Skeptical Eye - Vol 06 No 2 - 1992

Magazine Overview

Title: National Capital Area SKEPTICAL EYE
Issue: Vol. 6, No. 2
Date: Spring 1992
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 1063-2077

Articles

Weeping Statues: The Story So Far by Joe Himes

This article examines the continuing reports of weeping statues and stigmata associated with Rev. James Bruse, an associate pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Lake Ridge, Virginia. The phenomena reportedly began in late December 1991 when a statue of the Virgin Mary started weeping, followed by other statues. Shortly after, Bruse developed stigmata—wounds replicating those of Christ—on his wrists, feet, and right side, which he initially attributed to a skin disease. His pastor, Rev. Daniel Hamilton, confirmed seeing the stigmata and the weeping statues. Bruse stated that the phenomena "shattered my doubt. God exists."

The article notes that while reports of weeping icons are not rare, this claim is close to home. It highlights the challenge for skeptics in addressing religious claims founded on belief in superhuman powers. The details of how the private event became public are sparse, with parishioners apparently witnessing the weeping.

Better Blood Through Chemistry by Mike Epstein

This article investigates the simulation of the venerated relic of the Holy Blood of Saint Januarius (San Gennaro), a phenomenon where solid coagulated blood mysteriously liquefies during a ceremony in Naples. Professor Luigi Garlaschelli, an organic chemist from the University of Pavia, and colleagues successfully simulated this by creating a thixotropic gel of iron hydroxide. The work was reported in the journal *Nature*.

The historical account of Saint Januarius, an early bishop of Benevento, details his arrest and beheading in A.D. 305. His relics were taken to Naples in the fifth century, and ceremonies honoring him began in the fourteenth century. The blood's liquefaction is first mentioned in a diary entry from 1389. The legend states the blood was collected by a serving woman from a stone.

The article discusses previous attempts to replicate the phenomenon, including work by Professor A. Albini in 1880 and Professor Guido Podrecci in 1906. Garlaschelli's recent work is presented as the most convincing. The procedure involves mixing ferric chloride, calcium carbonate, and water, with dialysis used to purify the colloidal dispersion. The author notes that while most steps were known in the fourteenth century, the mechanism of dialysis was not established until the nineteenth century, though earlier researchers might have stumbled upon it.

Experiments were conducted to eliminate dialysis, resulting in a thick gelatinous layer that, when processed, produced a simulated blood that coagulated and liquefied. The addition of potassium thiocyanate was used to achieve a more "blood red" color. The author compares the absorbance spectra of real blood and the simulated blood, noting that while visual estimation might be difficult, modern spectrophotometry can distinguish between them, particularly by the presence of the Soret band of hemoglobin in real blood.

The article also explores the historical context, mentioning that alchemists like Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas kept their work secret due to Church prohibitions. It speculates that a Neapolitan cleric/alchemist might have discovered the thixotropic properties and presented it as a miracle to avoid persecution.

Unique events associated with the blood's liquefaction are examined, such as the belief that failure to liquefy is a bad omen, particularly when linked to earthquakes. The article questions the claim that the substance is definitely blood, based on the limitations of 1902 spectroscopic analysis and the potential for contamination. The author suggests that the widespread belief in liquefying blood miracles in southern Italy might be due to the spread of the news of Saint Januarius's miracle or the chemical knowledge to create it.

Letters

Taner Edis writes to Steven N. Shore, questioning the dismissal of plasma cosmologies and noncosmological redshifts as "fringe elements." Edis argues that these ideas, while lacking empirical support, raise serious questions and deserve examination rather than derision. He suggests that skepticism should focus on defending the process of science rather than solely on accepted theories, noting that these cosmological ideas do not support creationism.

Steve Shore responds to Taner Edis, defending his characterization of ideas in Lerner's book *The Big Bang Never Happened* as "fringe." Shore acknowledges some anomalies like noncosmological redshifts but argues they are minor and not statistically significant. He believes the overwhelming predictive power of standard Big Bang cosmologies makes them successful, and alternatives face significant challenges. He suggests that if the standard model is wrong, it will likely be refined rather than totally superseded, similar to how relativity built upon Newtonian gravity.

Prez Sez by Chip Denman

This column recounts the author's experience accompanying James Randi to depositions in a lawsuit brought by Uri Geller. The depositions, held in Washington D.C., involved Geller being questioned about his alleged psychic abilities. Denman notes that he and others, including Penn Jillette and Teller, were not permitted to sit in on the actual deposition by Geller. Geller is described as warm and friendly upon arrival but seemed restless during the proceedings. Randi reportedly demonstrated a trick by vanishing a pen, which was mentioned in the Washington Post.

Denman also describes attending a second deposition session where Randi's attorney again requested permission for Denman to observe, which was denied. Geller apologized for the exclusion. Denman waited outside, observing Geller's difficulty recalling details, such as his country of citizenship, during questioning. Geller reportedly asserted under oath that he does not use trickery and declined to bend a key when asked.

If You Just Tuned In...

This section provides information about the lawsuit against James Randi by Uri Geller, who is suing for libelous statements regarding Geller's psychic abilities. A fund has been established to help Randi with legal expenses, with donation details provided.

National Capital Area Skeptics 1991 Financial Report

Prepared by Grace E. Denman, Treasurer, this report details the organization's financial status for 1991, showing a beginning balance of $2,574, income of $5,673, and expenses of $5,385, resulting in an ending balance of $2,862.

Journalists Among the Astrologers by Lys Ann Shore

This commentary criticizes two *Washington Post* articles about the 1992 United Astrology Congress. Shore argues that the articles, by Susan Marya Baronoff and Joe Brown, focused heavily on the "high technology" and mainstream aspects of astrology, presenting it as a legitimate profession without adequate skeptical counterpoint. While the articles included token putdowns, such as references to Nancy Reagan's astrologer Joan Quigley, they largely allowed astrologers to present their views unchallenged. Shore contends that this coverage could mislead readers, particularly students, into viewing astrology as a viable career option similar to computer programming or investment banking.

Old News

This section features a quote from Reginald Scot's *The Discoverie of Witchcraft* (1584) regarding the nature of prognosticators and divination, suggesting that their predictions are often vague and applied post-hoc, with ultimate divine control over events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Skeptical Eye consistently promotes critical thinking and scientific inquiry when examining extraordinary claims, particularly those related to paranormal phenomena, pseudoscience, and religious miracles. The magazine's stance is to question claims, seek evidence-based explanations, and encourage a rational approach to understanding the world. It advocates for the scientific method as the primary tool for evaluating claims, even when they intersect with deeply held beliefs or traditions. The publication aims to provide a resource for those interested in extraordinary claims from a skeptical perspective, challenging the uncritical acceptance of phenomena that lack empirical support.

The editorial stance is one of reasoned skepticism, not outright dismissal. It acknowledges the complexity of phenomena and the limitations of current scientific understanding but emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and the avoidance of pseudoscientific explanations. The magazine also highlights the role of media in shaping public perception of these claims and encourages a more balanced and critical approach to reporting.

This issue of Skeptic's Eye, published in Spring 1992, features a "Skeptic's Tour of Washington" as its main attraction, guided by Elena M. Watson with contributions from Chip Denman and Lys Ann Shore. The magazine aims to highlight instances of pseudoscience, the paranormal, and conspiracy theories prevalent in the U.S. national capital area.

Skeptic's Tour of Washington

The tour covers a variety of locations in and around Washington D.C. with alleged paranormal or pseudoscientific connections:

• George Washington Masonic Memorial: Located in Alexandria, Virginia, this building is noted for its Masonic symbolism, a clock stopped at Washington's death, and claims of being a "power site." The article clarifies that Masons worship God as "the Great Architect of the Universe" (TGAOTU) and that the highest degrees refer to the Trinity as JAH-BUL-ON, dispelling some of the more sensational claims.
• National Airport: Site of the UFO "radar invasion" of July 20, 1952, where mysterious radar blips appeared. The Civil Aeronautics Administration concluded these were common and caused by temperature inversions.
• Key Bridge: Allegedly haunted by the ghost of Francis Scott Key.
• Georgetown: Features the "Exorcist" stairway from the movie and numerous shops offering psychic services, including Yes! Bookshop and Crystal's, as well as psychics and readers.
• Townhouse at 1606 33rd St. NW: The site of The Amazing Kreskin's attempt to connect with "vibes" on July 31, 1990, which he termed "paraESPionage."
• Scott Circle: Location of the monument to Samuel C. Hahnemann, founder of homeopathy, a medical practice based on the "Law of Similia" (like cures like).
• The White House: Said to be haunted by the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, with claims that Nettie Colburn's spirit contacts influenced Lincoln's decisions, such as the Emancipation Proclamation.
• The Octagon: Allegedly haunted by Dolley Madison and a daughter of the Tayloe family.
• 5000 14th St. NW: Former national office of the Transcendental Meditation cult, which closed in August 1991.
• National Theater: Supposedly houses the ghost of a murdered actor.
• House at 604 H St. NW: Former boardinghouse of Mary Surratt, a Lincoln assassination co-conspirator, whose ghost is reportedly heard.
• Library of Congress: Houses the Houdini Collection, an archive of magic and the supernatural.
• Supreme Court Building: Stands on the site of the old Brick Capitol, used as a Civil War prison. The ghost of Mary Surratt is said to have been heard weeping there.
• Fort Lesley McNair: Said to house the ghost of Mary Surratt, who was hanged on July 7, 1865, for her alleged role in Lincoln's assassination.
• Capitol Building: Depicted in the film "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" and rumored to be haunted by a demon cat, dancing statues, and a stonemason.
• Washington Monument: Believed by some New Agers to be a mystical "power spot."
• Smithsonian Institution: Keeper of the "cursed" Hope Diamond and rumored to have John Dillinger's penis and Sitting Bull's skull. The Hope Diamond is described as the largest blue diamond at 45.5 carats and is said to have brought tragedy to its owners.
• "Exorcist" House (Mount Rainier, Maryland): The site of an exorcism in 1949, now an empty lot.

Into the 'Burbs

This section explores sites outside the immediate D.C. area:

• Church's Fried Chicken: Discusses early 1980s rumors linking the chain to the Ku Klux Klan and the use of spices to sterilize black men.
• Goddard Space Flight Center: Addresses the urban legend of "The Missing Day in Time," which claimed space scientists discovered a missing day coinciding with the biblical tale of the sun standing still. The article debunks this, stating it's a story attributed to Harold Hill.

A Skeptic's Response: Reading the Tarot

This feature, written by Seán O'Néill, examines the Tarot:

• Origins: The name's origin is debated (French Tarau, Italian Trionfi, Egyptian tar/ros), and its connection to "rota" (wheel) is suggested. The modern 78-card deck has four suits and twenty-two trump cards. Scholars trace its origins to ancient Egypt or the late fourteenth century, with possible links to Eastern religious rituals or the Indian chess game "Four Kings."
• Development: The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, active from 1880-1900, was a major influence, linking Tarot to Hermeticism and pseudo-Egyptian religion. The era was marked by a feeling that industrial progress might overwhelm spirituality, leading to an occult backlash.
• The Tarot Deck: The twenty-two major arcana cards represent universal forces or gods, starting with "0" (The Fool) and ending with "XXI" (The World/Universe). Each card is associated with a Hebrew letter. The minor arcana (ace through ten of each suit) represent elemental forces and stages.
• Qabalah Connection: Modern Tarot diviners link the cards to the Qabalah, a mystical tradition. The Hermetic Qabalah, a product of Italian Renaissance thought, sought to integrate Jewish mysticism with Christian doctrine. The Sepher Yetzirah (Book of Formation) is a key text.
• Tree of Life: The Qabalah posits a primordial schema with ten positions (Sephiroth) connected by twenty-two paths, symbolizing the creation of the universe. This is linked to the major arcana cards. The article explains the mathematical concepts behind the Sephiroth, representing concepts from zero (boundless one) to ten (understanding).
• How It Works: Believers claim divination works by contacting "inner teachers" and identifying with the card's meaning. The article suggests "cold reading" techniques, where the medium makes general statements and observes the subject's reactions to draw them into specifics, and "projection," where the human mind sees its own thoughts reflected in abstract stimuli, are likely operative.
• Divination Process: A typical divination involves the querent asking a question, shuffling the cards, and the diviner laying them out in a spread, such as the Celtic Cross. Each card's position has a specific meaning (e.g., current situation, oppositional forces, hopes, past influences, immediate future, outcome).
• Allegorical Journey: The Tarot is seen as representing an allegorical journey of life experiences and human emotions.

Psst! Wanna Build a Bomb? Then You Need Some Red Mercury...

This article discusses the scam of "red mercury," a purported radioactive or explosive substance for nuclear weapons, sold for high prices in Eastern Europe. The substance is typically fake, often just mercury with dye. The International Atomic Energy Agency identifies fulminate of mercury as the closest resemblance, which is poisonous but not radioactive and not used in nuclear applications. The scam capitalizes on rumors of a market for Soviet nuclear weapons technology.

'Nuff Said

This section offers a brief biographical description of Aleister Crowley from the St. Martin's Press Dictionary of Biography, calling him a "British charlatan" who devised a form of Satanism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a skeptical stance, aiming to debunk paranormal claims, pseudoscience, and conspiracy theories. It provides rational explanations for phenomena, debunks urban legends, and critically examines practices like Tarot reading and homeopathy. The editorial stance is to encourage critical thinking and to present evidence-based perspectives on extraordinary claims.

Title: NCAS Skeptical Eye
Issue: Spring 1992
Date: 1992
Publisher: NCAS
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the NCAS Skeptical Eye focuses on the intersection of science, pseudoscience, and the legal system, with a particular emphasis on how belief systems can persist despite rational explanations.

JHU Seminars: Science and Pseudoscience: Mysteries of the Mind

The magazine details a successful five-week seminar series co-organized by NCAS and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) on the JHU campus in Baltimore. The series, titled "Science and Pseudoscience: Mysteries of the Mind," was so well-received that JHU requested an all-new series for the spring. The spring series featured seven weekly talks by NCAS members, concluding with James Randi. Enrollment doubled from the fall series, indicating strong public interest.

Fall Series vs. Spring Series

While the fall series focused on remarkable claims and the evaluation of physical evidence, the spring classes took a broader approach, examining claims within the context of history, society, and human psychology.

Spring Series Speakers and Topics:

• Chip Denman (Coordinator and lead-off speaker) began with a history of seances, mediums, and modern spiritualism, tracing its roots and the organizations that emerged from it.
• Steven Shore discussed the contention between evolution theorists and biblical creationists, highlighting the ongoing battle to keep religious beliefs out of public school science programs.
• Seán O'Neill, a registered hypnotherapist, detailed the shortcomings of hypnosis for revealing hidden memories, warning that false memories of past lives or abductions are common. An audience-wide hypnosis demonstration aimed to demystify hypnotic trance.
• The series also explored the historical context of skepticism, referencing Reginald Scot's 1584 book "The Discoverie of Witchcraft," which questioned supernatural claims and offered rational explanations for alleged Satanic activities. This was contrasted with modern sensationalism, such as Geraldo Rivera's claims about Satanic conspiracies.
• Randy Lockwood, vice president of field investigations at the Humane Society of the United States, spoke on his investigations into claims of animal cruelty, stating that no Satanic conspiracy exists and that crimes are committed by disturbed individuals for other reasons. He also presented a talk titled "Werewolves, Vampires, and Wildmen: The Beast Within Mankind."
• The series concluded with Jamy Ian Swiss, NCAS cofounder, who presented "ExtraSensory Perception or Expert Sensory Deception?" demonstrating how simple tricks can be mistaken for psychic abilities. James "The Amazing" Randi shared insights from his 30 years of investigating scientific and pseudoscientific cases.

As a benefit of NCAS's cosponsorship, JHU waived the $10 admission fee for NCAS members attending Randi's talk. Portions of the series were recorded by WJHU for potential broadcast.

Book Review: Galileo's Revenge: Junk Science in the Courtroom

This section reviews Peter W. Huber's 1991 book, which critiques the role of experts and the symbiosis between experts and liability attorneys in the American legal system. Huber argues that science is frequently subverted by the law, often driven by public unwillingness to accept blame for product misuse.

Key Arguments:

• Subversion of Science: The book demonstrates how science is manipulated in legal proceedings, particularly in liability legislation and decisions concerning consumer products.
• Audi Lawsuit Example: Huber uses the Audi lawsuit, where plaintiffs claimed a dangerous tendency to slip out of gear, to illustrate how operator error (pressing the accelerator instead of the brake) was misconstrued as a product defect.
• Medical Litigation and "Junk Science": The review highlights Huber's discussion of medical litigation, focusing on the concept of "chemical AIDS" – an induced immune deficiency falsely attributed to environmental products. This example shows how public ignorance can be exploited to create fear of imaginary ailments.
• Law vs. Science Standards: Huber contends that the legal system's need for certainty and its exploitation of scientific uncertainty make the standards of scientific evidence ill-suited for the courtroom. Hesitation from a scientist on the stand is often perceived as weakness.
• Experts-for-Hire: The review discusses the rise of "experts-for-hire" who provide testimony for fees, often from academic communities or discredited professionals, to support specific cases. These "body shops" supply experts for tailored testimony, lending an air of respectability to unsupported claims.
• Omissions: The review notes two significant omissions in Huber's book: Jeremy Rifkin, whose public visibility and influence are seen as a "pseudoscientist" phenomenon, and the "scientific creationism" movement, which merges pseudoscience with a religious agenda to influence legislation.
• Conclusion: Huber's final chapter, "Science and Certitude," argues for the supremacy of facts over law, with the quote, "The rule of law is a grand thing, but not half so grand as the rule of fact."

The Last Word

This section, written by Lys Ann Shore, discusses the persistence of belief in the face of debunking, using historical and contemporary examples.

Faking Holy Relics:

• Mike Epstein's article "Better Blood Through Chemistry" is mentioned in relation to the technique for producing "miraculous" liquefying blood in the fourteenth century.
• Joe Nickell's work on the shroud of Turin is recalled. The shroud, first appearing in the mid-fourteenth century in Lirey, France, was investigated by the bishop of Troyes, who concluded it was a cunningly painted fraud. Despite this, its belief persists.
• The article notes that the knowledge of how to manufacture liquefying blood is unlikely to diminish the popularity of the holy blood of San Gennaro, suggesting that the "real miracle" lies in people's eagerness to believe.

Weeping Statues and the Limits of Debunking:

• A field trip by capital-area skeptics to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Lake Ridge, Virginia, to investigate claims of weeping statues is described. While the statue did not weep for the observers, people were present, hoping and praying for a sign.
• The author argues that for believers, a weeping statue could be a personal sign or reassurance of a caring deity, and that attempts to fake such phenomena are irrelevant to their underlying needs.
• The article draws a parallel to the debunking of astrology by Nicole Oresme with scientific arguments, yet belief in astrology persists because it provides believers with what they want, not necessarily the truth.
• The author concludes that while identifying fakes is important, skeptics should not be surprised when critical investigations fail to shake the faithful's belief. The question of meaning and one's place in the universe is often more important to believers than factual accuracy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently promotes skepticism and critical thinking, challenging pseudoscientific claims and highlighting the importance of scientific evidence. It critiques the legal system for its potential to distort scientific understanding and emphasizes the psychological and social factors that contribute to the persistence of belief in extraordinary claims, even when evidence to the contrary is presented. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific rationalism and against the uncritical acceptance of unsubstantiated phenomena.