North Texas Skeptic - Vol 06 No 05 - 1992

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics," titled "The Skeptic," Volume 6, Number 5, dated May 1992, presents a collection of skeptical analyses and critiques of various phenomena, including religious claims, paranormal investigations, and conspiracy theories. The publication is from the North Texas Skeptics and is written in English.

The Third Eye by Pat Reeder

Pat Reeder opens the issue with an apology for missing the previous month's publication due to personal family matters, including the recent passing of his mother. He states that these events have strengthened his commitment to the North Texas Skeptics and CSICOP. Reeder then addresses the controversy surrounding evangelist Robert Tilton, who is being defended by some against Attorney General Dan Morales. Reeder quotes Leo Marzoni of Dallas, who argues that the government should not protect people from bad decisions or from evangelists, and that the misuse of funds is a greater harm than the "Word of Faith." Bob Ray Sanders is also mentioned for repeatedly defending Tilton on his radio show, claiming he has committed no crime and is merely practicing freedom of religion.

Reeder highlights a lawsuit against Tilton by Mary Elizabeth Turk, a 67-year-old widow diagnosed with colon cancer. Turk allegedly delayed medical treatment in favor of Tilton's televised promises of healing, and now, at an advanced stage of her illness, realizes his promises were a ploy. Doctors reportedly stated that early treatment could have saved her. Reeder lays the blame for her impending death, and potentially others, squarely on Robert Tilton.

Reeder poses a rhetorical question to those who defend Tilton: "What if this woman were YOUR mother?" He shares his own mother's experience with cancer, emphasizing the value of the five years of life she gained through medical care at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, contrasting this with Tilton's "ill-gotten riches." He further questions why Morales should prosecute, suggesting that if Tilton had claimed to be a doctor and advised a sick person to abandon medicine, leading to death, the public would demand prosecution for murder or manslaughter. He reiterates the question, "What if he did this to YOUR mother?" and expresses a personal desire for retribution if such a situation had befallen his own mother.

Reeder then shifts to Bob Ray Sanders' interview with UFO researcher Stanton Friedman. Friedman discussed his new book on the Roswell, New Mexico, saucer crash, featuring an eyewitness who was five years old at the time and only recalled the event decades later after seeing a "dramatic reenactment" on "Unsolved Mysteries." Reeder sarcastically notes the eyewitness's delayed recollection. He mentions that MUFON, described as a "scientific research group" dedicated to UFO research through the "scientific method," charges $12 for meetings. Reeder questions MUFON's scientific method, citing their alleged dismissal of researchers who declared the Gulf Breeze photos a hoax.

Reeder also discusses a CBS made-for-TV movie, "Grave Secrets," about a haunted house in Houston. The movie portrayed ghostly events, though none were captured on film. The story implied a daughter's death from a heart attack induced by ghosts, while also noting she was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Reeder notes that the alleged ghostly activity ceased when the people who sold the story moved away, suggesting the movie should have been titled "Grave Doubts."

He then touches on the JFK assassination conspiracy theories, criticizing Oliver Stone's use of the phrase "historians like myself" and the film's editor's praise of Stone's "dedication to a higher truth." Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, is quoted denouncing the film "JFK" as a "hoax" and "smear" based on "loony theories." Reeder also mentions a "Film Threat" magazine article about a JFK conspiracy symposium in Dallas, comparing it to a Star Trek convention. Finally, he critiques a TV special hosted by James Earl Jones that linked the JFK assassination, the Bay of Pigs, and Watergate, calling it "Appalling."

Reeder concludes this section by mentioning that next month's topic will be Dr. Crenshaw. He then provides a brief update on other news stories, including an "Inside Edition" report on Erin Moran's absence from a "Happy Days" reunion special, a Russian reporter's investigation into an "abominable snowman" (which Reeder suspects was a beaver), and a job offer to Elvis Presley by Jim Rodenburg of the Omaha Stock Yards to be a spokesman for the pork industry, noting Elvis's love for pork and his death from a heart attack.

An Ageless Story by John Blanton and Jeff Umbarger (Part II)

This article continues the critique of Don Patton's (MIOS chairman) arguments for a young Earth, which were presented at a February MIOS meeting. The authors, John Blanton and Jeff Umbarger, previously detailed how one of Patton's citations was misrepresented. This month, they analyze another citation concerning the dating of moon rocks.

The authors present text from a handout titled "DATING OF MOON SAMPLES: PITFALLS AND PARADOXES." The text discusses the complexities of the uranium-lead dating method, particularly the presence of non-radiogenic lead isotopes. Scientists are unsure of the original ratios of non-radiogenic to radiogenic lead in the moon's early history. The article notes that if all age-dating methods (rubidium-strontium, uranium-lead, and potassium-argon) yielded consistent ages, the picture would be clear, but they have not. The authors interpret the ellipses in the MIOS text as omitted information that would have been relevant to creationists.

They then quote from an article by Everly Driscoll in "Science News" to clarify the original context. Driscoll's article explains that unraveling lunar history is complex and subject to interpretation. While age-dating methods have yielded varying results, lead ages have consistently been older. The article details the decay of uranium 238 to lead 206, uranium 235 to lead 207, and thorium 232 to lead 208. The complication arises from naturally occurring non-radiogenic lead isotopes (204, 206, 207, 208). Scientists use meteorite lead ratios to estimate early moon lead ratios, but the question remains whether these ratios are applicable to the moon.

The article discusses sample 14163, where lead components suggest ages older than 4 billion years. When heated, this sample showed high lead 207 to 206 ratios, deviating from the expected ratio for continuously forming lead. Silver suggests this indicates lead formed very early in the solar system before dilution with lead 206. Tatsumoto and Doe have obtained similar results, with some lead consistently dating at 4.6 billion years old.

The problem of the initial amount of lead remains. The authors suggest that dating all soil samples and finding a convergence point could help. They also note the broader implications of understanding the history of volatile metals, which could aid in predicting earth's future.

Blanton and Umbarger contrast the scientific article with the MIOS presentation, stating that Driscoll's text does not express doubts about the moon being billions of years old, as implied by Patton. They accuse Patton of using ellipses to shorten text and present a misleading argument. They felt Patton's presentation suggested that mainstream science's radiometric dating methods are unreliable, leading the audience to conclude that claims of an Earth over 4 billion years old are invalid. Patton himself stated his belief that the Earth is less than 10,000 years old.

The authors note that Patton claimed authorship of all materials, dispelling the idea that MIOS relies solely on the Institute for Creation Research. Patton conducts his own research and prepares his presentations. The next MIOS lecture was announced to continue the theme of scientific evidence for the age of the universe.

MIOS holds monthly meetings, typically on the first Tuesday of the month at the Ridgewood Recreation Center in Dallas, starting at 7:30 PM. The authors encourage NTS members to attend to experience "creation science" firsthand. Contact information for John Blanton is provided.

More From Pat Reeder

This section contains material edited out of Pat Reeder's March column due to space constraints. It discusses recent news concerning money-making enterprises disguised as religions. ABC's "Nightline" featured an interview with David Miscavige, head of the Church of Scientology, addressing charges of the organization being a cult that exploits its members and targets those who leave or expose it. Forrest Sawyer's report highlighted accusations of intimidation, credit rating destruction, and attempts to get individuals arrested. The interview with Ted Koppel is described as disappointing, with Koppel appearing soft on Scientology and allowing Miscavige to accuse Sawyer of using biased information. Miscavige also labeled the Cult Awareness Network a "hate group." Reeder likens interviewing Miscavige to dealing with a persistent timeshare salesman, suggesting that a reporter who actually covered the story should conduct future interviews.

Up a tree: a skeptical cartoon by Laura Ainsworth

This section features a single-panel cartoon by Laura Ainsworth. The cartoon depicts two bird-like characters. One, presumably a doctor, is telling the other, "SAY 'AH! GOOD... YOU'RE FINE. THROW AWAY YOUR MEDICINE!" The second character, who appears to be a patient, quacks in response. A third character, possibly a preacher, then says, "SAY 'AMEN'! PRAISE JESUS. THROW AWAY YOUR MEDICINE!" The second character again quacks. The cartoon satirizes the idea of unqualified individuals offering medical advice, particularly in a religious context.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards religious claims, paranormal phenomena, and conspiracy theories. The newsletter consistently critiques what it perceives as pseudoscientific arguments and fraudulent practices, particularly those involving religious evangelists and organizations. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and evidence-based analysis, as demonstrated by the detailed debunking of creationist arguments and the skeptical examination of UFO claims and the Church of Scientology. The publication aims to inform its readers about potentially misleading or deceptive claims and to promote a rational worldview.