Phoenix Skeptics News - Vol 1 No 4 - 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: The Phoenix Skeptics News
Issue: Volume 1, Issue 4
Date: January/February 1988

This issue of The Phoenix Skeptics News, a bimonthly publication, covers a range of topics relevant to skeptics, including UFO sightings, the debunking of paranormal claims, and updates on scientific investigations. The publication details local meetings, lectures, and organizational news, alongside broader issues concerning scientific methodology and critical thinking.

December Meeting

The December meeting of the Phoenix Skeptics saw a large turnout. Jim Speiser, from the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and a Phoenix Skeptics member, spoke about evidence he considered unexplainable. He was accompanied by Marge Christenson, MUFON's National Publicity Director, and her husband Dave Christenson. Speiser proposed 'Project AZURE' to enable Arizona MUFON and Skeptics to jointly investigate local UFO sightings.

January Meeting

Dr. Robert Dietz, Professor Emeritus of Geology at ASU, delivered an informal talk on creationism, offering amusing observations that might be used in a 'History of the World' calendar.

Philip Klass Lecture

Philip Klass, an author on UFOs and contributing editor for Aviation Week and Space Technology, was scheduled to lecture at ASU on Saturday, March 5, at 8 p.m. in Neeb Hall. His topic was UFO abduction cases, and he had recently authored a new book titled 'UFO-Abductions: A Dangerous Game.' The article notes a recent resurgence in UFO reports, particularly those involving 'close encounters' and abductions for alleged scientific experiments or baby-stealing.

Skeptics Reorganized

The Phoenix Skeptics group underwent reorganization, adopting a written charter as a step towards obtaining IRS non-profit status under 501(c)(3). The organization is now structured similarly to CSICOP, with nine Fellows overseeing the organization and a Board of Directors managing operations. The Board consists of five positions: Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, Treasury Director, Administrative Director, and Publications Director. Elections for these positions had recently been held, with Jim Lippard, Ted Karren, Keith Hemstreet, Michael Norton, and Ron Harvey named as the current Directors. Other Fellows include Charles Cazeau, Bob Guzley, Randy Jones, and Hans Sebald.

Skeptics Subcommittees Formed

Several subcommittees were established to organize the group's work. These include: Dowsing Test (chaired by Mike Norton), Psychic Detective Investigation (chaired by Jim Lippard), and Psychic Surgery Investigation (chaired by Randy Jones and Ron Harvey). Members interested in contributing were encouraged to contact the respective chairmen.

Peter Popoff Came to Town

By Jim Lippard

This article details the visit of faith healer Peter Popoff to Phoenix from February 12-14. Popoff, previously exposed by James Randi on the 'Tonight Show' for using an ear device to simulate divine communication, had seen his income drop significantly after the exposé. Despite this, he maintained a mailing list of around 100,000 names and continued to broadcast on radio. The Phoenix Skeptics prepared a press release and information packet about Popoff's history, distributing it to local media and the Hyatt Regency, where his events were held. Several Skeptics attended Popoff's Friday night session, observing his methods of calling out individuals by name or ailment. They noted that Popoff did not use his electronic device and that some individuals called out were people who had spoken to Mrs. Popoff previously. The article also recounts an incident where an elderly woman was dismissed by Popoff, and Mrs. Popoff was overheard denying certain statements attributed to her husband. The Saturday and Sunday services were similar, with the Sunday service focusing on Popoff's prophecies for the future, including predictions about inflation, gold prices, and societal changes. The article suggests Popoff's financial success over the weekend was uncertain due to the use of sealed envelopes for contributions. The CSER team had previously uncovered evidence of Popoff faking a break-in in 1985. Popoff's organization had declared bankruptcy, and he had moved and formed a new organization, 'People United for Christ.' Popoff's visit received media attention, including a humorous paragraph in the 'New Times' and a critical column in the 'Arizona Republic.'

Towards a More Effective Organization

By Bob Guzley

This article reflects on the December meeting where Jim Speiser presented information on UFOs. The author notes an ambiguity between Speiser's claims that sightings were 'unexplained' and the implied extraterrestrial explanation suggested by his slide show and the Christensons. The author found the slide show lacking in conclusive evidence, despite covering famous alleged UFO sightings and abductions. More concerning to the author was the acrimonious nature of the discussion, with some attendees being rude and employing fallacious reasoning. The author advocates for more structured debate procedures to ensure critical thinking and objective evaluation of paranormal claims, while still maintaining a comfortable atmosphere.

Update on the Radiocarbon Dating of the Shroud of Turin

By Jim Lippard

This section details the events surrounding the radiocarbon dating of the Shroud of Turin, following the Turin Workshop in September-October 1986. The workshop protocol involved seven laboratories. However, subsequent decisions, influenced by Professor Luigi Gonella, reduced the number of laboratories to three (University of Arizona, Oxford University, and ETH Zurich). This decision was met with strong objections from scientists like Prof. Harry Gove, who argued that the reduction in labs and the exclusion of a textile expert and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences from data analysis were unwise and could lead to suspicions about the Church's intentions. The article quotes letters and press releases, highlighting the controversy and the potential for the Shroud material to be wasted. The process involved sample removal, distribution to labs, and eventual statistical analysis. The results were expected by Easter 1988, with a publication in a scientific journal.

Editor's Ramblings

The editor notes the challenge of gathering material for each newsletter and reiterates the interest in contributions from members, including book reviews and articles. The publication is bimonthly, with a subscription rate of $10 per year. The Phoenix Skeptics News is the official publication of the Phoenix Skeptics, a non-profit organization dedicated to testing paranormal claims with science and logic.

Upcoming Meetings

• Regular meetings are held on Saturdays near the end of the month at Jerry's restaurant in Tempe. Upcoming meetings include:
• February 27: Guest speaker Jim Jacobson on Scientology.
• March 5: Philip Klass at ASU discussing UFO Abductions.
• March 26: Speaker and topic to be announced.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards paranormal claims, particularly UFOs and faith healing, and the importance of scientific methodology and critical thinking. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of rigorous investigation and evidence-based reasoning, as demonstrated by the debunking of Peter Popoff's ministry and the detailed reporting on the Shroud of Turin dating controversy. The publication actively promotes a rational and scientific approach to understanding unusual phenomena.