North Texas Skeptic - Vol 05 No 04 - 1991

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 5, Number 4
Date: July 1991
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic, the newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics, covers several significant topics within the skeptical community, including the financial struggles of CSICOP, the resignation of James Randi, and Scientology's controversial campaigns against Prozac and Time magazine. The newsletter also announces its transition to a monthly publication.

Chairman Pessimistic on CSICOP's Future

By Mike Sullivan

This article reports on the 1991 CSICOP Conference held in Berkeley, California. Chairman Paul Kurtz expressed pessimism about CSICOP's financial future, predicting potential collapse within the coming year and suggesting this meeting might be CSICOP's last. He detailed the organization's financial woes and appealed for help during an awards dinner. Kurtz highlighted CSICOP's accomplishments over its 15 years, including the formation of nearly 70 local skeptics groups worldwide, the circulation of over 40,000 subscribers for The Skeptical Inquirer, and the movement's success in combating pseudoscience and fraud.

Kurtz outlined hopes for the 25th anniversary meeting in 2001, envisioning over 2,000 skeptics, 1,000 local groups, and The Skeptical Inquirer reaching over 100,000 subscribers. However, he attributed the potential failure to realize these hopes to CSICOP's "terrible financial condition." Specific financial problems mentioned include two pending lawsuits costing hundreds of thousands in legal defense, a negative net worth exceeding $200,000, annual losses from organizing conventions, and the inability to conduct business effectively from their current location in Buffalo, New York.

Kurtz explained that banks are unwilling to provide mortgages due to CSICOP's weakness, making donations the only way to finance Phase II of The Center for Inquiry in Buffalo. This new complex is planned to house CSICOP, The Skeptical Inquirer, the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (CODESH), Inquiry Media Productions, a research library, and administrative offices, requiring over $1.5 million to complete.

Kurtz made a direct appeal for financial assistance, emphasizing the importance of the attendees' commitment to the skeptical movement and stating, "Now CSICOP needs your help."

Randi Resigns from CSICOP

By Mike Sullivan

James "The Amazing" Randi, a CSICOP Fellow and founding member, resigned from the Committee due to his ongoing legal battles with stage magician Uri Geller. Geller had reportedly stated his intention to sue Randi in "every state and in every country," including filing suit in Japan and a pending suit in California. Randi had already spent $155,000 defending himself against two earlier suits brought by Geller. Randi's resignation was intended to shield CSICOP from Geller's lawsuits and protect its already precarious finances.

Randi, known for his exposés of paranormal claims, wrote an open letter to skeptics' groups explaining his decision. The article notes Randi's influential books, such as "The Truth About Uri Geller," "The Faith Healers," and "Flim-Flam!," and his work exposing televangelist scams. Rick Moen of the Association of Local Skeptics Groups urged support for Randi, stating that the skeptics' movement owes him a debt and that his potential defeat could make others targets. Moen called for local groups to publicize Randi's predicament and contribute to a defense trust fund.

Uri Geller responded with his own open letter, claiming Randi's statements had "hurt me and my family and caused me uncalculable (sic) damage." Geller clarified his intent to sue Randi "in every country where my legal rights able (sic) me to stop him from spreading lies about me." He questioned how Randi could be broke if his lawsuits were frivolous, given the defense costs. Geller's letter was not signed by him directly but by someone else, indicated by the initials "gsg."

Scientology's Prozac Scare Campaign

By Mike Sullivan

This article details the campaign by the Citizen's Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), a front group for the Church of Scientology, to discredit the prescription drug Prozac. CCHR has been active for over 20 years, aiming to recruit members and oppose conventional psychiatry. The campaign uses pseudonyms like "Psychiatric Abuse Line" on cable TV to attract depressed individuals to Scientology's "therapy" by promoting alleged links between Prozac and suicides.

The Church views conventional medicine and psychiatry as evil, promoting its own state of "clear" as a cure. Prozac, developed by Eli Lilly & Company, is widely prescribed for severe depression. Despite the campaign, Prozac sales have not decreased, but pharmaceutical executives and government officials are concerned. A Wall Street Journal article noted Prozac's market success and Lilly's sales figures. The CCHR campaign has reportedly caused depressed patients to stop taking Prozac against medical advice, leading a Harvard psychiatry professor to call it a potentially serious public health problem. The article cites the study's author stating the Church's use of his work is "absolutely irresponsible" and that Prozac is safe and effective, with over 3.5 million users benefiting.

John Blamphin, director of public affairs for the American Psychiatric Association, confirmed Prozac's effectiveness and noted that the suicide rate for severely depressed individuals is high regardless of medication. He expressed concern that the Scientology campaign could lead to a "self-fulfilling prophesy" if people discontinue necessary medication. The article also mentions a former Church minister who claims Scientology aims to derail psychiatry and drug companies to gain followers.

Scientology Attacks Time

By Mike Sullivan

This article describes Scientology's $3-million advertising campaign to counter Time magazine's May 6 cover story exposé on the cult. The Church ran full-page ads and a special insert in USA Today, accusing Time of scurrilous reporting and claiming a history of distortion. USA Today reviewed the ads for libel and treated them as regular advertisements. The campaign employed tactics of attacking the accuser, quoting individuals critical of Time's reporting, including performers and artists who had received unfavorable reviews.

One ad cited Time's 1930s coverage of Hitler's rise as an example of distorted reporting, a tactic similar to that used by former Scientology insider Jon Atack. The USA Today insert, a 28-page section, alleged a conspiracy between Time, the WPP Group (including J. Walter Thompson), and Eli Lilly & Company, linking them to the discrediting of Prozac and costing Time ad revenues. The insert presented a fictional history of Scientology and propaganda for its front groups, including Dianetics and Scientology.

The article lists Scientology's unsupported claims, such as being the fastest-growing religion and a courageous social reform group, and its assertion that conventional psychiatry attacks the Church due to its superior technology. It also mentions the belief in Thetans, ancient soul-like entities, and the expensive "auditing" process to remove negative imprints. The E-Meter is described as a device to determine a follower's path to "clear."

Richard Behar, associate editor of Time, described Scientology as a "thriving cult of greed and power" seeking to go mainstream and become accepted as a mental health alternative, while hating conventional psychiatry. Behar's investigation uncovered various front groups and financial scams used by the Church, including Sterling Management Systems, Way to Happiness Foundation, Applied Scholastics, CCHR, Concerned Businessman's Association of America, and Narconon. Behar also reported that Scientology hired public relations firms Hill and Knowlton and Trout & Reis. Behar claimed the Church used private investigators to harass him and obtained his personal credit report without authorization.

The Skeptic Goes Monthly!

This section announces that the newsletter is transitioning to a monthly publication, starting with this issue. The board of directors voted on June 10 to adopt the monthly format to better fulfill the organization's mission. The newsletter will now be sent around the first of each month. Contributions and story ideas from members and readers are encouraged. The plan is to test a 2-color format and expand circulation beyond the NTS membership. Newsletter-only subscribers will receive monthly service for the remainder of their subscription period. The board will discuss financial considerations for the monthly schedule, aiming for a fee structure that covers production and mailing costs while ensuring a superior newsletter. Thanks are extended to Associate Editor Keith Blanton for his layout and production skills, and to members and readers for their feedback.

Letters to the Editor

This section features letters from readers and responses from the editor. One letter from Robert Davis of Dallas questions three points made by editor Mike Sullivan in his article "MUFON's Circular Reasoning." Davis challenges Sullivan's understanding of British titles of nobility, his lack of firsthand investigation into crop circles, and his claim about the audience's receptiveness to a lecture on crop circles.

Mike Sullivan replies, defending his points. He clarifies that British titles can be inherited or bought, citing a World Press magazine report. Regarding crop circles, Sullivan admits he has not investigated them firsthand but states that the skeptical movement demands extraordinary proof for extraordinary claims. He explains that his observation about the audience's receptiveness was based on the lack of critical questions or comments during a four-hour lecture, and he hopes the reader applied similar critical evaluation to his report.

A Peek At The Editor's In-box

This section previews upcoming stories and seeks expert assistance from members and readers for articles. Two items are highlighted:

1. Quack computer? The "Quest" nutrition computer, installed at Nature's Alley food store in Richland Hills, is said to diagnose ailments and recommend treatments. Dr. Stephen Barrett of CSICOP's paranormal health claims subcommittee has asked Texas health and medical licensing officials to cite the machine for practicing medicine without a license. Readers are invited to investigate and report on the computer's advice.
2. The Big Sleep: Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) is a procedure offered by Dallas chiropractor Ty Talcott, costing over $15,000 for three out-patient treatments. The newsletter seeks to understand why the non-surgical procedure is so expensive, why general anesthesia is required, and whether patients found it safe and effective.

The third eye

By Pat Reeder

This column reviews recent CBS "documentaries" on supernatural subjects. "True Life Ghost Stories," dramatized with "cold, scientific objectivity," is mentioned, along with a program on UFO abductees that featured "bug-eyed space monsters" and allowed Travis Walton's claims to go unchallenged. The column notes that TV Guide magazine gave "Jeers" to CBS for these programs. The column also criticizes Kevin McCarthy of KLIF for hosting guests like Charles Berlitz, who discussed topics such as the Bermuda Triangle and Atlantis, and a "psychic color reader."

It mentions a poll of "psychics and astrologers" in India regarding an election outcome, with most predicting Rajiv Gandhi's victory. The column also touches on local Dallas news, including psychic John Catchings appearing on "Geraldo" and receiving a credulous article in The Dallas Times Herald. A sad story about a graphologist found murdered is recounted, with her companion, an unlicensed "mental therapist," arrested. Finally, the column notes a dinner with journalist Hugh Aynesworth and discusses Oliver Stone's film on the John Kennedy assassination, which is expected to present a "wildly credulous accounting of Jim Garrison's utterly discredited conspiracy theory."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal claims and pseudoscience, critical examination of organizations like CSICOP and Scientology, and media criticism. The editorial stance is clearly pro-skepticism, advocating for rational inquiry, scientific methodology, and a critical approach to claims made by various groups and individuals. The newsletter actively engages in debunking and exposing what it considers to be fraudulent or unsubstantiated claims, particularly those related to the paranormal, pseudoscientific therapies, and the tactics of cult-like organizations. The transition to a monthly publication signifies a commitment to providing regular content and engaging with its readership on these issues.