North Texas Skeptic - Vol 12 No 09 - 1998

Magazine Overview

Title: The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics
Issue: Volume 12 Number 9
Date: October 1998
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The Skeptic delves into a variety of topics, primarily focusing on a critical examination of exorcism and deliverance ministries, alongside explorations of pseudoscience and the growing field of alternative medicine.

A Skeptical View of Exorcism and Deliverance (Part IV)

By Danny Barnett

This concluding part of a series scrutinizes the claims surrounding exorcism and deliverance. Barnett expresses gratitude to various individuals and organizations for their research materials. He begins by addressing the connection between Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) and demonic possession, citing psychiatrist August Piper's criticisms of MPD. Piper highlights the imprecision of the 'alter personality' concept, the tendency for patients to deteriorate during MPD-focused therapy, and the lack of evidence linking childhood abuse to MPD, noting that even survivors of Nazi concentration camps did not develop MPD. Barnett questions the existence of 'alter' personalities for demons to possess, referencing Bob Larson's continued exorcisms. He also discusses the controversial 1949 exorcism of Robbie, where Father William Bowdern claimed the boy spoke Latin and assaulted him. Thomas Allen's research suggests Robbie's Latin could have been mimicry, and his strength that of an agitated adolescent, not supernatural. Dr. Judith Rapoport suggests childhood schizophrenia as a possible alternative explanation for unusual behaviors in children.

Barnett emphasizes that the burden of proof lies with those making extraordinary claims of possession. He then examines cases where deliverance has gone awry, focusing on Rebecca Brown (formerly Ruth Bailey), an Indiana doctor whose license was revoked in 1984 for diagnosing patients with demonic possession and prescribing powerful drugs, to which she was addicted. Brown later moved to California, changed her name, and wrote books on demons. Her story was featured on Geraldo Rivera, with 'Elaine' revealed as Edna Elaine Moses, one of Brown's former patients. Critics like G. Richard Fisher and David Alexander have questioned Brown's accounts. Despite these issues, Brown's books are still recommended for law enforcement training.

The article raises concerns about the potential for deliverance ministries to exert excessive control, endanger followers' health, sanity, and lives. It recounts a disturbing tale of psychological torture from an unnamed deliverance circle involving aggressive chanting and physical abuse. A high-profile case involves Word of Faith Fellowship in North Carolina, pastored by Jane Whaley, who advocates 'blasting'—a technique of shouting prayers at individuals to expel demons. This practice has been criticized as chaotic and potentially abusive, with parents reportedly 'blasting' toddlers. Allegations of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse at the church, including by Jane and Sam Whaley, were broadcast on Inside Edition. The Whaleys denied the charges but refused tours of their church and school. Evidence suggests the Whaleys were expanding their methods to other churches, influencing figures like Robert Tilton.

Barnett also touches on the phenomenon of 'anchal prayer,' a brutal form of exorcism practiced in some Korean-American churches, where individuals are struck repeatedly. A case in Emeryville, California, resulted in the arrest and murder charges for five members of Jesus-Amen Ministries after a woman died following such a ritual. The minister, Eun Kyong Park, received a manslaughter conviction.

The Will To Believe

This section explores the persistence of irrational belief, referencing James Randi's experiments with astrology and his exposure of evangelist Peter Popoff's fraudulent healing claims. Despite Randi's evidence, some students continued to believe in astrology. Popoff, despite being exposed on The Tonight Show, has returned to air, with some individuals like Lizzie Vincent expressing unwavering faith, stating they would contradict the Bible if they doubted him.

Barnett describes witnessing a Bob Larson deliverance rally, noting the enthusiastic atmosphere of swaying and speaking in tongues. He quotes anti-cult activist Lowell Streiker, who observes that 'ecstasy is fashionable' and that deprogramming often aims to cut off the source of the 'high' rather than address underlying issues. Streiker expresses concern when the line between ecstasy and the behavior of the mentally ill blurs.

The article concludes this section by noting that many people, including followers of Peter Popoff and Word of Faith Fellowship, 'want to believe,' seeing millions of Americans as 'conversions waiting to happen.'

Deliver Us From Nonsense

Barnett reiterates that his series aims to cast reasonable doubt on the claims of modern exorcists and their followers. He addresses the misconception that skeptics reject claims outright, stating that their job is to examine claims and evidence critically. He uses the example of the Martian meteorite controversy, where initial claims of fossilized life were later challenged by evidence suggesting terrestrial origins, highlighting the scientific process of reviewing evidence and accepting potential dissent.

Applying this to deliverance, Barnett argues that while the existence of evil spirits is a matter of personal belief, claims of demonic invasion and influence are testable and subject to review. The burden of proof rests on the deliverance minister, not the skeptic, to demonstrate the sustainability of their claims. This skeptical approach is applied to psychics, creationists, homeopaths, and those claiming alien abductions. The issue of nonsensical beliefs is framed as potentially harmless, like astrology, or dangerous, as seen in the Jonestown tragedy, where a bogus faith healer's claims went unchecked.

Pseudoscience in Dallas

By John Blanton

This article reports on the discovery of pseudoscience in a Dallas department store. The author and Barbara Jean found 'Magnetic Therapy' products, including insoles, marketed as a non-medical treatment for pain and circulation improvement. The packaging included a diagram linking sole regions to body parts, which the author identifies as reflexology, calling it 'two medical frauds for the price of one.' Barbara Jean purchased a set of insoles for the NTS. The author sent a letter to The Dallas Morning News and Foley's department store regarding this 'scam.'

Hawaii Rational Inquirer

By Vic Stenger

This section discusses two items related to 'energy medicine' in Hawaii. First, it mentions Caroline Myss, featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, who received a doctorate in 'intuition and energy medicine' from the unaccredited Greenwich University. Her diagnostic abilities were claimed to be 93% accurate based solely on a patient's name and age.

Second, the University of Hawaii's 'Presidents Club Lecture Series' featured Professor Jane Starn discussing 'Energy Healing: A Complementary Alternative Therapy,' focusing on the mind-body-spirit connection and Therapeutic Touch. The article notes that this aligns with the trend of 'quacks cleaning up' and suggests the university might be capitalizing on this trend.

It also references Emily Rosa's science fair debunking of Therapeutic Touch, featured in Jr. Skeptic.

Medical community taking action against quackery

This segment highlights that major medical journals like JAMA and the New England Journal of Medicine are beginning to take a stand against non-scientific medicine. The latter published an editorial and reports critical of alternative practices, noting that herbal remedies sold as 'food supplements' are not FDA-controlled and can be dangerous. An article warned against the herbal mixture PC-SPES for prostate cancer. The California Department of Health Services found one-third of tested traditional Chinese medicines contaminated with heavy metals or unlisted pharmaceuticals.

The editorial concludes that the scientific community should stop giving alternative medicine a free ride, stating there are only two kinds of medicine: conventional and alternative. Treatments must be rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness, and assertions, speculation, and testimonials do not substitute for evidence.

Martin Gardner speaks out against fuzzy math

This brief section mentions Martin Gardner's critique of the 'new new math' movement in textbooks, which he likens to the 1960s 'new math' fiasco. He notes that the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) is promoting various reform movements like 'whole math,' 'fuzzy math,' and 'standards math,' influenced by multiculturalism, environmentalism, and feminism, with an estimated half of pre-college math being taught using these methods.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism towards extraordinary claims, particularly those made by religious or alternative healing practitioners. The newsletter consistently advocates for critical thinking, scientific evidence, and rigorous testing of claims, whether they pertain to exorcism, paranormal phenomena, or alternative medicine. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and against the proliferation of pseudoscience and unsubstantiated beliefs that can potentially harm individuals or society. The publication aims to educate its readers about the importance of skepticism and the methods used to evaluate claims critically.