North Texas Skeptic - Vol 10 No 01 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics
Issue: Volume 10 Number 1
Date: January 1996
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic newsletter, published by The North Texas Skeptics, focuses on critical examination of various phenomena, including moral panics, pseudoscience, and health scams. The cover story, "Satan will get you if you don't watch out," by Lonnie Roy, Raymond A. Eve, and Anson Shupe, is Part 1 of a two-part article exploring the fear of violent Satanic cults.

Satan Will Get You If You Don't Watch Out

The article by Roy, Eve, and Shupe argues that the widespread fear of Satanic cults, often amplified by mass media and 'moral entrepreneurs,' is not supported by substantial evidence. The authors present a case study from North-Central Texas in October 1989, where rumors of Satanic activities, including child abduction and sacrifice, led to a public forum. Despite the county sheriff finding no evidence of such activities, other speakers, including a representative from Lyndon LaRouche's organization, proclaimed an imminent danger. The authors suggest that these 'moral panics' are more indicative of a struggle for cultural reproduction and the control of societal values, particularly among conservative Christian groups, rather than a genuine threat from Satanic cults. They cite research indicating that fears about Satanism are exaggerated and empirically unsupported, with conclusions from researchers like Carlson and Larue stating that Satanism is not a threat to society.

The etiology of a moral panic is explored, linking it to the politics of lifestyle concern, where groups attempt to defend their way of life by controlling socialization and social control institutions. The fear of Satanism is hypothesized to be as influential as religious conservatism in generating these panics, driven by a desire among conservative Christians to preserve their values in public life.

The Ape-Man Within

Reviewed by John Blanton, this section discusses L. Sprague de Camp's book, "The Ape-Man Within." The book explores the theme of human evolution, suggesting that despite civilization, humans remain fundamentally products of their animalistic ancestors. It posits that Darwinism explains various human behaviors like love, jealousy, and racism. The review notes de Camp's pessimistic outlook on religion, acknowledging its necessity as a social control mechanism. The book is described as a philosophical statement based on a lifetime of experience, rather than strict scientific narrative.

The Third Eye: News and Commentary from the Weird World of the Media

Pat Reeder's column begins with holiday cheer, celebrating the arrest of fraudulent telemarketers. He defines 'mean' by contrasting it with the actions of scammers who prey on the elderly. Reeder expresses frustration with the public's susceptibility to scams, such as psychic hotlines and lottery systems, but reaffirms the importance of combating such exploitation. He then discusses the CIA's "Stargate" program, a 20-year, $20 million initiative involving psychics to locate targets, which he deems a waste of money with no demonstrable results. Reeder criticizes a media reaction that was largely skeptical, except for some who saw it as validation of psychic abilities. He highlights the lack of evidence for the program's success, noting that it failed to detect Aldrich Ames.

Reeder also critiques ABC's "Ghosts, Mediums, Psychics: Put To The Test" special as a "silly hack job" lacking genuine skeptical investigation. He sarcastically suggests ABC should have consulted James Randi for a more credible test. The column also touches on an Orange County Treasurer who took financial advice from a mail-order astrologer, a fundamentalist minister's sign questioning Santa Claus, and a vicar's apology for stating Santa and the Easter Bunny were parental inventions. Finally, an update on the "Alien Autopsy" video debunks claims of its 1947 origin, stating that the submitted film stock was not conclusive evidence.

Healthy Skepticism

Tim Gorski, M.D., addresses current quackery, starting with "Algal Vitamin B12." He explains that blue-green algae is promoted as a food supplement, especially for vegetarians, but questions its vitamin B12 source. According to pharmacognosy authority Varro Tyler, the vitamin B12 in algae likely originates from fecal contamination in the water where it is grown, and much of it may be inactive analogues. Gorski also debunks the claim that Mohandas Gandhi practiced "urotherapy" (urine drinking), citing Gandhi's grandson's denial. The section concludes with news of Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski, a Houston-based doctor indicted for fraud related to his unproven "anti-neoplaston" cancer cure, which he developed from human urine and promoted without clinical trials, allegedly engaging in fraudulent billing practices.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and health scams. The newsletter consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based stance, debunking sensationalized fears like the Satanism scare and exposing fraudulent practices in areas ranging from telemarketing to alternative medicine. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific reasoning and critical thinking, encouraging readers to question extraordinary claims and to be wary of those who exploit gullibility for profit or ideological gain.