North Texas Skeptic - Vol 14 No 01 - 2000

Magazine Overview

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 14 Number 1, dated January 1900 (though the content clearly pertains to the year 2000), features a range of articles examining pseudoscientific claims and skeptical perspectives. The cover highlights "New age creationism" as the lead story.

New Age Creationism

Authored by John Blanton, this article discusses an audio tape from Fred van Liew's radio program, "Your Health, Your Choice," featuring Dr. Carl Baugh, founder of the Creation Evidence Museum. Dr. Baugh, a proponent of the creation model, refutes evolution, stating it is "baseless." He has authored a book, "Why Do Men Believe Evolution Against All Odds," and claims NASA invited him to lecture on Earth's original ecosphere. The article delves into Baugh's theories on "energized water," linking it to the Earth's magnetic field, which he believes pulses and energizes water. He explains that water molecules' angle can flex, allowing them to pick up energy, and that de-energized water depletes human energy. Examples are given of energized water producing tall corn and purifying a well. Baugh also suggests that living systems use only 3% of their DNA, with the remaining 97% being "junk" DNA, and that energized water can activate this. He criticizes gene splicing as "playing God." The discussion touches on the concept of original sin and its impact on life, suggesting a world without it would be better, with no poisonous plants or snakes.

The article mentions Manfred Bauer, a German scientist known for energizing water, from whom Baugh obtained a special mug. This mug is marketed by Essential Water & Air. A revived cilantro plant is cited as an example of energized water's effect. Fred van Liew also emphasizes that modern drugs only treat symptoms, not root illnesses. Baugh believes energized water can improve the environment by attracting oxygen.

Baugh also provides an update on the Paluxy River tracks, stating his workers identified 303 dinosaur tracks and 175 more, along with 70 human prints, including a significant 9-3/4 inch print found in 1997, which he claims proves humans and dinosaurs lived together, refuting evolution. The article notes the Creation Evidence Museum's new website: http://www.creationevidence.org.

Essential Water & Air markets devices for energizing water, including mugs ($63.30, $55.20) and a "whole house wand" ($220.15, $293.25). The company also offers reverse osmosis water purification systems and electrostatic precipitators. The article briefly revisits Baugh's academic background, noting past questions about his Ph.D. and his more recent degree from Pacific College Incorporated in Australia.

Cult Archaeology in Rockwall

Written by James Cunliffe, this article (part two) critically examines claims made by a person named Lindsey regarding a supposed rectangular city wall in Rockwall, Texas. Cunliffe analyzes the geological data, particularly the orientation of joints and sandstone dikes, suggesting that Lindsey's interpretations do not align with geological evidence. He questions Lindsey's claims about the wall's elevation and the archaeological evidence presented, which includes a small carved stone head and writings on a stone block, suggesting they could be hoaxes. Cunliffe predicts that excavating to find artifacts would involve passing through significant geological layers without success. He suggests Lindsey's work may be driven by a desire to promote a book rather than sound scientific findings. Cunliffe concludes that Lindsey either has a poor understanding of geology and archaeology or is deliberately misleading the public. He also criticizes the Eclectic Viewpoint Forum for supporting Lindsey's work and promoting pseudoscience.

Skepticism and the New Millennium

Daniel Barnett, President of The North Texas Skeptics, reflects on the Y2K crisis, noting that it appears to have been averted. He discusses the public's fascination with the year 2000, clarifying that the new millennium actually begins on January 1, 2001, due to the absence of a Year Zero in the Gregorian calendar. Barnett acknowledges the fun in watching the odometer roll over but emphasizes the ethnocentric nature of our time reckoning. He mentions that the NTS has been preparing for the future, including a $6000 challenge, and aims to encourage critical thinking and the rejection of myth and superstition.

Ten Years of the NTS

John Blanton, Secretary of The North Texas Skeptics, recounts the organization's ten-year history since its founding in January 1990. He details the initial leadership changes, including the passing of Vice President Mel Zemec and the recruitment of new members like Keith Blanton as Newsletter Editor. Blanton notes that the NTS's mission was initially to correct obvious errors, such as creationism and the activities of a local psychic named Catchings, and a faith healer. While Catchings and the faith healer disappeared, creationism has persisted. He also mentions the "millennium madness" as a recent phenomenon the NTS observed. Blanton reflects on the group's growth and shrinkage, attributing it to an "invisible hand." He discusses the rise of "magnetic therapy" and herbal remedies, criticizing the lack of scientific testing for their claims. The article also touches on "cold fusion" as an example of pathological science, where initial claims were followed by retractions and a decline in reputable publications. Other topics mentioned include Rupert Sheldrake, crystal power, homeopathy, Joe Firmage, free energy, John Mack, and the Psychic Friends Network. The NTS continues its $6000 challenge and plans to increase the prize to maintain interest. Blanton expresses a feeling that the NTS is entering a new era and sets a goal for the organization to aim for 2010.

Skeptical Ink.

A cartoon by Prasad Golla and John Blanton illustrates the controversy surrounding the Paluxy River "man-tracks." It depicts Ronald Bird in 1938 digging for dinosaurs and finding both dinosaur and human footprints, leading to the conclusion that Earth is less than 10,000 years old. The caption humorously notes, "MAMA, HE'S DOING IT AGAIN."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards pseudoscientific claims, particularly creationism and New Age beliefs, and the promotion of critical thinking. The North Texas Skeptics (NTS) positions itself as a voice against myth and superstition, encouraging its readers to question and verify information. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific methodology and evidence-based reasoning, as demonstrated by the critical analysis of Dr. Baugh's theories, Lindsey's archaeological claims, and the general skepticism towards phenomena like magnetic therapy and cold fusion. The magazine also engages with cultural phenomena like the millennium and the Y2K crisis from a rational perspective.