North Texas Skeptic - Vol 13 No 10 - 1999

Magazine Overview

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 13 Number 10, dated October 1999, is published by The North Texas Skeptics and focuses on topics challenging conventional scientific understanding, particularly concerning evolution and creationism.

The Acambaro Dinosaurs

This article by John Blanton explores the controversial discovery of the Acambaro dinosaurs in Mexico. In 1944, Waldemar Julsrud discovered over 33,500 ceramic and stone objects in Acambaro, Guanajuato, Mexico. These artifacts include statues of reptiles resembling dinosaurs, some depicted in active association with humans, even eating them, and some with erotic connotations. The objects, including jade and obsidian, were found at an archaeological site. Radio-carbon dating and thermoluminescence tests reportedly indicated the objects were made 6500 years ago. David Hatcher Childress's paper "Archeological Cover-ups" is cited as describing this discovery. The implications of dinosaurs coexisting with humans would significantly challenge modern paleontology and evolutionary theory.

Young-Earth creationist Don Patton discussed the Acambaro dinosaurs at a Metroplex Institute of Origin Science (MIOS) meeting, agreeing with the idea that these findings could be detrimental to evolution. He provided photographs, one of which is compared to a drawing from Robert Bakker's book "Dinosaur Heresies," suggesting the ancient artist may have seen a real dinosaur. Modern science, as noted by Childress, is not readily accepting these findings. A team of experts, shown samples without knowledge of their origin, ruled out modern reproductions but fell silent upon learning the source. In 1952, archaeologist Charles C. DiPeso examined 32,000 pieces in under four hours, a feat deemed impossible by investigator John H. Tierney, who suggests this was part of a disinformation campaign by authorities like the Smithsonian Institution, which dismissed the collection as a hoax. Tierney also discovered that most of the Smithsonian's Julsrud case files are missing. Professor Charles Hapgood, after two expeditions, became a believer, witnessing figures being excavated. The Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia admitted the "apparent scientific legality" of the finds but declared them a hoax due to their "fantastic" nature.

Patton plans to excavate under the former Julsrud home to find similar figurines, which would further support their authenticity. The figurines are described as deliberately buried, found in collections of twenty to thirty, packed in sand, and made from local clay. Only about ten percent of the figurines resemble dinosaurs. The article also briefly touches upon Albert Einstein's interest in Hapgood's theory of Earth's crustal displacement, as outlined in "The Path of the Pole." The documentary "The Mysterious Origins of Man" and "Jurassic Art" are mentioned for their discussion of these topics. The Ica stones, black stones with serpentine figures, are also brought up by Don Patton as potential depictions of real dinosaurs.

Patton's talk suggested the figurines might be 1500 years old, with human figures being 4000 years old. The authenticity is considered likely if they are that old, predating modern archaeological trickery. However, the resemblance to dinosaurs varies, with some requiring a stretch to identify. The article concludes that the mystery remains, with no neat ending. Earl Stanley Gardner, the detective fiction writer, was involved in Hapgood's 1955 investigation.

Answers in Genesis

This section, also by John Blanton, examines the creationist organization Answers in Genesis (AiG), the US counterpart to the Australian Creation Science Foundation. Ken Ham, Executive Director of AiG, is described as a prominent Christian speaker with a background in applied science and education. AiG's website is presented as a source of information, though the author suggests AiG has removed science from "creation science."

The article highlights an AiG headline questioning "Inter-racial marriage: is it biblical?" authored by Ken Ham. Ham argues that biologically, there is only one race, thus no such thing as "inter-racial marriage." The author contrasts this with historical views and suggests that if distinct races exist, it implies evolution. Ham's conclusion emphasizes that all people are descended from one man and woman, are equal before God, and need salvation, urging unity in Christ.

The article then turns to Tas Walker's work on "Geology and the young earth," which counters geological arguments against a recent creation and a global Flood. Walker addresses issues like varves (sedimentary layers), evaporites, fossil density, coal formation, and pitch (used by Noah to caulk the Ark), attributing them to the Genesis Flood rather than long geological timescales. The author dismisses Alan Hayward's arguments as Unitarian and anti-Christian.

The section "Damn the creationists" critiques Hugh Ross, a "progressive creationist," for prioritizing materialistic science and billions of years over Scripture. Jonathan Sarfati's critique is mentioned. The article also notes AiG's Creation Museum project in Boone County, KY, and mentions "No Answers in Genesis," a website by Australian Skeptics, Inc., which refutes creationist myths.

The National Center for Science Education

Written by John Blanton, this section introduces the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), an organization dedicated to countering the movement of creationism into public school systems and supporting the teaching of evolution and solid science. Founded in 1981 and incorporated in 1983, the NCSE is headquartered in Berkeley, California, and serves as an information and resource clearinghouse.

Eugenie C. Scott is the Executive Director, and Kevin Padian is the President. Notable supporters include Francisco Ayala, Brent Dalrymple, Niles Eldredge, Stephen Jay Gould, Philip Kitcher, Kenneth Miller, and Michael Ruse. The NCSE actively engages in debates and assists school boards and science teachers facing pressure from creationist groups. Their publication, "Reports of the National Center for Science Education," is described as a resource for those interested in the creation-evolution debate, primarily featuring content critical of creationism.

NCSE membership costs $30 per year and includes a subscription to "Reports." The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Membership benefits include discounts on science books and C-E materials, as well as transcripts and tapes of debates. The article provides contact information for the NCSE.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this issue is the tension between creationism and scientific evolution, with a strong skeptical stance against creationist claims. The magazine critically examines evidence presented by creationist organizations like Answers in Genesis and highlights the work of organizations like the National Center for Science Education that defend evolutionary science and public science education. The Acambaro dinosaurs serve as a focal point for questioning established scientific timelines and interpretations, while the discussions on creationist arguments reveal a skepticism towards their methodologies and conclusions. The editorial stance clearly favors scientific consensus and critical inquiry over religious dogma presented as science.