North Texas Skeptic - Vol 05 No 07 - 1991

Magazine Overview

Title: The Skeptic
Issue: Volume 5 Number 7
Date: October 1991
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic, the newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics, delves into several topics related to skepticism, paranormal claims, and scientific inquiry. The main cover story addresses the confession of two men who admitted to creating crop circles, challenging the prevailing paranormal explanations. Other articles discuss the promotion of creationism in public schools, media coverage of paranormal phenomena, and the ongoing debates between skeptics and alleged psychics.

Circle Hoaxers Come Forward

This lead article by Mike Sullivan details the confession of Doug Bower and David Chorley, two British men who claimed to have been hoaxing crop circles since 1978. The confession came on the eve of the first United Kingdom Corn Circle Conference. The men demonstrated their methods, which involved a rope, a board, and a baseball cap with a transit, and stated they were tired of people making money from the circles and promoting outlandish theories. Pat Delgado, a crop circle believer, initially expressed disbelief, stating "No human could have done this," but later admitted he had been duped. The article highlights the lucrative "crop circle cottage industry" that had sprung up, with books and merchandise generating significant revenue. It also mentions a similar hoax perpetrated by Georgia Skeptics, Becky Long and Larry Johnson, who created crop circles near Atlanta to demonstrate the ease of their creation. The article questions the motives of those who promote paranormal explanations and suggests that the Bower and Chorley confession provides a plausible, non-paranormal explanation for many crop circle phenomena.

Seagoville Creation Lectures Promoted

Mike Sullivan also reports on the promotion of creationism "seminars" sponsored by the Seagoville Church of Christ in Texas. These seminars featured Dr. Douglas Dean, who holds a Ph.D. in biology. The promotion was aided by Terry Barrett, an employee of The Dallas Morning News. The stated goal of these seminars is to influence public opinion and advocate for the teaching of creationism alongside evolution in Texas public schools. NTS President John Blanton and NTS technical advisor Dr. Ron Hastings were contacted regarding potential media appearances to represent the scientific viewpoint. The article notes that both NTS and the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) oppose the inclusion of creationism in science classes, viewing it as religiously based rather than scientific inquiry.

In case you missed it

This section, compiled by John Blanton, provides brief updates on various items:

• Evangelist Morris Cerullo: His attempt to perform faith healing on British TV was reportedly blocked because miracles cannot be proven.
• NCSE Reports: The National Center for Science Education is highlighted as a resource for those concerned about creationism. An article in its reports, "Creationism in Many Illinois Schools," details a case where a teacher was reportedly promoting creationism.
• Book Orders: Members can order books on the creationism/evolution controversy and debate tapes at a discount through the NCSE.
• Member Accounts: The newsletter addresses a discrepancy in membership numbers reported by The Dallas Observer, clarifying the NTS's actual membership and distribution of The Skeptic.
• NTS Finances: The newsletter explains the NTS's income sources (membership dues, subscriptions, donations) and expenditures, emphasizing the importance of new subscriptions to shift the organization from a deficit to a surplus.

The third eye

This section by Pat Reeder offers a commentary on recent paranormal news. It discusses media coverage of the crop circle hoax, noting that most outlets accepted the confession. However, it criticizes National Public Radio's correspondent Jackie Lydon for her continued belief in crop circles despite the evidence. The author questions her journalistic credentials and the use of taxpayer money for such reporting. The section also mentions Betty Hill's retirement from public UFO appearances, citing age and the proliferation of "flakes." It notes Phil Klass's agreement with Hill, though Hill dismisses Klass as a debunker seeking fame. The segment touches on the James Randi-Uri Geller feud, with Randi appearing more credible and witty in media appearances. Penn and Teller's appearance on Late Night with David Letterman, where they mocked psychic claims, is also mentioned. The author expresses concern about New Age groups rearranging natural rock formations in Arizona to "psychic" rituals and highlights radio shows featuring "metaphysical consultants" and psychics, criticizing the lack of substance in their readings.

Will the Real Crop Circle Hoaxers Please Stand Up?

Mike Sullivan provides a commentary on the crop circle controversy, examining the possibility that Bower and Chorley might be perpetuating a second hoax by claiming they created the circles. He argues that their story is plausible and fits the evidence, noting that their wives became suspicious and that they possess the necessary skills and physical ability. The article suggests that the "crop circle cottage industry" and the desire to maintain paranormal beliefs could be motives for continuing the hoax or for disbelieving the confession. Sullivan posits that if Bower and Chorley are telling the truth, it exposes the bogus claims made by various paranormal groups. He concludes that while Bower and Chorley may not have created every circle, their story provides solid evidence that supernatural explanations are not necessary for crop circles.

1992 CSICOP Conference Set for Dallas

This article announces that The North Texas Skeptics (NTS) will assist CSICOP in hosting the 1992 CSICOP annual convention in Dallas from October 30 to November 2, 1992. NTS board members helped select hotel sites, and Dallas is noted for its modern convention hotels and reasonable rates, expected to attract up to 500 attendees. CSICOP business manager Mary Rose Hays is finalizing hotel negotiations. NTS members will be involved in organizing the event, and the conference is seen as an opportunity for national and local publicity for rational thinking.

Up a tree: a skeptical cartoon

A skeptical cartoon by Laura Ainsworth humorously depicts two quail discussing a crop circle. One quail points out a formation that resembles Morton Downey Jr. eating a pepperoni pizza, sarcastically concluding, "No human being could have done this..."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims, the importance of evidence-based reasoning, and the debunking of hoaxes. The North Texas Skeptics consistently advocate for scientific rigor and skepticism, challenging pseudoscientific explanations and promoting critical thinking. The editorial stance is clearly against the acceptance of unsubstantiated paranormal phenomena and in favor of rational explanations, even when they involve human deception or misinterpretation. The newsletter actively engages with media coverage of these topics and seeks to educate its readers on the scientific perspective. The promotion of creationism is also viewed critically, as it is seen as a religiously motivated challenge to established scientific understanding.