Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 19 no 3 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

Title: TBS Report Online
Issue: Vol. 19 - No. 3
Date: Winter 2006-07
Publisher: Tampa Bay Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the TBS Report Online, published by the Tampa Bay Skeptics, a special interest group of CFI Tampa Bay, features a collection of articles from Volume 19, Number 3, covering Winter 2006-07. The cover story, "The 'Martian' Who Came to Brooksville" by Jack Robinson, revisits the 1965 UFO sighting reported by John F. Reeves. The article critically examines the case, including a UPI report from the Tampa Tribune, and suggests the event may have been a hoax, questioning the journalistic integrity of UPI and the investigative efforts of NICAP. The issue also includes an article by Terry A. Smiljanich titled "Skepticism and Atheism," which discusses the relationship between skepticism and religion, particularly in light of Richard Dawkins' book "The God Delusion." Smiljanich explores the nuances of atheism and the importance of distinguishing skepticism from outright atheism.

"The 'Martian' Who Came to Brooksville"

The lead article by Jack Robinson delves into the 1965 "Brooksville Martian" incident. It recounts the testimony of John F. Reeves, a retired longshoreman, who claimed to have encountered a flying saucer described as 20 to 30 feet in diameter, six feet high, with a four-legged landing gear, and colored bluish-green and reddish-purple with two windows. Reeves also reported seeing a "robot-type creature" that approached him and dropped two pieces of paper with "very queer writing." The author received a call from someone claiming to be a courier from NICAP, offering a copy of the writing, which is presented in the article. The writing was subsequently deciphered by the author, who treated it as a simple-substitution cipher, revealing a message that humorously translates word-for-word into English, including phrases like "Planet Mars" and "Are you coming home soon." The author concludes that either the event was a hoax, or the "Martian language" is remarkably similar to English, questioning the investigative skills of NICAP and the reporting of UPI.

Skepticism and Atheism

In "Skepticism and Atheism," Terry A. Smiljanich, chairperson of TBS since 1989, addresses the question of whether skeptics should engage with religion. She references Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion" and its argument that belief in God is irrational. Smiljanich notes the criticism Dawkins faced for his anti-religious stance, with some arguing his atheism is as fundamentalist as the religious beliefs he criticizes. She clarifies her own position, admitting to muddled views on the subject (deist, agnostic theist, agnostic atheist) and highlights the tendency for skeptics to separate skepticism from religion when engaging with the public. The article distinguishes between skepticism of purely religious claims and atheism, suggesting that TBS includes members with religious persuasions while maintaining a focus on scientific and rational explanations for phenomena. Smiljanich also discusses the negative public perception of the word "atheism" and the various degrees of atheism. She concludes by stating that while definitive answers to questions about God may be elusive, the search for them is rewarding.

Snippets

This section presents brief news items and research findings. One snippet reports on research by Swiss neurologist Olaf Blanke, published in *Nature*, which confirms that out-of-body experiences are brain events caused by stimulation of the right angular gyrus. Another announces a new crime magazine show called "Xpediente" on WSBS-TV Mega 22 in South Florida, which will investigate unsolved cases. A third snippet mentions Sally Baldwin, a resident of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, who claims to reunite grieving loved ones with the departed through "an essence, an energy flow." This is followed by an article discussing the popularity of psychics and channeling, citing authors like Allison DuBois and John Edward, and noting James "The Amazing" Randi's skepticism despite the copious, but purportedly poor, evidence presented for psychic abilities.

Personnel Changes and Legal Updates

Professor Miles Hardy, a founding member of the TBS Executive Council and Board of Directors since 1988, has resigned due to age-related health issues. He will be replaced on the Board by Professor Jack Robinson and on the Executive Council by Professor Bill Hall. Hardy expressed his continued loyalty to TBS.

An update on the Merrell v. Renier case details a U.S. District Court ruling that Noreen Renier breached a 1992 settlement agreement with John Merrell by including accusations in a book that he was lying. Renier's request for reconsideration was denied, and Merrell is entitled to recover over $45,000 in attorney's fees, with the possibility of further damages.

TBS in the Media

This section highlights TBS's media presence. An article titled "Nothing to Fear?" in the St. Petersburg Times' "City Times" section featured extensive quotes from Terry Smiljanich. Gary Posner was quoted in *The Hook*, a Charlottesville, Va., newspaper, regarding Noreen Renier, and in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune concerning divining and dowsing, with the Manasota Dowsers Club as the featured subject.

Letters to the Editor

Two letters are included. Peter Bernard, a reporter for WFLA-TV 8, expresses appreciation for the common sense in the Fall 2006 TBS Report and mentions being a fan of James "The Amazing" Randi. The second letter is from Christopher Pille, who expresses a desire to participate in TBS's "$1,000 Challenge" to demonstrate his ability to cure scoliosis using energy healing. He proposes a scientific test using the Cobb angle measurement. The editor's response indicates that before agreeing to a test, they require medical records documenting a "severe scoliosis" patient being "cured" by an "energy healer," noting that such records have not yet been provided despite prior exchanges.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of TBS Report Online consistently emphasizes critical thinking, skepticism towards extraordinary claims, and the importance of evidence-based evaluation. The "Brooksville Martian" article exemplifies this by dissecting a UFO report and suggesting it was a hoax. The "Skepticism and Atheism" piece highlights the nuanced approach TBS takes, differentiating skepticism from outright atheism and advocating for a rational examination of claims, including those related to religion. The snippets on out-of-body experiences and the Merrell v. Renier legal case further underscore the theme of debunking or critically examining phenomena. The inclusion of the "$1,000 Challenge" in the letters section directly reflects the organization's commitment to testing paranormal or pseudoscientific claims with rigorous scientific standards. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting rational inquiry and skepticism against pseudoscience and unsubstantiated claims, while maintaining an open, though critical, dialogue on complex topics like religion.