Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 10 no 4

Magazine Overview

Title: Tampa Bay Skeptics REPORT
Issue: Vol. 10 No. 4
Date: Spring 1998
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics, Inc.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Tampa Bay Skeptics REPORT critically examines various paranormal claims and media portrayals, emphasizing skepticism and rational inquiry. It features articles on the media's promotion of paranormal stories while simultaneously dismissing other claims, critiques of acupuncture research, and discussions on the nature of doubt in relation to historical events like the Holocaust.

Press Promotes Paranormal While Slamming Sweepstakes

This article by Gary P. Posner criticizes the local news media for promoting paranormal stories while downplaying or dismissing other claims. Posner points to an article in the St. Petersburg Times about a 'Virgin Mary' apparition, noting that even with caution, the article entertained possibilities like divine intervention. He also discusses the media's coverage of acupuncture, highlighting a shift from skepticism to acceptance, and contrasts this with the media's lack of constructive criticism regarding paranormal phenomena. Posner includes unpublished letters to the editor that challenge the media's framing of these issues, particularly regarding the Virgin Mary stain and the scientific validity of acupuncture.

Chairman's Column: The Ambiguous Virtues of Doubt

Terry A. Smiljanich's column explores the concept of doubt, distinguishing between healthy skepticism and the 'absurd doubt' employed by Holocaust revisionists. He uses the opening of the Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg as a backdrop to discuss the dangers of unquestioning belief and the importance of critical inquiry. Smiljanich recounts a trip to Auschwitz and a conference in Berlin related to the Holocaust, emphasizing the historical evidence that refutes revisionist claims. He argues that while doubt is a virtue in scientific investigation, it becomes a fallacy when used to deny established facts.

Another Brazilian "healer"

This excerpt from James Randi's 'Hotline' critically examines the claims of Brazilian faith healer Joao Teixeira de Faria, also known as 'John of God.' Randi questions the healer's claimed success rate of curing 15 million people in 35 years, calculating that it would require healing one person every 21 seconds without failure. He describes the 'injections' as sleight of hand and points out that the 'eyeball' stunt lacks pain nerves. Randi concludes that there is no evidence of genuine healing, only anecdotal testimonials, and that patients often fall into categories of never having been ill, still being ill, or having died before being interviewed.

Paranormal Ancestries: The Value of History

Hugh H. Trotti's article, the first in a series, suggests that historical knowledge can be a valuable tool for skeptics. It examines accounts of 'poltergeists' from the pagan world, including the movement of objects and the burning of altar fires. Examples are given from Suetonius regarding Emperor Augustus and Julius Caesar's wife, linking these phenomena to omens. The article notes that ancient cultures viewed such events as omens, contributing to the fame of shrines and priests.

Dionne Warwick's "Psychic Friends" suffer unforeseen financial crisis

This excerpt from an AP story reports that the operators of the Psychic Friends Network filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The network, which featured Dionne Warwick, had seen its revenue plummet from an estimated $100-$125 million annually to $25-$30 million in the last two years, with liabilities of $26 million and assets of $1.2 million.

Snippets

This section presents brief news items and commentary:

• Virgin Mary Stain: A similar 'Virgin Mary' pattern of tree sap appeared on a pine tree in a California cemetery, attracting visitors and offerings.
• Dr. Richard C. Davis' Clinic: Davis' clinic is again offering 'RheoTherapy' for macular degeneration at $22,000 per patient, despite state regulators deeming the remedy unproven and potentially dangerous.
• Louis Farrakhan and Aliens: Farrakhan claimed in 1989 to have been abducted by aliens and taken on a tour of a spacecraft, which he later wrote about.
• Roswell UFO Crash: Dave Barry's column humorously notes the 1947 Roswell incident, where the Air Force's explanation of 'alien bodies' as dummies from high-altitude balloons was met with suspicion, especially due to the spokesperson having five legs.
• Realian Church: The Realian Church has raised $7 million for an embassy to entice extraterrestrials to Miami.
• Psychic Predictions: Rev. Jacoby Sumrall made 'psychic' predictions for 1998, including a large corporation moving into Charlotte County and celebrities going to heaven.
• Supreme Court Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that trial judges must act as 'gatekeepers' and disallow 'opinion' testimony not supported by solid science, a decision criticized by some for potentially barring legitimate scientific opinions.

Alan Hale and Ann Druyan speak at local convention

Valerie Grey reports on the Freedom From Religion Foundation's convention in Tampa, featuring astronomer Alan Hale and Ann Druyan. Hale discussed the comet Hale-Bopp, deplored the lack of science literacy, and contrasted attendance at astronomical events with UFO-related gatherings. He also touched on historical comet scares and the 'comet pill' hoax. Druyan, honored as 'Freethought Heroine,' expressed hope for the use of 'baloney detection kits' and praised Carl Sagan's blend of wonder and skepticism.

A TBS member responds to A&E's Biography of Edgar Cayce

Larry Rosen criticizes an A&E biography of Edgar Cayce for lacking a skeptical source and uncritically accepting his claims. Rosen notes that while the show pointed out Cayce's failures, it could have been more balanced. The response also references an article in 'Skeptic' magazine criticizing the NIH's Office of Alternative Medicine as a 'festering source of embarrassment' and a refuge for 'quacks.' A Tampa Tribune article on psychics is also mentioned, with the reporter noting that a 'psychic' seemed to gain information through questions rather than genuine paranormal ability.

Cutting-edge healing still (to some) appealing

This short piece notes that Dr. Jamal N. Hussein has sent TBS an article from the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research about 'Deliberately Caused Bodily Injury Phenomena.' The article claims that these 'unusual healing capabilities,' if mastered, could lead to 'unprecedented improvement in the welfare of humanity.' TBS had previously negotiated with one of the co-authors regarding a controlled test of wound infliction and spontaneous healing.

TBS in the Media

This section details TBS's media appearances and mentions. Gary Posner was quoted in an ABC News web site story on 'Faith and Healing' and in the Florida Times-Union. TBS was contacted by America's Health Network for a skeptical guest on 'Near Death Experiences' (they provided Prof. Barry Beyerstein) and by The News with Brian Williams for Noreen Renier's number, though a planned discussion on psychics was cancelled. The CSICOP/Skeptical Inquirer website was honored by HomePC magazine.

Letters • Readers' Forum

• Andrew Mayne Harter writes that skeptics are not immune to believing 'weird things,' listing various types of individuals within their groups, including himself and James Randi. He also discusses nanotechnology as a potentially logical possibility, contrasting it with other paranormal claims.
• Alexander Mebane critiques a Discovery Channel program on UFO abductions for citing an inflated figure of 'four million Americans' sure they've been abducted, attributing this to the Bigelow/Roper Poll's methodology. He suggests the true proportion of abductees is much lower.
• Doug Johnson applauds TBS's work on e-mail updates and the website, expressing hope that there are others who share his skeptical viewpoint.

Tampa Bay Skeptics Membership/Subscription/Donation/Back Order Form

This section provides details for readers to join the Tampa Bay Skeptics, subscribe to the report, or make donations. It includes membership fees, back issue prices, and contact information.

Announcing... Tampa Bay Skeptics Quarterly Meetings

This announcement details the upcoming quarterly meetings of the Tampa Bay Skeptics, including the date, time, location (Auditorium, 1st Floor, Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa), and special features like a hypnosis demonstration and video coverage of paranormal events. It also mentions an optional lunch at the Village Inn.

Visit TBS Online

This section directs readers to the TBS website (http://members.aol.com/tbayskept/tbs.html) for web versions of articles, graphics, and updates. It encourages readers to send their email addresses for an electronic TBS Update Service.

TBS and James Randi "Psychic" Challenges

This section reiterates the Tampa Bay Skeptics' standing $1,000 offer for verifiable scientific proof of any paranormal phenomenon and mentions James Randi's $1,000,000 prize. It encourages psychics, UFOlogists, astrologers, and dowsers to come forward with proof.

30% Discount on all Prometheus Books

TBS members can receive a 30% discount on Prometheus Books ordered through TBS.

UFO Abduction Insurance

This section advertises $10-million UFO Abduction Insurance policy available through St. Lawrence Agency for TBS members.

Glenn Thompson Quote

A quote from Glenn Thompson expresses that the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Dept. does not believe in psychic sleuths, finding their leads unfruitful and detrimental to investigations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include media criticism, the importance of scientific skepticism, the debunking of paranormal claims (faith healing, UFOs, psychic phenomena), and the historical examination of unusual phenomena. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting critical thinking, rational inquiry, and evidence-based reasoning, actively challenging pseudoscientific claims and media sensationalism.