The Skeptic

Magazine Overview

This issue of "The Skeptic," the newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics, published in May 1995, focuses on debunking persistent myths and sensationalism. The main article, "The Truth: On sale now!" by Jeff Freeman, tackles the unfounded accusations linking fantasy role-playing games (FRPGs), particularly Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), to suicide and murder. Other articles address medical quackery, particularly concerning Henry Heimlich's controversial AIDS cure, and a collection of miscellaneous news items that highlight questionable claims and events.

The Truth: On sale now!

Jeff Freeman's lead article directly confronts the enduring narrative that D&D causes suicide, promotes violence, and is an occultist lure. He notes that while the peak of this media-hype was in the mid-1980s, recent articles still allude to these charges, even misapplying them to games like "Magic: The Gathering." Freeman cites legal cases, such as a U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals decision upholding a prison warden's ban on role-playing games due to alleged aggressive behavior promotion, and media reports that link murders to FRPGs. However, he counters these with findings from studies published in "Psychological Reports" and "Psychology in the School," which indicate that gamers are not more violent than non-gamers and may even have fewer criminal tendencies.

The article critiques the use of anecdotal evidence and misrepresentation by anti-game groups like BADD (Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons) and figures like Pat Robertson. It points out that the claim of a 300% increase in teen suicide since 1955 is misleading, as improved statistical collection and a shift in societal blame contributed to the perceived rise. Furthermore, studies by the American Association of Suicidology and the Centers for Disease Control have found no link between FRPGs and suicide. In fact, the article suggests that gamers might have a lower suicide rate than the general population due to the social interaction inherent in RPGs.

Regarding the murder accusations, Freeman states that the evidence is as insubstantial as that for suicide claims, comparing it to UFO abductions and homeopathic successes. He notes that the "D&D murder" charge emerged only after the suicide claims were refuted. The article debunks the infamous "Cruel Doubt" made-for-TV movie and related "true-crime" novel, explaining that the alleged "game scenario" was never introduced in court, was not part of the official game rules, and was fabricated. A thorough investigation by the Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games has debunked numerous cases presented by BADD, finding that most are poorly documented or lack any connection to D&D. In over 20 years, no documented case of suicide or murder has been found where D&D was a significant element.

The article also addresses the "D&D occultism" charge, attributing it to fundamentalist groups who object to the game's use of the word "magic" and its depiction of various gods. These groups, the article argues, misrepresent the game's content, claiming it promotes spell-casting, pagan worship, and mind control by the "Dungeon Master." The author likens this to accusing actors of sinning for playing evil characters. He criticizes fundamentalist organizations for producing anti-game tracts that are often based on outdated and misrepresented information, comparing them to hate-trash targeting various religious and social groups.

Freeman concludes by noting that most fundamentalist Christians do not subscribe to such extremism and that game rulebooks do not contain recipes for poisons, demon-summoning, or other alleged occult practices. He also discusses the prevalence of "one-man bands" or single-issue organizations that promote their agendas through pamphlets and books, often cloaked in religious or advocacy language. When asked for information on FRPGs, these groups primarily responded with anti-game flyers or referrals to other similar organizations, showing a lack of awareness of legitimate mental health or product-safety resources.

Heimlich: A victim of quackery

By Tim Gorski, M.D., this section reports on Henry Heimlich, the inventor of the Heimlich Maneuver, being accused of medical quackery. An article in the Los Angeles Times revealed that Heimlich, then 74, was raising money from celebrities to combat HIV, promising an "end to AIDS by 1994." His proposed "cure" involved infecting HIV victims with malarial parasites to stimulate their immune systems. Heimlich had reportedly conducted these experiments in China and Mexico. A group of 20 researchers and scientists petitioned government authorities to investigate his activities. Dr. Paul Bronstein of the American College of Medical Quality is quoted criticizing Heimlich for exploiting the AIDS crisis and the public's trust. Heimlich's response was to suggest that critics were seeking fame. The article also mentions Heimlich previously touting malaria as a cure for Lyme disease, with patients reporting no recovery and urging others to avoid his treatments. The piece concludes by suggesting that Heimlich might be remembered as a bizarre crank rather than for his life-saving maneuver.

This information is provided by the Dallas/Fort Worth Council Against Health Fraud.

The third eye

This column by Pat Reeder presents a series of brief, often humorous, news items that might have been missed by readers. These include:

• Aum Shinri Kyo cult: Members of the cult suspected in the Tokyo subway gas bombing were seen as "cash cows" by their leaders, who sold bizarre religious items, including samples of the leader's blood and brain-wave synchronizing headsets, for exorbitant prices.
• Global Warming Summit: A United Nations summit in Berlin in early April yielded no concrete results due to participant bickering. Environmentalists pushed for strict laws, while British scientists questioned the crisis's existence, and disagreements arose over emission reduction timetables.
• Lottery Lawsuit: Warren E. Smith of Roanoke, Virginia, is suing palm reader Lola Rose Miller for over $3 million, claiming she sold him losing lottery numbers despite his payments of $75,724, including funds from his retirement account.
• Voodoo Squad: Miami's Dade County Courthouse has a "Voodoo Squad" to clean up ritualistic paraphernalia left behind in court cases, including dead chickens and goats.
• Political Candidacy: Penny Hoeflinger, a former self-proclaimed witch involved in occult practices, announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor of West Virginia, running on a platform of education and recycling.
• Easter Celebration: The New Life Center Church in Springfield, Oregon, offered a drive-through Passion Play, with humorous descriptions of the stations like "You want fries with that?" and a Jesus who performed a "miracle of resurrection" by starting a Yugo.
• Filipino Easter Festivities: In San Fernando, Philippines, thousands participated in Easter festivities involving public whippings, self-flagellation, and a crucifixion tableau where twelve volunteers were crucified on wooden crosses, though with platforms to prevent death.
• Houdini's Hall of Fame Fire: A fire at the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Ontario, destroyed many of Houdini's props. The article notes Houdini's request for his memorabilia to be burned after his death, contrasting with his brother's sale of it. Arson is suspected, but other causes are not ruled out.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the critical examination of sensationalized claims and the promotion of skepticism. The newsletter consistently challenges unsubstantiated accusations, particularly those surrounding Dungeons & Dragons, by presenting scientific evidence and logical reasoning. It criticizes media hype, the spread of misinformation, and the exploitation of public fears for personal or organizational gain. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry, evidence-based conclusions, and a healthy dose of skepticism towards extraordinary claims, whether they relate to paranormal phenomena, health cures, or moral panics.