The Skeptic

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 5 Number 6
Date: September 1991
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics

This issue of The Skeptic, a newsletter from The North Texas Skeptics, delves into several topics related to pseudoscience, media criticism, and skeptical inquiry. The cover story focuses on televangelist Robert Tilton's claim of curing AIDS, while other articles examine the use of 'junk science' in legal proceedings, crop circle phenomena, and the broader landscape of paranormal claims.

Tilton Claims TV AIDS Cure

Mike Sullivan reports on a segment aired on Robert Tilton's 'Success in Life' TV show, which claimed a viewer named 'André' was cured of AIDS after touching his television screen during a 'Miracle Prayer.' The segment, broadcast on July 31, 1991, featured 'André' stating he was diagnosed with HIV positive and suffered from severe weight loss. After the prayer, a subsequent hospital test allegedly showed no HIV antibodies. The report included illegible hospital records with the words "NO AIDS" visible.

NTS technical advisor Dr. Tim Gorski, M.D., provides a scientific explanation, stating that an HIV positive test indicates detectable antibodies, but a positive ELISA test requires confirmation by a Western Blot. He suggests 'André' might have had a false-positive or weakly-positive ELISA test. Dr. Gorski also points out that being HIV positive is not the same as having 'full-blown AIDS' and that individuals with severely damaged immune systems might not produce antibodies. He emphasizes that no AIDS cure has been documented and that Tilton has a moral obligation to prove his claim. The article notes that the Centers for Disease Control estimated as many as 208,000 new AIDS cases by the end of 1992, with 1.3 million Americans potentially infected and 21,000 deaths in 1989.

Attempts to get more details from Tilton's Dallas operation were unsuccessful, with staff refusing to provide contact information for the patient or reporter and expressing unwavering belief in Tilton. The article also mentions Tilton's 'Special Back Healing Miracle Service' and his claimed ability to 'speak in tongues.'

The Fourth Estate

This section reviews media coverage of skeptical topics. The author notes the difficulty in finding 'The Skeptical Inquirer' in Dallas bookstores but observes that the popular press is increasingly covering rational inquiry. An excerpt from Peter Huber's book, 'Galileo's Revenge: Junk Science in the Courtroom,' published by Basic Books, is highlighted. Huber's work details how 'junk science' and pseudoscience are used by 'expert' witnesses in court cases, citing examples like the Audi 5000 unintended acceleration lawsuits, cases of alleged medical malpractice, and a jury awarding damages to a soothsayer who claimed to have lost her psychic powers during a CAT scan. The article criticizes the legal system's tendency to reward such testimony, regardless of scientific consensus or peer review.

'Spy' magazine's September issue is also mentioned for two relevant articles. 'Profits of Doom' by Deirdre Fanning profiles the Feshbach brothers, who reportedly lost over $330 million due to short-selling blunders, and discusses their business practices being aligned with L. Ron Hubbard's Scientology. The article includes a humorous anecdote about Hubbard using an 'E-meter' on a tomato.

Another 'Spy' article, 'You'll Never Groom Dogs in This Town Again' by Henry Alford, recounts his attempts to pass accreditation tests for various professions, including that of a psychic. Alford's experience with Dr. E. M. Sekunna of the Universal Centre in Cassadaga, Florida, is detailed, where Sekunna, after a phone 'cold reading,' declared Alford 'very highly sensitive' and offered him palmistry lessons.

The Third Eye

Written by Pat Reeder, this section serves as an update on previously reported stories, with a focus on summer reruns. It mentions the resolution of the 'Voodoo Beer dispute,' where Texas allowed the sale of Louisiana's Voodoo Beer after initially blocking it due to its religious name, and Louisiana threatened to ban Lone Star Beer in retaliation. The dispute was settled amicably, avoiding an 'interstate warfare' over alcoholic beverage naming conventions.

The article also revisits the British crop circles phenomenon, noting that a 20/20 report on the subject was 'frighteningly credulous' and omitted facts casting doubt on supernatural origins. The only update was that farmers were charging tourists to view the circles. A report on children's near-death experiences is also mentioned, with an ABC reporter, who was both a minister and a medical doctor, suggesting these were physiological phenomena caused by brain chemicals, a view that did not conflict with his personal religious convictions.

An Associated Press report from Fargo, Oklahoma, is cited about a woman claiming to have seen a UFO hovering over her rye field 34 years ago, which she linked to crop circles. The author humorously contrasts this with the elaborate, overnight crop circles in Britain, suggesting a decline in American workmanship.

Finally, the article touches on the anniversary of Elvis Presley's death and a Bill Bixby special promoting the theory that Elvis is still alive. It also mentions a Duracell battery commercial featuring a crop circle and Martians, with a humorous twist involving a mysteriously disappeared son.

Letters to the Editor

This section includes correspondence from readers. Deborah A. Boak of Arlington expresses concern about the financial vulnerability of organizations like CSICOP and James Randi to lawsuits, particularly from Scientology. She criticizes the legal system for rewarding frivolous lawsuits and suggests that cooperating local groups might better fill the void left by CSICOP if it were to fold. She laments that financial contributions are spent on attorneys rather than the organization's cause.

Ernest Rager of Dallas submits a detailed letter with ten points of inquiry and critique regarding Mike Sullivan's previous article on MUFON and crop circles. Rager questions the identification of circle origins, Sullivan's definition of 'hoax,' the susceptibility of 'real' circles to replication, and NTS's proposed scientific investigations. He also asks about Dr. Terrence Meaden's credentials and statements regarding crop circles and UFOs, and questions the characterization of Meaden and the perceived lack of skepticism at a MUFON meeting attended by Sullivan.

Skeptical Outlook

Mike Sullivan, in his editor's in-box column, outlines future research topics for The Skeptic. He mentions investigating local psychic Ginger Larkin's adult learning courses on psychic abilities offered at community colleges and questions the justification for teaching pseudoscience at taxpayer expense. He also updates readers on ongoing research into SunRider's claims and business practices, requesting information from readers.

Up a tree: a skeptical cartoon

This is a cartoon by Laura Ainsworth titled 'Up a Tree.' It depicts two birds discussing a TV preacher who claimed God would solve financial problems if a thousand dollars were sent to him. One bird questions this, stating that if they had a thousand dollars, it would be 'too logical' to send it away.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Skeptic revolve around the critical examination of claims of supernatural phenomena, miraculous cures, and pseudoscientific explanations, particularly when presented through media channels like television and popular publications. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical, advocating for scientific evidence, logical reasoning, and critical evaluation of extraordinary claims. The magazine actively debunks or questions claims that lack empirical support, highlights the misuse of science in legal contexts, and encourages readers to apply critical thinking to paranormal assertions. There is also a strong undercurrent of concern regarding the financial and legal pressures faced by skeptical organizations from groups employing aggressive litigation tactics.