North Texas Skeptic - Vol 17 No 09 - 2003

Magazine Overview

The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 17, Number 9, dated September 2003, is a publication from The North Texas Skeptics organization, based in Carrollton, Texas. The magazine's primary focus in this issue is the contentious debate surrounding science education in Texas, specifically the challenge posed by 'intelligent design' (ID) to the teaching of evolution.

Science Teaching in Texas Under Attack

This lead article by John Blanton details the efforts of creationists, particularly those associated with the Discovery Institute (DI), to influence the Texas Board of Education's review of science textbooks. Blanton characterizes ID as creationism 'dressed up in a cheap tuxedo,' promoted by college-educated individuals who seek to introduce metaphysical explanations where scientific knowledge has gaps. He notes that DI is well-funded and religiously motivated, pushing for the teaching of alternatives to evolution. The article highlights that while DI fellows may hold legitimate Ph.D.s, they do not appear to conduct actual ID science. NTS Board member Greg Aicklen is slated to testify before the Board of Education, given a brief three minutes to present arguments against ID. The article also references an op-ed by SMU geology professor Louis Jacobs in The Dallas Morning News, advocating for a science curriculum that emphasizes core sciences and excludes misrepresentations of intelligent design.

Mark Johnson, in a letter published online, argues that ID is not receiving equal time because it is not science, suggesting that creation myths should be confined to mythology classes. David Vom Lehn, from the Texas Freedom Network, warns that undermining the study of science threatens economic competitiveness. Rev. Dr. Larry Bethune of the same organization states that individual religious beliefs about origins are sacred but should be studied in homes and religious settings, not public school science classrooms. The article quotes Dr. David Hillis, a professor at the University of Texas, who asserts that the debate over evolution occurs at the secondary school level because that is where non-scientists can exert influence, and that these objections are about pushing a political and religious agenda rather than science or facts. Amanda Walker, a Texas-certified Biology teacher, expresses concern that 'watering down' textbooks is irresponsible and reckless, as evolution is a crucial concept for understanding the living world. She is part of the 'Stand Up For Science' campaign preparing for the adoption of biology texts.

The article notes that surveys show a preference for teaching 'alternative theories' of evolution, and that belief in creationism often correlates with political conservatism. It mentions NTS Advisor Raymond Eve's research on this correlation. The National Center for Science Education (NCSE), led by Eugenie C. Scott, is providing campaign advice and expert testimony. Nobel laureates Ilya Prigogine and Steven Weinberg are cited as supporters of evolution. The article includes a critical piece by Robert Park from the American Physical Society, titled 'Intelligent design: who designed the state of Texas?', which ridicules the state's approach to the issue, referencing a poem about the Devil creating Texas.

Events Calendar

The magazine lists upcoming events for the North Texas Skeptics: a September 13th program at the Center for Community Cooperation in Dallas, featuring a talk by Danny Barnett on 'The Ghost Children of San Antonio,' and a September 27th social dinner and board meeting at the Black-eyed Pea Restaurant in Dallas.

Book Review: Science and Religion

Prasad Golla reviews Paul Kurtz's edited collection, 'Science and Religion: Are They Compatible?'. The book compiles essays from 'Skeptical Inquirer' and 'Free Inquiry' magazines, exploring the relationship between science and religion. Golla notes that while science is relatively young, religion historically led to inquisitions and prosecutions. He highlights that the book argues that while some see science and religion as incompatible due to their differing realms (natural vs. supernatural), others argue they address different human needs. The reviewer reflects on the difficulty of discussing personal beliefs among scientists from diverse backgrounds, noting that science is the only common ground. The book is praised for its analytical, lucid, and clear approach, providing a good introduction to the current status of the science-religion debate.

Debate with a Creationist

John Blanton, an NTS Board member, is scheduled to debate creationist Jason Gastrich on the topic of creationism versus evolution. The debate will be conducted by phone, with Gastrich living in California, and will be recorded. Gastrich has a background in biblical studies and has previously debated various topics related to religion and science.

What's New

This section, by Robert Park, presents several short news items:

• Intelligent Design: the Devil went down to Texas: Reiterates the threat of ID to evolution in Texas textbooks, noting that the outcome in Texas will influence other states. The Seattle-based Discovery Institute is identified as the driving force.
• Full disclosure: scientists or 'academic entrepreneurs'?: Reports on a call from 30 prominent scientists for journals like 'Science' and 'Nature' to require authors to disclose financial ties to companies that could benefit from their published work, citing APS guidelines.
• Dietary supplements: 9 years and 100 deaths later: Discusses the lack of regulation under the 1994 Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act, highlighting the ephedra scandal and the death of Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler. Secretary Tommy Thompson is seeking greater FDA authority.
• Climate change: now here's the plan, we study the problem: Critiques the Bush administration's approach to climate change, which involves extensive research rather than immediate action, suggesting it's a way to stall.
• Infinite energy: revolutionary aircraft is powered by gravity: Describes a proposed fuel-less aircraft concept that appears to violate the Conservation of Energy, with similarities to a fictional airship.
• Climate study: embraced by White House, but trashed by editor: Discusses a disputed study by astronomers Soon and Baliunas that suggested the 20th century was not the warmest of the millennium. The Bush administration reportedly used this study to replace a statement about rising temperatures in an EPA report. The editor-in-chief of 'Climate Research' resigned in protest over the review process of this paper.
• Political science: is the administration distorting science?: Addresses the administration's tendency to distort science for political purposes, citing a report that suggests this has worsened. A quote from White House spokesman Scott McClellan is presented as evidence.
• Political climate: what's right for the American people?: Recounts an incident involving a fake journal article denying global warming, signed by Frederick Seitz and others, which was mailed to influence policy. The article highlights the manipulation of scientific discourse for political ends.
• The isomer bomb: how a dentist's x-ray machine went to war: Reports on the Department of Defense's pursuit of an 'isomer bomb' that would supposedly release energy from the decay of a nuclear isomer. The idea is deemed theoretically implausible and the evidence shaky.

We get letters

This section, by John Blanton, features correspondence received by the NTS. It includes a brief, somewhat sarcastic, exchange with a 'wise guy' who advocates for truthseekers over critics, and a lengthy offer from 'Psychic Ron' Mangum to prove his abilities and accept a $10,000 challenge. The NTS expresses skepticism about Mangum's claims, noting his previous debates and the need for a spelling checker.

Skeptic Ink

This comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton humorously depicts a conversation about paranormal abilities, with one character expressing a desire to 'see' them demonstrated and the other suggesting that what seems unexplainable is merely due to an incomplete understanding of 'uncommon laws of phenomena.' The character also notes that while explaining away phenomena is common, demonstrating abilities requires a contract.

Skeptical Inquirer magazine

This section promotes 'Skeptical Inquirer' magazine as a publication that separates fact from myth in the realm of occultism and pseudoscience. It is described as a bimonthly magazine published by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, offering a scientific perspective on paranormal claims.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the defense of scientific integrity against challenges from pseudoscience and religiously motivated agendas, particularly in the context of education. The North Texas Skeptics clearly positions itself as a proponent of critical thinking, empirical evidence, and the scientific method. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards paranormal claims, creationism, and the distortion of science for political or religious purposes. The magazine actively engages in debunking pseudoscience and promoting accurate scientific understanding through its articles, event announcements, and book reviews.