REALL News - Vol 09 No 06 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 9, Number 6
Date: June 2001
Publisher: The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL)
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The REALL News, a newsletter from the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land, focuses on debunking supernatural claims associated with Native American shamans and other paranormal phenomena through a rational and scientific lens. The cover story, "The Conjuring Tricks of Native American Shamans" by Richard Petraitis, dissects various shamanic practices, presenting them as clever deceptions rather than evidence of supernatural powers.

The Conjuring Tricks of Native American Shamans

The lead article by Richard Petraitis aims to demystify the perceived supernatural abilities of Native American shamans. Petraitis argues that the evidence for shamanic powers is purely anecdotal and that scientific studies have not proven any ability to circumvent physical laws. He explains several "wonder-working" examples:

1. Shamans and the Shaking Tent

This phenomenon, which terrified Jesuit missionaries, involved a ceremonial tent shaking violently. Petraitis suggests a rational explanation, citing Dr. A. Irving Halloway's work, which indicates that the tents were constructed of flexible poles and could be easily set in motion. He also mentions a confession from a shaman who admitted to shaking the tent himself, dispelling the notion of spirit involvement. The article notes that shamans were often adept at ventriloquism and mimicry, which could explain disembodied voices.

2. Shamans as Fire-walkers

Petraitis questions the supernatural claims of shamans walking barefoot across heated coals or rocks. He explains that the ash used has a low "specific heat," making it less dangerous than it appears. He also notes that shamans have not demonstrated fire-walking through open flames, suggesting a limitation to the feat.

3. Shamans and Immunity To Bullets

This section discusses the tragic belief in magical immunity to bullets, which has led to fatalities in various societies. Petraitis describes tricks used by shamans, such as using gimmicked musket balls or plugging the air hole in a rifle, to create illusions of invulnerability. He warns that this belief, often used to incite tribal revolts, can lead to the death of those who believe themselves to be bulletproof.

4. Shamans as Healers: Using the Placebo Effect

Petraitis explains that shamanic healing powers are often an example of the "placebo effect." Shamans manipulate patients' expectations of healing through techniques like sleight of hand, producing hidden objects, and using suggestive powers. He notes that shamans often used "dreamers" to gather information about patients' illnesses, stacking the deck in their favor. The article also mentions shamans using red clays and inducing vomiting to simulate the removal of illness.

5. Shamans: Of Dancing Dolls and Buried Men

This section details tricks used by shamans, such as making wooden heads move with hidden threads or long hairs, and making paper dolls dance with bent wires. A more dramatic example involves a man buried alive who was later found to have burns, likely from a pre-arranged escape through a tunnel. Similar tricks involving fakirs faking astral projection after burial are also mentioned, highlighting the use of deception.

6. Shamans as Rainmakers

Petraitis suggests that shamans' reputations as rainmakers may stem from their ability to read weather conditions, cloud formations, and humidity, or even from feeling changes in barometric pressure. He notes that some may have felt rain coming "in their bones" due to arthritis.

REALLity Check

This column, written by David Bloomberg, addresses contemporary paranormal claims.

Crossing Over Into Your Living Room

Bloomberg discusses the growing popularity of medium John Edward and his show "Crossing Over." He critiques the debate between James Randi (the skeptic) and Michael Logan (the believer) in TV Guide. Bloomberg agrees with Randi that Edward's "trickery" is not the main issue; rather, cold reading techniques are sufficient. He highlights Randi's points about Edward's methods, such as making broad statements that can be interpreted in many ways, and the potential for audience information to be misused. Bloomberg concludes that Logan, as a "True Believer," failed to critically assess Edward's abilities.

Miracle of the Saints?

This section examines the phenomenon of bodies resisting decay, which has historically been used as evidence for sainthood. Discover magazine is cited for an article explaining that such preservation is often due to intentional mummification or incidental factors like burial in cold, alkaline churches. The article notes that the Catholic Church has recently begun to question incorruptibility as a miracle, showing hope for rational thought.

Quit Monkeying Around!

This piece reports on mass hysteria in New Delhi, India, attributed to reports of a "monkey man." The article notes that police blamed the panic on superstition and that the incident may have been exacerbated by pranksters. It serves as an example of how supernatural beliefs can lead to irrational behavior and danger.

Rainman, Rainman, Go Away

This report details the Yakama Indian Nation's performance of rain dance ceremonies and their subsequent billing of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) for $32,000. The BPA refused to pay, citing a lack of permission. Bloomberg expresses incredulity at the BPA's focus on permission rather than the absurdity of the claim.

Bulletproof Soldiers

This segment discusses a paramilitary rebel force in Indonesia claiming magical powers, including immunity to bullets. Bloomberg notes the irony of them pledging to die for the cause if they are truly invulnerable and predicts, based on similar cases, that they will likely meet a tragic end.

Other Content

A Nod to Our Patrons: A list of individuals who have contributed to REALL as patron members is provided.

REALL Contacts: Contact information for REALL, including hotline, chairman, editor, and website, is listed.

Special June Meeting!: An announcement for a REALL potluck picnic at Dave McMaster's house, replacing the regular June meeting, with directions and RSVP information.

Quote: A quote from Eugenie Scott is included: "I understand politicians like to compromise and that faced with one group who says two plus two equals four and another group that says two plus two equals six, will tend to arrive at a position that says two plus two equals five. Unfortunately, sometimes the answer has to be four, and this is one of those times."

Bibliography: A list of sources used in the articles is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the debunking of paranormal claims, the importance of critical thinking and the scientific method, and the exposure of fraudulent or deceptive practices disguised as supernatural phenomena. The editorial stance of The REALL News, as represented by its content and the "REALLity Check" column, is strongly skeptical and advocates for rational explanations over belief in the supernatural. The publication aims to educate its readers about the psychological, sociological, and trickery-based explanations behind claims of paranormal abilities and experiences.