North Texas Skeptic - Vol 12 No 07 - 1998

Magazine Overview

The August 1998 issue of The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics, titled "The Skeptic," presents a collection of articles offering critical and skeptical perspectives on various phenomena and beliefs. The issue features a lead article on exorcism and deliverance, a discussion on the concept of the 'third eye,' an examination of pseudoscience in France, a debate on whether science is finding evidence for God, and a critique of tenured academics promoting unscientific ideas.

A Skeptical View of Exorcism and Deliverance (Part II)

By Danny Barnett, this article is the second part of a planned four-part series. Barnett expresses gratitude to the North Texas Skeptics and the Trinity Foundation for research materials. He recounts his experience at a public exorcism performed by Bob Larson in Arlington, Texas, and his subsequent interaction with a young man who appeared scared after being offered a handbill about his upcoming speech. Barnett states that the series is aimed at people taught not to question religious leaders and suggests that the modern deliverance movement, particularly casting out demons, does not 'measure up.' He emphasizes the need to understand the 'nuts and bolts' of deliverance to grasp the arguments against it. The article delves into how exorcists identify demons, often by their nature (e.g., a 'hate demon' promotes hatred), citing the Hammonds' book "Pigs in the Parlor" which lists numerous demon types. The author notes that some interpretations, like H.A. Maxwell Whyte's claim that nearly all misfortunes are due to wicked spirits, are extreme. The piece highlights specific examples of alleged demonic possession, including the violent 1949 exorcism of a boy named 'Robbie' in St. Louis, and a case of a demon of 'worldly dancing.' Barnett also discusses how demons are believed to enter individuals, with common causes including involvement in the occult (horoscopes, tarot cards, ouija boards), ownership of occult paraphernalia, and even certain objects like statues of the Virgin Mary or ceramic frogs. The article mentions other alleged causes such as rock music, certain jewelry, role-playing games, and horror fiction. It also touches upon curses placed by enemies, participation in Oriental martial arts, and the controversial avenue of trauma, particularly childhood trauma, as openings for demonic possession. The piece concludes by referencing Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA) and its connection to multiple personality disorder (MPD), with differing views on whether MPD is a result of abuse or actual demonic possession.

The third eye

By Pat Reeder, this column is abbreviated due to the length of Barnett's article. Reeder comments on the intense heat in Central Texas and Vice President Al Gore's alarm about global warming. He criticizes Gore's pronouncements, suggesting they are exaggerated and politically motivated to promote the Kyoto treaty. Reeder questions Gore's use of Chinese historical weather records, pointing out that the period chosen for comparison was a mini-Ice Age, and that earlier periods were warmer. He also notes that local weather records do not support the claim that June 1998 was the hottest June on record. Reeder then shifts to a news brief about a federal judge in North Carolina who overturned the EPA's report classifying secondhand cigarette smoke as a carcinogen, deeming the report more political than scientific. He defends the judge's decision, humorously noting that if the EPA report were correct, the judge should have died years ago. He clarifies his stance, stating he hates restrictive laws based on poor science and lies, despite personal experiences with smoking and cancer in his family.

Pseudoscience in France

By John Blanton, this article investigates the prevalence of pseudoscience in France. Blanton notes that while the US is perceived as having a high level of irrationality, he sought to find a place with even more. His brief visit to Paris revealed practices like acupuncture and homeopathy, which he found to be common. He mentions Dr. Rebecca Rotnemer, who specializes in these fields, and contrasts it with chiropractic in the US. Blanton also notes the presence of Jacques Benveniste's laboratory, known for controversial research. He concludes that while two data points do not make a trend, France and Europe seem to have a greater acceptance of such practices than the US. He plans a similar investigation in Dallas.

Has science found God?

Reprinted from The Hawaii Rational Inquirer by Vic Stenger, this article discusses the efforts by financier John Templeton to bridge religion and science. Stenger argues that while dialogues between scientists and theologians are acceptable, implying that science has found evidence for God is an overstatement. He cites a survey from Nature showing a high percentage of scientists are atheists or agnostics, with a declining belief in a personal God over time. The article critiques the 'anthropic coincidences' argument, which uses the fine-tuning of physical constants to suggest a designer, comparing it to William Paley's 'Blind Watchmaker' argument. Stenger also mentions physicist Lee Smolin's theory that new universes are created inside black holes, with their physical constants mutating, and that Darwinian natural selection favors universes that produce more black holes. He notes that a U.S. News cover story discussed this but focused more on the 'fine-tuning' argument. The article then includes a strong quote from Richard Dawkins, who argues that religion has been a waste of life and that there is no reason to believe gods exist.

More Dawkins

This section briefly highlights Richard Dawkins's views on religion, quoting him extensively on the negative impacts of religion throughout history and concluding that there is no reason to believe gods exist and good reason to believe they do not.

Junior SKEPTICS

This brief announcement mentions the foundation of "Junior Skeptic" magazine by Skeptic Magazine, aimed at a younger audience, with plans for Emily Rosa, who debunked Therapeutic Touch, to be on the first cover.

Heaven-O From Kingsville

A short news item about a campaign in Kingsville, Texas, to adopt "heaven-o" as an official greeting instead of "hello" to avoid the word "hell."

Tenured fruitcakes should go

By Roahn Wynar, this article criticizes the academic tenure system, arguing that it protects underperforming or intellectually unsound professors. Wynar identifies three individuals as "tenure review poster children":

• Dr. Courtney Brown, Emory University: A political scientist who became a "Scientific Remote Viewing Instructor" and claimed vengeful aliens were arriving on the comet Hale-Bopp, despite abandoning meaningful measurement of his abilities.
• Dr. John Mack, Harvard University: A psychology professor who believes people are abducted by aliens based on his patients' accounts, making inscrutable statements about interspecies cooperation.
• Stanley Pons, University of Utah: Known for his "cold fusion" claims, Pons allegedly skipped peer review and invented ad hoc explanations when his experiments failed.

Wynar argues that without tenure review, universities could more easily dismiss such individuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The North Texas Skeptics, as reflected in this issue, maintain a strong skeptical stance, critically examining claims related to the supernatural, pseudoscience, and unverified scientific or religious theories. The editorial stance is one of rational inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and a healthy distrust of claims lacking empirical support. The publication actively debunks popular beliefs and practices, from exorcism and homeopathy to the more sensational aspects of global warming debates and controversial academic theories. The articles consistently advocate for scientific literacy and critical thinking, challenging what they perceive as irrationality, dogma, and the misuse of authority, particularly within academic and religious institutions. The inclusion of diverse topics, from demon possession to climate change and academic tenure, underscores a broad commitment to applying skeptical analysis across various domains of human belief and endeavor.

Title: The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics
Issue Date: August 1998
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics features commentary on scientific practices, academic policies, and the promotion of unverified health modalities. The publication expresses skepticism towards certain scientific endeavors and academic structures.

Commentary on Scientific Tenure and Research

The newsletter begins by referencing a situation where a scientist, identified only as Pons, held tenure, which apparently caused concern that Utah might become a 'national laughingstock of science.' However, Pons was subsequently hired by Toyota and was reportedly continuing his experiments in a company-sponsored lab. This anecdote seems to serve as a prelude to a broader discussion on the implications of tenure in scientific and academic fields.

Critique of Dr. Aileen Kishi and University Practices

A significant portion of the content is dedicated to criticizing Dr. Aileen Kishi, associated with the University of Texas. The author characterizes Dr. Kishi as a proponent of 'quack medical modalities' that are currently popular within the nursing profession. Instead of adhering to rigorous research standards expected of a university professor, she is accused of uncritically embracing trends like aromatherapy, energy fields, magic water, and overpromoted herbs. The article asserts that she has brought these practices to nurses in Central Texas, leveraging the prestige of the University of Texas. The author predicts that 'academic freedom' arguments will likely protect her position, and that Texans will ultimately bear the cost of her salary and any negative consequences stemming from her 'misled pupils.'

Redefining Tenure Review

The newsletter proposes that the purpose of tenure review should be to 'stifle gross stupidity, not inventiveness or controversy.' It further notes that in certain fields, such as theater, journalism, or English literature, the distinction between inventiveness and controversy, and stupidity, is blurred, suggesting that tenure may not be required in these areas.

Mention of a Physics Graduate Student

The text briefly mentions 'Wynar is a physics graduate student,' without further elaboration, possibly as an example of a more grounded academic pursuit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is a strong skepticism towards unverified scientific claims, pseudoscientific practices in healthcare, and the perceived excesses or misapplications of academic tenure. The editorial stance is critical of individuals and institutions that appear to promote or tolerate what the newsletter considers to be 'stupidity' or 'quackery' under the guise of academic freedom or innovation. The publication advocates for rigorous scientific standards and critical evaluation of new trends, particularly in fields with direct public impact, such as healthcare.