrections address Auerbach's comments on the role of magicians in parapsychological experiments. It clarifies that a magician might be helpful during the design stage but not necessarily during the experiment itself, and that it's difficult to determine a magician's knowledgeability.

EDITOR'S CORNER by Kent Harker

Kent Harker writes about attending a three-day conference on "Bible Science" in San Jose, featuring anti-evolution debater Dr. Duane Gish of the Institute for Creation Research. Harker attended a breakfast fellowship organized for Christians to learn how to debate evolutionists.

The article describes the atmosphere of disbelief and disgust towards evolutionary theory among the attendees. Harker recounts a conversation with a woman who believed dinosaurs were drowned in the Flood and that the universe is only 6,000 years old.

Harker then details Dr. Gish's presentation, where Gish stated the mission of the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) is to turn people to the Bible and the Lord. The article questions the ICR's claim of academic freedom and equal time for alternative viewpoints, contrasting it with their stated mission.

Gish describes debates as a tool for evangelism, filling rooms and leading people to Christ. The article criticizes the creationist-controlled debate format, which it claims focuses on evolution versus creationism as a false premise and orchestrates the agenda to discuss evolution only, not creationism. The author argues that this format is a "forensic booby trap" for legitimate scientists, who are put on the defensive and lose due to tactics and forensic skill rather than truth.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "BASIS" consistently adopts a skeptical and critical stance towards pseudoscientific claims and religious arguments presented as scientific fact. The editorial stance is one of rigorous examination, reliance on empirical evidence (like radiocarbon dating), and a defense of scientific reasoning against what it perceives as unfounded beliefs and manipulative tactics. The newsletter actively debunks phenomena like the Shroud of Turin, exposes alleged fraud in the psychic industry, and critiques the methodologies and strategies employed by creationists in public debates. The publication champions critical thinking and evidence-based analysis, positioning itself as a counterpoint to unsubstantiated claims.

Title: Bay Area Skeptic Informatoin Sheet
Issue: December 1988, Volume 12
Publisher: Bay Area Skeptics
Character: This publication serves as a skeptical analysis of pseudoscientific claims and promotes scientific literacy. It critiques common arguments used by creationists and discusses the challenges of combating pseudoscience in public discourse.

Analysis of Creationist Debate Tactics

The article critically examines the debate strategies employed by creationists, identifying four main points of attack: probability, the fossil record, thermodynamics, and the metamorphosis of the butterfly. The author argues that these points often rely on constructing "straw men" – misrepresentations of evolutionary theory – and appealing to the public's ignorance or emotions.

Probability and Chance

Creationists are accused of falsely presenting evolutionary mechanisms as solely reliant on "pure," "blind," or "nothing but" chance. The article counters that modern evolutionary theory acknowledges that factors beyond pure chance, such as mutation being built into genetic structure, play a role. Recent research from Harvard on bacteria mutation is cited as an example.

The Fossil Record

Ignorance of the fossil record and geologic column is exploited by creationists. While acknowledging gaps exist, the author states that the fossilization process is inherently rare, leading to natural gaps. The subjective nature of defining a "gap" is highlighted, and creationists are criticized for ignoring "intermediaries" like the genus Homo.

Thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics is presented as a creationist "mainstay" due to its strong emotional appeal. The "wind sweeping through a junk yard to produce a 747" analogy is used to illustrate the creationist argument that complexity cannot arise from simplicity. The article contends that this argument incorrectly assumes chance is the only factor and implies scientists have overlooked a basic law.

The "Unexplained Datum" Tactic

This tactic involves demanding that a theory explain every single thing immediately, and if a single unexplained datum is found, the theory is dismissed. This is characterized as a "false dichotomy," where anything unexplained is attributed to a miracle. Creationists are described as masters of this tactic.

The Nature of Debate

The author asserts that debating creationists is a "forensic spectacle, not an exercise in elucidation." The focus of such debates often shifts away from scientific evidence and methodology to the creationists' agenda. To counter this, proponents of evolution must be thoroughly prepared, understand the creationist position, and challenge their core absurdities, such as a 6,000-year-old universe and a worldwide flood.

Progress Against Pseudoscience

Astrology Disclaimers

The article celebrates a small victory in the fight against pseudoscience: the "San Jose Mercury" newspaper began publishing a disclaimer with its syndicated astrology column, following a statement signed by 24 Nobel laureates organized by CSICOP. This move was further amplified when the horoscope was moved to the comics page, alongside a note from cartoonist Larson stating, "The Horoscope has moved to the comics page."

Public Perception of Science

Despite this progress, the article notes a demoralizing trend revealed by a CBS poll. The poll found that a significant portion of Americans lack basic scientific knowledge, with one fourth unaware that the Earth orbits the Sun, and ten percent holding misconceptions about the Earth's orbital period. This highlights the ongoing challenge of public science education.

"Psychic Reader" Circulation

In contrast to the small gains against astrology, the publication "Psychic Reader" is noted to have a large subscriber base of over 65,000, indicating the continued popularity of pseudoscientific content.

BAS IS ONLINE

Bay Area Skeptics has embraced the digital age by launching a Bulletin Board System (BBS) called "BASIS." This system, developed by BAS Secretary Rick Moen with help from Director Yves Barbero and funding from chairman Larry Loebig, operates at 300/1200 baud. It aims to expand communication and facilitate rapid exchange of information among members and the public. The article encourages readers to use the BBS, which can be contacted at (415) 648-8944, to leave messages, discuss challenges, and submit articles for publication.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The publication consistently advocates for scientific skepticism and critical thinking. It actively debunks pseudoscientific claims, particularly those related to creationism and astrology, by highlighting logical fallacies and lack of empirical evidence. The editorial stance is one of promoting scientific literacy and challenging the spread of misinformation, while acknowledging the difficulties and the need for strategic engagement in public discourse. The introduction of the BAS BBS signifies a commitment to utilizing modern communication tools to further these goals.