Bay Area Skeptics Information Sheet - 1992 10

Magazine Overview

This issue of "BASIS", the newsletter of the Bay Area Skeptics, dated October 1992, features a cover story by James Randi detailing the undercover work of Don Henvick in investigating faith healers. The issue also includes reports on a UFO sighting, a review of psychic predictions, and an extensive Q&A session defining and explaining skepticism.

DON HENVICK: HEALED FIVE TIMES!

This article, reprinted from "Free Inquiry", details James Randi's investigation into faith healers, particularly Rev. Peter Popoff. Don Henvick, a member of the Bay Area Skeptics, volunteered for the Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion (CSER) to pose as a 'healee'. Henvick adopted various disguises and fictitious names, such as "Tom Hendry", "Vergil Jorgenson", "Bernice Manicoff", and "Abel McMinn", to be called out during healing sessions by faith healers like Reverend David Paul and Reverend W.V. Grant. In these sessions, Henvick was 'healed' of various ailments, including a "broken home and alcoholism", "serious arthritic condition", and "uterine cancer and edema". The investigation aimed to demonstrate that these healers were obtaining fictitious information beforehand, rather than receiving divine guidance. Other 'healees' planted by CSER included Ivars Lauersons, Marty Post, and Steven Schaefersman.

FLYING SAUCER-GATE

This section reports on a UFO sighting over California on September 15th, which was widely reported on local news. Authorities attributed the sighting to a missile launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, shot over the ocean as a practice target. The article expresses skepticism about the official explanation, suggesting a government cover-up.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, OR "SO YOU'RE A SKEPTIC"

This extensive Q&A section, compiled by Rick Moen with contributions from Becky Long, Keith Parsons, and Jan Willem Nienhuys, addresses common questions about skepticism. The participants explain that skepticism is not about dismissing everything but about applying critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning to claims, especially those on the fringes of science.

Key points from the Q&A include:

• Why be a skeptic if it doesn't hurt anyone? Skeptics argue that ignorance can be harmful, leading to superstition, financial exploitation, and the erosion of intellect. They aim to distinguish between valid claims and those that are bogus.
• Explaining anecdotes: Skeptics acknowledge that not all unexplained events can be easily explained, but they emphasize looking for conventional explanations before jumping to paranormal conclusions. Uncorroborated anecdotes are considered weak evidence.
• What do skeptics believe? Skepticism is described as a tool or method, like carpentry, rather than a belief system. Skeptics are interested in examining paranormal claims and testing things that official science may overlook.
• Becoming a skeptic: Skepticism is presented as a gradual process of learning critical thinking, not a sudden conversion.
• Spiritual matters: Skeptics are not necessarily atheists or anti-religion. Their focus is on testable claims, not morals or pure faith, though they will examine claims that are presented as evidence-based, such as faith-healing.
• Constructive aspects of skepticism: Skeptics find enjoyment in examining fringe claims, help people avoid wasting time, and have occasionally confirmed that lives were saved. They also encourage logic, critical thinking, and science education.
• Thought police: Skeptics deny being "thought police"; they provide information and challenge those selling worthless ideas. They advocate for being educated consumers in the marketplace of ideas.
• Personal benefits of skepticism: Skeptics gain entertainment, a chance to make fools of themselves, and the satisfaction of contributing to something important, sometimes even saving lives.
• Closed-mindedness: Skeptics argue they are open-minded to evidence and aim for impartial inquiry, judging results on their merit, not personal authority. They have high standards for evidence and are persuaded by solid data.
• Genuine psychic experiences: While some skeptics have had unexplainable experiences, they do not automatically attribute them to the supernatural. They emphasize the need for evidence and rigorous investigation.
• Intolerance: Skeptics acknowledge that individuals may lose patience, but organized groups strive to distance themselves from intolerance. They argue that criticizing shoddy thinking and poor logic is not intolerant.

ANOTHER GRAND PICNIC

This piece by John Taube recounts the Bay Area Skeptics' annual picnic. Despite a freak thunderstorm that caused many attendees to leave, the event continued with a magic show and banquet. The article humorously notes that Carol Baumgartner, a "neophyte psychic", claimed she could influence the weather, and the storm began shortly after.

NESSIE EMIGRATES?

This short item discusses a segment on the "Unsolved Mysteries" television show about the Lake Champlain "monster". The article, citing skeptic David Bloomberg, dismisses the evidence presented as blurry video footage and a single embarrassed photograph, suggesting it was likely a hoax.

MA NATURE'S WAKE-UP CALL

The Bay Area Skeptics review psychic predictions, particularly those related to California earthquakes. The article highlights predictions from clairvoyant Gordon-Michael Scallion, including a Richter 7.8 earthquake for Sonoma County and a 7.1 for San Diego. Scallion also claims to have accurately predicted a Florida hurricane and suggests that geological and weather services might as well retire due to his accuracy. Information is provided for his "Future Map of the United States".

EUROSKEPTICS BOOK AVAILABLE

A brief mention that a book titled "EuroSkeptics" is available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes a skeptical and critical approach to claims, particularly those related to the paranormal, pseudoscience, and faith healing. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning, scientific inquiry, and debunking misinformation. The "Frequently Asked Questions" section is a key element in educating the public about the principles and practice of skepticism, aiming to counter common misconceptions and portray skeptics as reasonable and constructive.

Title: Bay Area Skeptic Informatoin Sheet
Issue Date: October 1992
Publisher: Bay Area Skeptics
Document Type: Newsletter

EuroSkeptics Congress and Book

The issue begins by reporting on the "Stichting Skepsis" hosted EuroSkeptics Congress in Amsterdam on October 4-5. This gathering featured speakers on fringe-science topics from across Europe and America. The proceedings are being published in a 200+ page English-language book titled "Science or Pseudo? The Mars Effect and Other Claims: Proceedings of the Third EuroSkeptics Congress," edited by Jan Willem Nienhuys. The book promises to cover a wide range of topics, including articles by Kurtz, Hines, and Randi, the inside story on crop circles, the Mars effect of Gauquelin, a rebuttal of a creationist claim, the value of psychotherapy, and an introduction to quantum mechanics. The price of the book is DFL 25.00, with payment options including VISA, MasterCard, Eurocard, Diners Club, and American Express, to be mailed to J.W. Nienhuys in Waalre, The Netherlands.

A detailed list of presentations from the congress is provided, covering topics such as the psychology of paranormal belief (Paul Kurtz), quantum mechanics (J. Hilgevoord), state interference in paranormal practices (Steven F. Hartkamp), cooperation between skeptics and parapsychologists (Rob H. Nanninga), alternative medicine (Wim Betz), science in everyday life (M. Heap), placebo practitioners (Terence Hines), psychotherapists as native healers (Terence Hines), paranormal research in an engineering school (Claudio Benski), a test of dowsing claims (Robert Koenig, Juergen Moll, James Randi, Amardeo Sarma), crop circle expertise (Martin Hempstead), the Mars Effect (J.W. Nienhuys), spurious periodicities in planetary correlations and the Mars Effect (Cornelis de Jager, Rieks Jager), biological rhythms and eminence (P.H. Jongbloet), the Mars Effect (Carl E. Koppeschaar, Suitbert Ertel), and rational explanations of the Mars Effect (Françoise Schneider-Gauquelin).

Editorial: What's Good About "Fate"

The editorial, by John Blanton, Secretary of the North Texas Skeptics, welcomes attendees to the October CSICOP Conference in Dallas. The North Texas Skeptics will have a desk in the lobby to provide information and assistance.

The main editorial discusses "Fate" magazine, describing it as a venerable pro-paranormal/spiritualist monthly founded in 1948. While acknowledging that "Fate" is generally dismissive of skeptics and often includes personal attacks, the editorial praises the September issue for featuring a well-researched debunking of psychic con artists by Bay Area parapsychologist and conjurer Loyd Auerbach in his column, "Psychic Frontiers." Auerbach's article details gypsy-style psychic-reading scams and warns readers against common signs of such cons, emphasizing the importance of retaining one's own decision-making faculties and not giving up responsibility to spiritual advisors.

Book Review: Popular Nutritional Practices

Michelle Renee Dick reviews the book "Popular Nutritional Practices: Sense and Nonsense" by Jack Z. Yetiv, M.D., Ph.D. The book, published by Dell Publishing, covers homeopathy, herb treatment, food additives, fad diets, cholesterol cures, megavitamins, vegetarianism, and more. It includes discussions on Pearson and Shaw, "(Un)Fit for Life," and Pritiken's diets. The review highlights humorous quotes from Diamond's book and critiques a "doctorate in nutritional science" from the American College of Health Science in Austin, Texas, noting that the institution is not allowed to grant degrees in Texas and requires only a payment of $1250 and open-book tests for its "doctorate."

Help Wanted

John Taube writes about the need for a meeting coordinator for the Bay Area Skeptics (BAS), as Kate Talbot is planning an extensive trip. BAS is asking everyone associated with the organization, including subscribers, to consider themselves part of the staff of meeting coordinator. They are also seeking suggestions for potential speakers, requesting articles or information about individuals qualified to speak on paranormal subjects, rip-offs, or fringe science. Information on available free meeting places in the Bay Area is also requested.

Crop Circle Solution?

Gary Posner, M.D., discusses the crop circle phenomenon, noting that two individuals have claimed responsibility for its genesis. The article references Richard Hoagland's claims about mathematical proof linking Martian "monuments" and crop circles to a fourth-dimensional source of free energy. It describes how Bower and Chorley, with a reporter, created a crop circle, which was initially declared genuine by Patrick Delgado, an author on crop circles. Colin Andrews, another author on crop circles, expressed concern about an "irresponsible intrusion" into the research by a British newspaper.

At a Loss for a Prophet

This section details an April Fools prank on the Usenet Skeptics' forum (sci.skeptic) involving a translation of a Nostradamus quatrain that supposedly predicted the end of communism. The original French quatrain and its translation are provided, with the author expressing skepticism about the interpretation.

The Skeptic's Board BBS and Bay Area Skeptics Information

Information is provided about "The Skeptic's Board" BBS, offering public computer access to discussion conferences and e-mail via the Internet, free of charge. A new phone number for the BBS is listed. The issue also lists the officers and staff of the Bay Area Skeptics, including Chair Norman Sperling, Secretary Wilma Russell, Treasurer Lucinda Ben-David, and Editor Rick Moen.

Calendar: Fleecing the Flock

A calendar entry announces an October meeting featuring Don Henvick, an investigator, who will discuss his experiences in a faith-healing investigation team led by James Randi. Henvick donned five different disguises to expose self-proclaimed faith healers who claimed to cure him of various illnesses, emphasizing that the team is not anti-religious. Directions to the El Cerrito Public Library are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes skepticism and critical thinking, aiming to debunk pseudoscience, paranormal claims, and fraudulent practices. It highlights the importance of evidence-based reasoning and provides a platform for skeptical viewpoints. The publication also serves to inform its readers about relevant events, books, and discussions within the skeptical community, encouraging active participation and information sharing.