Phoenix Skeptics News - Vol 1 No 3 - 1987

Magazine Overview

Title: The Phoenix Skeptics News
Issue: Volume 1, Issue 3
Date: November/December 1987
Publisher: Phoenix Skeptics

This issue of The Phoenix Skeptics News, a bimonthly publication, delves into various aspects of skepticism, paranormal claims, and critical thinking. It covers organizational activities, personal experiences, and critical analyses of pseudoscientific phenomena.

Meetings and Events

October Meeting The October meeting was a Halloween party hosted by Hans Sebald, featuring attendees dressed as various characters and a ceremonial debunking of Houdini's feats as presented on a TV show.

November Meeting The November meeting began with a videotape of James Randi's address on psychic surgery at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. This was followed by a presentation by Randy Jones about his personal experiences with psychic surgery and its impact on his family, noting he is being sued for $20 million by followers of a surgeon.

"Psychic Sampler" A "Psychic Sampler" event was held on October 31 and November 1 at a Valley nightclub, featuring a variety of paranormal practitioners including astrologers, tarot card readers, clairvoyants, and individuals claiming to be "space beings." Local magicians also participated. Michael El-Legion, a self-proclaimed "Scottsdale resident from outer space," offered readings. The event included demonstrations on spoon bending, hypnosis, crystal power, and UFOs.

"Phoenix Self-Discovery Expo" A "Phoenix Self-Discovery Expo" was held at the Phoenix Civic Plaza from December 4-6. This event attracted New Age exhibitors and lecturers promoting paranormal and pseudoscientific ideas. Notable attendees included Peggy Dylan Burkan (firewalker), Terry Cole-Whittaker, Frances Pascal Steiger, Greg Neilson (dowser), Norman Fritz (astrologer/psychic), Desi Arnaz Jr., Bernard Jensen (iridologist), Frank Baranowski (hypnotist), and Jach Pursel (channeller of "Lazaris"). The Phoenix Skeptics, with advance notice, held a sparsely attended press conference and distributed literature. Their viewpoint was mentioned on television, radio, and in newspapers, with contributions from the Tucson Skeptical Society (TUSKS). An article in the Arizona Republic by Phyllis Gillespie criticized the expo's vendors and products. Jim Lippard and Jim Lowell of the National Council Against Health Fraud (and TUSKS) appeared on a KFYI talk show, which received a strong call-in response. Local news channels KTVK and KTSP also covered the expo, interviewing Jim Lippard and James McGaha respectively.

Media and Disclaimers

Astrology Column Disclaimer Request On October 12, the Phoenix Skeptics sent letters to the Features Editors of the Arizona Republic, Phoenix Gazette, Scottsdale Progress, and Tribune Newspapers, requesting that their astrology columns carry a disclaimer stating they are for entertainment purposes only. A press release was also sent to local media. The response was disappointing. The Tribune papers stated their readership understood the purpose, without specifying it. The Gazette indicated they would consider it, but after two months, no action was taken. Sam Lowe, a columnist for the Gazette, mentioned the request in his column on November 20. The State Press reported that the Arizona Republic would not carry the disclaimer. The Progress did not respond. The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of the Claims of the Paranormal reported that three more US newspapers had added disclaimers, bringing the total to fourteen, and that a similar campaign was underway in Canada targeting 107 papers.

Articles and Analysis

Channeling: Believe it or not By Hans Sebald, Ph.D. (Professor of Sociology, ASU) This article examines the phenomenon of channeling through the lens of skepticism. Sebald attended an interview with medium Jeannine Caloni, who channels two spirits: St. Thomas and Ezekiel. Caloni's process involves her spirit leaving her body, allowing the channeled spirit to inhabit it. The article details Caloni's background, her discovery of her "gift," and the verification process she uses to identify spirits. During the interview, Ezekiel, a nomadic shepherd from 2,000 years ago, spoke through Caloni, making predictions and inquiries that Sebald found baffling, particularly the spirit's knowledge of modern concepts like vitamins and English language proficiency. Sebald questions the verity, hoax, or self-deception involved in channeling.

On the distinction between nonbelief and disbelief By Hans Sebald, Ph.D. Sebald discusses the distinction between disbelief and nonbelief, drawing from an editorial in The Zetetic Scholar. He argues that while disbelief requires proving a negative, nonbelief is a more agnostic stance. Sebald posits that claims that are clearly absurd do not require proof of nonexistence from a disbeliever. He uses examples like the Earth's core being an apple pie or the literal interpretation of a 6-day Creation as absurd claims. He advocates for a strong dose of disbelief when confronted with illogical and absurd claims, while maintaining an open mind for phenomena that warrant further investigation.

Book Reviews

The Faith Healers by James Randi Reviewed by Jim Lippard This review covers James Randi's book, which details the origins of faith healing from the New Testament to the 19th and 20th centuries. It exposes the financial status of faith healers, citing examples of extravagant spending by individuals like Peter Popoff and W.V. Grant. The book also describes deceptive practices, such as faith healers asking people with canes to stand from wheelchairs to simulate healing, and using "Word of Knowledge" to obtain audience information for staged healings. Randi's investigative team was targeted with fake ailments. The review notes the book's coverage of mail operations, medical and legal aspects, and specific ministries. It highlights Pat Robertson's desire to videotape the Second Coming and cases where faith healers encouraged patients to abandon medicine, leading to deaths. The review concludes that legal authorities are hesitant to prosecute due to fears of violating the First Amendment.

The Psychology of Transcendence by Andrew Neher Reviewed by Jim Lippard This review examines Andrew Neher's book, which explores the causes of belief in paranormal phenomena, particularly "transcendental experiences." Neher proposes that subjective experiences, unable to be explained by normal means, lead people to paranormal explanations. The book examines physiological effects that can mimic paranormal experiences, such as floaters on the retina, phosphenes, afterimages, and autokinetic effects. It also discusses conditioning effects like meditation, hypnosis, and placebo effects, as well as the cultural context of these experiences. Neher covers topics including ESP, psychokinesis, psychic healing, astrology, UFOs, and more. The book provides exercises for experiencing transcendental effects and is well-documented with a skeptical bibliography. Neher concludes that most phenomena do not require paranormal explanations, though some studies in precognition may need further explanation. The book is noted as being out of print but available at ASU and Phoenix Public Libraries.

Editor's Ramblings and Announcements

Flyers Needed The Phoenix Skeptics are preparing flyers on paranormal topics such as Iridology, Firewalking, Reflexology, and Zone Therapy, and are seeking contributions for more flyers on topics like crystals and UFOs.

Editor's Ramblings Contributions for the newsletter are welcomed. The phone number for the Phoenix Skeptics will change from 437-3778 to 943-2723. The mailing address remains P.O. Box 62792, Phoenix, AZ 85082-2792.

Upcoming Meetings Meetings are held on Saturdays near the end of the month at Jerry's restaurant in Tempe. The December 19 meeting featured guest speaker Jim Speiser, a local UFOlogist and administrator of Paranet. The January 30 meeting speaker and topic were unknown at press time.

Publication Information

The Phoenix Skeptics News is published bimonthly by the Phoenix Skeptics, with Jim Lippard as Chairman and Ron Harvey as Editor. The publication's goals are to test paranormal claims, act as a clearinghouse for information, and promote critical thinking. The subscription rate is $10 per year. All manuscripts become the property of Phoenix Skeptics. The organization is recognized by CSICOP, and other skeptic groups may reprint articles with proper credit. All others require permission.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of paranormal claims, pseudoscientific practices, and the promotion of skepticism and scientific methodology. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rational inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and the debunking of unfounded beliefs. The publication actively engages with media, public events, and scientific literature to counter what it perceives as irrationality and misinformation. The emphasis is on educating the public and encouraging critical thinking about phenomena often presented without rigorous scrutiny.