North Texas Skeptic - Vol 11 No 06 - 1997

Magazine Overview

Title: The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics
Issue: Volume 11 Number 6
Date: June 1997
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "The Skeptic" newsletter from The North Texas Skeptics features a collection of articles and commentary that critically examine various phenomena, from media portrayals of the paranormal to historical revisionism and societal trends. The overarching theme is skepticism, encouraging readers to apply critical thinking and evidence-based analysis to claims that often lack scientific foundation.

"The Third Eye" by Pat Reeder

Pat Reeder's column, "The Third Eye," presents a series of "random mutterings" due to the author's exhaustion from preparing for a local home tour. Despite the lack of a grand theme, Reeder touches on several disparate topics. He begins by noting the British election results, where political pollsters correctly predicted Tony Blair's landslide victory. However, he humorously contrasts this with the predictions of astrologers and psychics, such as the chairman of the Astrological Association of Great Britain and Craig Hamilton-Parker, who incorrectly foresaw a Tory victory. Reeder sarcastically remarks on the Britons' belief that voting for Blair would make a difference and the psychic's promise to eat his hat and crystal ball if wrong.

Reeder then shifts to the season finale of "The X-Files," describing its plot where the alien/UFO phenomena were revealed to be a government hoax to distract the public. He questions whether UFO believers would abandon their faith if disproved, suggesting UFOs have become a religion where faith trumps evidence. He ponders if the show's characters, like Mulder, would succumb to their own conspiracy theories.

Other segments include a brief, humorous observation about banjo players' plucking styles. Reeder notes the "apocalyptically wacky" nature of religious news, citing a school in Australia banning an Easter passion play for being too scary and violent, and a preacher in the Philippines declaring a presidential candidate as God's choice. He also mentions a controversy involving Nike's sneaker logo resembling the Arabic word for "Allah," and a report from Afghanistan about ice cream vendors being jailed for selling to women not fully veiled.

Further commentary includes the unusual common ground found between the Mormon Church and the National Organization for Women regarding polygamy, and a claim that John Kennedy's ghost approves of President Clinton renting the Lincoln Bedroom. Reeder also shares several "news items" from the "Wireless Flash" service, including a dolphin expert claiming dolphins are space aliens, a psychotherapist linking teenage girls' hormones to psychic abilities, a marine biologist detecting cannabis at Loch Ness, and a group of Wisconsin UFO fanatics asking people to wear purple ribbons to signal peace to aliens. He also touches on spiritualist claims about non-smokers being possessed by dead smokers.

Reeder briefly mentions chupacabras in Oregon and communication with dead people through animals, contrasting "Strange Universe" with his own newsletter. He concludes with a brief mention of Hush Puppies and a new book by Nigel Calder, "The Manic Sun," which claims climate change is a natural solar cycle, not man-made, and that scientists have fudged data. Reeder expresses interest in reading Calder's book.

"Don't Know Much About History" by Danny Barnett

This article, the first in a four-part series titled "A Theological Foundation for Paranoia," by Danny Barnett, critically examines historical revisionism, particularly concerning the "wall of separation" between church and state in the United States.

Barnett begins by emphasizing the importance of accurate history education, contrasting it with the revisionist history found in Nazi Germany and Communist Russia. He introduces the concept of revisionism in America, focusing on the interpretation of the First Amendment's separation of church and state.

Rick Scarborough, a Baptist minister, is quoted as stating that the Supreme Court justices lied when they ruled that the Constitution erected a "wall of separation," arguing that the framers intended a union between church and state for morality. Barnett notes that many fundamentalists share these views, with David Barton, founder of WallBuilders, being a prominent figure.

WallBuilders, named after Nehemiah's call to rebuild walls, aims to dismantle Thomas Jefferson's "wall of separation" and promote the idea that America is a "Christian nation." Barton's books, such as "The Myth of Separation" and "Original Intent," are popular among evangelicals and the far-right.

Barnett details how "The Myth of Separation" sought to discredit church-state separation by using quotes from Founding Fathers and Supreme Court rulings, linking societal ills like crime and divorce to the abolition of school prayer. Barton also advocated for Christians to engage in politics to support "Divine law."

Barnett highlights Barton's grievances, including the broad legal definition of "religion" and the assertion that morality stems solely from religious principles. Barton also claimed the Founding Fathers intended to unite church and state, quoting George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison to support his thesis.

However, Barnett reveals that many of these key quotes, including the popular James Madison quote, have been traced and found to be fictional or misattributed. Robert S. Alley, a scholar, investigated the Madison quote and concluded it was probably fictional. David Barton's group, WallBuilders, later admitted in a document titled "Questionable Quotes" that many of these statements were suspect or false.

Barnett further discusses how U.S. District Judge Neal B. Biggers Jr. ruled that WallBuilders materials could not be used in public schools, deeming them an attempt to indoctrinate students. Despite these revelations, Barnett notes that Barton continues to spread his message through the Religious Right's media empire.

Barnett explains that Barton's book "Original Intent" has been revised to remove spurious quotes, but still contains subtle errors. He points out Barton's interpretation of Jefferson's 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists, where Barton claims Jefferson meant that while the government wouldn't run the church, Christian principles would still guide government. Barnett refutes this, stating Jefferson's letter does not say this.

Barnett also questions Barton's definition of "natural rights," which he traces back to 16th-century theologian Richard Hooker and 12th-century philosopher Gratian, rather than the Founding Fathers' own definitions. He references the Ninth Amendment and Robert Bork's view that its meaning was never clearly defined by the Founders.

To illustrate the ease with which historical revisionism can occur, Barnett shares his own experience of using unverified quotes in an article about federal gun bans. He could not find the purported quotes from Washington and Jefferson in original sources, emphasizing the need for rigorous research and caution with second-hand information.

Barnett concludes by stating that while Barton may not be deliberately deceiving people, his work constitutes revisionism. He stresses that the study of history requires pursuing the undiluted truth and that authorities on history, like Barton and himself, must prove their statements with facts.

"Heaven's Gate Linked To The Media"

This press release from CSICOP (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal), dated May 12, 1997, analyzes the Heaven's Gate mass suicide in the context of media influence and UFO mythology.

The article begins by noting the shock and mystery surrounding the voluntary collective suicide of 39 Heaven's Gate members in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Their motive, conveyed through videotapes, was to ascend to a "Level Above Human" by leaving their "containers" (physical bodies). The article mentions subsequent suicide attempts by other members.

The Hale-Bopp comet is identified as a celestial omen that provoked their departure, with cult followers believing it carried a UFO spacecraft. This belief was amplified by nationally syndicated radio shows, such as Art Bell's, where figures like Whitley Strieber and Courtney Brown claimed a spaceship was tracking the comet. Astronomer Alan Hale is cited as stating it was likely a star behind the comet.

The article describes the Heaven's Gate followers as living under a siege mentality, secretive and seeking a higher revelation from extraterrestrial beings. It highlights the puzzle for commentators regarding the depth of their conviction that space aliens were sending envoys and abducting humans.

CSICOP and global skeptics view this irrational behavior as unsurprising, placing significant blame on the mass media for perpetuating UFO mythology. The article argues that book publishers, TV, and movie producers have fed the public a diet of science fiction fantasy, packaged as reality. It lists alien abductions, autopsies, spirit channeling, and interdimensional travel as prevalent fringe claims in the media.

The article posits that this media saturation feeds the "transcendental temptation," leading people to embrace magical thinking and fantasizing. UFO-mythology is compared to classical religions, with UFOs serving as the modern "chariots of the gods." The 50th anniversary of Kenneth Arnold's alleged sighting of the first flying saucers is noted as a marker for the spawning of a "New Age religion."

While creators of science fiction like "The X-Files" claim their products are harmless, the public is often not exposed to critical investigations that find these claims scientifically unfounded. The article emphasizes that TV, with its high drama and perceived authenticity, makes it difficult for ordinary people to distinguish fantasy from reality. While the Internet is mentioned, the primary culprits are identified as media conglomerates selling ideas as products.

CSICOP is not calling for censorship but urges responsibility from editors and producers. The article concludes by stating that the steady stream of irresponsible programming necessitates a balance in the presentation of science. It highlights the increasing difficulty for the public to distinguish science from pseudoscience, especially with "quasi-documentary" films distorting truth. The authors stress that to maintain leadership and competitiveness, the U.S. must raise scientific literacy and understanding among the public, otherwise, more Heaven's Gate-type behavior may occur.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "The Skeptic" are skepticism, media criticism, and the debunking of pseudoscience and unsubstantiated claims. The newsletter consistently adopts a critical and evidence-based approach, challenging beliefs that lack empirical support. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific literacy and rational inquiry, viewing the uncritical acceptance of paranormal, religious, or historical revisionist claims as potentially harmful.

The articles highlight how media, whether through entertainment or news reporting, can shape public perception and contribute to the spread of misinformation. The issue also delves into the dangers of historical revisionism, emphasizing the importance of accurate historical study and the need to verify sources. The overall message encourages readers to be discerning consumers of information and to apply critical thinking to all claims, especially those that seem extraordinary or are presented with emotional appeals rather than factual evidence.