North Texas Skeptic - Vol 20 No 07 - 2006

Magazine Overview

The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 20, Number 7, dated June 2006, is published by The North Texas Skeptics and focuses on skeptical inquiry into claims of the paranormal and pseudoscientific phenomena. This issue's cover story, "Outside Discovery Institute," by John Blanton, critically examines the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture (CSC).

The Public Face of the CSC

John Blanton's article details the evolution of the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture (CSC), noting its shift from a more overtly religious presentation to a secular public face. Initially known as the "Center for Renewal of Science and Culture" (CRSC), its banner evolved to remove overtly biblical imagery, such as Michelangelo's painting of God touching Adam, and instead featured a DNA molecule, symbolizing a focus on nature. This change is presented as a strategic move to gain broader acceptance and to distance itself from the perception of being a creationist organization, despite the article's assertion that its core agenda remains creationism.

The article contrasts the CSC with the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), which promotes the teaching of evolution. It highlights that while the Discovery Institute addresses various social issues, the CSC's primary focus that intersects with skeptical interests is its support for creationism and Intelligent Design.

Blanton points out that the CSC's followers understand this shift in presentation, recognizing the need for a secular public image while maintaining their underlying beliefs. The article suggests that the CSC's efforts to appear secular are a response to criticism of its religious motivations, allowing it to advocate for creationism in public schools more effectively under the guise of scientific debate.

Key Figures and Organizations

The issue lists the officers and board of directors of The North Texas Skeptics, including President John Brandt, Vice President Pat Reeder, Secretary Mike Selby, and Treasurer Mark Meyer. It also lists scientific and technical advisors such as Joe Barnhart, Professor of Philosophy, and Raymond A. Eve, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology.

The article extensively discusses figures associated with the Discovery Institute and Intelligent Design, including:

• Casey Luskin: A lawyer at The Discovery Institute, quoted on a court ruling.
• Constance Holden: A reporter for the journal *Science*, whose article labeling the Discovery Institute as a "creationism's main think tank" drew criticism from Luskin.
• David Berlinski: A DI senior fellow with a Ph.D. in mathematics and studies in molecular biology, motivated by issues with "Darwinism."
• Jonathan Wells: A DI senior fellow with Ph.D.s in molecular and cell biology and religious studies, associated with the Unification Church.
• Michael Behe: A senior fellow at the DI and professor at Lehigh University, described as a devout Catholic who insists his promotion of Intelligent Design has no religious purpose.
• William Demski: A Senior Fellow who developed the concept of "specified complexity," with a background in philosophy and theology, formerly at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
• Phillip Johnson: Referred to as Intelligent Design's godfather, who advocates for "Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds" and discusses the benefits of abandoning materialism for Christians.
• Judge John E. Jones III: The federal judge who ruled in the Kitzmiller v. Dover case that Intelligent Design is creationism.

Organizations mentioned include The Discovery Institute, its Center for Science and Culture (CSC), the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the journal *Science*.

The Intelligent Design Debate

The article delves into the arguments surrounding Intelligent Design (ID), particularly its relationship with creationism. It quotes Luskin's defense that ID does not postulate a supernatural creator or focus on religious scripture, citing a passage from "Of Pandas and People" that defines intelligence as recognizable by sensory experience, distinct from the supernatural. However, the author counters that a review of the DI's roster reveals many individuals with religious backgrounds and motivations, suggesting that ID is an "overdressed form of creationism."

The article references the Kitzmiller v. Dover decision, where Judge John E. Jones III ruled against Intelligent Design in public schools. It notes that the DI criticized Jones as an "activist judge," despite his Republican appointment. The DI's subsequent book, "Traipsing Into Evolution: Intelligent Design and the Kitzmiller vs. Dover Decision," is presented as a critique of the judge's decision, arguing it was based on faulty reasoning and misrepresentation of ID.

The "Wedge project" of the Discovery Institute is described as a plan to conduct research, publish findings, and then promote Intelligent Design through publicity and seminars. The article suggests the DI grew impatient with the research phase and focused heavily on public relations.

Science and Religion: A Letter to the Editor

Page 5 features a "Letter to the Editor" by Chuck Gafford, a Pastor from Oklahoma City, titled "Scientific Evidence for the Existence of God." Gafford argues that while a scientific approach to God's existence seems impossible, recent discoveries in physics, particularly the Big Bang theory, may align with the Genesis account of creation.

He posits that the Big Bang theory, which suggests the universe was created "out of nothing," confirms Genesis 1:1. Gafford suggests that the creation of the universe implies a Supreme Being or creative force existing outside the known dimensions of space and time. He references Stephen Hawking's inferences about a creative being and Albert Einstein's belief in a Supreme Being, though not a personal one. Gafford concludes that the mathematical odds of the universe arising without such an external being are astronomical.

He further suggests that the beauty and symmetry of equations in physics, as discovered by Albert Einstein, and the beauty of created objects, indicate the existence of a Supreme Being who would exist in at least 10 dimensions of space and two dimensions of time. Gafford believes fractal geometry and mathematical elements in nature can reveal more about such a being.

What's New

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

• Evolution in Georgia: A Federal Appeals Court sent a case back regarding the removal of evolution pages from textbooks, citing insufficient evidence for the school board's actions.
• Conspiracies: physicist's new theory is as good as his first: This item refers to Steven Jones, a physicist who previously theorized about cold fusion and is now associated with 9/11 conspiracy theories.
• Heat: maybe global warming deniers are conspiracy theorists: This brief note mentions the 1999 Mann Report on global warming and public concern.
• Lies: replacing polygraphs with brain imaging is a bad idea: This item discusses the potential use of fMRI brain scanning as a lie detector and the concerns about privacy invasion.

Other Items

• Skeptic Ink: A comic strip by Prasad Golla and John Blanton, featuring a "Skeptic's fantasy."
• The ten commandments: playing now at the Supreme Court Theater: A report on an evangelical Christian group erecting a monument to the Ten Commandments across from the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Hulk Robertson: how do you handle an 850 pound religious icon?: A brief mention of Pat Robertson's claims of physical strength in relation to a religious icon.
• Future Meeting Dates: A list of upcoming North Texas Skeptics meetings for July through November 2006.
• The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP): Information about CSICOP and its publication, *The Skeptical Inquirer*.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic consistently adopts a critical stance towards Intelligent Design and creationist arguments, viewing them as pseudoscientific attempts to undermine established scientific consensus, particularly evolution. The magazine champions scientific inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and a skeptical approach to claims that lack empirical support. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific naturalism and critical thinking, actively debunking what it perceives as religious or ideological intrusions into scientific discourse. The magazine also provides a platform for discussions on science, religion, and the intersection of the two, as evidenced by the "Letter to the Editor" section.