2008, Vol 28, No 2 Feature Articles

8. Vitalism Pt 2 34. A Fundamental Question Laurie Eddie John Stear

14. The Las Vegas Paranormal Conference 36. So Help Me God! Karen Stollznow Kevin McDonald

19. The Disappearing Dhow 39. Scientology Scandals Benjamin Radford Michael Wolloghan

19. The Paranormal Conference 41. Missionary Takes to the Hills Karen Stollznow Sten Bjerking

21. A Skeptic mong the Faithful 43. Review: Art and Science on Stage Helen Lawrence Barry Williams

25. Darwin Day in Africa 45. Review: Counterknowledge Leo Igwe Stephen Wilks

27. Dropping in on Aliens 46. Review: Doing God’s Work Mark Lawson Geoffrey Cowan

29. A Microanalyst’s Perspective on Fluoridation Nick Ware

Regular Items Forum 4. Editorial — Change in the Air 48. Faith and Induction Barry Williams 51. Climate Change 6. Around the Traps 55. Circumcision Bunyip 60. Letters 65. Notices Cover art by Richard Saunders Editorial

ISSN 0726-9897 Editor Barry Williams Change in Associate Editor Karen Stollznow Contributing Editors Tim Mendham Steve Roberts the Air Technology Consultants Richard Saunders Eran Segev his issue is a somewhat unusual running the organisation. I suddenly Chief Investigator Tone that marks an ending and a found myself with the grandiose title Ian Bryce beginning, but first a little personal of ‘National President’ of Australian and corporate history. Skeptics, and publisher of the All correspondence to: I first became aware of an organ- Skeptic. Tim Mendham, the treas- Australian Skeptics Inc ised skeptics movement in 1980, urer of the NSW branch and editor PO Box 268 when I saw Dick Smith on TV of a professional trade journal, Roseville NSW 2069 Australia commenting on a high profile UFO volunteered to edit the Skeptic. To (ABN 90 613 095 379 ) sighting in New Zealand. Dick said afford our officers some legal protec- that such cases needed an organisa- tion we became an incorporated Contact Details tion containing people with the association at this time. Tel: (02) 9417 2071 enthusiasm and the knowledge to By 1990, we had bought a compu- Fax: (02) 9417 7930 e-mail: [email protected] research such incidents and to offer ter and the Skeptic had evolved into the media and the public with a more professionally produced reasonable explanations, rather journal, while subscriber numbers Web Pages than irrational and often hysterical had increased to 1000. For personal Australian Skeptics claims. reasons, Tim found that he could no www.skeptics.com.au No Answers in Genesis™ That appealed to me, so I wrote to longer remain as editor, posing the http://home.austarnet.com.au/stear/default.htm Dick, asking that if such a group problem of finding another one. He was set up, could I join. Within suggested that I take over the role, the Skeptic is a journal of fact and opinion, published weeks, I received a reply from Dick, and given that I had precisely no four times per year by Australian Skeptics Inc. Views telling me that a he and others had experience, I took that to be a and opinions expressed in articles and letters in the Skeptic are those of the authors, and are not necessar- founded a body called Australian ‘courageous’ suggestion. I agreed to ily those of Australian Skeptics Inc. Articles may be re- Skeptics, and asked if I was still do it for just one issue, Vol 10, No 2, printed with permission and with due acknowledgement interested. Of course I was and giving me time to find someone else to the Skeptic. joined immediately. At the time I who could do the job. But then Editorial consultants: couldn’t imagine what an effect that something strange happened — I decision would have on the rest of found that I liked editing a journal Dr Stephen Basser (medicine) Dr Trevor Case (psychology) my life. and so decided to stay on for a while. Dr Richard Gordon (medicine) Dr Pete Griffith (biochemistry/microbiology) Shortly afterwards the Melbourne Meanwhile, I found that I was Dr William Grey (philosophy) group, largely thanks to the Presi- spending most of my spare time on Prof Colin Groves (anthropology) Mr Martin Hadley (law) dent, Mark Plummer, produced a Skeptical matters — editing, organ- Dr Colin Keay (astronomy) four page newsletter, called the ising, appearing in the media — Dr Andrew Parle (physics) Prof Ian Plimer (geology) Skeptic. It had a few dozen subscrib- while also holding down a job so I Dr Stephen Moston (psychology) Dr Alex Ritchie (palaeontology) ers and became a somewhat larger could feed my family. Luckily I had Dr Steve Roberts (chemistry) publication over the next four years, an understanding employer. Mr Roland Seidel (mathematics) Dr Karen Stollznow (linguistics) with the numbers slowly increasing Then, in 1994, we were informed to a couple of hundred. This was in that Australian Skeptics was a Branch correspondents: the days when the term ‘cut and beneficiary of the will of Mr Stanley ACT: Mr Michael O’Rourke paste’ required scissors and a pot of Whalley, of Nambour in Queensland. Gold Coast: Mr John Stear glue. Mr Whalley, who had never been a Hunter: Dr Colin Keay Qld: Mr Bob Bruce In 1985 Mark decided to take up a subscriber, had heard about us, SA: Mr Allan Lang position overseas and asked me if decided we were doing something Tas: Mr Fred Thornett Vic: Mr Ken Greatorex the NSW branch would take over useful and included us in his will. As WA: Dr Geoffrey Dean

Page 4 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 the bequest amounted to consider- woman. But she was very persistent Skeptics Around Australia ably more than a million dollars, and keen on the work of the Skep- this gave the Skeptics the opportu- tics, so she asked if there was nity to do a lot of things that had anything else she could do for us. We New South Wales hitherto been curtailed by lack of found he some tasks and were Australian Skeptics Inc money. delighted with the enthusiasm and PO Box 268, Roseville NSW 2069 We purchased new computer maturity with which she carried Tel: (02) 9417 2071 Fax: (02) 9417 7930 equipment, gave money to each of them out. As a result, we asked [email protected] the interstate branches and advised Karen Stollznow to join the Austral- Hunter Skeptics them, for legal protection reasons, to ian Skeptics committee, a role she PO Box 166 , Waratah NSW 2298 become separately incorporated fulfilled with distinction. Tel: (02) 4957 8666. Fax: (02) 4952 6442 bodies under their state laws. Thus During the past few years, Karen the existing loosely organised has managed to distinguish herself Victoria Australian Skeptics, became a de in her academic studies, culmination Australian Skeptics (Vic) Inc facto confederation of like-minded in the recent award of a doctorate in GPO Box 5166AA, Melbourne VIC 3001 autonomous bodies with similar linguistics, while also becoming one Tel: 1 800 666 996 aims. It remains so to this day. of our most respected and regular [email protected] The bulk of the Whalley bequest was contributors. All who know Karen invested with a new body, the through her Skeptical associations Borderline Skeptics Australian Skeptics Science and are very proud of her accomplish- PO Box 17 , Mitta Mitta VIC 3701 Education Foundation, with a ments, which go to demonstrate that Tel:(02)60723632 charter to provide funding for the Skepticism is not the sole preroga- [email protected] confederated state bodies and tive of ‘old blokes with beards’. Queensland sponsorship for worthwhile projects. Which brings me to the point of Queensland Skeptics Assn Inc In 1996, the work involved in this editorial. Time stands still for PO Box 6454 , Fairfield Gardens QLD 4103 producing the Skeptic and organis- no one, not even a Skeptic, so I Tel (07) 3255 0499 ing a the increasing subscribership, decided some months ago that the [email protected] made it difficult to continue operat- time had come to retire from my full- ing as a part-time activity, so the time positions and for new blood to Gold Coast Skeptics committee resolved to institute a full take up the reins. This will happen PO Box 8348, GCMC Bundall QLD 9726 time position for an Executive at the end of 2008, with my 76th Tel: (07) 5593 1882 Fax: (07) 5593 2776 Officer and Editor, which I was issue as Editor (75 more than my [email protected] fortunate enough to be offered. original intention). In the meantime, the Skeptic has Further, I am delighted to report ACT Canberra Skeptics continued to evolve, now ranking that the Skeptics committee has PO Box 555, Civic Square ACT 2608 among the leading three Skeptical decided that my successor as both (02) 6121 4483 journals in the world. The copy you Executive Officer of Australian [email protected] are reading is a far cry from our first Skeptics and Editor of the Skeptic stumbling efforts, both in appear- will be Dr Karen Stollznow. I have South Australia ance and in the quality of the absolutely no doubt that Karen, with Skeptics SA contributors and contributions it her intelligence, wit, enthusiasm 52B Miller St Unley SA 5061 attracts, and our subscriber num- and common sense, will add consid- Tel: (08) 8272 5881 bers continue to grow steadily. This erable lustre to roles that have been [email protected] constant improvement is a result of my passion for half my adult life. I the efforts of a lot of Skeptics, who hope it will bring her both the Western Australia have been generous with their time, satisfaction and the enjoyment it WA Skeptics expertise and advice. It would be has afforded me and I will continue PO Box 431, Scarborough WA 6922 Tel: (08) 9448 8458 impossible to mention everyone who to do everything I can to make it so. [email protected] everyone who has contributed, but I You — contributors, subscribers, must make mention of just one. advisors and friends — whose efforts Tasmania In the mid 1990s I received a have contributed so much to the Australian Skeptics in Tasmania letter from a student who asked if success of both the Skeptics move- PO Box 582, North Hobart TAS 7002. she could spend some time in our ment and the Skeptic, have all been Tel: (03) 6234 4731 office as work experience. As our marvellous. I thank you and ask you [email protected] office consisted of a small annexe off to continue your support for Karen my bedroom, I thought it wise to in her new roles. Darwin Skeptics Contact advise her that it wouldn’t be an Tel: 08 89274533 appropriate environment for a young Barry Williams [email protected]

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 5 News and Views Around the Traps

EUseful regulations nature have not been investigated up to 22%, however, when they take and prosecuted with similar vigour as little as four drops per day of to those applying to any other “Electro Essence” it seems the commercial sleight-of-hand. radiation reduction is increased to hose Skeptics (among whom can 45%. Tbe numbered the Bunyip) who Cut to ballroom in downtown Kiev. regard the European Union as largely a massive bureaucracy, Truth in advertising Dearest Natalya, you are looking posi- whose main purpose seems to be tively radiant tonight. making incomprehensible regula- In the spirit of the above, Life Oh, Anatoliy, do you think so? Then I tions to annoy citizens of the mem- Member, Ken Smith of Brisbane, must rush up the slopes of Hora ber countries, might take heart at tells us that when he and his wife Hoverla (2,061m) to get rid of some. recent moves in Britain. were shopping recently, they saw a Searching further, Gary discov- It seems that, in compliance with Jeans West shop displaying three ered that “Electro Essence” is made a EU directive, the UK has recently large posters advertising: in Australia, from local bush flowers. introduced consumer protection Its advertising purports that it: legislation to tighten control over $99 gets you 12 minutes with a dodgy Greatly relieves fear and distress as- ‘unfair commercial practices’. phone psychic or 2 pairs of these jeans. sociated with earth, electrical and elec- ‘Fair enough’, you might think, This skeptical advertisement tromagnetic radiation. It helps to bring ‘we’ve had laws like that for ages’ stands in stark contrast to Australia one into balance with the natural and you would be right. But this Post, which recently issued a set of rhythms of the earth. time, along with aggressive and stamps showing astrological signs. unfair sales pitches, it will include We would be delighted to publish Well it would, wouldn’t it? such ‘service providers’ as astrolo- any other examples of commercial Furthermore, at $14.50 for a 30 gers, fortune tellers, faith healers, organisations who demonstrate such ml bottle, Gary calculates that it is spiritualists, those who claim to good skeptical sense. only marginally less expensive than contact the dead, and the like. a moderate vintage Grange Hermit- They will now have to publish age. And stop complaining about disclaimers that their services are petrol prices, which would only set ‘for entertainment purposes only Flowery claims you back around 5 cents for 30ml. and are not experimentally proven’. Not only will they have to publish Thanks to reader, Gary Dalrymple these statements in their advertise- from Earlwood, who brought to our Miracles ments and web sites, but also on attention reports of people in invoices and at the top of any list of Ukraine who had been making Terms and Conditions. The penalties annual ascents of a mountain for the Then there was the case of the for breaches of these regulations will purpose of “reducing their personal Sydney family who crashed their car include fines of up to £5 000. radiation”. on Easter Monday. The car caught And about time too. We have It seems this pilgrimage has, in fire, which could have had tragic never understood why claims of this the past, reduced this radiation by results but for a couple of coura-

Page 6 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 geous bystanders managed to pull But, in doing so, it might have life expectancy of three months. the family from the burning vehicle. opened up a whole new field for They are still sending back valuable However, according to The Daily speculation. While the original ‘face’ information more than four years Telegraph, the mother attributed is no longer a plausible option, part later. their salvation, not to their rescuers, of the formation shows a much more How about that for exceeding the but to God, because they had previ- realistic picture, shown below. warranty period? ously sprinkled the car with Holy Could it be that Mars is nothing Water. more than the galaxy’s central litter It’s amazing the number of times tray? Or, as science fiction fans of one hears of someone surviving a Larry Niven’s work will ask, are the Psychic idle catastrophe in which others have Kzin about to pounce? died, who attribute their survival to Very soon after you receive this, the a ‘miracle’. Well, while they Seven network will be screen- have every right to believe what ing a programme titled The they wish, it can’t be denied One, which will seek to find that the corollary of this belief Australia’s No 1 psychic. It is that everyone else who seems that it will be similar to perished were unworthy of those ‘reality’ singing and miraculous intervention. Capri- dancing shows in which ciousness of this nature doesn’t various contestants are sound very God-like to us. eliminated until there is one winner. Leaving aside the fact that if there were any real psychics Who’s on Mars? around, then they would know now who will win, this show With the successful landing of will differ from the usual NASA’s Phoenix in its polar uncritical claptrap when regions, Mars has been very paranormal ‘powers’ are the much in the news recently, so it subject. This one will have a seemed a good time to check on fair dinkum Skeptic, the the health of the old Face on redoubtable Richard Saun- Mars conspiracy. ders, one of the judges. Readers will recall the furore that emerged among the True Believer community when a picture taken by Viking 1 in 1976, showed a geological formation You can see some fine pictures at Jargon in the Cydonia region of the Red NASA’s site at: Planet, that bore a superficial www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ It would appear that now every Tom, resemblance to a human face. phoenix/main/index.html Dick and Harriet wants to be a and the ESA’s site at: It took another quarter of a psychologist. It’s difficult to read, see www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ century before new pictures of the or hear any news medium these Mars_Express/SEM09F8LURE_0.html region, taken by Mars Global Sur- days without stumbling across a veyor in 2001, showed a much less journalist, politician, academic, face-like image of the eroded geologi- commentator, ‘celebrity’ or other cal (areological?) feature. With this, Above and beyond Sigmund-manque accusing someone some (but by no means all) of the else of being ‘in denial’ about some- fantasies began to evaporate. While we’re celebrating Martian thing or other. Then, in 2006, the European matters, lets give a couple of hearty How should a Skeptic cope with Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter cheers for the real stars of Mars all this pseudo-psychology? Might (which, despite the loss of its Beagle exploration, the two doughty little we suggest that we take a national- 2 lander, has been a highly success- istic stance and point out that it’s ful mission) surveyed the region in NASA robot rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. Egyptians who are in denial, while more detail. The results finally Australians are in demurraydarling? consigned the “face” theory to the They both landed, on different dustbin where it belonged. regions of Mars, in 2004, with an Bunyip

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 7 Feature Vitalism and the Origins of Magical, Mystical Energies Pt 2

A study of the historical roots he first section of this paper to use their sinister powers to of modern irrationality Tappeared in Vol 28, No 1, manipulate people, to harm them published in March 2008. with the “evil eye” or to deprive them of their “life-force” by “binding Magnetism up” their sexual and procreative In addition, many sought to use abilities. Now such claims were contemporary scientific discoveries being given a degree of contempo- to prop up the traditional beliefs, rary “scientific” validity, the sugges- thus we find that after 1600, when tion being that, perhaps these William Gilbert published his book, individuals possessed some form of De Magnete, Magneticisque “magnetic” power rather than Corporibus, et de Magno Magnete magical powers. Tellure, (On the Magnet and Mag- A major influence on the spread of netic Bodies, and on That Great magnetic beliefs was Franz Anton Magnet the Earth) the “vital energy” Mesmer (1734-1815), a scientist and component, which had formerly been a showman, who adopted many of presented as a divine, spiritual Helmont’s ideas, and was particu- force, was increasingly represented larly influential in spreading these as magnetic energy, the newest new ideas throughout Europe. He wonder of that age. believed the Earth and the universe Magnetism was mysterious; apart was filled with a mysterious mag- from its physical attraction of netic force, which he called ‘animal certain objects, some even believed magnetism’, and that not only were that it was able to exert an influence humans particularly susceptible to over living objects, including human the actions of this energy, but that beings. Even more sensationally, it all human illness was attributable to was claimed by some like Jan van internal imbalances or blockages of Helmont (1580-1644), that certain this substance. individuals were so filled with this By the mid 18th Century, the potent magnetic energy that they advent of the Leyden Jar and a even had the power to forcibly rotating friction machine to create discharge this “magnetic fluid” into static electricity had exposed the other humans, completely over- public to a new natural phenom- whelming their will. enon, electricity, and very soon the Such ideas were not entirely new; concept of an electrically based life- one can find similar claims being energy began to replace the former Laurie Eddie, a psychologist, is Secretary of made about certain individuals in magnetic theory. In 1791, Galvani Skeptics SA and a Life Member of Australian the past, especially witches and had published his book, De Viribus Skeptics magicians, who were said to be able Electricitatis in Motu Musculari

Page 8 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Commentarius (On the effect of part of ancient Greek philosophy, The concept of the Sun’s rays as electricity on the motion of muscles), taught by Plato, Socrates and the initiator and sustainer of human in which he proposed that “animal Pythagoras and was also part of the life led to a belief that the body must electricity” was the vital life-compo- Jewish kabbalistic literature, (gilgul possess certain physical attributes to nent, and that all animal bodies or “cycles of life”), while the Eastern “receive” this energy from within contained two forms of electrical concept of karma had many similari- these rays, and allow it to flow energy, “ … positive in the nerves ties to the Christian concept of through the body. The idea of the and negative in the muscles” predestination. One group in par- subtle vital force (prana) and the (Hellman, 2001, p. 24). He believed ticular, the Theosophists, whole- channels (nadis) along which it that it was the discharge of positive heartedly embraced many mystical flows, are first mentioned in the electricity into the nerves that and traditional Hindu and Buddhist earliest Upanishads dating from caused the muscles to move. teachings, especially the concept of a circa 7th-8th Centuries BCE. The While such theories led to re- vital, life giving energy, prana. heart was said to be the centre of search into the use of electricity to Vitalistic theories proposed that 72,000 nadis, and the place into move the limbs of paralysed pa- the “vital energy” was a divine, which the senses retreated during tients, it was largely sidetracked by heavenly, or cosmic force. Very early sleep. In many ancient civilisations, a horde of quacksalvers who pro- in time the Sun and its rays had been eg Egypt or Homeric Greece, the moted it as a miraculous medical identified as its source and this heart was also considered to be the tool. As Hellman (2001) observed, continued to be accepted by many, seat of waking consciousness. “Newspapers and rumour mills were “…the vital force which emanates filled with reports that electricity from the sun…” (Powell, 1925, p. 2). Eastern philosophies had been used to cure an astonish- As Hall (1928) observed, the worship In ancient Egypt similar imaginary ing range of maladies, from consti- of the Sun “ … was one of the earliest channels, known as metu, were pation to paralysis, from headaches and most natural forms of religious believed to carry, “ … blood … air, to herpes” (p. 19). As McCoy (2000) expression” (p. 49), the Sun being mucus, urine, semen, disease- reported, electrical gadgets of all revered by many primitive races, “… bearing entities and also malign or shapes and forms proliferated to as the proxy of the Supreme Deity” (p, benign spirits…” (Nunn, 1996, p. such an extent that it became 49). Indeed it appears that most 44). In Ayurvedic these channels are necessary for warnings to be issued religious beliefs were simply varia- known as srotas, in Chinese Acu- that, if abused or wasted, these tions of the solar theme of the eter- puncture, meridians. Over time the machines could deplete one’s “vital nally reborn god, and everywhere, concept became increasingly more energies” producing all manner of humans acknowledged their depend- complex with Ayurvedic evolving a diseases (p. 56). ence upon the Sun. system of sixteen separate channels The increasingly “scientific” In temples, past and present, the that existed on both a visible, and approach of the latter part of the ubiquitous eternal flame burned as a invisible level, it even included one 19th Century saw the gradual pass- symbolic representation of the Sun’s channel for the flow of intelligence, ing of these former concepts and the eternal life giving energy. The and another for the flow of thoughts “life-force” was increasingly per- presence of such a flame in the through the mind. ceived as an electro-biological force. Jerusalem temple strongly suggests Around the second century BCE, Nevertheless the former ideas that even Judaism was originally a we find the first references to the remained popular with writers such solar religion, and that the Yahweh Tantric concepts of chakras and as Bulwer-Lytton, and much of the concept originally represented the mantras, (spiritual channels created popular fiction presented the idea life-giving energy of the Sun. Like- by words or sounds). The chakras that electricity could be used to wise many Jewish myths indirectly (Sanskrit “wheels” or “circles”), were reanimate the dead (The Facts in the refer to solar worship, eg, Samson’s defined as centres of energy, able to Case of M. Valdemar, by E. A. Poe), hair was a representation of the rays receive the various forms of nor- or even to create life (Frankenstein of the Sun, “Why did Samson (name mally undetectable, non-physical by Mary Shelley). derived from Shemesh, the Sun) lose forms of energy, especially prana, all his strength when he lost his which was claimed to enter the body Solar precedents hair?” (Carpenter, 1920, p. 27). through the Crown Chakra (the The expansion of European powers Christianity too is based upon solar seventh chakra or Sahasra, located into Egypt and Asia in the 18th-19th myth, for, just as the Sun was at the top of the head) and then to Centuries produced an increased thought to enter a vast subterranean “flow” through invisible “channels“ interest in Eastern religious and cavern each night, whence it — in a fashion similar to the flow of philosophical concepts; many of emerged the following morning, so blood. According to Krieger, (1997) which were merged with preexisting too Jesus, the “light of the world”, the chakras are, “… of major impor- Western mystical ideas, eg, Reincar- was born in and emerged in his glory tance at the supraphysical level nation and karma. This had been from a subterranean cave. where they act as the principal

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 9 Vitalism agents for focusing energy to the ludicrous since all substances, both faulty eating, drinking, breathing or physical body” (p. 58). organic and inorganic, contain elimination), mechanical (spinal As these various Vitalistic con- chemicals. Even something as malalignment, muscular tension, cepts evolved in the various cul- natural as an orange contains some stiff joints or bad posture) …” (p. tures, it gradually came to be one-hundred and forty different 105). accepted that: chemical compounds. In general, most alternative • Life would be sustained only Alternative therapies tend to therapies use one of the following whilst this energy continued to flow deny, or at least ignore, the existence therapeutic approaches: within the body; of such things as disease and infec- • The use of indirect treatments tions. They claim that what orthodox • Good health depended upon the that are said to encourage the natural medicine perceives as “diseases” are healing processes; unrestricted flow of this energy through merely indications of physical or Direct bioenergetic therapies, the body, and; mental “disharmony” in the body; • • The energy must be maintained internal “imbalances” or “blockages” that claim to use life-energies to restore a positive balance and revitalise the in- in a state of “balance” neither too much to the natural energy flow, with the ternal life-energy balance, so as to cure or too little. any dysfunction. In earlier times, when The second category prima- negative health had been rily comprises those alterna- primarily attributed to divine tive forms of treatment which punishment or the malicious ... claims by are designed to manipulate influence of evil spirits, treat- those “… numerous forms of ment was primarily of a energy alien to physics …” religious character, prayers, alternative therapists (Raso, 1995, p. 33). Generally incantations, fumigations and referred to as “bioenergetic” or herbs were used that were bio-electromagnetic therapies, antagonistic to the evil spirits. that natural, herbal these are based upon the However, as more secular alternative belief that the vitalistic theories began to human body is actually “… a evolve, the emphasis changed medicines do not localized dynamic interaction towards developing treatment of several principal force fields regimes that would ensure an that span a spectrum of unrestricted flow of the life- contain chemicals ... vitality, life-force and creative energy. As each culture devel- living energies” (Krieger, oped their own methods, the 1997, p. 36). end result was to be the are either deliberate proliferation of numerous and Auras diverse forms of so-called In the past the vital life- “alternative” and “complemen- falsehoods, or products energy was often associated tary” vitalistic therapies. with the aura (aka the aure- “Natural” therapies of sheer ignorance ole, nimbus or glory). Said to be discernible as a field of Most of these emphasise a radiance surrounding the holistic approach, using only bodies of certain individuals, “natural” principles and in particular, those who were medicines to maintain or restore a particular location of the “problem” “chosen” or were exceptionally holy, normal unrestricted flow of life- being indicated by its effects upon the aura was believed to be a mani- energy, for, it is claimed, “artificial” those organs that lie adjacent to the festation of the divine “glory” that so drugs interfere with the body’s “blockage” (Drury, 1981, p. 118). filled their body that it burst forth natural energy potential and restrict Accordingly, unlike orthodox as a radiant glow. Thus we find for the flow of this vital energy. A medicine, which treats a specific instance, the example of the enlight- common claim by many alternative causal agency, vitalistically based ened Moses, of whom it was claimed, therapists is that natural, herbal therapies seek to use a variety of “the skin of his face shone” (Exodus medicines do not contain chemicals! different approaches to discover and 34:29). Such claims are either deliberate remove the many possible causes of There was a long-standing belief falsehoods, or products of the sheer the interference with the energy that these “special” people had the ignorance of alternative practition- flow. As Stanway (1979) observed, ability to heal by transferring some ers. Such claims are completely these might be “… chemical (from of this divine power into the sick,

Page 10 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 and overwhelming the negative energy field” (HEF) and claim it is One particular form of divination spirits or forces that were believed to composed of some of the universal was that of the touchstone, where a be the cause of disease and sickness. animating energy that “radiates” fortune-teller would give the subject Over time, this concept that had from the body, combined with a special stone to hold in their hands begun as a religious belief, gradually specific patterns of mental and for a short period of time. After it became a tenet of vitalism, and physical energy that reflect the was handed back, the diviner increasingly taking on a pseudo- function and operation of every body claimed to be able to perceive the life scientific perspective, being widely organ. Indeed, according to Kunz energy that had been transferred promoted as various forms of and Peper (1995), our every thought into the stone and, from that, they “bioenergetic techniques”. and emotion is displayed as “… could predict the individual’s future. An early proponent of this type of characteristic patterns of energy” (p. A modern variation of this fraud theory in the West was the Theoso- 214) within this HEF. This, it is to ask a gullible victim to hand phist C.W. Leadbeater (1927) who, claims, enables the easy and fast over their money so that the adopting various Hindu teachings, diagnosis of any illness or bodily fraudster can either “read” the proposed that humans were com- disorder, for any internal distur- energy, or bless the money, by posed of a number of separate bance is displayed in the HEF, and instilling their positive energy into bodies, the visible physical body, by “reading” these signs, which are the money, ensuring the victim will and, “… others which are not visible visible to the therapist. They can have good luck. At that point, by to ordinary sight…” (p. 2). quickly determine the cause and using some form of distraction, the He referred to this invisible part origin of the problem. Healing too is fraudster departs, leaving the victim of the physical body as the “etheric just as easily performed. out of pocket. double and claimed it was a vital As Krieger (1993) observed, Transference: If it is possible to believe component of human existence. “When a person’s energies are out of in the existence of a positive life-force, Because it absorbed prana, the vital balance, the person becomes ill” (p. then it is possible to conceive the concept energy that animated the body, it 46); thus since all illness is caused of opposing forces, negative life-forces, or was known in Hindi as, by imbalances in the energy flow, it malevolent beings, that produced all the “Prânamâyakosha, or vehicle of only requires the therapist (healer) negative aspects of nature. Prâna” (Powell, 1925, p. 3). Just as to bioenergetically rebalance the To the ancients these were actual important was the fact that it acted patient’s energies by transferring physical forces that could be pro- as a nexus between the individual some of their own positive life- jected into a victim; as such they and the cosmos conveying, “… energy into the patient’s HEF. The were also thought able to be trans- undulations of thought and feeling transferred energy enables the ferred out of the victim, either into from the astral to the visible denser patient to balance and restore their another person, an animal, or even physical matter” (Leadbeater, 1927, own depleted energy levels, activat- into some object. p. 3). Without this ‘vital’ connection, ing their own internal healing Thus in Mesopotamia the sick the ego would be unable to use the process and restoring them to full would place a loaf of bread on their brain cells. health. Furthermore this ability is head and recite a sacred incantation This invisible component con- not restricted to a few, special three times; then, after wiping the sisted of at least two “etheric enve- people. According to Krieger (1986), loaf over their entire body (to absorb lopes” or fields of energy, around the everyone has the “ability” to transfer the evil influence), they would cast body. While the Etheric Double positive healing life-energy into the loaf at a dog. If the dog ate the projected only about one centimetre others; it is a “natural human loaf the evil would be successfully from the body, the other part, the potential” that we all possess. transferred. Etheric or Health Aura, was be- Throughout history, dogs and cats tween three and five centimetres Unfortunate legacy remained popular targets of this deep. Although invisible, according The unfortunate legacy of Vitalism practice, and as late as the 16th to those able to perceive it, this field is the large variety of erroneous Century there are references to was a pale violet-grey or blue-grey in beliefs and counterfeit-scientific Scottish witches transferring human colour and faintly luminous (Powell, theories that it has engendered; suffering and disease to cats and 1925, p. 4). these include: dogs. It was also a common practice Practitioners of Bioenergetic Clairvoyance: It is claimed that energy in Scotland to pass a cat over a techniques, which include Therapeu- from our HEF is absorbed by our cloth- person suffering from fever, to tic Touch, Reiki, Auric Massage, ing, or objects that we carry. Clairvoy- absorb their illness. Other animals Pranic Healing, Qi Gong and many ants, who claim to have “extrasensory” were also used, ancient rabbinical others types of so-called “psychic” abilities, insist they are able to detect literature mentioned the process healing therapy, generally refer to these residual traces of our life-energy on known as pigeon therapy, in which this Health Aura as the “human objects that we have been in contact with. prayers were chanted over a person

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 11 Vitalism with jaundice, and then a pigeon either the positive or negative morning dew, some from leaf mould, placed on their navel. It was be- aspects of the previous life. As mud, or decomposing manure, while lieved that the jaundice would be concepts of atonement evolved it mosquitoes came from earthworms, transferred to the pigeon. Then, must have seemed logical to connect and ticks from couch grass. when the bird was allowed to fly this process of “returning” to the Philosopher’s Stone: This was consid- away, the disease would disappear idea of the deceased being rewarded ered to be the receptacle within which with the bird. for a worthwhile former life, or resided the original divine life-power. According to Chapter VII of The punished for their sins of their Like the Greek Apeiron, it contained the Magus, a 19th Century grimoire, “So previous existence. fundamental life-energy that was able in the cholic, if a live duck be applied Vampirism: Since blood was believed to shape or reshape substances and so to the belly, it takes away the pain, to contain a form of “life-energy” it must could transmute anything it came in and the duck dies” (p. 38). In a have appeared logical to assume that contact with, returning it to that most similar vein we find in Mark 5: 11-13 demons and malevolent spirits, who noble and original substance, Gold. the story of how Jesus supposedly were not really “alive” in the real sense The Elixir Vitæ and the Fountain of ex-pelled an evil spirit from a man of the word, would attack humans to Youth: Early Christians believed that, who was “possessed” and transferred drink their blood to obtain this “vital having been given a pure and uncor- it into a herd of pigs. essence” to gain, for a short period of rupted divine life-force, Adam and Eve Life After Death — Ghosts: In many time, an “artificial” form of life. Folklore were destined to be immortal; however, cultures the life-energy, or spirit, was is filled with these creatures; they in- this divine potential was lost when they considered to be a “divine” force and, as clude Lilith the first wife of Adam, the “sinned” and, as a result, all humankind such, able to survive physical death and Horseleech of Proverbs 30:15; the Lamia, was destined to grow old and die. How- even to return to Earth, to help or harm Burcolakas, and Empusa of Greece, the ever, some believed that if they could those left behind. This was the basis of Arabic Algul, the European Incubi and obtain an infusion of the divine spirit many ghost stories and such practices Alfs, the Malaysian Penanggalan, the which, according to the Alchemists, was as the propitiation of the dead and an- Scottish Baobhan-Sith, the Rumanian contained within the Elixir Vitæ, they cestor worship. Nosferat, and the fictional Dracula. would be able to banish sickness, aging Life After Death — Heaven, Resur- Spontaneous Generation: This was and even death. rection and Reincarnation: The be- the belief that certain types of organisms Later this idea became incorpo- lief that a part of the individual could could form spontaneously, without need- rated into other myths of fabulous survive death gave rise to the various ing such intermediate developmental lands, where it was said this magical concepts of the afterlife. It must have processes as eggs or offspring. It was liquid might exist in a natural made sense to the ancients that if the commonly believed that certain types of spring of fountain, the legendary spirit survived death, it needed a “dwell- rotting matter produced special gases Fountain of Youth, said to be able to ing place” where it could continue its (miasmas) that contained a form of life- restore youth to the aged and when earthly role and it was thought they energy and spontaneously produced life drunk regularly, would ensure would need their old tools and personal forms. In ancient times when the bio- eternal life. possessions. The practice began at least logical origins of insects, frogs, and Preformationism: The belief that an 50,000 years ago, when Neanderthals fishes were unknown, this was a wide- infinitely minute human form was and Homo sapiens began burying their spread belief, eg, Exodus 7:17, “... all present in every egg, or sperm, and that dead with their everyday tools. This the dust of the earth became gnats the act of conception merely triggered a practice reached its ultimate level of throughout the land of Egypt.” process that enabled it to grow into a excessiveness amongst the Egyptian This concept received its greatest human child. pharaohs. impetus when Aristotle first docu- Emboîtement: The belief that, at the Later the idea developed of a mented the various aspects of sponta- moment of creation, God had created an resurrection; some, like the Phari- neous generation, claiming that infinite number of embryos, and that, sees even claiming that the body shellfish, limpets, oysters, and fleas, within each embryo were innumerable would rise from the grave in an were born spontaneously from the other embryos all waiting their time to actual “physical” resurrection, an mud of the sea beds, and that crabs be brought forth (Hellman 1998, p. 68). idea that was to influence the developed from certain shellfish, formation of the resurrection myth especially those with a curved form. References of Jesus. Jellyfish were formed spontaneously To certain cultures it seemed from sea-water, and spiders were Aristotle (1987). De Anima: On the logical that, having been imprinted born from other insects with a similar Soul. Lawson-Tancred, H. (Trans. ) with a human “identity” if this spirit form and appearance. He claimed New York: Penguin Books. should return, it would bring with it that some forms of life, formed from

Page 12 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Besant, A. (1921). Theosophical Drury, N. (1981). The Healing Krieger, D. (1993). Accepting Your Society. In, Encyclopaedia of Reli- Power. Sydney: Australia & New Power to Heal: The Personal Prac- gion and Ethics. James Hastings, J. Zealand Book Co. tice of Therapeutic Touch. Santa Fe, New Mexico: Bear & Company editor, Edinburgh: T. & T. Clarke; Encyclopædia Britannica. Rites and Publishing. volume 12, 535-537. Ceremonies. Chicago: Encyclopædia Blundell, N. (1985). The World’s Britannica Inc., (1986), volume 26, Leadbeater, C.W. (1927). The Greatest Mysteries. Bungay, Suffolk: 816-889. Chakras. Wheaton, Illinois: The Theological Publishing House, (1987 Chaucer Press Ltd. Feuerstein, G. (1987). Prana. In edition). Bradley, R.S. (1999). Philosophy of Encyclopedia of Religion. Eliade, M. naturopathic medicine. In, Textbook (editor in chief), New York: McCoy, B. (2000). Quack! Tales of of Natural Medicine, eds. J.E. Macmillan Publishing Co., vol. II, Medical Fraud From the Museum of Pizzorno and M.T. Murray, Edin- 483-484. Questionable Medical Devices. Santa Monica, CA: Santa Monica burgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2nd Frazer, J. G. (1922). The Golden Press. edition, 41-49. Bough. New York: Macmillan Brodie, F. M. (1990). No Man Knows Publishing Co. Mainfort, D. (2004). The Physician- Shaman: Early Origins of Tradi- My History, 2nd ed., New York, NY: Gélis, J. (1991). History of Child- tional Chinese Medicine. Skeptic, 1, Alfred A. Knopf. birth. Cambridge: Polity Press. 36-39. Carpenter, Edward, (1920). Pagan Hall, M.P. (1928). The Secret Teach- Nunn, J.F. (1996). Ancient Egyptian And Christian Creeds: Their Origins ings of All Ages. San Francisco: H.S. Medicine. London: British Museum And Meaning, London: George Allen Crocker Company, Inc. & Unwin Ltd. Press. Haller, J.S. (1986). The Great Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Carroll, R.T., (2002). The Skeptic’s Biologic Problem: Vitalism, materi- edition, volume XIII, Oxford: Dictionary. Hoboken, NJ: John alism and the philosophy of organ- Clarendon Press, p. 398. Wiley & Sons, Inc. ism. New York State Journal of Corpus Hermetica, Book IV, 47, “The Medicine, 86(2), 81-88. Powell, A. E. (1969). The Etheric Double. Wheaton, Illinois: Quest Key, at www. ancienttexts.org/ Hellman, H. (1998). Great Feuds in Books. library/egyptian/hermetica/ Science. New York: John Wiley & index.html Sons, Inc. Raso, J. (1996). The Dictionary of Metaphysical Healthcare. Amherst, Crawley, A.E. (1971). Life and Hellman, H. (2001). Great Feuds in NY: Prometheus Books. Death, (American). In, Encyclopae- Medicine. New York: John Wiley & dia of Religion and Ethics. Hast- Sons, Inc. Robinson, H. W. (1971). Blood, In, ings, J. (editor), Edinburgh: T. & T. Encyclopaedia of Religion and Holy Bible, Revised Standard Clark, vol. 8, 13-14. Ethics. Edinburgh: James Hastings, Version. New York: Thomas Nelson (editor), volume 2, pp. 714-719. D’Alviella, G. (1971). Animism. In, & Sons. Encyclopaedia of Religion and Stanway, A. (1979). Alternative Hume, D. (1783) Essay II - On the Ethics. Hastings, J. (editor), Edin- Medicine: A Guide to Natural Immortality of the Soul. In, Essays burgh: T. & T. Clark, vol. 1, 535-537. Therapies. Adelaide: Rigby Limited. On Suicide, and the Immortality Of De’ath, R. (2000). French Letters The Soul. London: M. Smith. Teresi, D. (2002). Lost Discoveries: and English Overcoats: Sexual The Ancient Roots of Modern Koran, (1987). Translator N. J. Fallacies and Fads From Ancient Science from the Babylonians to the Dawood. Harmondsworth, Middle- Greece to the Millennium. London: Maya. New York: Simon & Schuster. Robson Books. sex: Penguin Books. Walker, B. (1970). Sex and the Krieger, D. (1986). The Therapeutic De Selincourt, A. (1955). Herodotus: Supernatural. London: Macdonald Touch: How to Use Your Hands to The Histories. Harmondsworth, Unit 75. Middlesex: Penguin Books Ltd. Help or to Heal. New York: Prentice Hall Press. Moving on? Don’t forget to tell us your new address.

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 13 Report Las Vegas Paranormal Conference The (Non) Event of the Year

Our intrepid investigator once he Las Vegas Paranormal Las Vegas and a ghost hunt. I more descends into the TConference, billed as the “block- resisted the urge to take off to the murky world of the buster paranormal event of the Strip, and dutifully pulled out my year,” was a non-event. In a room notepad and pen, and a camcorder to paraormal that could hold hundreds, only 40 capture interviews with the speak- people (infrequently) attended this ers. two-day event. Most of this crowd was comprised of organisers and Ghost seekers speakers, but only half of the invited The first seminar was a panel with speakers showed. In comparison, ghost hunters Zak Bagans, Nick The Amaz!ng Meeting 5 of 2007 Groff and Aaron Goodwin, creators (hosted by the James Randi Educa- of Ghost Adventures. This documen- tional Foundation) boasted some tary has been shown on the Sci-Fi 1000 attendees. Has reason pre- channel six times so far, and suppos- vailed over mysticism, or is this a edly produced a wealth of paranor- case of poor promotion? mal evidence, such as orbs. These Unfortunately, the latter appears are not dust particles or droplets of to be the reason. The conference water, “they are the start of a dates changed three times. The manifestation. Spirits use your conference website (www.tlvpc.com) body’s energy to help manifest advertised the event, but didn’t themselves. An orb is a spirit trying advertise the speakers. There was to appear.” The documentary also no itinerary (in correspondence, Bad captured electronic voice phenomena Astronomer Phil Plait observed that (EVPs). The trio recorded a chilling psychics “don’t need itineraries. warning, “Get out of here!” and Everyone just *knows* what’s going playful spirits cheekily calling out on”). Instead, the conference was the lad’s names. chaotic, a near-empty room, speaker Zak claims that he “was once a no-shows, technical problems and skeptic,” but became a believer heated arguments between the following a convincing supernatural speakers and guests. Despite the experience. For an entire week, he $175 conference fee, there were no was awoken at 3 am by a woman snacks, no tea and bickies, and a screaming out his full name, promised “cocktail party” was a ‘cash “Zachary!” He dismissed my sugges- bar’ (ie, no free booze). I felt like tions that he was dreaming, or had joining the 350 people attending the female company of the mortal sort. Karen Stollznow, linguist, academic, vodcaster Ramirez family reunion next door. On the seventh night, he awoke on and investigator, is the Associate Editor of the However, some fun was promised: his back, pinned to the bed, unable Skeptic. a midnight séance, a haunted tour of to move and frozen with fear. Then

Page 14 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 he noticed the glowing figure of a my experiences at the Goldfield cent man who wears a black hat and woman at the end of his bed. This Hotel in Goldfield, Nevada.” “How materialises through cloud and apparition sighting was “validated” far is Goldfield from Las Vegas?” smoke. There is a “phantom woman by the subsequent finding that a interrupted a medium. “When I chained to a radiator by her ankles” woman had committed suicide in moved to Goldfield my mother asked who floats around the room, a that very room. why anybody would want to live “dwarf that runs up and down the Zak claims there are three ap- 187.2 miles from K-Mart,” quipped stairs”, and a flirtatious female proaches to paranormal investiga- Virginia. “So, how far away is ghost who runs rampant with a tions: 1. scientific; 2. medium, and; Goldfield from Las Vegas?” re-asked bottle of lavender perfume provided 3. emotional. the not-so-medium medium. “187.2 for her. When men visit, she coquet- These ghost hunters employ the miles,” the patient Virginia re- tishly sprays the room with her latter method, using their “feelings answered. scent, leaving them to cough and and sensitivity” to identify and Goldfield is a ghost town and the splutter. capture paranormal activity. “We Goldfield Hotel was built in 1908. An don’t use science or mediums,” Zak abandoned building, it has been Electronic Voice Phenomena proclaimed. This Mike Carrico is an prompted a question investigator with an from a concerned impressive paranormal audience member. resume. A “certified “When you find spirits, EVP specialist,” he has do you release them?” a qualification from a “No”, Zak replied. “We group unqualified to don’t help them move qualify anyone in a on. We just want to see scientific sense if they’re there.” An (www.hauntedvoices.com). argument about ghost Mike is also the hunting ethics ensued. founder of the Las “Don’t you feel guilty Vegas Paranormal about leaving an entity Investigators, and is trapped?” Zak shrugged affiliated with TAPS his shoulders, so the (The Atlantic Paranor- medium continued. mal Society, the group “Don’t you feel bad, responsible for the having that on your current television conscience? Don’t you Ghost hunter’s tool kit obsession with ghost think that’s wrong?” she hunting). insisted. “Alright!” Zak exploded, “I closed to guests since WWII, but Mike’s speciality is recording do feel uncomfortable about leaving open to spirits. Virginia announced Electronic Voice Phenomena be- these spirits trapped in this plane!” that the resident spirits are “reason- lieved to be the “disembodied voices” The medium suggested smugly, able folk. Only once was I picked up of spirits. Mike began by disseminat- “Then couldn’t you get a priest or a and thrown against the wall. And I ing the urban legend that Thomas medium to help them move on?” She deserved it!” This violent outburst Edison built the first device to was obviously peeved that the lads happened when Virginia produced capture EVPs. Edison once specu- don’t enlist the help of her ilk. “I “holy water and pentagrams to get lated about the future possibility of should do that,” admitted Zak,” it is rid of the ghosts”. Nowadays, Vir- such a device, but he never designed unsettling to leave them in limbo ginia and the bevy of ghosts live one himself. when they say things like ‘help me!’” together in harmony. Paranormal A rather humourless fellow, In his own defence he explained, phenomena that occur include deadpan Mike provided some handy “But sometimes they leave me wooden crucifixes that float through tips on how to capture voices of the vulgar messages and I say to them, the air (caused by desert winds or a dead. Clearly, smoke and mirrors ‘Okay. You can just stay there then!’” trick of the eye?), the inexplicable don’t require bells and whistles. A devil’s advocate piped up, “Some appearance of bones (animals that “Don’t spend $1000 on a flashy spirits don’t even want to go back. If have died or been killed and eaten in recorder. Any cheap model will do”. you help them move on, sometimes the abandoned building?), while When choosing a location to record, they just come right back again!” mechanical tools often cease working “Follow your senses and hunches.” The next speaker was Virginia (faulty products?). Politely ask the spirits to leave you a Ridgeway, a 76 year old “born with Anecdotally, the hotel is home to message, such as “would any spirits the gift of psyche. I’m here to share apparitions, including a tall, irides- like to say anything?”

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 15 Paranormal Conference

Each recording should only be of a spirit, “a southern man with a you have an imaginary friend? Were about two minutes in duration. goatee beard, like Colonel Sanders.” you a dreamer? Was your greatest When you have recorded a message Other mediums ‘saw’ various signs; joy to hang upside-down on your from the dead, you’ll probably need a tool box, a snake, the letters JB, grandmother’s couch so you could to “clean it up” (modify it?) to re- and a sister, aunt or cousin diag- see the ceiling as the floor? Do you move hisses, clicks, pops and other nosed with an illness beginning with feel emptiness? You are here to seek. ambient noise. Indeed, there is a the letter ‘S’. Some complained that You are here on a journey. I connect scale of EVP quality, from A-D. “A is their eyes burnt at the pungent to God, the source, the light and I the best and clearest, and D is the stench of menthol and pipe smoke. privilege myself to be at one with the worst. If you want to know more… The next day I was told that all of creator. I am the tool, God is the read a book,” the specialist recom- these ‘messages’ had been “vali- source.” mended. The most common message dated” (ie, reported as ‘meaningful’) Before arriving in Las Vegas from that Mike receives is the threaten- by those in attendance. her home in St Louis, Missouri, ing, “Get out!” Sometimes, the Deborah undertook a session of messages are peculiar indeed. automatic writing. “Perhaps this is Mike’s colleague from the Las why you’re here today. Perhaps Vegas Paranormal Investigations there is a message here for you.” group piped up with an example. What followed was a shopping list “Remember that weird message? “I of incongruous words that would want an ice cream!”” “No,” cor- have made James Joyce proud: rected Mike, “it was “I’m a nice Alan, tattoos, mechanic, Muriel, cook- kid”.” I thought this demonstrated ing, combat boots, dog, Lucky, bounc- the subjectivity of EVP interpreta- ing balls, Dad, pronounced nose, tion rather nicely. gambler, horses, cigar, promised a car After Mike’s talk I tried to at 16, girl, pony-tail, bad deal, part- interview him. Within a minute, my nership, ripped off, cockatiel, fun story camcorder shut down. I replaced with brother, diagnosed with a fatal the batteries, several times over, to disease, unfair, young girl with kids, no avail. Mike implied that spirit fear of snakes (Deborah claimed this activity was afoot. could be linked to the previous Midnight séance evening’s séance), grandfather tricked you, big barn, Paul and Eileen, The final item on the agenda for Marilyn, strong arms, pet monkey on the first day was a “midnight leash, release me, American Indian séance” at 9 pm(!) There was an male, Appaloosa horse, new business ‘inner circle’ comprised of experi- opportunity, cars, motorcycles, school enced mediums who held hands as teacher mum, tyre over foot, twisting. they conducted the séance. The The ‘death picture’ She finally took a breath. lights went off and the séance “There may be something here for began amid frightening gasps from During the séance I had at- you. Trust yourself. Take it away the heating system, and intermit- tempted shorthand in the dark with you.” There was something for tent bursts of cheering, laughing and room. When the lights went on, the everyone in this vague list, “taking it clapping from the festive Ramirez result was such a horrid scrawl that away” provides the attendee time to family reunion. The séance produced one medium mistook it for automatic forge artificial connections, and some amazing results. Virginia writing! (This is when a medium gives the medium time to flee. began wailing and moaning in a ‘channels’ a spirit and the entity Deborah then discussed some of fearful way. I suppressed a laugh as ‘writes’ through its host). her previous ghost hunts, including the mediums screamed, “Who are one at the Fitzpatrick Hotel in you?” at the elderly lady. Virginia Medium with a message Washington, Georgia. She displayed was overcome with the spirit of Day two began with a further a photo of a “death picture”, a “John” who wept, “Forgive me!” The depleted audience and a seminar by posthumous portrait of a morose- mediums comforted Virginia/John medium Deborah Senger. (For an looking young girl, swathed in black with the soothing, “It’s okay. We’re interview with Deborah and other velvet. Adding a sinister effect, the not here to hurt you. We’re here to conference guests, visit The TANK picture itself is covered in soot as it help you”. Vodcast blog: had once hung over the fireplace. Then, a strange thing happened tankvodcast.wordpress.com). The portrait “was taken down to audience member Jim…his face Deborah delivered a passionate was “replaced” by the spectral image speech: “when you were young, did

Page 16 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 because guests became ill when they Ladies has the world’s strangest with her husband, a miner, until his looked at it.” sign, a crashed Beechcraft airplane. death. Belmont is yet another boom Deborah performed a reading of According to Tim, an advertising town that went bust. (NB: “This is the hotel, but was mystified by her campaign invited competitors to because the town is cursed.” A pack persistent visions of coffins. This “land any vehicle as close as possible of villains once broke out of jail, was later “validated” by an historian to the original sign.” And what was were caught by an angry mob, and who discovered that the hotel had the prize? You guessed it, “a freebie cursed the town before they were served as a chapel when the local at the brothel.” Even more strangely, lynched.) While the rest of the funeral home burnt down. “I confirm the brothel was once owned by a residents moved on, Rose stayed. history,” Deborah announced family of born-again Christians who Friends from nearby towns would proudly. She concluded her talk by left the dull business of funeral visit to ensure she was kept in food explaining that she never provides directing to set up a “Christian and necessities, and Rose had answers to her client’s important brothel.” company in her radio and books... questions. “When they ask some- Further along Route 95 near until the day the fugitive Manson thing like, “Will I be divorced?” I say, Scotty’s Junction are some natural family paid her a visit. (This story is “I know the answer. It’s not my place “moving rocks”, like the infamous apparently borne out by graffiti left to tell you. It’s your choice. By rocks and trails found on Death by the group.) Reputedly, Rose was asking a question, you’re already Valley’s Racetrack Playa. Suppos- one tough lady who killed rattle- answering it.” She claims to be “a snakes and chased vandals away rare legitimate medium”, and with guns. Now she is known as the refuses to allow her clients to form a woman who drove the Manson dependency on her advice, although family out of town! this sounded like a self-deprecating admission, “I never encourage my Mystery speaker clients to come back.” No one knew who the next speaker was. This bombastic, uninvited Weird Nevada speaker appeared out of nowhere Next was Tim Cridland “AKA The and filled in for someone who didn’t Torture King”. Tim was an anomaly show. Even the organiser couldn’t in the group, a magician who prac- confirm who he was. The anony- tises traditional Fakir acts of walk- mous fellow’s seminar is best ing on broken glass, eating fire and encapsulated by a series of his lying on a bed of nails. He writes for quotes: “You are a piece of god,” the Weird series of books, including “You are your own doctor,” “We are contributions to Weird Nevada, and all ghosts,” “Humans are attracted he is the author of Weird Las Vegas. to lights, like Christmas trees,” If you thought Las Vegas was “astral travel is just duplicating weird, Tim suggests that you drive your energy,” and, “You can’t BS me 100 miles out of town to see the about metaphysics, man. I’ve really bizarre phenomena. Along Don’t forget the water rights written 41 books on the subject!” weird Highway 95 near Mt Have you ever had a buzzing in Charleston you’ll find a “magnetic edly, no one has seen the rocks in your ears? This isn’t tinnitus, it is hill” (ie, an optical illusion). Then action, so alien and spirit explana- proof that you are a medium. The there is Rhyolite, a Ghost Town tions abound. The geologist’s non- speaker demonstrated how we can where a stately bank was built paranormal explanation for this function as our own doctor, and how around a burgeoning town. By the phenomenon is that occasional rains we “know” what is wrong with our time the bank was completely built, cause sporadic flooding of the sun- own bodies. He presented an audi- the town was empty. The bank still baked mud. When followed by desert ence member with a set of numbers stands today. In Tonopah, another winds that reach 90mph, these and colours, and asked her to select former “boom town”, there is a house massive rocks slide across the one of each. She chose the number 4, built of bottles, with a wooden slippery clay. The ground soon dries, and the colour blue. He promptly framework. Apparently, this pro- leaving behind patterns of the rock’s replied, “You have a problem with vides excellent insulation for the hot path. your thyroid gland. Take some kelp days and cold nights. Belmont, Nevada: Population 1. and hypericum. See? You know Prostitution is legal in most Until her death in 1987 at age 93, what’s wrong with you!” Based on a counties in Nevada (except for Clark Rose Walters lived alone in a ram- similar rigorous test, another County, which ironically includes shackle house, but also alone in the audience member was diagnosed Las Vegas). The brothel Angel’s entire town. She once lived here with a pancreas and liver disorder,

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 17 Paranormal Conference and told to take wheatgrass juice as Manifestations and mobsters called, was an insomniac who could a remedy. A true Renaissance man, be found cooking elaborate meals for he once worked as a psychic surgeon The conference was finally over, and his guests at 3 am. Lee liked to play in China too. we bundled onto to a bus for a Mini his piano at a late hour, and to this Janice Oberding was the organ- Haunted Vegas tour. Our chauffeur day, phantom music plays from his iser of the conference, but we won’t and guide was Robert Allan who favourite piano, still on display in hold that against her. Janice calls conducts the Haunted Vegas Tour his former restaurant. He also herself an historian, and is the and the Vegas Mob Tour makes for a rather cranky polter- author of Haunted Nevada. She (www.hauntedvegastours.com). geist, hurling wine glasses and shared the tale/tail of Mr Stinkums. Another “most haunted city”, Las chairs across the rooms of the Vegas lays claim to “21 proven A medium once met with a client restaurant. paranormal sites.” Robert regaled us and announced, “I have your mother According to Robert, Liberace and with tales of gangster Benjamin with me. Do you want to know who Elvis were close friends. Robert “Bugsy” Siegel who contributed to murdered your mother?” “Never claims that the pianist inspired the growth of Las Vegas and is mind that,” replied the client, “who Elvis’ infamous sequined costumes, credited with the quote, “Vegas was killed my dog?” It wasn’t foul play, which became a superstitious ‘good my idea!” The hitman eventually Mr Stinkums had died after greedily luck charm’ for the King. scoffing a jar of candy. Speaking of Elvis, he Janice enjoys ghost stories once had an act at the as stories. Pleasingly, she Hilton. One morning at called for more “commonsense the hotel, a cleaner in ghost hunting.” She is entered a staff elevator skeptical of the tools used by and acknowledged her ghosthunters, as “they are not companion, “Good morn- meant to be used in this ing Elvis.” Then she industry.” But at the same screamed. Was she a star- time, she claims that “only 1 in struck fan? No. Elvis had 10 orbs is a ghost.” died a year before. During his stint at the hotel, the Questions cleaner routinely saw The final conference talk was a Elvis in this back stage Q & A panel featuring mem- elevator. This day she bers of the Las Vegas Paranor- gave her routine greeting, mal Investigators. Their talk until she remembered was short and their presence that Elvis really had left prompted little reaction from the building! Clearly, the the crowd, providing little Hilton is one building fodder for this report. I had to that Elvis never left… dig around for some informa- The King and Consort The final event was a tion instead. I found that the ghost hunt of the Green group’s motto is: “You only live became the victim when he was shot Valley Park. The park is reputedly once…sometimes. Which is true. We haunted by 3 ghosts; the ghosts of do not know what lies beyond the through the face, an eye landing across the other side of the room. two young boys who were murdered unknown.” But if we don’t know there in the 1970s, and the ghost of what lies beyond, how do we know We sojourned past a lonely house at 666 Pecos Street, directly opposite a 29 year-old man who recently died this is true? The investigators are in a road accident near the park. “not a thrill seeking group but one Wayne Newton’s estate. This house has been unoccupied for the past 14 Armed with cameras, recorders, that is dedicated to the meticulous divining rods and pendulums, the scientific investigations (sic) and years and was reputedly the scene of ghost hunters braved the dark, the documentation of Paranormal satanic rituals and murder. Robert bitter cold and winter winds, to no Phenomena.” claims that a suffocating sensation avail. The hunt produced the usual This is another example of confus- overcomes all those who enter the orb shots, and the instruments ing unrelated scientific tools with premises. provided “false readings” due to the the scientific method. A group that Robert was a one-time Vegas act wind. interprets electronic voice phenom- himself, and spent many years The Las Vegas Paranormal ena and photographs of orbs to be frolicking around with celebrities. Conference ended as it began… evidence of ghosts is not employing He has fond memories of parties uneventfully. the scientific method. with Liberace. Lee, as he liked to be

Page 18 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Report The Case of the Disappearing Dhow: A Mombasa mini-mystery

Do my eyes deceive me? hile classic mysteries (such as blue gonads fight over Dorito crisps As it happens, yes. Wthe Bermuda Triangle, UFOs, and chunks of banana. and ghosts) provide fodder for countless books and TV shows, it is A disappearing dhow the everyday mysteries—the small, But the strangest thing I saw was a strange blips in our otherwise disappearing dhow. normal lives—that most often cause Dhows are boats of ancient people to reach for supernatural design, and come in many varia- explanations. Personal experience tions. The smallest ones, common can be incredibly powerful, and along the east coast of Africa, have a hearing about another person’s small sail and two stabilizing frames UFO, Yowie, or ESP experience will that stick out on either side (see never leave as great an impression Figure 1). as if it happened to you. Most such On my first morning at the hotel, mini-mysteries, even when solved, I went to the patio where breakfast are usually ignored or not consid- was served. As I waited for a cup of ered noteworthy enough to comment wretched instant coffee, I surveyed on. But because they are so mun- the scenery and skies, planning out dane, common, and powerful, a close my day in paradise. Looking out analysis can provide real insight over the water, I saw a dozen or so into the nature of mysteries and identical dhows anchored in the perception. shallow waters a few hundred In July 2007, on a visit to east meters offshore. One in particular Africa, I visited the Bamburi beach caught my eye, because it was closer resort, a small hotel north of Mom- to shore than the rest, and lay low in basa, Kenya. I spent a few days the water—intact but apparently relaxing on a patio overlooking the sunken (see Figure 2). I noticed that Indian Ocean, sipping cold beers and it had a small band of white paint on taking in the scenery. From my the mast. comfortable patio perch I had a I wondered why it hadn’t been magnificent view of palm trees, removed (aren’t sunken boats a sunny beach, and the ocean. I hazard so close to shore?), but my watched local hustlers badger musings were soon ended by a lovely strolling tourists into buying their (and very distracting) British girl in carvings and riding their sullen, a rather skimpy bikini sunning saddled camels. I saw chubby herself on the beach below. I gave it Benjamin Radford is an investigator, writer, American women chasing local little thought for the rest of the day filmmaker, and clothespeg collector, as well as African hunks along the beach. In and soon headed out for a beach jog. being the Managing Editor of the Skeptical the trees above me I even watched Later that afternoon I returned Inquirer. two monkeys with gigantic, neon- from a trip into town and returned

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 19 Disappearing Dhow to my favorite table on the patio. I were set farther back in the ocean, turned to face the warm ocean leaving the disappearing dhow breeze and noticed something odd: obviously low in the water and the sunken dhow was gone. In its clearly set apart (Figure 2 again). place were a dozen or so boats, high During the afternoon’s high tide, in the water and doing just fine (see however, the dhow no longer ap- Figure 3). I pointed it out to one of peared sunken because it was my companions, saying that I was buoyed along with the rest of the surprised someone had salvaged the boats; all of them were at the same dhow and hauled it away during the water level, and all of them rocked four hours or so since breakfast. with the waves. The high tide The wreck had probably been there brought the rest of the anchored Fig. 1 A typical dhow for weeks or months, but it was boats closer to shore, surrounding clearly no longer there, apparently Occam’s Razor required that the sunken dhow with nearly identi- removed that day. before I explore the idea of mysteri- cal boats (see figure 3 again). If I The next morning I slept in late, ous sea vortices or UFO-generated hadn’t noticed the small white band and (being on holiday) I got up a bit invisibility fields, I look for simpler on the mast, I might not have been before noon. As I waited for my plate explanations. The half-naked women able to pick it out from shore. of fruit and very mediocre pancakes, wandering the beach nearby did not But why hadn’t I noticed that the I glanced out at the ocean. To my help my concentration, but none of group of boats were farther away astonishment, the dhow had reap- the explanations made sense. Either during low tide? The movement of peared! I sat up in my chair and the dhow had pulled a Houdini and the boats would have been more squinted against the sun. disappeared while I wasn’t watch- noticeable if not for the second part “What the hell?” I said, mostly to ing, or someone was pulling a prank, of the illusion. I had gauged the myself. I got up and walked to the or moving the boat for arcane boats’ locations in the water by their edge of the deck. It was the same reasons, or… or…. distance from the shoreline, and boat, confirmed by the small but Or the boat had not disappeared, from there it looked like the boats clear white band on the mast. What and was in fact there all along. I were at about the same place in the was going on? How could the boat looked more closely at the shore and water. But I hadn’t realized that the disappear, then reappear? Why realized I had been fooled by an shoreline moved so dramatically would someone remove a sunken interesting optical illusion—two, in with the tides. Neptune was playing boat, take it away for the afternoon, fact. Both parts of the illusion were tricks on me, deviously moving my then replace it overnight? It was caused by the tides. During the reference point so that the boats very mysterious, and though this morning’s low tide, as I had first appeared to be the same relative scientific paranormal investigator seen the ocean, the floating boats distance from the shoreline at both was off-duty, I set high and low tides. I about solving the later measured the puzzle. difference between low As it was nearly and high tide on the noon, the first step beach, and found that was to immediately there was at least a 53 order a cold Tusker metre difference. beer to help sharpen The disappearing my powers of deduc- dhow (and the moving tion. Usually I cel- shoreline effect) may ebrate a solved have been obvious to mystery with a stubby, Fig. 2 Low tide. Sunken dhow in foreground locals, and it’s true but I wanted to mix that I grew up in the things up a bit. I spent New Mexico desert of about fifteen minutes the American South- writing down a few west, wholly devoid of observations in my either oceans or dhows. journal: Despite But I’ve spent a fair appearances to the amount of time in and contrary, it was around the world’s possible—though oceans and beaches, highly unlikely—that the boat had in fact Fig. 3 High tide. Sunken dhow submerged Continued p 24 ... become invisible.

Page 20 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Report A Skeptic Among the Faithful

An instructive journey into a rather extraordinary month in be no pressure to convert me and new culture AIndia under the auspices of the that proved to be the case. Church of South India (CSI) re- Any stress I felt was entirely due quired (for me) the discipline of to the pressure I put on myself. It reticence and of keeping a relatively was a strange situation and I open mind. decided on what course of action (or A certain Uniting Church (liberal inaction) I would take beforehand. wing) had arranged to support a As confrontation would only have group of Indian workers in restora- caused embarrassment, I refrained, tion work at two school hostels in a but this did not mean that there was village called Sholinghur, three no opportunity to examine my own hours west of Chennai. Chennai, attitude — ‘attitude’ being the formerly Madras, had a strong operative word — emphatically not British presence for over a hundred ‘belief’. I admit to mentioning years and the hostels in Sholinghur palaoeanthropological discoveries represent the British style of build- that pertained to India, but as this ing — solid structures, meant to attempt to interest people was met last, dilapidated but not without with blank stares, I did not persist. beauty. The insides were badly in need of repair. The Australian Setting the scene workers were there to encourage the Chennai, the capital of the large Indians, and to buy good paint (that state of Tamil Nadu, is a sprawling, could be had in Vellore) instead of rather ugly, city on the east coast. the customary kalsomine (that did Poverty is no doubt evident in all not last) from the village stores. Indian cities, sometimes side by side Our group of twelve was based in with ostentatious wealth, but the Chennai for the month of January, Chennai streets hit you in the eye as 2008, with half of the time being soon as you leave the airport. Huge spent in Sholinghur. The students stretches of rusty corrugated iron (ages 9 to 18) were attending CSI fences guard building sites; thatched single-sex schools, boarding in one-room huts house thousands and nearby hostels and it was these cluster beneath unfinished over- hostels that were in poor repair. The passes; garbage abounds and there leader of the group was informed are gaudy hoardings and blaring that I was not a Christian and didn’t loud speakers and people every- object, although a factor may have where. Helen Lawrence, palaeoanthropologist, been that the person with the most We arrived about midnight on physiotherapist, author and musician, lives in experience of living in India was my New Year’s Eve, thus greatly in- Tasmania. son. He had assured me there would creasing the culture shock. We saw

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 21 Skeptic among the Faithful only a very small part of Tamil Nadu Those that live and work in posh girls’ hostel, so the curry and rice and an even smaller part of the hotels or with computers are compe- breakfast might be as late as 10am neighbouring state, Andra Pradesh. tent in English, but Tamil is the as we had to wait for a bus to take The nature of the expedition gov- official language all over this part of us there. erned where we went and although India. The script looks like high The most heartening aspects we only covered a smallish area, the class graffiti and there are two types came from the children themselves. I opportunity afforded an in depth of Tamil, literate and vernacular, the call them children rather than look at some of the problems beset- latter modern, scattered with students because they were allowed ting India. This was definitely not a English words and fairly rude. to be children up to the age of 15. tourist trip; it They were unspoilt, involved seeing over ingenuous and full schools, hospitals, a of life and fun. The deaf institution and senior girls were an old people’s rostered to do home. chores including With a minimum waiting at table. of six million While they all slept inhabitants, on the floor on mats Chennai improves and ate sitting as you proceed cross-legged in the coastwards but the courtyard using the roads are still fingers of the right cluttered. Traffic hand for utensils, appears to have no they always looked rules, but there is a clean and tidy. They system of ethics and wore the salwar drivers seldom seem The author with some of the students kameez, white to get impatient. pants and long The little auto-rickshaws powered Written Tamil documents date back tunic with a scarf of the school by two-stroke engines are more to BCE. colour, and often hair ribbons to efficient than the ancient taxis, as Sholinghur is a village, but if this match. Amazingly, their salwars they dart here and there around conjures up a picturesque English remained spotless all day. cars, buses, motorbikes and cows. village, think again. We went to The girls would walk home for Pedestrians who want to get some- various villages because the local lunch and rush to greet me (I was where fast, walk in the road because pastors had to be met and given an immobilized due to a troublesome the footpath is full of congestion and opportunity to thank the Australian leg, so didn’t paint walls) calling potholes. group, and I would say Sholinghur is “Hundi, hundi!” (auntie) and agog to Motorbikes may hold up to six typical. They were all overcrowded tell me things I had trouble under- individuals. You see women in with cows, goats and dogs grazing on standing. They would mime and spotless saris, an arm tucked round a garbage and the occasional elephant teach me Tamil, while I reinforced baby. The sari is an attractive gar- galumphing along. their English. The same thing ment but a woman wearing one has happened after school until they to sit side-saddle, with babe-in-arms Getting down to business were called to change into ‘play’ projected out into the traffic that When we were in the country we clothes. careers about like a heaving ocean. stayed in a guest house that was Not much time to play as home- This fatalistic attitude is possibly posh compared with the one in work had to be done, sitting cross- underpinned by the hope of better Chennai, as it had functioning legged in the garden area. Towards luck in the next reincarnation. western toilets. This was outside the evening this area was infested with If you can afford to live near a village with views of a Hindu temple mosquitoes, to which the girls seemed beach you can take advantage of a on top of a rocky prominence. A immune. There was no organised fresh breeze to waft away the coolness had developed between two sport so the children invented their polluted air although the water may ecclesiastical branches over some own games. They had no mobile be too putrid to swim in. India is piffling matter that was beyond our phones, no iPods nor TV, yet they trying hard to deal with its prob- ken. It affected us because we were giggled and whispered in church and lems. Showy posters in Tamil and not encouraged to ask for food in the made cats-cradles or the equivalent. English say ‘2 child families please – establishment where we were Sitting cross-legged on the floor 1 is better’. sleeping. All meals were taken at the behind rows of chairs for honoured

Page 22 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 guests like us, made them almost betel leaf with grated nuts, lime and The role of religion invisible to the preacher on the dais. spices, a mild narcotic that is spat You might be wondering what a paid out as red juice. It was the only time up member of the Skeptics was Indoctrination I saw paan taken and many people doing in this den of iniquity. It The CSI pays the fees if the parents abstained, perhaps because it is now wasn’t as bad as it might seem. can’t afford them. There is no believed to be carcinogenic. There India’s Christians are in the minor- embargo on caste or any faith other wasn’t a churchman in sight at the ity. Other religions are much older than Christianity. They can be meal. In fact I noted that overall and date from the philosophical Hindus or any religion — though there was less of a ‘meet the parish- Brahminic period; all suffer from possibly not Catholic. This sounds ioners’ emphasis than in Australia. popularisation and idolatry. It was laudable, but there is a down-side. Too many hands to shake, perhaps. There is a good deal of perplexing to see the attractive gentle proselytising. architecture of the Although the teaching very grand white CSI gains academic results cathedral in Chennai and entry into univer- and to hear the bishop sity or college if the on the loudspeaker student is good enough, preaching to a full the slant on learning is congregation with on rote in the early rows of plastic chairs years and involves outside for the over- regrettable poetry in flow, the beautiful English of the ‘God is choral music and true beautiful’ genre, a key voices of the boys’ phrase repeated in each trebles wafting out verse. A little girl of over the precincts. nine parroted verse I came to the after verse to me and conclusion that Indi- when I asked her what ans need their sundry the words actually religions. They are meant, she had no idea! Feeding the multitudes outgoing and cheerful But all the children are despite their straight- bright, having passed a ened circumstances rigorous entry exam and perhaps the and having endured a few weeks of All clergy appear to be males. A panoply of religion is their mental acclimatisation assessment before few special females gain status and stabiliser. acceptance. are ‘honoured’ in the traditional way, Religion is everywhere, probably The pomp and ceremony given to but it was obvious that the women as helpful to humanity as pictorial the lions of the church needs to be came second and it was noticeable art and music. Scepticism is not a seen to be believed! We went to a that our offer to help in clearing property of mind that meshes with wedding where the couple were from tables etc, was embarrassing to it, whatever its flavour. To the the same church but different them, particularly if Indian males outsider, internal disputes in the diocese. For a good hour before the were present. Uniting Church are quite weird, as actual Anglican wedding vows were Australian church personnel of the two brands hold so many things exchanged, the clergy went through any protestant flavour are received in common. a process of speeches honouring each with honour by CSI. ‘Honouring’ Take for instance the biblical other with floral garlands and includes speeches, prayers, leis and position on ‘other animals’ who, shawls, not only to mark the union shawls (taken off by clergy and along with us, are experiencing of the couple but also to celebrate visitors almost immediately, the leis climate change. To both Christian the fact that this was a diocesan because they smell of rotting shrub- groups animals are animals, union! bery in hot weather, and the shawls whereas humans were specially At least a thousand attended this are sensibly recycled). Gifts to us, created or ‘designed’. In contrast, wedding and were fed at long tables, meant to be taken home, were a Hinduism and Buddhism would not many of them uninvited guests. little de trop because our bags were bat an eyelid over the phrase ‘other Food was doled out from stainless already full to bursting. Church gifts animals’. Hindus have sacred steel buckets onto banana leaves tended towards cumbersome framed monkeys and an elephant god and and afterwards there was the photographs or imitation marble Buddhists respect all animals and customary paan or betel nut chew — doves on a bulky stand.

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 23 Skeptic among the Faithful Report expect to become many on their way disregarding any fact or argument ... Disappearing dhow from p 20 to full enlightenment. that might conflict with those At a Hindu temple in Sholinghur assumptions. and I’d never noticed anything like it. on one of those rocky upthrusts, I Keeping quiet and observing This case illustrates one of the met a student engineer, a young offers a great opportunity for seeing most important guidelines in skepti- woman, close to qualifying — she the wider picture and coming to cal investigation: Hyman’s Categori- already had a job lined up. She some kind of conclusion. I inter- cal Imperative (coined by Ray asked me if I was a Hindu. I had preted what I saw and heard in this Hyman, a CSI Fellow and psychol- just climbed the required 400 steps way. There seemed to me no radical ogy professor at the University of barefoot, avoiding monkey, goat and difference between liberals and Oregon). Simply put, before you dog poo, so it was a reasonable evangelicals. Both groups are spend time investigating how assumption. I said I was not any- singing from the same song-sheet. It something strange happened, first thing and she said she was also non- is only a matter of degree as to how make sure it did in fact happen. aligned and that her situation was much biblical matter they are In my decade of paranormal unusual though certainly not un- prepared to accept at face value. investigation, I have seen many heard of. Beliefs and behaviour may differ, people spend far too much time, The government of India is not but both groups are blind to the money, and energy pursuing false keen on allowing any Christian millions of years of proto-humans leads because they failed to fully missionary enterprise into the known to modern science or to any examine their assumptions. I needed country and so we were asked to call sort of Socratic probing of their to confirm that the dhow actually ourselves tourists on all official theories. had disappeared before I pursued a documents. There was no evangelis- By comparison, Indian Christians list of hypotheses about how it had ing it is true, but isn’t this less than seem able to evangelise without vanished into thin air. honest behaviour — a case of ‘bear- pious posturing. They have seen too My colleague Joe Nickell, who has ing false witness’ something to be much for that — although they do solved more paranormal mysteries resisted? have their own style of posturing. than anyone else, points out that the Every evening, before bed, there This may be exhibitionist but it is solutions to mysteries are often was a group prayer meeting. I certainly not holier-than-thou. They obvious once you know the answer. In retrospect, the answer is fairly managed to avoid all except one on know that religion in India is too big simple, yet finding that correct the last evening in Chennai. It was and too old for Christianity to be explanation and solving the mystery far worse than I had envisaged. anything more than a minority can be very challenging. Each person spoke off the top of religion. India needs festivals as A second lesson is that common their heads, some in sepulchral much as it does benefactors. Even misperceptions and misunderstand- voices and most beginning with this group of Australian Christians ings can make ordinary things seem “Dear God ” or “O Lord ” and then got quite excited about Pongal, the extraordinary. When people encoun- giving a reason for why they had Hindu harvest festival; a time when ter something they can’t explain, come — greater revelation, inspira- the sacred Brahmin cows are their first assumption should always tion or whatever — the assumption adorned and have their horns be that they might have misunder- being that not only was the omnipo- painted. In the south this happens stood something. Decades of re- tent one listening but that he or she in January and lasts a full week. search show how unreliable and was also benevolent! Perhaps it has only curiosity value error-prone our perceptions can be. for Australians, while the Indian Most of the time our perceptions are Evangelism Christian community accepts it as pretty accurate, but sometimes they These were intelligent people, part of the country’s history and are not—and we don’t necessarily accustomed to using reasoned multicultural present. know when they are wrong unless argument in their jobs and family As for charity, while the Hare we are confronted with an obvious life or their retirement activities. Krishnas are cooking millions of paradox, as I was with the disap- They called themselves liberals and school lunches for young Indians, pearing dhow. to the extent that they didn’t try to the CSI is putting its mite in the This leads me to another golden evangelise, they lived up to their education plate and for that it dictum of skepticism: The person ideals. There was, however, a should be praised. It is just a pity who believes he cannot be fooled has subtext of evangelisation that could that indoctrination, even if muted, already fooled himself. Even on lead the unwary astray. The point is goes hand in hand with such an holiday. they were living on assumptions and enterprise.

Page 24 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Letter from Nigeria Celebrating Darwin Day in Africa

Struggling against the odds n February 12, a group of lar maxim that says, “Question Oskeptics staged a seminar at everything or you will believe in Africa Nigeria’s premier university — the anything”. Universiy of Ibadan — to celebrate Prof Folorunso discussed the Darwin Day. The event was spon- ecological and anthropological sored by the Center for Inquiry. It evidence for evolution and the was the first Darwin Day to be implications for human origins. But celebrated in Nigeria and, to the in his conclusion he noted that the best of my knowledge, the first to be archaeological findings were compat- celebrated anywhere in Africa. ible with the creationist account in The seminar attracted over 50 the Book of Genesis. He stated that participants, including university the Genesis account of the origin of and high school students, seminar- life was true! ians and clerics. The theme of the In his presentation, the Catholic event was Evolution and the Dar- cleric, Rev Adeyemi, acknowledged winian Revolution. that evolution was a scientific fact. The guest speakers were Prof C. However, he noted that some of the A. Folorunso of the Department of things evolution had not explained, Archaeology and Anthropology at like the missing link, point to a the University of Ibadan, Rev Fr supernatural underpinning of the Peter Adeyemi of Saints Peter and origin of life. He argued strongly in Paul Major Seminary Ibadan, Mr defense of the ‘god of the gaps’, Kayode Adeyemo, a high school maintaining that as long as evolu- biology teacher in Ibadan, and tion had not explained everything myself. about the origin of life, then that showed that God existed and crea- The presentations tionism was true. The program was chaired by Dr Jide Reacting to the presentation of Akeredolu, a medical doctor and a the science professor, the cleric skeptic based in Lagos. In his stated that the Genesis account of opening remarks, Dr Akeredolu the origin of life was not an histori- underscored the importance of cal account, and that it should not be science, and the contribution of taken literally. He explained that scientists like Isaac Newton and apart from the statement in the Charles Darwin to the advancement Book of Genesis that says “In the of humanity. beginning, God created the World”, He urged participants to learn that every other thing was a “sacred and imbibe the habits of questioning writing”. Leo Igwe heads Nigerian Skeptics and is a claims and seeking evidence. He told This very remark surprised most regular contributor to the Skeptic. them to have as their guide a popu- participants who had expected the

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 25 Darwin Day priest to confirm what made comments critical of Prof Folorunso said. It creation and in support of left the science professor evolution. in “the creationist cold”. Copies of the Skeptic The next speaker was and some essays on the biology teacher, Mr science and evolution Kayode Adeyemo. He were distributed at the narrated his experiences event. In general, many teaching evolution in a participants described the high school which, he program as quite provoca- said, comprised “young tive and intellectually pastors and imams”. stimulating. According to him, Nigerian Skeptics plan teaching evolution in to stage another event Nigerian Secondary Dr Jide Akeredolu opens the celebrations, watched by the author. next February to mark schools is very trying, the 200th birthday of because the theory Charles Darwin. conflicts with virtually all that the students were A welcome development taught at their homes, Celebrating Darwin Day in churches and mosques. Nigeria is a welcome So the topic of evolu- development, particularly tion, he stated, generates in a country where most a lot of questions and feasts and festivals are interest from his stu- based in religious myths dents. He urged biology and misconceptions. teachers to keep their Every year, the Nigeria religious belief separate Government grants several when teaching evolution public holidays to citizens in classrooms. to mark or celebrate There are reports that superstition, unreason, in many schools in divinity, gullibility and Nigeria, biology teachers An attentive audience listens to the speakers nonsense. There is not misinform students about even a single national evolution. They ask them Questions public holiday to celebrate science, to accept creation and not evolution The presentations generated a lot of human curiosity and ingenuity, or to as the true account of human origin. questions and comments, far too mark the birthdays, anniversaries In my presentation, I stated that many for the speakers to address and discoveries of great scientists creationism was a myth, a sacred within their allotted time. and thinkers. fairytale without any basis in Not surprising, the seminarians At a time when little or no scien- reason, science, reality or common reacted in defense of creationism tific thinking or research in going on sense. and were critical of evolution. But most part of Africa; when science I noted that creationism was an there were also participants who education is very low and poorly attempt to explain the origin of delivered in schools across the things at a very primitive and continent; when superstition is ignorant stage of the human race — Helping dominant and irrationalism is which religious groups are now taking enormous toll of human scheming to foist on humanity in At Australian Skeptics, we enlightenment, development and st this information driven 21 Century. are delighted to support the progress in the region; but also at a I referred to the case in the United important work of Nigerian time when science has become a States where creationists have tried Skeptics by supplying copies driving force for global civilization to get Intelligent Design into the of the Skeptic as well as our and development, then Darwin Day science curriculum, and another case books, CDs and DVDs. celebrations remain laudable initia- in Kenya where Evangelicals op- If you would like to help, tives. posed the exhibition of fossils at the you can contact Leo Igwe on And African skeptics will continue National Museum in Nairobi. [email protected] to lead the way.

Page 26 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Speculation Dropping in on Aliens

Getting to know the liens do very strange things. ally prove too strong. We will want neighbours AThey arrive on our planet, to go searching and that will prove a neglect to contact the authorities problem, as humans cannot go. As and instead take away a few people Rex Newsome pointed out in detail for odd experiments. But what if the in the Summer 2007 issue (27:4), tables are turned? What if we are interstellar space travel is fiendishly the mysterious, alien civilisation difficult. It’s much tougher than that has spotted a planet filled with sending humans to Mars, and that’s (hopefully) intelligent creatures. very difficult indeed. How would we go about the contact However, interstellar travel might process? But that question raises be possible in several decades or so if others. What are we doing roaming we opt for robot missions. Comput- the galaxy in the first place? ers do not need to be fed, can shut Let’s start with our own backyard down for the very long voyages first. At the time of writing various required, and weigh very little. By groups are kicking around the idea the time we are ready to send a of sending people to Mars, which is computer anywhere, we can make probably about the furthest any sure it is smart. human will go for a long time. The Let us say, for the sake of argu- reason for sending people to Mars — ment, that somehow we can make a or at least the only reason that craft capable of accelerating a small makes any sense — is that the payload up to 10 per cent of the planet bears some similarities to speed of light. That would require Earth, and there is a chance that life the construction of a large craft in existed there for a time. Perhaps all orbit, and mastery of various details that lived were a few single cell such as the payload having its own organisms, but we will want to study atmosphere to burn up tiny particles them. For various reasons it may that will be encountered. As simply be too hard to send people Newsome notes, even tiny particles within the next century or so, and that would be not be noticed by an we may have to be content with interplanetary probe, would destroy sending more robots. But we will a probe travelling at 10 per cent still very much want to look for light-speed. We would have to microscopic fossils in the Martian stabilise this atmosphere so that it subsoil. does not disappear into the vacuum. Mark Lawson Is a senior journalist with the So after we have checked out Our new craft would also require a Australian Financial Review, who was also a Mars, what then? I contend that the communications system capable of science writer in another lifetime. He believes urge to find life, any life anywhere phoning home across light years. that when the aliens come, if they come, they — or at least prove that there isn’t But let us wave away all those will come as lawyers. any life to be found — will eventu- difficulties. We are super-intelligent,

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 27 Dropping in on Aliens advanced beings, who have just built Overwhelmingly Large Telescope we will also need a scientific priest- an interstellar craft. (there is already a Very Large hood, dedicated to “the day” the Then comes the tricky question of Telescope) of 60 metres diameter space craft arrives at the distant where would we send our newly which, the ESO hopes, will be able system. built craft? Would we send it to- to directly observe earth sized The trouble is that having arrived wards the core of the Milky Way, or planets around the 40 nearest stars. at its destination our hypothetical further out along our spiral arm? Early next year NASA will launch craft is still travelling at 10 per cent The answer is we would want to the Kepler Mission, a satellite of light, with no realistic way of send it somewhere life might be. observatory designed to look for slowing down bar hitting something. Anyone listening to the news in the extra solar planets by indirect Light takes eight minutes to go from past few years would realise that observation — that is, by looking for the sun to the earth, so our hypo- scientists have discovered quite a telltale changes in light when thetical craft would cross the alien few planets around stars, but planets pass in front of stars. solar system in not much more than nothing that looks even remotely I humbly suggest we will need to a day. However, our craft would still like our own system. boost our fire-power even further. be able to make observations of Nor does there seem much chance Perhaps several very large tel- magnetic fields, solar winds and the that the much-maligned Search for escopes in an optical array (a bank like, which cannot be done from Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), of telescopes digitally interconnected Earth, and take one really close look will find anything. Perhaps a brave to act as one gigantic telescope — a at the surface of the planet in effort, SETI depends a lot on the technique used in radio telescopy). question. Then it will phone home premise that intelligent life is Perhaps we can stick a few tel- the results — the data will take 50 common in the universe. In fact, escopes on the moon (at last, a years to reach its destination — there are various reasons for believ- reason to go to the moon other than close down again entirely, and shoot ing that life may be rare, and to collect rocks and to show off), and on to, well, somewhere else. The intelligent life very rare indeed, with a few more in Antarctica, which is star’s gravity field should permit the SETI’s lack of results one small much easier to get to. Then, perhaps craft to make the necessary course piece of evidence for that conclusion. by the 22nd Century, we can use them correction — light beams are af- all as an optical array. This would be fected by gravity — so that it can Seeking targets tough to do but not nearly as tough look at another system, and another If we are ever going to get anywhere as an interstellar mission. after that. in searching for intelligent creatures If our digital Interstellar explora- we need an approach more focused The mission tion agency sends out several probes than simply scanning the heavens. Once Operation Planet has found a then in a few thousand years our We need to know what sort of stars few possibilities somewhere nearby part of this arm of the galaxy will be might harbour Earth-like planets — perhaps 50 light years or so away fully checked out. Simple. More and for that we need to visit Mars, — it’d be time to fire up our inter- importantly, after a few visits our as a preliminary step. The next step stellar mission. We will probably long-lasting AI space agency will — before we mess about with inter- know from spectroscopic readings know much more about which stars stellar craft — would be to set up whether the planet hosts life or not. its telescopes should check for likely some very high powered observato- But anything that looks promising planets. By that time our stellar ries. we will still want to check out, even spectroscopy might even be im- For detecting even a planet the if only to get a better idea of why it proved to the point where we can size of Jupiter (which is pretty big does not hold life, just as we would, work out whether the likely planet compared to the Earth) at interstel- by that stage, have checked out has life, and whether that life has lar distances will require a lot of Mars. The problem is that if the discovered agriculture or become astronomical fire-power. The planets solar system is, say, 50 light years industrialised. (Tough perhaps, but discovered to date have all been distant, then even our fast-moving the Ancient Ones — that’s us in a inferred from their influences on probe will take 500 years to get few hundred years — will have other bodies, rather than observed there. Boost the probe’s speed to 30 pretty good technology.) directly. So if we want to find an- % of light speed — probably impossi- other solar system we need a very ble — and we are talking 150 years. Sending a message big telescope, plus spectroscopic But 150 years remains a very long We would almost certainly start equipment capable of taking read- time for any human institution. sending messages, but if this life is ings of any atmospheres on said Better to set up an autonomous AI more than a few hundred light years distant planets. capable of looking after itself, which away we are not going to be drop- The European Southern Observa- cannot be destroyed or used for some ping in. Any major expedition we tory organisation has proposed an other purpose by humans. Perhaps Continued p 33 ....

Page 28 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Analysis

A Microanalyst’s Perspective on Fluoridation

Analysing a persistent luoridation involves adding areas, albeit with a time lag of about debate Ffluoride to the water supply in three years, as in fluoridated zones. the expectation that this will reduce Bulk analysis of surfaces and the incidence of dental caries. The middles of tooth enamel had been implementation of fluoridation carried out and it seemed to some aroused controversy and was politi- researchers that it was unnecessary cised from the outset. For the past to actually ingest fluoride to get its 60 years argument has raged with benefits. both sides using rubbery figures, bad I came to Canberra in 1969 and science and unsupported assertion. was surprised at the enthusiasm for The general population is weary of it fluoridation on all sides. Therefore it all. Yet fluoridation provides an was astonishing when the new excellent case study for the exercise legislative assembly of the ACT took of the skeptic’s power of critical it out of the water in 1989. Of course thought. the dental lobby prevailed and re- In 1960, at the age of 16, my teeth fluoridation happened in short order. were examined as part of the first The debate in the assembly was a field study of fluoridation in the UK. long one (Hansard, 1989) but the I lived in Caernarvonshire which aetiology, or mechanism, of caries was the control area for the island of prevention was not discussed, nor Anglesey, fluoridated in 1955. The were chemical analyses quoted. dental auditor solemnly counted up Many members of the Legislative my dozen or so filled teeth but Assembly admitted they were not complimented me on my hygiene scientists and all ignored or were and opined that I should not need unaware of the chemical evidence more fillings for a few years to come. and its implications. Perhaps it was Three weeks later my regular lost or absent in the reams of mate- dentist put in two more fillings. At rial with which they were presented. the time I was happy to imbibe In 1990 I upgraded one of the fluoride for the rest of my life if it spectrometers on the electron meant that other children would be microprobe x-ray analyser (EMPA) saved the tortures of the dentist’s at the ANU. This is an instrument chair. which focuses a beam of electrons on By the end of the 1960s it was the surface of a flat polished solid obvious, to a dozen European Minis- sample and measures the intensity tries of Health at least, that the and energy of x-rays emitted in the claims for fluoridation were exagger- process. Quantitative chemical Nick Ware, a retired microanalyst and ated. The incidence of caries was analysis of micrometre sized sam- mineralogist, belongs to the Canberra Skeptics. dropping as fast in non-fluoridated ples is possible. A micrometre (υm) is

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 29 Fluoridation a thousandth of a millimetre. The colonies around 1800, when cheap There is an organic hypothesis of upgrade enabled a more precise refined sugar became available from the aetiology based on the observa- measurement of fluorine concentra- the Caribbean. Continental Europe tion that low concentrations of tion and eventually I undertook a was spared the excesses of this fluoride reduce the growth of cul- very modest investigation of the epidemic perhaps due to the war- tures of S. mutans and S. mitis in distribution of minor elements (F, time blockade by the Royal Navy vitro. The fluoride prevents the Na, Mg, Cl and K) in human tooth and Napoleon’s ‘Continental Sys- uptake of glucose by the organism by enamel. tem’. This epidemic in the English reacting with the necessary en- speaking peoples peaked around the zymes. However, Germaine and Dental caries and its epidemics time of the First World War and Tellefson (1981) have shown that the Caries is a disease caused by the then declined, thanks to the addition of saliva negates the effects action of bacterial colonies on the affordability of dentistry and the of fluorine and they conclude ‘... tooth surface. The bacteria, in resulting awareness of dental these results suggest a lack of an metabolising food sugars, generate hygiene. Thus it happened that effect of F ingested via the water an acid environment which de- fluoridation was introduced at a supply or supplements on the mineralises both the enamel which time of rapidly improving dental ecology of the microflora’. Indeed the coats the crown of the tooth and the health. likely mechanism for this hypothesis cementum which covers the root. to work is for the fluoride to be The underlying dentin is then easily Mineralisation in tooth enamel introduced into the plaque from the rotted and when the pulp cavity at Apatite is a common accessory outside. Fluorine is easily intro- the centre of the tooth is reached, mineral found in a wide variety of duced into apatite and would be toothache results and the dentist is rocks. It has the formula: correspondingly as difficult to extract in order to react with the sought. Ca5(PO4)3(OH,Cl,F) and can form Three factors encourage dental millimetre long laths with a hexago- enzymes. The organic hypothesis is caries: the first requirement is nal cross section. Tooth enamel is seldom proffered these days. mushy food which sticks to the tooth composed of 96% microcrystalline surface or gets tamped down in hydroxy-apatite and 4% organic Analysis for fluorine cracks, the second is a supply of matter which functions as a glue Fluorine presents problems for all sugar and the third is a source of a holding together the tiny apatite methods of chemical analysis. Dr bacterium such as Streptococcus prisms. Dentin also contains calcium Frederick S. McKay researched mutans, normally endemic in the hydroxy phosphate but it is difficult Colorado Brown Stain for 25 years mouth and throat. S. mutans is a to estimate the degree of mineralisa- before the link with fluorine was largish bug, shaped like a rugby ball tion: when dentin is ashed it loses established. This link was made by with a cut-in waist and nearly a 25% of its mass but not all the H. V. Churchill of ALCOA in 1931 micrometre long. It does not take remaining 75% is mineralised. using a new-fangled photo-spec- many such bacteria to colonise a Plaque acids demineralise hy- trograph, an excellent technique for sugared piece of mush and form an droxy-apatite in a simple acid/base identifying many elements simulta- acidic plaque. reaction to form water and, in the neously. High levels of fluorine, The importance of mushy food is language of the school room, “cal- determined by volumetric and illustrated by the case of Hopewood cium-phospho-foodate”. In a typical gravimetric means (ie, bucket House, a home for 82 orphans near non-fluoridated tooth, the surface of chemistry), were found to be associ- Bowral NSW in the period 1947- the enamel has an approximate ated with stained teeth in many

1961. Here the children received an formula of Ca5(PO4)3OH0.9Cl0.1 and is other areas and the condition was essentially vegetarian diet of un- resistant to such weak acids as renamed ‘fluorosis’ by Trendley cooked vegetables and fruit and might be encountered by our hunter- Dean, the first dental scientist to be dairy products. Their teeth were gatherer ancestors. Replacing all the employed at the National Institute spectacularly good even though their hydroxyl with fluorine to get of Health (NIH), USA. The method dental hygiene was mediocre. The Ca5(PO4)3F0.9Cl0.1 would result in for analysis of F was woefully fourth in a longitudinal study enamel resistant to much much imprecise and Dean enlisted the comprising six papers (Harris, 1963) stronger acids, including those in help of Elias Elvove, senior chemist gives statistical details. plaque. Pure fluor-apatite contains at NIH, to develop a scheme for F Historically, dental caries has 3.77wt% F: that’s 37700 parts per analysis with an accuracy of 0.1ppm: been a common enough condition: million (ppm) by weight and this Elvove did this over a period of 18 even wild animals can suffer from it. inorganic hypothesis of the aetiology months finishing at the end of 1932. However, introduction of a diet high of fluoridation only stands up if With a nation-wide survey of in sugars can trigger an epidemic of there is indeed a high concentration water supplies and dental audits to caries. Such an epidemic started in of fluorine at the surface of the hand, Dean noticed that water the USA and in Britain and its tooth. supplies of about 0.1ppm F were

Page 30 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 associated with a high incidence of they were the cause of controversy Australian Microanalysis Group but caries and no fluorosis, 1ppm with later on. was persuaded to re-evaluate. Such low caries and low fluorosis and Elvove’s method was replaced by is peer review. 10ppm with low caries and high that of Willard and Winter (1933) Secondary ion mass spectrometry fluorosis. Thus the concept of fluori- and a modification by McClure (SIMS) uses a focussed beam of ions dation was born: just get the concen- (1939) gave a method still used in (eg, O-, Cs+) to ablate the sample, tration at around 1ppm and there the late 1950s when electrochemical then a mass spectrometer analyses will be healthy teeth with no brown techniques were introduced. F- the ions emitted. Not only can this stains. Unfortunately, Elvove’s specific ion electrodes were used by technique determine ionised species method of analysis was difficult to at least two unofficial analysts to at the parts per billion level, but the perform and data had increased monitor the concentration in Can- ablation rate is slow, of the order of a error when obtained away from the berra’s water supply following the nanometre per second. A concentra- auspices of the NIH. Further, Dean 1989 debacle. E. Kiss (pers. com.) tion profile at a surface on a nano- was selective in presenting the data found that the 1.02±.03ppm concen- metre scale can be obtained as the when trying for acceptance of tration dropped away in only 4 days ion beam, perhaps 50µm in diam- fluoridation as public policy. Whilst after fluoride was removed. eter, slowly ablates into the sample. it is necessary to present politicians Microanalysis by EMPA is de- Finally, biopsies for F are possi- with nice tables and graphs which scribed in the introduction. Using ble. Hotz et al (1970) describe a unambiguously demonstrate one’s this technique it is possible to method whereby a 4mm filter paper claims, it is very naughty in a achieve a lower limit of detection of soaked in perchloric acid is held to scientist to underestimate errors 80ppm F in minerals such as mica the surface of the tooth for 10 and to exclude data falling outside and the amphibole group; but alas, seconds. Some 5-8υm of the tooth is these revised error limits. The in microcrystalline apatite it is dissolved and the filter paper is imprecise data in no way invalidate 150ppm. I once tried to claim analysed for Ca and F. The Ca the concept of fluoridation although 120ppm at a conference of the abundance gives a measure of the

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 31 Analysis thickness of tooth dissolved and the enamel. Some 26 line-scans were ingested fluoride can add to the F/Ca ratio gives a measure of the carried out, each one had individual fluoride concentration. absolute F concentration in the idiosyncrasies but the profile se- I do not have ready access to the surface of the tooth. lected shows the typical features. journal Gerodontology which has Speake et al (1979) used this Figure 1 shows analyses of 21 several promising and recent ab- biopsy technique to study a dental points, equally spaced in a line going stracts on the subject, but by inter- caries outbreak in the South Pacific. from the surface of the tooth enamel polating data in papers cited here, I They examined 8 and 11 year old to the enamel/dentin boundary. Na, estimate that no more than children in 14 Pacific islands. This Mg and K replace Ca in the apatite 1200ppm F is added to the dentin by was as close to a double-blind study structure and all three elements age 80 living in a fluoridated area. as is possible in dentistry: when have lower concentrations at the The protecting cementum actually examining the children, the dentists surface. The Mg content is remark- grows with age and has higher did not yet know the fluoride levels. ably flat, rising from about 1900ppm concentrations. About half the They only knew that metropolitan at the surface to 2200pm at the fluoride ingested is excreted via the Suva, Fiji, was fluoridated (at dentine boundary. K increases in kidneys and the other half finds its 0.5ppm) and that some children in value from 120ppm to 320ppm. The way into the skeleton. There is very Tarawa showed signs of fluorosis. profiles are consistent with an little left over for the dentin. In vitro The average number of diseased, orderly uptake of the elements experiments with dentin show that missing and filled teeth (DMFT) during growth of the tooth. By it can readily take up fluorine so it is varied from around 0.5 (Rurutu) to contrast chlorine, which replaces OH likely that protection against caries 6.5 (Huahine). Whilst there was no in the apatite structure, has a very again does not involve ingestion. significant inverse correlation high surface concentration which Enamel biopsies taken from teeth between fluoride level and DMFT, drops rapidly before showing a less in fluoridated areas measure around the correlation of caries and sugar steep profile at about 100µm into the 2200ppm F in the outer 6µm. Taking intake was very pronounced. Islands enamel. It is possible that the outer into account the chlorine concentra- with caries-free rates in 11 year olds 100µm may have received some tion, this is consistent with a satura- of 59-45% consumed 14-19 kg uptake from the saliva in the mouth. tion level of 33000ppm in the outer refined sugar per person per annum. Fluorine was not detected in 0.1µm falling away abruptly and Islands with caries free rates of 10- measuring these profiles: the detec- hyperbolically to 120ppm 3µm into 0% consumed 45-74 kg. tion limit of <150ppm is marked on the enamel. This model could be the diagram. Because of bevelling tested using the SIMS technique Distribution of fluorine in teeth caused by the polishing technique, (see above); the CAMECA instru- As part of his PhD studies, F. J. the closest the electron beam could ment at Lucas Heights could do the McClure separated tooth enamel be positioned from the actual surface job. I have not come across any from dentin and analysed for fluo- was 3µm. However 4 teeth were papers using SIMS on tooth enamel rine by the tedious process then in examined by facing the unsectioned in this way. use. Later, McClure and Likins and unpolished surface to the (1951), in a paper still cited today, electron beam. It was easy to find Benefits of fluoridation showed that 0.0-0.3ppm F in the flat areas which gave a high F x-ray There have been many field studies water supply leads to 102ppm in the signal but impossible to estimate the of fluoridation claiming the saving of enamel and 241ppm in the dentin. concentration with any confidence. anywhere from +8 to -0.3 DMFT in Where the water contained 1.1— The most intense x-rays observed 10 or 12 year old children. You pays 1.2ppm F the enamel contains could be consistent with 30000ppm your money and you takes your 133ppm and the dentin 385ppm. F in the outer 0.3υm or 10000ppm in choice. I’m happy to accept the data From these low values they con- the outer 1υm. in another much cited paper, cluded that ‘..the role of fluorine, as Attwood & Blinkhorn (1988). It was deposited during formative tooth Comment on microanalytical evidence published in The Lancet which has a life, remains a prominent factor to Microanalysis confirms the observa- reputation for balanced peer review. be considered in solving the question tions in a long line of research This involved a study 5 years after of resistance to dental caries’. papers which show that fluorine is the cessation of fluoridation in Microanalysis of tooth enamel concentrated close to the surface of Stranraer in south west Scotland. leads to quite different conclusions. the enamel. To me this is compelling The control area was Annan which The data in figure 1 are part of an evidence that fluorine exchanges had never been fluoridated. It was EMPA study of 8 deciduous and 7 with hydroxyl at the surface of the found that there was a 4% increase adult teeth all taken from fluori- enamel and that ingestion plays a in DMFT in Stranraer and a 16% dated areas. These teeth were cross- negligible role in the process. In decrease in Annan making a dispar- sectioned in the middle of the dentin however, it is probable that ity of 20% in total. This represents

Page 32 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Speculation less than 1 DMFT at age 10. Yes, References .... Aliens from p 28 there are benefits but they are not as Attwood, D. and Blinkhorn, H.S.: important as best practice in dental send off will have to go at planetary hygiene. Trends in dental health of ten-year old children in south-west Scotland probe speeds so that it can slow Recently, every dental health down at the other end, and that research unit and its students have after cessation of water fluoridation, Lancet 2: 266-7 (1988). means journeys of hundreds of been publishing on fluoride in saliva thousands of years. It would be before and after using various Germaine, G.R. and Tellefson, L.M.: much easier to wait until the civili- dentifrices, mouthwashes, salts and Effect of Human Saliva on the Fluo- sation at the other end became tablets. All the papers I’ve seen ride Sensitivity of Glucose Uptake by sufficiently advanced to realise recommend brushing with fluoride Streptopcoccus Mutans, Infection and messages are being sent, and start toothpaste and then rinsing with a Immunity 34: 871-9 (1981). sending messages back. fluoride mouthwash. This is exactly The trouble with this is that, as what primary school age children in Hansard, Legislative Assembly ACT, SETI has so amply demonstrated, no the USA are taught to do after 27 Sept 1989 pp1483-1517 & 1534- one is beaming messages at us, and lunch. High fluoride levels hang 1565. there is only one, very sad conclu- about in saliva for several minutes Harris,R.: Biology of the Children of sion to draw from that. There is still after mouthwashing. The children Hopewood House, Bowral Australia. a chance that there are other plan- are also taught how to floss. 4. Observations on Dental-Caries ets bearing life tolerably close by but The level of fluoridation in the Experience Extending over Five still be in, say, the equivalent of the USA has been in the 66-68% range Years (1957-61), J.Dent.Res. 42:1387- Jurassic period. No point in sending for some time now, but the level of 99 (1963). DMFT in 12 year olds has been messages for millions of years, and Hotz, P., Muhlemann H.R. and steadily declining as the number of by then even our long-lived AI space Schait,A.: A new method of enamel children in the schools program has agency might well be dust. biopsy for fluoride determination, been rising. The limited benefit of Of course we may yet discover a Helvetica Odontologica Acta 14: 26-9 fluoridation is probably conferred by branch of physics which allows for (1970). the rinsing of the mouth with water tolerably fast interstellar travel, but containing 1ppm fluoride after tooth McClure, F.J.: Microdetermination of if this were so and there were other brushing. Fluorine by Thorium Nitrate Titra- advanced races in our galaxy they The UK Western Mail (Mar 14 tion, Ind.& Eng. Chem. Analytical would have worked out long ago that 2008, Madeleine Brindley) reports Ed. 5: 7, (1939). the Earth is a prime target and come that the Welsh Assembly is about to calling. They would presumably feel McClure, F.J. and Likins, R.C.: launch an oral health program very the same way we do about finding Fluorine in Human Teeth Studied in similar to that in the USA. The someone, anyone at all, out there. Or Relation to Fluorine in the Drinking British Dental Association is advo- if they had passed this way in the Water, J.Dent.Res. 30: 171-6 (1951). cating use of fluoride mouthwash. dim past, they would have left If only McClure and Likins had Speake, J.D., Cutress, T.W. and Ball, monuments that were unmistakably taken their research one step further M.E.: The prevalence of dental caries built by aliens. We have never found and analysed scrapings from the and the concentration of fluoride in any messages, or monuments or enamel surface and enamel/dentin the enamel of children in the South anything else that suggests that boundary! And then made the fairly Pacific, N.Z Dental J. 75: 94-106 aliens have been around, despite all obvious inferences. And then con- (1979). the stories about abductions and vinced their boss, Trendley Dean. All probings. Looks like it’ll be up to us Willard, H.H. and Winter, O.H.: that wasteful politicking would have humans — or rather our robots — to Volumetric Method for the Determi- been saved. But fluoridation is such reach out and find someone, if there nation of Fluorine. Ind.& Eng. Chem. an elegant concept; it is not surpris- is anyone to be found. Analytical Ed. 8: 384, (1933). ing that it still has its adherents. Convention 2008 Adelaide, October 11-12

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 33 Article A Fundamental Question

In religion, where lies tha ’ve often been called an implac religious landscape, such as the mainstream? Iable atheist and accused of being Hillsong Church, to be relatively little different from fundamentalist modern, especially in their ability to Christians who are implacable make money in the name of Jesus. believers. There is a difference: I But they are hardly mainstream — require evidence while believers, Hillsong’s doctrine is in fact fundamentalist or not, need only staunchly fundamentalist. faith. Having said that, I’m not sure Mainstream there can be any other kind of No! The real mainstreamers are a believer or unbeliever than an pragmatic lot. For instance, in 1999, implacable one. Surely belief or the late Pope John Paul II declared unbelief has to be total; agnostics that Heaven was: are wishy washy, two bob each way ... neither an abstraction nor a physi- in case they’re found wanting when cal place in the clouds, but that full- the grim reaper pays them a visit, ness of communion with God which is and Christians who are not of a the goal of human life. fundamentalist bent are far too willing to tailor their beliefs to suit Hell, by contrast, was: the prevailing climate. … the ultimate consequence of sin it- HL Mencken once declared that self. Rather than a place, Hell indicates God is a comedian whose audience is the state of those who freely and defini- afraid to laugh. When I mentioned tively separate themselves from God, this to a Christian friend he assured the source of all life and joy. me there was nothing funny about No doubt this came as a surprise Christianity. Well, I replied, I get a to Atheists around the world who good chuckle from magic apples, happily separate themselves from talking snakes and arks bulging God, or to be exact, simply refuse to with all manner of animals. My recognise him without believing that friend was not impressed and such a stance is anything like the informed me that anyhow, the Book typical descriptions of Hell. Indeed, of Genesis is merely allegory and has most would confess to living their nothing to do with modern Christi- lives unperturbed and even en- anity. hanced by such a separation. Modern Christianity! (There’s a It should be noted that John description to conjure with.) Does Paul’s successor, Pope Benedict (once modern Christianity comprise those Prefect of the Catholic Church’s John Stear, webmaster of the NAIG site, is a belonging to mainstream churches? I Congregation for the Doctrine of the retired public servant and a Life Member of consider some of the charismatic Faith — which until 1908 was Australian Skeptics churches infesting the Australian known as the Holy Inquisition) has

Page 34 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 contradicted Pope Paul and de- a subversive document, needing to be run about third and fourth in the clared that Hell is real, eternal and carefully filtered through priests rather fundamentalist hate stakes. very hot. than given raw to congregations. One Catholic view of Hell pur- Can this mean that the Catholic Literalists portedly revealed by the Virgin hierarchy, representing the numeri- But fundamentalist Christians are Mary in Portugal in 1917 is as gory cally largest group of mainstream not mainstreamers. No pragmatism as the fundamentalist version: Christians in Australia and the with them. They revere the Bible, … a great sea of fire which seemed to world, didn’t then or doesn’t now every word of it. The Bible has be under the earth. Plunged in this fire believe the Bible to be the inerrant talking snakes and all the other were demons and souls in human word of God? Perhaps Pope Benedict inanities of the Garden of Eden, not form, like transparent burning embers, with his simple views on Hell will to mention an Earth less than ten all blackened or burnished bronze, lead them back to fundamentalism! thousand years old, and to the floating about in the conflagration, fundies such absurdities are irrefu- now raised into the air by the flames Pragmatism table truths. that issued from within themselves In any discussion of pragmatism Dr David Catchpoole, a plant together with great clouds of smoke, among Christian denominations and physiologist working for the crea- now falling back on every side like sects, Anglican (American Episcopa- tionist organisation Creation Minis- sparks in a huge fire, without weight lian) Bishop John Shelby Spong tries International (nee Answers in or equilibrium, and amid shrieks and must figure prominently. Spong Genesis, nee the Creation Science groans of pain and despair, which hor- continues to raise the ire of at least Foundation), who it’s claimed had rified us and made us tremble with one leading Anglican in Australia, been “an ardent evolutionistic [sic] fear. and his opponents in the USA are atheist” before “a personal crisis Some Protestant fundamentalists many. Sydney Archbishop Peter while working in Indonesia brought have a low opinion of Catholics and Jensen has a habit of disparaging him to embrace Christianity”, the Popes. Not the least reason is Spong’s “liberal theology” whenever represents the convictions of Chris- their perception that Catholics don’t Spong visits Australia. As reported tian fundamentalists when he says: share their absolute view of the in The Australian of August 16. How often have you heard someone Bible as the irrefutable word of 2007, Spong is part of “progressive claim that it is possible to believe in God. The Covenant Presbyterian Christianity” and doesn’t believe in evolution and be a Christian at the Church in Forest Lake, near Bris- the virgin birth or the physical same time?... Frequently such people bane, goes as far as to accuse, in a resurrection. are antagonistic towards those who somewhat incoherent statement, According to The Australian, accept Genesis as being literal history “the Papal system of Roman Ca- Spong’s new book, Jesus for the Non- — scoffing at Christians who contend tholicism” of being the Antichrist: Religious, “spells out his view… that that the Earth was created in just six Covenant Presbyterian Church holds there is a need for ‘Christianity to days and is only about 6,000 years old. the teaching of the Confession that the escape the bounds of religion’”. The Russell Grigg, one of the plethora Papal system of Roman Catholicism article acquaints us with such Spong of creationist chemists (whatever and its ecclesiastical manifestation as barbs as: that may be) from Creation Minis- we know it today and its historic de- The Bible was written from a first cen- tries International, in his article, velopment is indeed the Antichrist… tury point of view… Jesus ascended to “Genesis-the seedbed of all Christian The Catholic Church (at least the sky — God lived up there. In the doctrine”, states: pre-Benedict) was capable of going space age that does not make sense to All major Christian doctrines have beyond mere pragmatism. Richard us… Epilepsy is regarded as demonic their source, directly or indirectly, in the Dawkins in his essay “Snake Oil possession in the same book people use book of Genesis. Preachers, missionar- and Holy Water” writes: to condemn homosexuality… You de- ies and theologians who fail to see this stroy the Christian faith if you try to In 1996 the Vatican, fresh from its have lost the foundation for what they make it be about biological virgin births magnanimous reconciliation with teach. Conversely, those who do see this and bodily resuscitations. Galileo, a mere 350 years after his have the God-given proper basis for all death, publicly announced that evolu- A cat among the fundamentalist their Christian witnessing, preaching, tion had been promoted from tentative pigeons indeed! But how does one counselling, and teaching. hypothesis to accepted theory of sci- categorise Spong? Is he a “modern Which brings me to my question: ence. This is less dramatic than many Christian”, a pragmatist? I’d venture which religious group, mainstream American Protestants think it is, for the opinion that among the funda- or fundamentalist, is truly Christian the Roman Catholic Church has never mentalists Spong attracts even more — that is, which religious group has been noted for biblical literalism — on hatred than the Pope. Paradoxically, a legitimate claim to be the true the contrary, it has treated the Bible atheists and skeptics (the fundies with suspicion, as something close to believe they’re one and the same) Continued p 38 ...

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 35 Article So Help Me God! Is it possible to de-Godify our lives?

Lessening the liturgy hen I first applied to become a Each JP is now issued with a in the language WJustice of the Peace (JP) about registration number which must be twenty years ago, I found myself in a appended to the signature of the JP group of people at the Court House when signing any document in that who were similarly applying. After a capacity. I had no problem renewing short talk to the group from a Court my JP status. (Successful applicants official about the tasks and responsi- were issued with a handbook de- bilities of JPs, we were each re- scribing the functions and responsi- quired to make either an oath or an bilities of JPs.) affirmation in accordance with the I have outlined the above as a seriousness of our application. setting to this article on what I Being of sceptical disposition on consider to be the numerous daily matters of religious belief, I declined and archaic practices and other life to take an oath on the Bible, such an situations which continue to sustain oath ending with the phrase: “So the use of “God” in various phrases, help me God”. I did not feel that I exclamations and other contexts. To needed any “God” to help me make me it is surprising and somewhat an honest statement. I was some- irritating that in a secular country what bemused that all the other like Australia we still seem to accept people were content to swear on the that some imaginary being, called Bible. They went first, as a group. I God, has to be appealed to in many was then permitted to make a situations in our daily lives. “solemn affirmation” in place of an Note that the concept of “God” in oath. I did, however, have a slight most of the situations I refer to feeling that I was outing myself as a seems to be that of the old bearded “non-believer” in front of a group of man up there in the clouds watching (assumed) “believers”, none of whom over the daily lives of all six billion looked particularly pious. people on the planet. This “God” is I renewed my JP status in 2006 at omnipotent, omniscient and omni- a time when the State government present. There is the uneasy feeling was tightening up on the numbers of experienced by some people that people who were, or who wished to they could suddenly be punished by become JPs. The new regulations this God should they tell a lie. The have more strict requirements on conventional (stereotyped, who may be appointed as JPs and cartoonised) “punishment” is usually have limited the length of time of the person being struck by a bolt of appointment to five years, after lightning! which expiry the applicant may Has the reader ever stopped to Kevin McDonald is a retired science lecturer and again apply for renewal of commis- think how often we appeal to “God” a member of the Hunter Skeptics sion. to do something for us, even if we

Page 36 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 are not “believers”? For those non- ironically: God’s gift to women), God’s on as if you have some God-given right believers who happen to read this own … (usually: God’s own country), to criticise Jim. Let’s change the sub- article, I direct your attention to the So help me God, As God is my witness, ject. Did I tell you about the storm dam- following lists and request that you Good Heavens!, For Heaven’s sake!, For age to my house last week? The be honest should I ask if you have Christ’s sake!, Holy Ghost!, Holy insurance company doesn’t want to ever used any of these expressions. Smoke!, Struth! (= God’s Truth). know about it. Their representative said Phrases and exclamations Archaic expressions employing it was an act of God, and my policy employing “God” “God”: won’t cover the damage. Those expressing surprise, sometimes God speed; God be with you (now sim- Jim: Look, the matter is in God’s great pleasure,or shock, dismay, or de- ply: Good Bye). hands. I have to depart now. God bless! rision: Practices invoking the assist- Alan: Oh Gawd, is it that late now? I God!, Oh God!, My God!, Oh My God!, ance of God: must go too. God forbid if I’m late home For God’s sake, Good God! God help Blessing of the fleet, baptising a baby, tonight. We have visitors arriving for me!, God Almighty!, God-forsaken, God Adulation of God in hymns (obviously dinner. forbid!, God knows, God only knows, most hymns do!) eg, Rock of Ages, Cleft Godsend, Dear God! Bob: God help me; my two friends sud- for me. Expressing gratitude, or hope, denly dashing off! I’ll get going anyway; Substitute expressions for God: or best wishes, or approval: I might just catch the 6.30 train, God Architect of the Universe, Supreme Be- willing! Thank God!, God willing, God bless, ing , Providence. God’s blessing, God only knows, God be with you (= Good Bye), God-given Other words deriving from Purpose (usually: God-given right), Thanks be “God” expressions: The main purpose of this article is to to God, In God’s hands, Favour of God, Blimey or gorblimey (= “God blind me”), draw attention to the marked God be praised!, In God’s name, Godly, Struth = by God’s truth, Bloody (de- propensity we all have to use the Please God, May God help me ; May rived from blood of Christ), By Jove word “God” either for a particular God forgive me , In God we trust (On (from “By Jupiter”, or possibly “By emphasis when in conversation, or US money). Jehovah”), Begorrah (Irish euphemism as a tacit acknowledgement that we Making an assertion, or used in for by God). are all being judged by the God of a legal sense: Phrases used by people derisive the Christian Bible in the course of of religious individuals or groups: our everyday lives regarding what God-given right, Act of God, By the we say or do. God squad, God-botherers, Jesus Grace of God, Playing God, As God is A secondary aim of this article is freaks, JC syndrome , Happy Clappers, my witness, Will of God , God’s will, So to encourage the reader to question Religious nutters. help me God, For God and country, In why we should consistently invoke God’s hands, God-fearing, Fear of God, Text-messaging: “God” in our spoken language, when Swear by Almighty God, Mon dieu et OMG = Oh my God! what we are really doing is reflect- mon droit (“My God and my right”). Other colourful but inoffensive ing our own values and morals, in Used as oaths, or swear words: exclamations sometimes used to short our consciences (= our sense of For God’s sake!, God Almighty!, avoid invoking “God”: what is right or wrong). Christ!, Crikey!, Thank Christ!, We should question such routinely Good Grief!, By Jove!, Great Scott! Hell! Christopher!, Goddam! Oh God!, Oh accepted practices which seem to Good Heavens! Gawd!, Gor Blimey!, God dammit! oblige us to invoke God’s approval, Other “religious” expressions: such as when we take an oath of Our daily conversation is drenched Religious, special occasions; the office, or make a statement in a law by references to God: Example: sacrilegious, blasphemous, oaths, court. For example, when we are and profanities; sometimes simply to Jim: Oh my God, look at all those god- obliged to say: “I swear by Almighty express surprise or just being ironic forsaken skeptics. God forbid that I God that …”, why can’t we simply (many of these use the word Christ should ever become one of their lot. So say: “I solemnly declare that …”? rather than God). help me God. Note: It is now permitted in almost all jurisdictions in Australia to make Christ the Lord, Christ the King, Jesus Bob: “Good God, Jim, don’t go on about an affirmation (without any reli- Christ! (and just Jesus or just Christ), it. There but for the grace of God go gious wording) rather than an oath Jeez!, Crikey!, Gee!, Gosh!, Lord!, Oh thou!” sworn on the Bible. Such a practice Lord!, Lord help me!, May the Lord Alan: God almighty, you two. God only was popularised by the refusal of make us truly grateful, God Save the knows what you’ll say next. Firstly you, former Governor-General Bill Queen (Britain’s national anthem), Jim, always deploring other people’s Hayden (a self- confessed atheist) to Good Lord!, Bless you!, God’s gift (eg, problems. Then you, Bob, always going swear an oath on the Bible.

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 37 So Help Me God

Yet the archaic practice of invok- simply part of the language we Those of us who are non-believers, ing God still remains entrenched in speak daily. We use the expressions I would encourage to make an effort both the legal and political scene in without thinking about the literal to exclude or at least diminish these Australia, such as the taking of the meaning of them. The expressions expressions from our daily conversa- oath of office in Australian Parlia- derive from the days when everyone tions. This is much easier said than ment, where the ceremony of the believed (or professed to believe) in done. We blurt out God expressions swearing-in of the new Prime the existence of “God”, that is, the automatically in everyday situa- Minister, continues to employ such God of the Christian Bible. Their tions. It is simply common usage. Yet expressions as: “I swear by Almighty current use does not necessarily if we are genuinely non-believers we God”, and “So help me God”. reflect that the user is a “believer”. should not use these expressions. I maintain that religious practices Indeed, many people using the word Their usage implies that we do in are irrelevant to meetings of federal, God (or Christ, Lord, etc) are not in fact “believe in God”, or at least state or local government repre- the slightest “religious” in the sense acknowledge that “God” is lurking sentatives. Here I refer to the that they regularly and willingly there in the background. A conscious current practice at many councils attend church, or otherwise publicly effort is needed to find and use where, at the commencement of demonstrate that they are believers. alternative expressions without proceedings, a specific “prayer” is Fortunately Australia is a largely losing the impact that the religious said, followed sometimes by all secular nation, where people are free expression may have had. present reciting the Lord’s Prayer. It to follow their religious beliefs and The reader is encouraged to try should be obvious that the practice where people who are not religious to use expressions which exclude the of a religious opening of a council are equally free to live a “God-free” word “God”. I predict that you will meeting, or for that matter, a session life. Australia is one of the few find it quite difficult! of State or Federal Parliament, is countries in the world which does archaic. Australian society is over- not mention “God” in its national whelmingly a secular, multicultural anthem, Advance Australia Fair. society, and to recite any particular Even the USA, a God-driven nation ... Fundamental from p 35 prayer is potentially offensive to only mentions “God” once in its some, hypocritical to others and national anthem,The Star-spangled irrelevant to most. Banner, and that single mention is believers? On the one hand we have The affairs of a council or a in the fourth verse, in the sentence: the fundamentalists who believe the parliament are those of humans, not “In God we trust”. However, New Bible to be inerrant because it was a God. Any statement uttered by the Zealand, a nation which holds many inspired by God - a reasonable councillors at the commencement of values and customs similar to those enough stand to take if one is a a meeting should simply reflect a of Australia, has a national anthem believer. On the other we have those desire by the councillors (or parlia- whose title is God Defend New of the mainstream whose pragma- mentarians) to perform their civic Zealand, and where God is men- tism allows them to cut and paste duties with the utmost commitment tioned several times. One of the their dogma to suit the times - a sort and integrity, and hopefully in a oldest of national anthems, that of of dogma de jour! These pragmatists spirit of tolerance and patience. Great Britain, is very definite, God are prepared to consider only se- A useful short, affirmative, non- Save the Queen!, where the word lected parts of the Bible to be religious, non-offensive statement God appears three times in the first inerrant and consequently only could be modelled on that used by verse. partly God inspired. some other councils in Australia, The word and concept of “God” is namely: “I (state name), a councillor deeply embedded in our everyday Who’s right? of ... City Council, declare that I will language. We hear it quoted in such The question has often and rightly undertake on every occasion to carry familiar sayings as: “Thank God for been asked: if only parts of the Bible out my duties as a councillor in the the Salvos.” We hear “God” used in are inspired by God, on whose best interests of the community, and titles or expressions where sympa- authority are the decisions made that my conduct shall maintain the thy is being invoked, such as in the and as a consequence of this human standards of the Code of Good phrase: “God’s special children”, interference in the affairs of the Governance, so that I may faithfully when referring to intellectually or Almighty, is any of the Bible God represent and uphold the trust physically disabled children. We inspired? Fundamentalists ignore placed in me and my fellow council- hear “God” said almost daily such questions and deliberations for lors by the people of ...” whether when people are exasper- to do otherwise negates their raison As a non-theist I freely admit that ated (“For God’s sake…”), or when d’etre. Can it be then that those I have often used some of the God people are overjoyed or ecstatic fundamentalists, the Bible expressions listed in this article. The about some experience (“God … that inerrantists, are the only “true” point is that these expressions are was great!”). Christians?

Page 38 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Report Scientology Scandals

Is there trouble brewing Make money. Make more money. Make Church of Scientology — it seems for this cult? other people produce so as to make they had little to boast about. more money. L. Ron Hubbard Trouble in Europe cientology claims to improve In September 2007, Belgian prosecu- Sconditions in life, and provide tor Jean-Claude Van Espen branded real spiritual answers. Within the the Church a criminal organisation group, founder L Ron Hubbard is and recommended it stand trial for touted as a remarkable and cel- extortion and fraud. After a 10-year ebrated humanitarian, educator, investigation he concluded that the artist, novelist and explorer — a Church’s Europe office, based in personality that evokes images of a Brussels, and its Belgian missions, courageous Doc Savage mixed with a conducted unlawful practices in contemporary Buddha. His passion- medicine, violated privacy laws and 1 ate proseletisers poignantly pro- used illegal business contracts . claim “mankind has no greater Watch this space. friend.” Elsewhere in Europe, news Celebrity Scientologists Tom relating to the Church wasn’t any Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie better. Alley routinely raise the movement’s Last year Ursula Caberta, Ger- profile, giving it a slick image and man Scientology expert with the claiming Scientology can handle any Hamburg interior ministry, asserted problems in life. Are you having that, “Scientology is a dangerous, difficulties with stress, anxiety, extremist organisation which has depression, learning, dealing with declared war on Europe”, and children, your marriage or financial demanded a ban on the organisa- success? Scientology professes to tion. Udo Nagel, the interior minis- deal with any issue facing an indi- ter of the northern German state of vidual. Hamburg, also sees Scientology as a If what the Church of Scientology threat to his State’s security, calling 2 and its parishioners say is true, why it an extremist organisation . do people call Hubbard a slimy The German domestic intelligence charlatan? Why do critics claim that service continues to monitor activi- the Church is involved in fraud and ties of the Church of Scientology, but extortion and is maliciously destroy- no charges have yet been brought ing families, amongst other dubious against the Church as a result of Michael Wolloghan lives in Sydney and is a activities? government surveillance. reporter for the TANK Vodcast. Let’s take a moment to reflect on In May 2007 renowned BBC www.tankvodcast.wordpress.com a very tumultuous past year for the reporter John Sweeney did an [email protected] investigation into the Church.

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 39 Sweeny claimed that Scientologists Back on Earth, the Church has believe psychiatry was a tool of followed his every move, once even made numerous fraudulent medical oppression used by evil alien civili- waiting for him at his hotel at claims. In his book, Dianetics, sations. Most people would not be midnight. Sweeney lost his temper Hubbard proclaimed that with aware of the science fiction “history” during the filming and engaged in a auditing “arthritis vanishes, myopia to which Cruise refers. heated screaming match with gets better, heart illness decreases, Scientology representative Tommy asthma disappears, stomachs A new foe Davis, son of Hollywood actress and function properly and the whole Shortly after the appearance of the church member Anne Archer. catalogue of illnesses goes away and bizarre video, Scientology lawyers Sweeney later apologised for his stays away” 3. pressured websites to remove the outburst, but still stood by his In the book A History of Man, video, citing copyright law. report. “I had been followed by Hubbard even boasts “cancer has Then a new foe emerged against creepy strangers, followed by cars, been eradicated by auditing” 4. In the Church. A shadowy, covert shouted at, and called a bigot 1963 the U.S. Food and Drug Ad- internet based group calling itself countless times,” recounted ministration sued the Church of “Anonymous” declared war on the Sweeney. The Panorama program Scientology for fraudulent medical Church of Scientology, in the form of had almost 4.5 million viewers, and claims, and in 1971 a US federal an ominous posting on the YouTube the Church of Scientology was back court ruled that Hubbard’s claims video website. The Anonymous in the UK headlines. were completely bogus and that collective set up a movement called auditing could no longer be called a “Project Chanology” to coordinate Problems elsewhere scientific treatment. their efforts, and took down several In Australia, the press for Scientol- Kenneth Robinson, British Scientology websites through denial- ogy hasn’t been flattering either. Minister of Health in the sixties, of-service attacks. In July 2007 a woman was once commented on the Church, “.. On February 10, 2008 the group charged with murdering her father its methods can be a serious danger had a worldwide day of protest and sister in their Revesby home. to the health of those who submit to against the Church. I was in attend- Allegedly, this occurred after Scien- them”5. Nevertheless, Scientologists ance at the Sydney protest to film tology family members forced her to continue to tout the brilliance of the event and interview members of stop taking psychiatric drugs for a auditing. Anonymous**. The activists wore mental condition. Soon after the Morton biography costume masks, wigs, sunglasses, The dawn of a new year simultane- hit the best seller lists, an interview and bandanas, refusing to give their ously brought controversy, with Will with Tom Cruise surfaced. The four- names, citing fear of retribution by Smith becoming an active recruiter year-old footage was leaked onto the the church. Protesters carried for Scientology after being introduced internet, showing Cruise champion- banners and placards denouncing to the group by Tom Cruise. ing his Scientology beliefs, and the church and diligently distributed Then an explosive unauthorised occasionally bursting into eerie leaflets to the general public. biography of Cruise was released in laughter. Cruise pompously touts Anonymous spokespeople said January by British author Andrew himself and fellow Scientologists as they selected that specific date Morton. Morton maintains that the “authorities on the mind”, and, “If because it coincides with the birth- actor is now the second most power- you’re a Scientologist you see things day of Lisa McPherson, a woman ful figure in the Church of Scientol- the way they are,” enthuses Cruise, who died 13 years ago while in the ogy. The book reveals a rumour over the very repetitive guitar-riff care of Scientology members. within the Church, claiming that soundtrack*. The Church may have a new Suri, Cruise’s infant, was conceived It’s not the first time the pint- thorn in its side, but it is difficult to like Rosemary’s Baby, with Katie sized star has shown his proselytis- say if the loose-knit consortium of Holmes being impregnated with ing zeal. When Cruise appeared on net activists will continue to main- Hubbard’s frozen sperm. Cruise is NBC’s Today show, he called psy- tain its course, or slowly simmer reportedly considering a $100 chiatry a “pseudoscience” and down. million lawsuit over the publication. aggressively told interviewer Matt During the protest I reflected on However, these stories aren’t so Lauer, “You don’t know the history of the time when I visited the Church strange in comparison to the Scien- psychiatry. I do.” Scientologists of Scientology. I met some earnest, if tologists’ belief that 75 trillion years ago there was an evil galactic * This video can be viewed online at: overlord named Xenu who was in ** The footage can be viewed online gawker.com/5002269/the-cruise- charge of 76 planets in our galaxy, at: www.tankvodcast.wordpress.com, indoctrination-video-scientology- including planet Earth. episode February 15, 2008. tried-to-suppress. Continued p 42 ...

Page 40 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Report Missionaries Take to the Hills

Confusing the cultures las, it is not what you might there are others in the area whose Athink. The missionaries are not motives are not so pure — the in flight and taking to the hills for Missionaries. refuge. The missionaries are taking The Mirror Group lists no less to the hills to save souls. The hills than 90 faith based organisations under siege are in the North of operating in the Chiang Rai district Thailand and the people targeted alone. The Buddhists, who make up are the hill tribes. the majority of the Thai population, I am an Australian living in have been quite resistant to the Northern Thailand in the city of efforts of the evangelists. The Hill Chiang Rai. I came to Thailand to Tribe people however are a soft help the hill tribe peoples here who target, because of their extreme are, without question, the most poverty and simple religions of disadvantaged in Thailand and who Animism, and Ancestral worship. are in desperate need of assistance. So the evangelists move in with a There are six main tribes and a few fist-full of dollars and the Bible as a more with a lesser number of people. sales package and the Hill Tribes The main tribes are the Karen, are converted en-masse. In some Akha, Lahu, Hmong, Lisu, and cases the children in the villages are Mien. A famous subgroup of the given money to attend services. Karen are the Longnecks. At first glance this may not seem There are a number of NGOs (non to be such a bad thing. The villagers government organisations) in the are being helped, albeit with a area that assist these people. One serving of religion thrown in. If we such organisation is “The Khomloy look closer however it’s not as simple Group” and another “The Mirror Art as that. The culture of the people is Group”. The Khomloy web site being destroyed and the authority of www.khomloy.org has a link to the the traditional community leaders is Mirror group and these sites will undermined. The effect is so severe give you a lot of detail about the that many converted Akha disassoci- problems and the work done by the ate themselves from their fellow organisations. tribes people and even refuse to I mention these groups because speak their native tongue. they are secular and from my Sadly, this is a tragedy that the observations are motivated by missionaries are either unaware of altruism alone. They help in a way or dismiss as of no significance Sten Bjerking is an Australian engineer working that is as low impact as possible and compared to the achievement of in Thailand. No known photographs of him exist. ask for nothing in return. Sadly bringing their “one true God “ to

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 41 these people. More souls for Jesus — either. Many villages now boast fine This is the problem, this is the hallelujah! This train is bound for churches while most of the people dilemma, this is the issue that we glory! still live in bamboo huts with no skeptics, humanists, and atheists It must be said that not all sanitation. One village I know of has should be concerned about, and religious people and organisations two churches. perhaps this is our challenge to do are making the same mistake. There There is another issue that should something about. I share the con- are some in the area that do a lot of cause some disquiet. In these trou- cern and goals expressed by Richard good without trying to convert and I bled times when wars are in Dawkins in The God Delusion and applaud their efforts. They are in progress between peoples of differ- Sam Harris, that religiosity today is the minority however. In the wake of ent religions, we should be con- a problem of immense proportions the “Stolen Generation”, Australians cerned that a substantial block of and we must fight it where we can. should find the activities of the Christians is being formed inside a Here in Northern Thailand the missionaries poignant. Personally, I Buddhist country. Sam Harris in his missionaries, the evangelists, are find it incredible that this can be book Letter to a Christian Nation winning the battle. happening today, after all we have lists twelve main theatres of war in Perhaps it is time we organise learned from past experiences where the World between different reli- charities with the specific goal of cultures have been destroyed and gious denominations, so is it too helping peoples that are vulnerable the remnants of the people are a fanciful to suggest that here we have to attack by the missionaries and so defeated, rudderless shadow of their the developing situation for another thwart their efforts. Would this be a former selves. When I travel around religious war? theme that skeptics, humanists, and the villages and see the crosses and Just to compound the situation, atheists would warm to? Maybe a churches my feelings are a mixture Muslims are moving in as well, slogan like, “Help the Needy before of anger and pity. although their presence is minor the God Botherers get them” would The help the villages do get may compared to the Christians. be apt, but maybe this is too flippant not be quite up to their expectations for such a serious issue.

...Scientology from p 40 obsessive and stilted members, and Is this the beginning of the end 3. Hubbard, L. Ron. “The Reactive had my own private screening of for the Church? As Anonymous plan Mind”. Dianetics: The Modern their Orientation film. I was un- future protests and ex-members and Science of Mental Health Surry nerved by the end of the film when others speak out against Scientology, Hills: New Era Publications Aus- the pretentious, zealous narrator we wait to see what the future holds tralia, Reprinted 1996, p. 76. said, “You can walk out that door for this cult. 4. Hubbard, L. Ron. “Chapter and never mention Scientology Three”. Scientology: A History of again…but you might as well take a References Man Copenhagen K Denmark: gun and blow your brains out.” 1. “Scientologists risks criminal Scientology Publications Organiza- This is a startling snapshot of the charges after 10-year Belgian probe” tion, 1980, p.31. true nature of the organisation. The Associated Press 4 Sep. 2007 5. “Operation Clambake presents: Scientology claims it is a way of www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/04/ Quotes about Scientology” improving people’s lives by making europe/EU-GEN-Belgium- www.xenu.net/archive/ the able more able. It claims to Scientology.php judge_quotes.html provide true wisdom and real 2. “Scientology Targets Europe 6. “Operation Clambake presents: answers. However, Justice Anderson Amid Fresh Calls for Ban in Quotes about Scientology” from the Supreme Court of Victoria Germany” Deutsche Welle 9 Sep. www.xenu.net/archive/ tends to sum up the feelings of the 2007 www.dw-world.de/dw/article/ 6 judge_quotes.html general public : 0,2144,2730936,00.html Scientology is evil, its techniques are evil, its practice is a serious threat to the community, medically, morally, and socially .

Page 42 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Review Art and Science on Stage

A fine evening’s entertainment QED, by Peter Parnell. The Life and Science of Richard The Ensemble Theatre, Feynman (James Gleick, Vintage, Milsons Point, NSW. 1993) and in his own collections of Henri Szeps and Ivy Mak. autobiographical anecdotes con- Until June 28 tained in Surely You ‘re Joking Mr Feynman (WW Norton, 1985) and What Do You Care What Other wo decades ago I penned a brief People Think? (WW Norton, 1988). Tencomium in these pages to Although he had long been highly mark the passing of Richard regarded by his fellow scientists, the Feynman, one of the towering feat for which Feynman became intellects of the 20th Century. best-known to the general public That Feynman deserves that was as the scientific expert on the accolade can hardly be in dispute. As presidential commission that inves- a young man with a doctorate in tigated the Challenger space shuttle physics, he was invited to join the disaster. His dramatic action of Manhattan Project, then developing putting a section of a vital O-ring in the atomic bomb. Here, as the a glass of iced water and then youngest group leader, he met, and snapping it, showing how brittle it argued with, many of the outstand- had become, demonstrated the ing scientists who had revolution- underlying organisational faults in ised our understanding of how the NASA that had led to the tragic loss world really works at the level of the of lives. His uncompromising report very small (quantum). on his experiences on the commis- This study became his life’s work, sion can be read in his What Do You earning him a share in the 1965 Care What Other People Think? — a Nobel Prize for Physics, for his work most enlightening read. on quantum electrodynamics (QED). It was probably his skill as a Among his most enduring discover- teacher, however, that earned him ies are the “Feynman diagrams”, the most enduring fame. He won a drawings which seek to make this number of awards for it and his extraordinarily complex subject at Feynman Lectures on Physics, least partially comprehensible to the available in electronic and print lay reader (and to not a few scien- versions, are still regarded as among tists). He was also among the first, the best introductions to physics almost half a century ago, to investi- available. gate nanotechnology and propose But Feynman wasn’t simply a Barry Williams, who edits this journal, loves the ideas on quantum computing that scientific genius, he was also a very theatre, but has never been able to bring himself are still being pursued today. human man. His restless intellect to wait for Godot. Feynman’s story can be read in and endless curiosity led him, the outstanding biography, Genius: during his Manhattan Project days,

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 43 Review to learn how to pick locks, which he he manages to speak of scientific did at every opportunity. The fact concepts as though he knew what that the most secret secrets of this they meant (which is not always the most secret project were open to this case with actors). But, of course, young man, must have caused before deciding to grace our stages, immense headaches to those who Mr Szeps took degrees in science were concerned with security. and electrical engineering at Sydney He also was interested in art, University, and it shows. becoming a competent painter, a I first saw Henri Szeps on stage more than competent player of over 40 years ago in the controver- bongos, and an enthusiastic partici- sial play, The Boys in the Band. It pant in amateur dramatics, as well was not only his first major role on as having an interest in translating the Australian professional stage, it Mayan hieroglyphs. His habit of was also one of the first professional attending topless bars drew some stage productions I had seen. Since less-than-favourable publicity on then, with an almost 30-year-long occasion, but this was just another subscription to the Ensemble Thea- facet of his fascinating personality. tre, where he learned his craft and Certainly such a complex charac- where he appears regularly, I have ter is the stuff of dramatic interest probably spent more times in Henri and, a few years ago the American Szeps’ company than I have with playwright Peter Parnell wrote many of my friends. He has never QED, a play based on the life, work Richard Feynman disappointed me. and words of Richard Feynman. This Among his many fine perform- play is now being staged at The everything he tried, the sclerotic ances, one of the most memorable Ensemble Theatre in Sydney. Star- nature of the late Soviet bureauc- was his solo tour de force in Sky, a ring one of Australia’s most accom- racy thwarted his efforts to visit this play written specifically for him by plished actors, Henri Szeps, it is set little-known part of the world. Final John Misto. Loosely based on the in Feynman’s office at Caltech approval came within days after his disappearance of young pilot, towards the end of his life. Consist- death. Frederick Valentich, over Bass ing largely of a monologue by Henri Henri Szeps plays Feynman as one Strait, which has since become an Szeps, with a couple of brief inter- imagines he would have been — ongoing mystery of the local UFO ludes with a young female student feisty, funny, irascible, idiosyncratic, movement. Henri Szeps’ devastating (Ivy Mak), it is a remarkable exposi- but above all, brilliant. Furthermore, performance, as the father of a son tion of the life of a very human missing in a similar circumstances, genius. remains one of my most enduring Everything Feynman did was memories of a half a lifetime of covered, his physics, his art, his theatre going. Sky was the subject of impatience with bureaucracy, his the first review of a play in the love of life. In a couple of very Skeptic (12:3) and this is the second. moving scenes, he broke down while In an age of cheap ‘celebrity’, it is describing his first, short-lived, satisfying to have a chance to marriage to Arline, who died of celebrate genuine talent. The tuberculosis aged only 22, while he conclusion of my original tribute to was working at Los Alamos. Richard Feynman mourned that he Throughout, the monologue was was someone I would loved to have interrupted by phone calls, from met, but would not now have the colleagues, friends, Challenger opportunity. Twenty years later, commission members, but mainly thanks to an outstanding actor from a couple of doctors who wanted playing an outstanding scientist, to discuss an impending operation that lament has been at least partly on the cancers that cost Feynman ameliorated. his life. A number of Henri Szeps’ ac- One intriguing episode concerned claimed performances have later Feynman’s late-life interest in toured the country, with great visiting the central-Asian region of success. Although there is no indica- the USSR, Tuva, whose stamps he tion that QED will, if it does and if had collected as a child. Despite Henri Szeps in QED you get a chance, don’t miss it.

Page 44 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Review

Counterknowledge

Counterknowledge: How we strange, very disturbing phenom- and foot reflexology, the latter being surrendered to conspiracy theo- enon, didn’t actually coin the term. a means of assessing bodily systems ries, quack medicine, bogus But he still tartly elucidates its via the soles of patients’ feet. In local science and fake history, Damian significance. Counterknowledge is bookstores you’ll find that 1421, a Thompson. Atlantic Books. literally counterintelligence. It is the masterly piece of pseudohistory 162pp. $35. whole corpus of wild conspiracy about ancient Chinese navigators theories, cult archeology, quack circumnavigating the globe, is ack in the early fifties, the medicine and similar ratbaggery, shelved beside scholarly history as if Bpioneering sceptic Martin skillfully packaged to ape the it deserves equal status. Gardner predicted that the pseudo- trappings of genuine, evidence-based Counterknowledge is not recom- scientific crazes of his day would scholarship. The eighteenth century mended for devotees of alternative soon be gathering dust as forgotten Enlightenment successfully ban- medicine. This is cast as at best history. Well, posterity has bad news ished most of this stuff to the ‘cultic having an arguably helpful placebo for this now veteran philosopher and milieu’ at the fringes of society. But effect, but at worst being sometimes mathematician. Pseudoscience and over the last decade history has gone capable of endangering anyone in its bedfellow pseudohistory have into reverse, as counterknowledge dire medical need who eschews come roaring back. They have even re-gathers strength and seeps back science-based treatment. Thompson earned their very own collective into the cultural mainstream. tells of how a friend entrusted term — counterknowledge. The result is ‘a pandemic of diagnosis of stabbing back pains to Damian Thompson, author of this credulous thinking’ eating away at alternative practitioners. He almost sharp little book on this very the foundations of our civilization. died from their failure to detect a (And, yes, it admittedly has occa- severe spinal infection. sional entertainment value and Counterknowledge does not bother many of its practitioners mean well.) to debunk fairies at the bottom of Thompson is particularly appalled the garden in detail, (books like by the impact on some developing Lynne Kelly’s admirable The Skep- countries, where comprehensive tic’s Guide to the Paranormal take rejection of the scientific method is care of this), nor does it dwell on the ‘condemning future generations to psychological appeal of the paranor- material and intellectual poverty’. mal. Thompson, who has a doctorate He offers depressingly numerous in the sociology of religion, also examples of the promulgation of doesn’t go careering off into an all- counterknowledge by mainstream out assault on organised religion, as social institutions in Britain. In our has that other great rationalist, own wide brown land ABC television Richard Dawkins. (But he has no has broadcast ‘documentaries’ about truck with church leaders who psychic detectives and alien abduc- disrupt anti-HIV campaigns or tions, whilst Australia Post peddles promulgate creationism.) astrological stamps and guides. What really interests him is why In Canberra, the commercial counterknowledge has recently subsidiary of our main vocational exploded in scale and scope. Stephen Wilks is Vice-President of Canberra training college offers the paying Postmodernism, cultural relativism Skeptics. public courses in astrology, the tarot and the ‘voluntary redundancy’ of

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 45 Review intellectual gatekeepers in the package counterknowledge as a retail Thompson could have thought a universities and elsewhere have product. little more about the intensity with eroded the concept of neutral fact to Thompson thinks (or hopes) that which irrational ideas are held. the point that anybody can respect- we have a viable corrective strategy Surveys of what proportion of the ably present truth as whatever they on hand. Firstly, utilise the power of population believes in particular say it is. true scientific methodology to absurdities often indeed sound The lubricator here is the distinguish between valid and false frightening, but all pollsters know internet. What should have been an empirical claims. Then counterat- that simple yes-no polls can distort unqualified boon to the dissemina- tack counterknowledge by using, you depth of opinion. Nor does a short tion of learning, has turned out to be guessed it, the internet itself. He book like this have space for other a highway for the likes of 9/11 calls for warrior-bloggers to build on than the briefest outline of the conspiracy theorists and Holocaust their existing record of exposing fundamental matter of what consti- deniers, accelerating the degenera- purveyors of counterknowledge, a tutes evidence and truth. tion of “shared knowledge into cadre of “freelance defenders of If counterknowledge continues to personalized truths”. empirical truth, armed to the teeth strengthen its grip then we have a But the driver for which Thompson with hard data”. Even the ABC terrifying historical experiment on reserves his most seething contempt redeemed itself somewhat through our hands — what happens to a is the alliance of counterknowledge its Four Corners show on 1421, civilization that willingly ditches its and capitalism. Although he appreci- nicely dubbed Junk History. And of most fundamental value? Our ates the effectiveness of the market course there is already a descendents a century or two from as the basis of our economy, he is Counterknowledge website. now will know, provided there’s disgusted by how publishing houses, Counterknowledge addresses anyone left with the nous to be television stations and certain issues central to a civilization interested. universities so enthusiastically largely built on rationality. Perhaps

Doing God’s Work?

Considering an ascetic sect What is Opus Dei? Tales of God, 25 000 are celibates living in Opus blood, money & faith, Noam Dei centres. Friedlander. Conspiracy Book The reviewer was drawn to the Series, 2005, London. title for two reasons; firstly, the imprint Conspiracy Books has an Opus Dei, or more formally, The excellent series of essays on various Prelature of the Holy Cross and subjects, which include assorted Opus Dei, is a sect within the “conspiracies” regarding the Space Catholic Church that has gained a Race, Oil Wars, etc. But I was also degree of notoriety since the release drawn by my own curiosity about of Dan Brown’s Book The Da Vinci Opus Dei. Code and the subsequent movie of I was aware that the former Pope, the same name. As a result, Opus John Paul II, was a strong supporter Dei has become a interesting subject of the sect, and also that many for both writers, investigative powerful people in the United States journalists and religious critics. But and Europe are members. I was also what is Opus Dei? In Latin it is the curious about the alleged influence “work of god” and seeks to have lay of Opus Dei in countries such as Geoffrey Cowan is a sceptical atheist who would priests with the object of sanctity. Spain, Italy, the US and South rather be riding his horse. Of its over 80 000 members, some America.

Page 46 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Internet searches will quickly conclusions, only indicating the been written by a member of Opus define Opus Dei as a part of the standard Opus Dei line of denial of Dei! Maybe this is taking the con- Catholic Church that originated in membership or association of any of spiracy thing a little too far, but Spain in 1928. Josemaria Escriva de the players named. when you read the final chapter on Balaguer, born in 1902 to a wealthy The book states that, officially, the state of Opus Dei today, it textile businessman (who was later Opus Dei will always refuse to name immediately refutes Dan Brown’s to become bankrupt) was forced to members and hence, when a con- book The Da Vinci Code as simply live a lowly existence in Southern spiracy is suggested, Friedlander “beyond belief” (pp 232). She then Spain. It is said that he gained his will lay out the evidence, usually discusses the people behind this spiritual calling by seeing a from open-source intelligence work of fiction, such as the Priory of Carmelite Brother walking barefoot (newspapers and media reports) but Sion, but in one of its few conclu- in the snow, and he consequently this will always be denied by Opus sions, the author states quite cat- began his religious studies. In 1928 Dei. The reader is then left with two egorically that the reputation of he set up a retreat in Madrid, where questions; are the conspiracies false, Opus Dei has been tarnished by he gained an inspiration from God. and Opus Dei is truly an organisa- Brown’s book. As a result, Opus Dei (the term was tion that is out to assist, or is the A long discussion as to how Brown not formally used until 1932) was official policy of denial covering has attempted to challenge his born, founded on the ideals that something up? critics ensues, but as a sceptic, I am everybody is a child of God and that The conspiracies against Opus Dei left with the feeling that Friedlander all people can strive for affection. are thought to originate primarily herself might be an apologist for Escriva considered that not just from critics of the sect from within Opus Dei. This is somewhat con- nuns and priests can be celibate, but the church itself, especially the firmed with the final paragraph of all professions, especially the Jesuits. This criticism is not only of the book stating simply that, as wealthy and powerful, can contrib- the teachings of the sect, but also its more information is known about ute to the work of God. At Pope John support of right-wing politics, Opus Dei, the more the organisation Paul’s instigation, Escriva was especially of such dictators as Franco will be accepted, as “fear is allayed”. canonised in 2002. in Spain. Other aspects of criticism Frielander starts with a detailed Opus Dei is well-written, with are the secret nature of their organi- explanation of the origins of both the excellent detail on such aspects as sation, recruitment methods, and the founder of Opus Dei and the climate the socio-economic, political and elitism of the members compared in the church at the time. All con- religious culture at the time when with other Catholics. spiracies that are claimed to be Opus Dei was introduced into Spain, Internet searches of the author associated with the sect are covered, Europe and South America. It goes reveals that Noam Friedlander is a with analysis of those conspiracies. to great pains to detail all the prolific writer of non-fiction books. But Friedlander tends to pull-back conspiracies that are either related Her website from Brown’s conclusions, and on to, or centred on, Opus Dei. These (www.noamfriedlander.com/ ) states several occasions fails to provide any conspiracies concern the wealth of she is an “author, script writer, TV conclusion of her own, leaving the the members and the sect itself and reviewer, columnist, sub editor and reader hanging out for further its influence on the political land- feature writer”. Her other books are information. scape of the time. related to sports and (wait for it) as The Chronology at the end of the The book does not really get to the editor of a book on the Spice Girls. book is excellent, but generally this meat of the issue until later, when She also writes for TV shows and for is an unfortunate failure, especially discussion turns to allegations of Sunday newspapers in the UK. It is if the reader is reading only this crimes that have been levelled a surprising background for someone book on Opus Dei. Any good and against Opus Dei. It addresses who has written this book, and I can educated Skeptic will never resort to events such as the murder of a only infer that this is her first real just one source on a subject, but read senior Vatican security officer, a attempt at non-fiction of a historical and research many and draw their commander of the Swiss Guard, plus and documentary level. A little more own conclusions. This is a book that other incidents relating to major research should have been required will require the reader to look to frauds within the Vatican Bank, and for this book than the books she other material, before they can hope the alleged murder of senior offi- wrote on the Spice Girls or the Home to understand the conspiracy areas cials, which are discussed, together Renovation Show she scripted. and to reach any conclusions. But if with their connection to Opus Dei. While reading the book, I had a the reader wants a general book on As detailed as these things are, background thought that perhaps, Opus Dei, this one will no doubt give the author fails to develop any real only perhaps, this book might have them some useful information.

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 47 Forum Forum

Matters of Faith and Induction

can prove. The arguments are about The Kalam Cosmological Argu- Does Faith Add Up? plausibility. Is theism more plausible ment was primarily developed by a than atheism? Muslim philosopher called Al- Ghazali (1058-1111). Premise 1 was Kevin Rogers The Cosmological Argument considered to be intuitively obvious Rob presented a refutation of the and little effort was expended in Modbury SA First Cause argument, which is one justifying it. Most effort went into form of the cosmological argument. justifying premise 2. Al-Ghazali He stated the first cause argument lived in the pre-scientific era and so o people believe in God based in the following form: his argument was philosophical. He D on Reason? In the Autumn argued that it is impossible to 1. Everything has a cause, or perhaps edition (28:1) of the Skeptic Rob traverse an infinite causal chain and many causes. Hardy recommended Irreligion: A that actual infinites cannot exist. Mathematician Explains Why the 2. Nothing is its own cause. Today, premise 2 is generally Arguments for God Just Don’t Add accepted for scientific reasons. The 3. Causal chains can’t go on forever. Up by John Allen Paulos. Rob Hardy second law of thermodynamics does not know of “any believers who 4. So there has to be a first cause. states that entropy is constantly came to their beliefs via logical increasing. If the universe was demonstrations.” I do know some 5. That first cause is God, who there- fore exists. infinitely old then it would now be in personally. I admit that this is rare, a state of heat death. The standard but for others the arguments often The problem is with premise 1, which Big Bang model also asserts that the remove impediments to belief along claims too much. If everything has a universe had a beginning. Thus, in the way. cause, then God does too. recent times, more attention has Professor Antony Flew is an I agree that premise 1 does claim been focused on premise 1, but that eminent example of someone who too much. That’s because it is wrong. is another story. has been convinced by the evidence. In order for the refutation to be He was one of the foremost atheistic valid, the argument should be stated The Teleological Argument philosophers of the 20th Century. He correctly in the first place. Rob Hardy uses a similar argument was the author of The Presumption There are many forms of the against the Argument for Design of Atheism. However, in 2005 he cosmological argument and I don’t (the teleological argument). If God is announced to the world that he had know which one Rob is quoting. responsible for the complexity of the changed his mind. This is part of his However, the Kalam Cosmological universe, then God must be even career long commitment to “follow Argument has the following form: more complex. This argument is the where the evidence leads”. He now Everything that has a beginning has same as the “Improbability of God” believes in God. He does not profess argument that Richard Dawkins to be a Christian but he has left that a cause. The universe has a beginning. Therefore the universe has a cause. used in The God Delusion. Antony issue open. Flew has dismissed Dawkins’ argu- I agree that none of the argu- This form overcomes Rob’s objec- ment as “bizarre”. After having ments are “watertight proofs”. tion. God does not have a cause as consistently argued that design Philosophy is very limited in what it He has no beginning. occurs from simple to complex,

Page 48 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Dawkins suddenly puts the car into supplement the arguments for God’s with interest Mr Hewson’s claim reverse. Why should God be more existence by arguing for the reliabil- that he could design a bettcr complex than the universe? ity of the New Testament and histori- weather system. Does this imply Questions such as “Who created cal evidence for Jesus’ resurrection. that he understands the one we the creator?” or “Who designed the Muslims would use other arguments have? designer?” are red herrings. They based on the Koran. These argu- Mr Warren’s letter noted that are devices for avoiding addressing ments should be judged and com- Aquinas’ “proofs” of God’s existence the massive improbabilities associ- pared on their merits. are not really proofs at all. I agree ated with atheism, such as: The cosmological and teleological that these alleged proofs are not real Why is there something rather than arguments have been around since proofs in the mathematical sense of nothing? How was the universe started? Plato, if not before. They are still the word, though I suspect that Why are the physical laws and the ini- taken seriously today. It would be Aquinas would have claimed they tial conditions so finely tuned to result surprising if they contained such were. However, Aquinas’ further in a life permitting universe? obvious flaws as to be dismissed as contention, and Mr Warren’s, that easily as Rob Hardy claimed. Based unless something can be proved to I will give one example. The on the examples provided, I am not exist there is no use speculating strong nuclear force allows large tempted to read his recommended (“pontificating”) about its character- atomic nuclei to exist. It does not book. istics, runs counter to the proce- obey the inverse square law. It only dures of much of modem physics, acts at short distances like and of particle physics in particular. superglue. It is 1040 times stronger Physical theories, coupled with than the gravitational force yet it is mathematical investigations, sug- just at the right value to overcome gest the existence of new particles. the electrostatic repulsive force Proofs of existence The properties of such new particles, between protons. If it was 3% weaker if they exist, are worked out and then all matter would be hydrogen. suggest experiments to check If it was 9% stronger then all matter Bill Moriarty would be helium. It is a mystery why whether they do exist. Their exist- the strong nuclear force exists at all, St Leonards VIC ence cannot be checked without let alone that its value is just right, some theorising about their poten- but we should thank our lucky stars tial properties. Mr Warren has, up to that it is as it is. Even the stars are am writing to comment on two a point, acknowledged this in his lucky as otherwise they would not Iletters in the Autumn issue (28: 1) statement that one needs to shuffle exist either. of the Skeptic, one from Brian mental images as a guide to formu- These examples can be multiplied Hewson criticising my letter (and lating experiments. over a range of about 12 physical others) in the previous issue, and I wonder seriously about Mr constants. It looks as though it is one from John Warren about St Warren’s statement that “it is not designed and there is no Darwinian Thomas Aquinas and his proofs of possible to prove anything by words explanation. God’s existence. alone”. I take it that he would apply The letter from Mr Hewson gave this assertion also to the ideas for Argument applicability me the impression that he did not which the words stand. At face value Rob states that the arguments for read my letter very carefully. He this would seem to be a dismissal of God’s existence do not differentiate stated that I asserted that “the big the whole of mathematics. between the Christian, Jewish or G” takes a day-to-day interest in the As already noted, the alleged Muslim God, or even the flying events of this world. Actually, what I “proofs” of God’s existence are not spaghetti monster. This is certainly asserted was that this is the Chris- real proofs. However, for many true. The Kalam Cosmological tian belief, though I admit that this people (not myself) they are argu- Argument originated with the could have been expressed more ments which make his existence Christian John Philoponus (490 to clearly. seem very probable. 570), received most of its develop- More seriously, Mr Hewson has There is no proof that God exists. ment from the medieval Muslim failed to notice the thrust of my At the same time, there is no proof philosophers, was passed to the letter. I was not concerned to convert that he (she, it?) does not exist. Yet Jews in Spain and then to any confirmed atheists to the Chris- many atheists seem impelled to use Bonaventure (1221 to 1274). How- tian point of view, which I acknowl- up time, effort and paper, producing ever, the followers of the flying edge would be well beyond my arguments against his existence. Do spaghetti monster have made capabilities. I was simply trying to these arguments serve the same absolutely no contribution. correct some misconceptions about purpose for them as the arguments The arguments for each faith are what Christian beliefs are. for God’s existence do for many composite arguments. Christians As a retired meteorologist, I noted believers?

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 49 Forum

degree of certainty can we obtain? laws of physics, then we are entitled False conclusion Consider this: to ask them, ‘Why do you assume A scientist invites myself and a that?’ — not as a demand for abso- friend to participate in an experi- lute proof, but as a request for ment. We each throw a rubber ball persuasive evidence. Mark Newbrook several times over a screen into a As an atheist I am legitimately Wirral UK concealed area. After a few seconds sure that my universe is (fairly) the ball appears through a hole in consistent, but I have no idea how the bottom of the screen and rolls someone could form the same n my view, Dan Carmody (27:4, back to our feet. conclusion about God’s. Ipp 40ff) is over-negative about I hypothesise that the ball is Of the other three responses to induction. I think he privileges the bouncing off a wall at the back of the my article, “Can a Scientist be a present moment unreasonably (thus enclosure and rolling downhill to the Christian?” only Lindsay Brash has over-dichotomising the sets of past hole. My friend, on the other hand, hit the nail squarely on the head. Of and future cases), ignores the believes that the ball is being course a Christian, or any other question of the support that induc- brought back to the hole by a faith- believer in an omnipotent God, can’t tive reasoning can obtain from ful dog. play chess, or go shopping, or indeed explanation of why a pattern exists, Neither of us knows whether we do anything that involves making and most of all ignores the fact (as I are right or wrong, and even if we assumptions about the future, take it to be) that the more confir- are right, neither of us can know without logically violating the beliefs mations one finds for an inductive what will happen next — the wall they claim to have. generalisation (as long as there are may collapse, the ball may disinte- What really happens, of course, is no disconfirmations) the more likely grate, the dog may lose interest. But that people who claim to believe in it is that the generalisation is in fact it is obvious that my hypothesis an all-powerful omnipresent god valid (although I grant that this allows me to have much more don’t act as if the belief was true — never becomes certain; but who ever confidence than my friend that the or at least, those who do are quickly said it would?). This applies to the ball will keep on returning for locked up. Someone who really ‘swans’ example. hundreds or thousands of throws. behaved as if they had an all- In addition, he seems to me to A dog is a familiar creature with a powerful invisible friend looking confuse validity and truth here. limited range of behaviours. If we over their shoulder would not Given the scenario where many have difficulty predicting its actions, survive very long out of protective white swans and no black swans how much harder must it be to confinement. have been found, the conclusion that predict the actions of an all-know- Kevin Rogers makes two familiar all swans are white is inductively ing, all-powerful being with an but unconvincing arguments: firstly, valid (albeit not, of course, certain). unknown agenda who moves in some eminent historical scientists This conclusion is in fact false, as proverbially mysterious ways? were Christian — but in a period new data show, but that does not To an atheist, the fact that today when to admit otherwise invited impugn its validity. is like yesterday is a good — though persecution and possibly death, this not logically conclusive — reason to is hardly surprising. He tries to believe that tomorrow will be like refute Richard Dawkins’s argument today. that most modern scientists don’t Atheists are occasionally sur- believe — and the more eminent The need for certainty prised when apparent regularities they are the less likely they are to turn out not to be so, as with black believe — but cannot provide any swans. But a devout Christian, who counter-evidence except anecdote. claims to believe that God is working Finally, Bill Moriarty claims that Jon Jermey all the levers all the time, must go God is not capricious but consistent; about in a state of perpetual puzzle- but where is the evidence? Christian NSW ment as to why things change so doctrine, as I understand it, is little from one day to the next. Why ultimately based on Scripture, and doesn’t the Sun rise in the West? there are plenty of examples in the an Carmody has shown that Why doesn’t the sky turn tartan? If Bible of God’s behaving very capri- induction cannot give us — D there is a God, he is surely neglect- ciously indeed. But the game of atheists or believers — absolutely ing his opportunities. interpreting Scripture for one’s certain knowledge about the future, So if a believer makes a scientific purpose is too well-known and too which is true but not, I think, really prediction based on the assumption thoroughly discredited for me to go relevant. The question is, what that God will go on using the current over it here.

Page 50 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Forum

Climate Change

Keynote Address to the national with the ice caps melting and the Just the facts Skeptics Convention last November, glaciers retreating ever since the entitled ‘Skepticism In Science’. In present inter-glacial period began his introductory paragraph, Sir Guy about 12,000 years ago. How can you John Gibbs notes: separate the last couple of hundred Even in this 21st Century we are sub- years from this? When did the Brisbane QLD ject to influences which can impair or factors which caused this non-man- corrupt the doing or application of sci- made warming period cease to have obert O’Connor, at the opening ence. And that is the case especially in an influence? Why/how did they Rof his second letter in the the field of environmental science. (My stop? “…at least 500 years” — that Autumn issue (28:1) of the Skeptic, emphasis.) is, since the Medieval Warming speaks of my “claims”. It is the We shall have occasion to quote Period. What caused that, Robert? ‘greenhouse’ theorists that are Sir Guy again. He says in his final paragraph making the claims, not the skeptics. Robert continues to ignore most of “the observational evidence shows It is a common tactic of ideologues the points that I have made, seeing that something is happening to to put the onus back on the skeptics the situation as essentially a simple climate that hasn’t happened for (Prove to me that God doesn’t exist!) one, based on the IPCC Summary: millennia.” Robert, it’s been going on thus relieving themselves of the ‘greenhouse’ gas levels have in- for 12 millennia this time around, in burden of properly justifying their creased in the last couple of centu- its usual zigzag form, and the MWP, beliefs. I had thought my position ries and “…the last half of the 20th only 500 years ago, was if anything was very clear: If someone says to Century was the warmest in at least more pronounced than the latest me that there is a beneficent god 500 years. The last decade has been upturn (which is actually a controlling the universe who knows the warmest in the last 1300.” The downtrend at the moment — see when every sparrow falls, I reply, “inference” from one to the other is below). “…the last half of the 20th “Really? That doesn’t seem to fit the obvious, “There appear to be no Century was the warmest…”. For facts — what is the evidence for your other reasonable (sic) explanations if the first 22 years of the second half belief?” we assume that greenhouse gases of the 20th Century temperatures Now that people are saying that have an effect on climate…” were falling while ‘greenhouse’ gases man-made ‘greenhouse’ gases are were rising exponentially. How can causing Earth’s temperatures to Trends you claim that ‘greenhouse’ gases rise, I am saying, “Really? That The flaws and fallacies inherent in cause global warming when tem- doesn’t seem to fit the facts — what this — indeed — simple line of peratures were falling, decade after is the evidence for your belief?” If reasoning are too numerous to decade (and a decade before that, the holders go further and claim demonstrate fully in this space and too) in the face of rapidly rising that theirs is not merely an ideology many of them have already been ‘greenhouse’ emissions? What caused but a truly scientific theory, I will covered in my original article and world temperatures to fall between require it to satisfy the classical subsequent letter (Robert has a 1940 and 1972? “The last decade has criteria of true science, including worrying Gore-like tendency to been the warmest…” By ‘the last being liable to falsifiable tests and repeatedly ignore ‘inconvenient decade’ I presume Robert means the making genuinely new predictions. truths’ — what a felicitous expres- 1990’s rather than the last 10 years, It was, perhaps, highly appropri- sion!) but briefly: because no subsequent year has ate that Robert’s letter should It is an established fact that the been as warm as 1998 and there has appear in the same issue as that planet has been in a warming trend been no warming at all since 2001. which included Sir Guy Greene’s

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 51 Forum

Geophysicist Phil Chapman Computer modelling referred to it because it was the first pointed out in his article in The Unfortunately, greenhouse theory to off the starting blocks after the Australian on April 23 last that in date has not been about demonstrat- IPCC Summary was published; but 2007 global temperatures fell by 0.7 ing causal relationships but about Robert has a real ‘thing’ about it. His degrees — the fastest temperature computer modelling. Sir Guy, quot- objection is that the Fraser Institute change in the instrumental record. ing Professor Kellow again, on accepts funding from big business, How can this be if CO emissions, like Exxon, which I “could have 2 computer modeling: which are rising ’alarmingly’ every checked”. The extensive reliance (in climate sci- year, cause temperatures to rise? Now, independent think tanks ence) upon models and the significant As I have pointed out repeatedly, accept funding from wherever they manipulation of their source data cre- unless and until one can explain ates the danger of virtuous corruption, can get it, as long as it does not try what has been causing the continu- just as the values of those who wish to to stipulate the outcome of their ous, sometimes extreme, variations push policy prescriptions onto policy research. I did check, Robert, before in the earth’s climate that have been makers and the public can (even if in- I wrote my original article; all that taking place for billions of years, in advertently) contaminate the conduct the Fraser Institute had been able to other words what the climate is of their analysis. screw out of Exxon at that stage was doing anyway, regardless of man’s six contributions of a spare-change The IPCC’s findings rely exten- possible influence, then speculations $20,000 each over a period of nine sively, of course, on computer model- regarding any possible human years. ling which impresses the faithful no contribution can have no scientific This rather pales into insignifi- end but which is, as usual, subject to foundation. cance compared with, for example, the GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) As I said in my original article the $350,000 that the ABC’s Carbon principle, whereby the pre-pro- “…until the macro background is grammed initial assumptions Cops programme accepted from the understood the possibility remains influence the outcome enormously. Sustainabilty Fund, which itself is that carbon emissions are actually Sir Guy again, quoting from dwarfed by what Alexander having a net cooling effect on world Useless Arithmetic: Why Environ- Cockburn, in The Nation article that climate.” I repeated the point in my mental Scientists Can’t Predict The I quoted, refers to as “the $2 billion- letter, again without response. Future: a-year global warming grant indus- This continuous refusal to con- try” of which Prof Franzen is also sider contrary indications is part of In other words the model outcome had particularly critical. what Sir Guy Greene, quoting Prof been determined before the model was None of this seems to have been Aynsley Kellow, refers to as the run. Finding the truth according to a revealed by Robert’s extensive ‘virtuous corruption’ of environmen- preconceived opinion or philosophy is a researches — or perhaps research is tal science “…by which he means the common flaw in applied mathematical only tainted by its funding if it corruption of science in order to modelling. And it is very similar to find- involves the critical side? I have serve what is seen as a good cause.” ing truth which matches ones religious never mentioned the abundance of faith. We shall have more to say about the funding examples of the Carbon ‘good’ cause, later. This is where we came in isn’t it? Cops variety because it is irrelevant. Inferences and ”reasonable Having explained to us how It wouldn’t matter if Carbon Cops explanations” are not scientific proof simple it all is, Robert then responds were financed by the Catholic — the ecclesiastically minded see to my comment that his initial letter Church or the Communist Party — if God as a reasonable, in fact the was short on answers to my criti- the science stands up, then that’s it. obvious, explanation of all manner of cisms and long, as is common when Unfortunately, for Robert the things. Above all we do not “accept an ideology is being questioned, on science is not ‘it’. I said in my last that greenhouse gases have an effect ad hominem attacks. His response: letter that the identity of the mes- on climate.” That is the very point “No ad hominem from here”. He senger doesn’t matter but for Robert which we, the skeptics, are asking then proceeds with another attack it does matter, desperately. He says the greenhouse faithful to prove! on the Fraser Institute, which is the that it is irrelevant that the Insti- Even disregarding all the above, largest single section of his letter! tute takes a libertarian view on the mere temporal concurrence of marijuana because on the climate two events is not scientific proof of a Sources of funding issue “they have a right-wing posi- causal connection. It is no good There was nothing that I used from tion!” Robert, pointing out the telling us that Venus and Mars were the Fraser Institute’s summary gaping holes in greenhouse theory is aligned at the time. That is great (total lack of empirical cause-and- not a right wing or a left wing or a astrology but poor science and a effect evidence, resignations of fullback or a goalkeeping position, it specific cause-and-effect relationship IPCC’s own experts) that hasn’t been is a skeptical position — refer the needs to be demonstrated. echoed extensively elsewhere; I just title on the front cover of this publi- cation. This is supposed to be about

Page 52 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 science, not politics. What’s the right temperatures fall in the face of says that if we go to the IPCC wing position on Ohm’s Law? rapidly rising emissions? Summary we will find it. If it were not obvious already, Another area in which Robert and Now, I have already made the Robert has really let his ideological I have a fundamental difference of point (twice — one tends to have to cat out of the bag with this com- opinion is on “the maturity of do at least that for inconvenient ment. As his letter progresses, one climate science”. I gave detailed facts with Robert) that the IPCC can sense his increasing exaspera- reasons for my view, whereas Summary makes no claim that there tion with my bothersome insistence Robert, as is his wont, just makes is any direct evidence of an actual upon facts, evidence, predictions and the bald statement that we disagree cause-and-effect relationship be- tests when the situation is really so without answering any of my points. tween carbon emissions and warm- straightforward: if one’s heart is in He then recommends that, in order ing but, reading on, Robert tells us the right (ie, Left) place, anyone can to bring ourselves up to his level of that it will be found “…in the see, starting with a few ‘reasonable’ politically-correct knowledge on the references to the chapters in the full assumptions and taking the ‘correct’ subject, we talk to/email “salient report at the end of almost every inferences from those assumptions, experts”. I’m not sure about the paragraph.” Thus, apparently, the that it is clear what influence man is ‘salient’ (OED: ‘conspicuous’, ‘most IPCC too is keeping the evidence a having on our climate. noticeable’ — Al Gore?) but it is the secret for now, but all will be re- very level of competence of Robert’s vealed soon! Talk about the triumph Tests and predictions “experts” which I have queried twice of hope over experience. Robert, when the full IPCC report Oh dear. Having spent several now, without response. comes out, all you will find is more paragraphs on the Fraser Institute, I pointed out in my letter that assumptions, more inferences and a Robert dismisses the trivial matters Robert’s ‘experts’ have never been whole lot more computer modeling. of tests and predictions in a single able to explain any — repeat any — Even allowing for Robert’s political brief one “What would you regard as of the major changes in the Earth’s blinkers and the fact that he is a ‘new prediction’?” when the IPCC climate over the eons. Not the clearly out of his depth in the report projects higher average coming and going, over many mil- methodology of science field, I still temperatures and rising sea levels? lions of years, of ice ages; not the find it strange that a reader of these Robert, for the umpteenth time, inter-glacial periods like the present pages (“Seek the evidence. Challenge when the temperatures have been inter-glacial warming which has the claims.”) chooses the pre-pro- rising, the ice caps melting and sea been going on for some 12,000 years grammed cyber-world of the IPCC in levels rising for some 12,000 years, and which, the historical patterns preference to the real world as we saying that this will continue does apparently suggest, may well have some tens of thousands of years to actually experience it. not represent a new prediction! Then Sir Guy put it so well in Hobart “What would you regard as a ‘critical run; not the sudden reversals within these, like the ‘mini ice-age’ from that I will leave the concluding test’?” Again we are being asked to remarks to him: prove that God doesn’t exist but it is about 1600 to the early 1800s or the incumbent upon the theoriser to downturn from 1940 to the early A basic but common error is to forget that stipulate the test(s), because if it 1970s. Which is why, of course, I a model is not real. That sounds an ob- vious thing to say, but it needs to be said isn’t testable, it’s not science! Ohm, describe the study of climate change because the output of models is routinely Einstein (as detailed in my article), as a ‘fledgling science’. How can presented in such a way as to suggest Newton and any other scientist Robert describe as ‘experts’ people that the thing represented by the model worth the name welcomed and who have never, ever, been able to explain anything in this field? is the thing itself. Thus, one frequently usually proposed critical tests of reads in the popular media, and even in their theories. Search for evidence the scientific literature, statements to the Sir Guy again: effect that a model or simulation ‘proves’ Meanwhile, the search for evidence At the root of the problem is a failure to or ‘shows’ that something in the physi- understand that mathematical continues. My article expressed cal world is the case. But such assertions modeling is a qualitatively different amazement at the widespread are self-evidently unsound. By definition, activity from the methodology of obser- acceptance of ‘greenhouse’ theory all models are incomplete; the validity vation, measurement, analysis, experi- when there is no direct empirical of the output of a model is dependent ment, and the making of falsifiable evidence whatsoever of a cause-and- entirely upon the soundness of the data, effect relationship between CO predictions about the real world which 2 and the validity of the assumptions upon comprise the doing of science. emissions and global warming. which it is based. Strictly speaking, the Robert is adamant that there is such However, since Robert has asked only statements which a model can make evidence, but in his first letter chose are statements about itself. A model can me to suggest a critical test, how to keep it a secret. He is still keeping about agreeing to drop greenhouse be a useful tool, but only when it is used it a secret in his second letter, but in conjunction with empirically based theory if in any given year, world science.

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 53 Forum Greenhouse gas the University of Virginia and papers that promote alarm. repeated several times in the IPCC Perhaps the worst example of evangelism reports (presumably to help people “cherry-picking” was exposed by listen). The graph purports to show Professor Paul Rieter of the Institut northern hemisphere temperatures Pasteur in Paris, an expert on averaging a very slight fall from the malaria with more than thirty years Colin Keay start of the last millennium to about experience. As noted in a House of the year 1860 when it curves steeply Lords’ Report, a significant part of New Lambton NSW upwards. It fails to show the el- the chapter dealing with the human evated temperatures during the health impacts of warming in the Medieval Warm Period (1100 - 1400) n entirely new religion has IPCC report discussed a likely when grapes grew in Scotland and descended upon the Earth, epidemic of malaria. Yet, according A the Vikings grazed cattle on Green- complete with its own high priests to Professor Rieter, none of the lead land pastures now under metres of and holy writ. Its commandments authors of the chapter had ever ice, or the Little Ice Age (1450 - have been handed down by its written a paper on malaria. Moreo- 1750) when the Thames froze over supreme authority, the United ver, as stated in the Lords Report, for several winters in a row during Nations Intergovernmental Panel the IPCC chapter contained serious the Maunder sunspot minimum. on Climate Change (IPCC). errors of fact, and at least one of its Economics Professor Ross Like many religions it attracts authors continues to make claims McKitrick was sufficiently suspi- believers by announcing dire about global warming and malaria cious of Mann’s result that he calamities for the Earth and all that cannot be substantiated. demanded from Mann the raw data mankind. In the words of Sir John The above selection of a few of the and the methodology employed. Houghton, the first Chairman of the false conclusions from the IPCC There emerged evidence of a series IPCC, “Unless we announce disas- reports as well as Sir Nicholas of revisions and massaging of proxy ters, no one will listen.” The IPCC Stern’s pro-IPCC review, not to temperature data from tree-rings, creed is, as preached by its first mention Al Gore’s litany of errors in which led to selective weighting by a saint (and Nobel Laureate) Al Gore, his fear-mongering movie An Incon- factor of 390 times to produce the “I believe it is appropriate to have venient Truth. With all this fiddling pronounced upturn in the tempera- an over-representation of factual with figures and announcing apoca- ture curve, attributed by the priest- presentation on how dangerous it lyptic conclusions, is it any wonder hood to increasing CO levels. (global warming) is.” 2 that global warming has taken on McKitrick discovered that Mann’s Al and the priesthood have many of the trappings of a religion? method of computation produced the repeatedly claimed unanimity of hockey-stick curve even with a pure Dissent scientists on the issue. They ignore noise input! the thousands of dissenting scien- And is it at all surprising that dissenting scientists have en masse tists (of whom we shall say more Cherry picking shortly). Scientists involved in signed petitions debunking the new preparing the draft 1995 IPCC Ice cores are another source of proxy religion. One of the petitions, bear- temperature and atmospheric CO Report cited several reasons why 2 ing 104 signatures and headed anthropogenic global warming is concentrations. Such data has Attempting to Control Climate is insignificant. shown that during ancient climatic Futile, was directed to the UN When the Report was published changes, increases in temperature Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in the scientific statements had been preceded rather than followed December 2007. The signatories increases in atmospheric CO by at excised by the priesthood and 2 included Emeritus Professor Reid replaced by a political litany that least hundreds of years (Mudelsee; Bryson, acknowledged Father of asserted: and Siegenthaler, et al). Now you Climatology and Emeritus Professor won’t hear that demolition of anthro- Freeman Dyson of Princeton Univer- The balance of evidence suggests dis- pogenic climate change from the sity, who maintains that climate cernable human influence on global alarmists. I cited it from Carter and modelling is invalid when the warming. co-author’s Critique of the Stern physical processes are far from What is this “discernable human Review (p178). The Carter Critique understood. influence?” went on to observe that: There are several Australian Hockey stick The (Stern) Review is too confident and signatories including Emeritus unqualified in assigning an overriding Professor Lance Endersbee of Snowy The most discernable is the infa- role to greenhouse gases in determin- Mountains Scheme fame; long-time mous “hockey stick” graph produced ing climate. Its approach ignores obser- in 1998 by Prof Michael Mann of vational facts and cherry-picks among Continued p 59 ...

Page 54 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Forum

Circumcision

the considerable benefits of circum- falsely claims to sum up my argu- Who should you believe? cision. It represents the most exten- ment as, “If a man chooses to be sive review on circumcision in the promiscuous, practise unsafe sex, and world. As well, I give invited semi- fail to be hygienic in his behaviour, nars on circumcision to medical then circumcision conveys some Prof Brian J. Morris audiences, and was invited to chair protection to him and his partner.’ the circumcision session at the 4th This is indeed ‘poppycock’ (which is School of Medical Sciences International AIDS Society Confer- from the Dutch pappekak for soft ence in 2007. faeces, or poppekak, meaning to show The University of Sydney NSW I have provided invited input to excessive religious zeal, but which medical bodies, including the World literally means “as fine as powdered hen it comes to the truth on Health Organization and UNAIDS doll shit”). Wany topic, would you trust an pertaining to the writing of docu- As I made clear, protection academic expert? Or would you put mentation to assist the roll-out of against some sexually transmitted your faith in an article by a free- male circumcision for prevention of infections (STIs) is only a part of the lance writer? … or the opinion of a HIV/AIDS that is now endorsed by story. But on this score, Vernon lay person? these bodies. needs to look at the statistics and appreciate that condoms are not My academic expertise A freelance writer used universally, especially by the most promiscuous age-groups, and In the Summer issue (27:4) of the But instead of accepting my criticism do not provide complete protection Skeptic I published a damning and going to the literature to confirm his errors, David Vernon has instead against all STIs, including HIV. critique of a factually deficient, chosen to mount a personal defence of Should infected secretions of the error-riddled article by David his untenable position. Importantly, partner come in contact with the Vernon on the topic of male circum- he does not address the extensive vulnerable inner foreskin during cision. I set out the evidence-based scientific material I presented. Have I foreplay then HIV infection can facts with references, and exposed blinded him with science? If he had occur. the fictitious nature of Vernon’s learnt anything from doing a MSc at The protection against conditions statements. Such an exercise was Griffith University it should have unrelated to STIs is vast. For carried out by necessity as part of been to pay due diligence by becoming example, circumcision protects my job as an academic in an area in familiar with the credible scientific against urinary tract infections in which I have extensive knowledge, literature on a topic before putting infancy, childhood and the adult experience, reputation and a track fingers to keyboard. He asked if I years. These afflict approximately record of scientific publications. don’t like Griffith University. To reply, one in six uncircumcised males over These include a recent invited, all I can say is that I have experi- the lifetime. refereed review in a leading bio- enced both brilliant and academically As well, penile inflammation and medical journal and, years ago, a weak research students (and staff) at dermatological problems are higher book, on circumcision. that university. in the uncircumcised and are com- I maintain an up-to-date internet Vernon is not employed as a mon, as are physical problems such review on this topic scientist, yet he claims that his as phimosis that predisposes to (www.circinfo.net), a wesbite that diverse qualifications in other fields penile cancer later in life and makes has grown enormously over the past have taught him to think. I continue having sexual intercourse difficult 15 years, currently citing 660 to see no evidence of this, however, in and painful. Hygiene is hard to publications of the extensive re- his recent rebuttal. What he wrote achieve in uncircumcised men, even search, which on balance points to shows no depth of investigation. He with frequent washing.

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 55 Forum

For the female partners, risk of ist, paedophile, psychiatric patient, Lay fallacies cervical cancer, infertility, pelvic ‘politically correct’ ‘do-gooder’, or Following Vernon’s diatribe there inflammatory disease and genital homosexual who practices ‘docking’. appeared a piece of nonsense written herpes are greatly elevated. Thus, his Nor am I homophobic. I have by David Brookman from Salamander naively simple-minded statement nothing against homosexuality. I Bay. I will now correct what he says. above establishes Vernon’s continued consider, however, that irrespective ignorance on the topic and thus lack of one’s sexual affiliation, it is ‘Circumcision prevents HIV infection’ of credibility. important that everybody receives – now case closed! correct information on the risks of I am circumcised infection and disease acquired Brookman quotes from a Cochrane Vernon appears not to have read my sexually. Circumcision is one compo- review in 2003 that stated that the internet review. Why do I know this? nent of this overall message. But its authors were awaiting the results of If he had, he surely would have seen benefits, as I have stated, extend three randomised controlled trials that this site contains a click-on well beyond the sexual arena. (RCTs) — the ‘gold standard’ in section entitled ‘About the author’. epidemiology — before drawing a Reading this would have answered ‘Circumstitions’ conclusion as to whether circumci- his criticism that I do ‘not make [my] sion did in fact prevent HIV infec- Vernon refers to a website that he personal physical status public’. In tion. Unlike most people, he appears purports contains a critique of my fact, on this page of my website, and unaware that the findings of these internet review. If one goes to this in any other forum, I state that I am RCTs were all published by Feb anti-circumcision site with the semi- circumcised, just as most Australian- 2007. This news led to considerable amusing title ‘circumstitions’, born men my age are. My status has publicity world-wide, and it is now however, one will see that the part not influenced my position. If the universally accepted that circumci- that attacks my website involves evidence changed in the future, so sion prevents HIV infection — case criticisms of the text as it existed in would my stance. closed! 1998! — ie, is a decade out-of-date, My entry to the circumcision field In fact, the RCT data were virtu- just as are most of the arguments of came via my research as a molecular ally identical to the data emanating anti-circumcision proponents. biologist to develop a better cervical from twenty years of observational One will find that the comments cancer screening test, namely one studies. An official pronouncement made are the personal opinions, based on detection of HPV types that by WHO and UNAIDS has led to the fallacies and emotive propaganda of are responsible for virtually all promotion by these and other bodies cervical (and penile) cancers. It was the anti-circumcision movement that and governments of circumcision as largely the chasm between the I criticise. Theirs are the real an effective HIV reduction strategy scientific evidence and the unscien- ‘circumstitions’! In fact, I read this in countries with a high-incidence of tific propaganda of the anti-circ site years ago and, where necessary, HIV/AIDS. The new ‘ABC’ is movement that led me to promote adjusted my text to counter their ‘antivirals, barriers and circumci- the scientific facts and expose the dubious claims. If indeed Vernon is sion’, which adds to the original anti-circ fiction. I expect any scien- not an anti-circumcision activist, as ‘ABC’ (abstinence, behaviour and tist would do the same. he claims, then he nevertheless condoms) for HIV prevention. Neither Vernon, nor his son, is gives every appearance of being one, circumcised. Could his status, and based his response which is Other RCTs failure to acquaint himself with the deontological, rather than one that Other RCTs support the observa- scientific evidence before choosing is meta-ethical, ie, evidence-based. tional data for other conditions not to get his son circumcised, have His reply in fact ignores the evi- prevented by circumcision. One of influenced his ability to present a dence I presented. the HIV RCTs also found acquisition rational, evidence-based account of Quotes from Tasmania of genital ulcer disease to be twice as this topic? great in uncircumcised men. There Vernon ends with two ill-informed is also now RCT evidence that A diverse mind-set quotes from Tasmania. Last year I genital herpes is 30% higher in Vernon’s logic is lacking when he wrote to each of the individuals who uncircumcised men, and, strikingly, links my statements on each of the Vernon quotes to point out why their is two-fold higher in their female diverse personalities and motivating statements were utter nonsense and sexual partners, consistent with factors that can be found amongst have spoken to Paul Mason in observational studies in Pittsburg. the anti-circumcision movement to person at a conference in Sydney As well, recent RCT data supports himself. Nowhere did I say that this year. I believe he has now previous research showing that Vernon, or any other person in the rethought his position. So should circumcision does not adversely anti-circumcision movement, is all of Vernon if he wishes to earn the affect sexual satisfaction or function the following: felon, foreskin fetish- respect of his readers. in young men. With each new

Page 56 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 research study that appears, the tioned above, genital herpes is twice held in 2007 concerning the RCT claims by the anti-circ movement as high in women with an uncircum- data on HIV/AIDS. Members of the look increasingly shaky! cised partner. audience of reputable scientists, which included authors of the New Zealand data Van Howe various RCTs, quickly made up their Brookman refers to a recent longitu- As for the meta-analyses by Van mind about Van Howe and his dinal study in Dunedin that saw no Howe that Brookman refers to, it message. difference between each category of needs to be recognised that these penis in several common STIs, have all been severely criticised as The benefits are many and varied namley gonorrhoea, chancroid, non- erroneous. Van Howe is a well- Brookman suggests that the only specific urethritis (NSU), genital known anti-circ activist and is health benefit of circumcision is herpes and genital warts. The latter notorious for his incorrect applica- prevention of chronic balanitis. As are caused by low-risk types of tion of statistical methods as a kind can be seen in the few examples human papillomavirus (HPV). of ‘game’ in order to arrive at a above, and the more extensive These findings differ from a conclusion that accords with his account elsewhere, the benefits of similar longitudinal study in anti-circ belief. For example, after a circumcision are vast, covering as Christchurch that found that uncir- meta-analysis of HIV data he they do a large number of medical, cumcised men were twice as likely to concluded that circumcision in- health and sexual conditions, not report ever having had these par- creases the risk of HIV! This not just chronic balanitis. ticular STIs. The incidence of only contradicted the source data he syphilis, chancroid and genital used for his meta-analysis, but a Abundance of references herpes were too low in these small subsequent reputable meta-analysis But when Brookman criticises me New Zealand studies to draw a and the three RCTs. The flaws in for using long lists of references, he definitive conclusion. Van Howe’s HIV analysis drew is really clutching at straws. The list sharp criticism from HIV experts. I provided in my critique was in fact More meta-analyses Another meta-analysis by Van short compared with the 660 that A meta-analysis has demonstrated Howe that Brookman refers to, one can find on my website. And, let higher incidence of each of syphilis, namely of circumcision and HPV, me assure the reader, these are chancroid and genital herpes in has similarly come under severe accurate and verifiable. Just go to uncircumcised men. Another cred- criticism. PubMed or a medical library. ible meta-analysis found four-fold Brookman also refers to a recent higher incidence of human meta-analysis by Van Howe on Biological support papillomavirus (HPV) in uncircum- genital ulcerative disease and In his final paragraph, Brookman cised men, and comparison of HPV sexually transmitted urethritis. reveals further evidence that he has incidence across different locations Although his analyses concluded not read my article properly, when he on the penis noted that HPV inci- that syphilis was four times higher states that he does not know how dence was substantially higher in in uncircumcised men, consistent circumcision would “reduce the uncircumcised men. with the literature, his findings for penetration of any infective organism”. other STIs such as chancroid, I explained the biological evidence Risk to female partners gonorrhoea, non-specific urethritis in my critique. To recap, the inner That uncircumcised men do have and genital herpes are not in accord lining of the foreskin is a thin either a greater rate of infection or a with the literature. mucous membrane lacking a protec- higher load of infectious organisms If one checks the published source tive keratin barrier, and experi- is suggested by the up to six-fold data Van Howe draws on for his ments with live HIV have shown higher incidence of cervical cancer in meta-analysis, one finds that this this virus rapidly infects by this the female partners of uncircum- differs, often markedly, from what route. The inner foreskin contains cised men. Virtually all cervical he presents in his paper! His entire an abundance of immune system cancers are caused by high-risk meta-analysis is therefore invalid. cells that send projections towards HPVs. Unlike low-risk HPVs that Does his work reflect a lack of the surface, and contain receptors cause visible warts, these cancer- scholarship, carelessness, or a that HIV attaches to. causing varieties form flat warts deliberate attempt to deceive, which On top of this, the foreskin can that are not visible on the penis. would amount to academic fraud? tear easily, so allowing direct infec- In addition, women whose male Regardless, Van Howe’s publications tion into the blood stream of infec- partner is uncircumcised are six cannot be trusted. His other publica- tious microorganisms. An times as likely to get Chlamydia, a tions routinely come under fire for uncircumcised penis presents a bacterium that can cause infertility, their scientific errors. The Center for larger surface area for infection, and pelvic inflammatory disease and Disease Control invited Van Howe to the preputial sac represents a space ectopic pregnancy. And, as men- present his arguments at a meeting

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 57 Forum that can hold infected secretions Professor Brian Morris (Circumci- which had spread to his bones. He acquired during sexual intercourse, sion facts trump anti-circ fiction, was making a full recovery but he’d as well as the man’s own comple- Skeptic Summer 2007, page 52) been in that hospital for several ment of bacteria, yeast, dirt, shed spends one paragraph of a five page months (and by this stage was skin cells and sweat, the latter being article querying Vernon’s qualifica- bouncing off the walls). It is a sober- constituents of smegma, a foul- tions, the rest of the article being ing thought that a simple, quick and smelling white film that increases in densely argued science. cheap operation when he was a baby abundance after puberty in uncir- Vernon, on the other hand, in his could have spared him all that. cumcised males (see reviews). two and a half pages, reduces science Is that all? By no means. Balanitis to one sentence: “If a man chooses to (infection of the glans of the penis) is Masturbation be promiscuous, practise unsafe sex, something which only uncircumcised Lastly Brookman claims there are no and fail to be hygienic in his behav- men and boys get — it’s not life- studies of differences in masturba- iour, then circumcision conveys some threatening but it is very uncomfort- tory activity between the circum- protection to him and his partner.” able. Since it’s a minor infection good cised and uncircumcised, when in That is the sum total of factual statistics are scarce, but in a survey I fact there are plenty. These show content in those two and a half pages, did a few years ago (admittedly as a that, if anything, circumcised men the remainder being a rant against piece of journalism rather than masturbate more. They also have a the poor old professor. This little science) 14% of uncircumcised men more varied sexual repertoire, fewer sentence is true as far as it goes but said that they had suffered from it. sexual problems, especially from it tells only a tiny part of the story. That’s a lot. Were it not the penis middle-age onwards, and a penis Even so, considering that in spite that’s involved, such a simple cure for favoured by women for sexual of the best efforts of medical science such a common problem would be activity. AIDS is still a death sentence, performed automatically. wouldn’t it be worth giving your sons Then there’s the question of Conclusion some protection from the accident of retracting the foreskin. If this isn’t Thus, in conclusion, the disserta- a condom splitting? I could scarcely possible neither is proper hygiene (a tions by Vernon, Brookman, and imagine anything worse than seeing problem Vernon ignores) but probably others who have provided unin- one of my two sons dying a protracted more important to most boys is the formed opinion — in contradiction to death from HIV infection, and fact that a sex life is ruled out. How the clear scientific evidence concern- against that a little piece of skin common is this? Very common. A ing the many, lifelong health ben- seems rather trivial. What’s more, British study of over a thousand efits of this simple, safe procedure — neither Vernon nor I will get any soldiers found that 14% of the uncir- should be treated with the utmost grand-children if our sons don’t cumcised men suffered from phimosis scepticism. practise unprotected sex some time! (a non-retractable foreskin). Other Now let’s look at the full picture. studies among Caucasians have Note: A full list of references is Urinary tract infections are common found similar figures — in Asian available from the Skeptic or from in babies and children, and can be countries the figure is higher. What’s the author’s web site. life-threatening. Uncircumcised boys more, if a phimosis sufferer does are between 10 and 20 times more manage to retract his foreskin, his likely to suffer from these infections problems may not be over. A tight than circumcised boys. That is an foreskin which gets stuck in the enormous difference. The man who retracted position (paraphimosis) can Medical evidence first discovered this, Dr Thomas cut off blood circulation leading to Wiswell, started his research rather serious consequences. Of course a opposed to circumcision, but when he man or boy who suffers from phimo- saw the figures he rapidly came to sis can get circumcised — and will Asst Prof Guy Cox appreciate how valuable it was in probably have to — but the operation preventing illness and death in is much simpler (and cheaper) on an Electron Microscope Unit, infancy. infant. The University of Sydney NSW Figures don’t always get the It has been known for a long time message across, but personal experi- that cancer of the penis is very rare ences have an impact. When my older among circumcised men, and more t is always bad form to play the son was young he got appendicitis, recently the long-standing suspicion Iman instead of the ball, but and had to be hospitalised for an that cervical cancer in women was methinks David Vernon doth protest emergency appendectomy. In the also associated with uncircumcised too much. At any rate (Skeptic same ward was a boy a year or so partners has been confirmed. It is Autumn 2008, page 52) he takes this younger than him, uncircumcised, now realised that both are caused by tactic on board and make it his own. who was recovering from a UTI certain strains of papilloma (wart)

Page 58 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 virus (other strains just cause warts). Head binding and stretching the ... Greenhouse from p 54 So it does seem likely that unpro- neck with brass rings, as performed tected sex is a factor, but since the by some African tribes and foot skeptic, geology Professor Ian Plimer infection can be symptomless that binding, fortunately no longer of Adelaide University; Research doesn’t exactly mean that it’s only a practised in China. Absolutely, I will Professor Robert M Carter of James problem for the irresponsible. And join him in the campaign against Cook University; and atmospheric these, like AIDS, are very unpleasant such practices. scientist, Emeritus Professor Robert diseases. I realise that we are supposed to Roper of the Georgia Institute of Does this mean that I’m going to respect Aboriginal customs and even Technology (originally from Ad- join Brian Morris is calling for male treat their creation myths with the elaide). circumcision to be mandatory? Well, same respect as our own, including, The signatories of this and other no. I do understand that parents presumably evolution, but the similar petitions critical of the bring cultural and philosophical practice of banging a wooden peg IPCC’s paternalistic attitude are beliefs into play here, and I’m not through the penis brings at least behaving as skeptics in the best going to take a position on that. But tears to my eyes and a sharp intake sense of the term. The world’s it is important that parents under- of breath, if not actually outright media, by and large, are sanctifying stand the medical issues, and there is condemnation. the IPCC’s apocalyptic prophecies no doubt that from a strictly medical But male circumcision. Give me a with evangelistic zeal. They speak basis circumcision is hugely benefi- break. I do not feel humiliated, pejoratively of “global warming cial. From that point on parents must disfigured or psychologically dam- skeptics” and “climate-change make their own decision. aged. I do not hide my head in deniers” as if dissent is a mortal sin. shame or walk down the street Take comfort, sinners. The Little Ice Postscript carrying a sign with the word Age might well be reborn! “Unclean” on it. Nor do I wish to sue It seems to be de rigueur in this References debate to declare one’s own circumci- my parents for allowing such an sion status. I’m not at all sure that unnatural, barbaric and life damag- Carter, Robert M, et al (2006), The this is relevant, but for what it’s ing act to be carried out on my Stern Review, A Dual Critique (2006). worth I was circumcised as an adult, (infant) person. Or at least without Part I: The Science, Annex: “The as a consequence of an infection (not my permission. I am sure there are Stern Review’s Mishandling of Basic acquired through sex, safe or un- whole generations of young people Observational Data”, World Econom- safe). I can therefore state without who wish to sue their parents, ics, Vol 7, No 4, pp. 167-198. fear of contradiction that being encouraged by Governments, for all House of Lords Select Committee on circumcised is far more comfortable sorts of things which they, the Economic Affairs (2005), The Eco- in everyday life than having a children, did not want to happen to nomics of Climate Change, Vol. I: foreskin. And (since you asked) sex them, like vaccination and schooling Report; Vol. II: Evidence, London, is better without a foreskin too. and wearing seat belts in the back of The Stationery Office. the car. McKitrick, Ross (2005), “Science and Homosexual men may prefer to Environmental Policy-Making: Bias- have sex with uncircumcised part- Proofing the Assessment Process”, ners. Fine. I am not gay, so it is of Canadian Journal of Agricultural Sniping at snipping purely academic interest, but apart Economics, Vol 53, pp, 275-290. from that I am quite happy to have Mudelsee, M (2001). “The phase been circumcised and really I have relations among atmospheric CO2 Roderick Shire better things to do than read lunatic content, temperature and global ice attacks on the custom in the Skeptic. volume over the past 420 ka, quater- Adelaide SA Even disguised as attacks on reli- nary”. Science Reviews, Vol 20, pp. gion. I can find plenty of ways of 583-589. making religion look ludicrous Siegenthaler, U. et al (2005). “Stable am sick of this. I do not care how without this one. Imany science degrees David carbon cycle-climate relationship Vernon has. He is still talking during the late Pleistocene”. Science. (writing) poppycock. Vol 310, pp. 1313-1317. Female circumcision, as practised Editor’s Note in many Muslim countries, including This correspondence is now closed. Egypt. Yes. I will be at the barri- cades with him.

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 59 Letters

In defence of psych science believe in Noah’s Ark. Perhaps the human behaviour, mental processes, fields of physics, biology, chemistry and mental disorders. His sugges- and geology should be disparaged tion that psychologists and psychia- along with psychology and psychia- trists would be no more able to give Luke Egan try? a “dispassionate review of available Glebe NSW Peter Williams’ admission that he evidence” than would an alcoholic is “vague to the difference” between to take stock of a liquor cabinet is have been reading the Autumn psychologists and psychiatrists, not only juvenile but utterly false I2008 issue of the Skeptic, and as while intended in part to be humor- and misleading. usual I am finding it to be thought ous, is telling. Perhaps if he had I would never claim that the provoking and interesting. However, spent more time studying the fields fields of psychology and psychiatry Peter Williams’ article “What’s of psychology and psychiatry, he are flawless. They are young sci- Happening to Our ABC?” gave me would be aware that rigorous, ences, and their subjects (such as some cause for concern. quantitative, empirical science is mental processes, emotions, and Obviously, I was glad to see Peter widely practised in both. attitudes) are less accessible to successfully debunk the ABC’s Psychology is the study of human observation and more difficult to pseudoscientific documentary, but I behaviour, and the cognitions, operationalise than are the subjects was taken aback by the glib and emotions, and other factors that of the ‘harder’ sciences such as perhaps even puerile comments he underlie it. Insofar as one wishes to physics and chemistry. made about psychologists and understand human behaviour and If a contributor to the Skeptic psychiatrists. I agree that any associated variables, one must wished to offer a thoughtful, well professional academic who endorses engage in the science of psychology. researched critique of psychology patently irrational claims, such as Psychiatry is the practice or study of and psychiatry, I would welcome it. those made by supposed alien diagnosing and treating human Indeed, I found Gary Bakker’s abductees, should be thoroughly mental disorders. Insofar as one article “Evidence Based Psycho- criticised. wishes to understand and treat therapy” to be spot on. Gary ex- But there are irrational academ- these disorders, one must engage in plored both the scientific and ics in practically all areas of science. psychiatric science. unscientific dimensions of psycho- Yes, there are some psychologists The majority of researchers in logical treatments, and he did so in a who believe in the paranormal, and these fields employ the scientific measured, balanced way. who embarrassingly refer to them- method, make every effort to Peter Williams, in stark contrast, selves as ‘parapsychologists’. Yes, operationalise and quantify the felt it appropriate to insert deroga- there are some psychiatrists who variables of interest, and submit tory, passing comments into the practice bizarre, unproven forms of their empirical findings to peer midst of an otherwise excellent ‘therapy’. But there are also physi- review. They are scientists through article. If Peter wants to criticise cists who believe in Ramtha’s and through. If Peter Williams psychology and psychiatry, perhaps ‘School of Enlightenment’ doctrines. wishes to disparage and dismiss he should devote an entire article to There are molecular biologists and psychology and psychiatry, he must it, so that he can take the time to chemists who believe in Intelligent also be willing to deny himself research the topics properly and Design. There are geologists who scientifically validated knowledge of offer informed conclusions.

Page 60 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Barking up the wrong tree placebos work. I would add another References important explanation. Pasternak GW, Snyder SH; Nature , It is well known that inert pills or 1975, 253, 563. medicines or injections “cure” 30% of Bryan Smith patients. This surprising effect is Bloom F, Segal D, Ling N, Guillemin North Richmond NSW due to the power of suggestion. Even R1976, 194, 630. Goldstein A; Sci- more surprising is the finding in ence, 1976, 193, 1081. recent years of a biochemical expla- Kosterlitz HW, Hughes J; Br. J. orretta Marron’s article “Taking nation. I wrote about this in an Psychiatry 1977, 130, 298. on the TGA” (the Skeptic L article in 2001 (the Skeptic 21:4). Bockner S; the Skeptic, 21:4, 2001. 28.1,p33) recalled discussions I had At the University of California with the TGA some 20 years ago. (UCLA) Howard J. Fields (1975) Negotiating the registration of researched the new synthetic drug prescription pharmaceuticals, even naloxone (naltrexone), which neu- in those days, demanded good tralises the pain relieving effect of Drawing conclusions scientific evidence of safety and morphine. He treated volunteers efficacy and I contrasted this with with dental pain, half of whom had the virtually uncontrolled activities morphine injections, and the other of those promoting unnecessary half had sterile water injections. All Terence McMullen multi-vitamins and “safe” natural the morphine group had quick relief Sydney NSW. remedies. from their pain. Of those given I found the TGA staff to be in water injections, 30% also had pain total agreement, but was told that relief — the well known placebo had thought that the last the situation would not change effect. Isentence of David Brookman’s because politicians feared it would He then gave all the subjects the Forum contribution on mind myths be electorally unpopular to restrict morphine antagonist drug he was (the Skeptic, 27:3, Spring 2007) widely used products, in which many testing, naloxone. The morphine would provoke some comment, but of the public had great faith. group had a quick return of their apparently it did not. Hence my The scientific staff of the TGA dental pain — satisfactory evidence belated remarks now. may need no persuading in relation that naloxone neutralises morphine. For the examples listed below to complementary and alternative However, to his surprise the 30% take these three givens: (1) dogs medicines, but are constrained by with water injections analgesia also vary in the colour and patterning of the attitude of their political mas- experienced return of pain. Here their coats (eg, black, brown, spot- ters. was a morphine antagonist neutral- ted); (2) so do cats (eg, black, white, Maybe we are being naïve in ising pain relief induced by a place- tabby); (3) Max is a black Labrador expecting scientific argument and bos. pup. critical articles in professional The only explanation was that the At the end of his article journals to promote change. body was producing its own mor- Brookman lists two propositions Political parties claim that phine which was neutralised by the about the mind, concluding that individual members can influence or naloxone. Further research by “Given that both statements are formulate policy through local Pasternak et al (St Georges Hospi- wrong it is not possible to have a branches. Perhaps politically active tal, London 1975), Bloom et al valid conclusion” (p.63). This is not skeptics would like to test this claim (UCLA 1976), Goldstone (Stanford so. In formal deductive logic it is as I intend to do. University, 1976), and Kosterlitz et possible to draw a valid conclusion al (Aberdeen University, 1977) from two (or more) false premises. It proved conclusively that the human is important not to confuse the brain and the pituitary gland validity of an argument with the produced an opioid secretion which truth of its constituent premises and Placebo they called endorphin. This could conclusion. account for the pain relieving of Validity refers to the form of the many placebos. argument, ie, whether the conclu- Sydney Bockner An example would be the relief of sion is entailed by the premises, regardless of their content. The Crafers SA pain by acupuncture. Confirming this, pain relief by acupuncture is truth of the premises and conclusion negated by a naloxone injection. refers to whether what they assert avid Brookman’s excellent Naloxone is now being used (in to be the case is so. Darticle on the placebo effect (the Israel) in the treatment of morphine For example, in the syllogism “All Skeptic, 28:1) skilfully describes how and heroin addiction. cats are black”, “Max is a cat”,

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 61 Letters

“Therefore Max is black”, the conclu- canine companion and 11% stopped and would not let their foster so much sion does logically follow from the eating completely4. as touch them. Minky got braver and premises, even though they are both Animals cannot be judged by started to come out, but Melang, just hid false. Indeed, the conclusion also many of the human standards he his head, and spent most of his time in happens to be true — it is possible to cites, but many of them are indeed the corner, staring at the wall. He would draw validly a true conclusion from found in companion animals. Dogs not eat, and the foster started force feed- false premises. and cats can’t smile. They can’t ing him. He fought her on it, and spit It is also possible to draw become depressed because they’ve out all the food. He would not drink invalidly a true conclusion from true lost their job or had a failed love water either, he just wanted to be left premises. For example, “ Some dogs affair, but they can and do commit alone in his grief. Melang started get- are black”, “Max is a dog”, “There- suicide, albeit surely without know- ting jaundiced, as he wasn’t getting fore Max is black”. ing the consequences of starving enough food in him, so the decision was Of course false conclusions can be themselves. When they become made to insert a feeding tube through drawn validly from false premises, depressed they not only eat less, his neck into his stomach. It made feed- eg, “All cats are white”, “Max is a they may go on a hunger strike. If ing him easier, but he still did not want cat”, “Therefore Max is white”. A so, they must be force-fed to prevent to be touched, he always went back into false conclusion may be drawn them from dying. his corner and stared at the wall. He got invalidly from false premises, eg. I personally know of one case weaker, the foster would hold him, and “No dogs are white”, “Max is a cat”, when I was a volunteer at the local he would fall asleep briefly, but when “Therefore Max is white”. SPCA in which one of a pair of he woke up and saw who was holding Whilst a false conclusion may be “bonded” (to one another) cats was him, he fought to get away. He just drawn invalidly from true premises, adopted. The one left behind became wanted his family back. No one else any conclusion validly drawn from depressed and refused to eat. This would do, no matter how much love he true premises must be itself true. was recognized too late and the cat was shown. died of multiple organ failure due to . The staff at the vet clinic cried for him, lack of nutrition. I also know several he was the saddest cat they had ever people who foster cats that have seen. Melang had lost his will to live. Animal emotions come into rescue programs that have He lost his home, his family, and finally become depressed as a result of his life. There are many things we can losing their owner or their homes do to save an abandoned cat’s life, but and refused to eat. we can’t fix a broken heart. Melang Gary Goldberg Here is one sad story from a grieved so much for his family, that he MD USA Siamese cat fosters’ list: gave up his life for them. This is a true story that happened to two We loved Melang and will never forget Siamese cats, brother and sister, 10 years the saddest little cat, whose heart was o deny that depression exists in old. Their foster was one of many fosters broken by the ones he loved. Tanimals, David Brookman must from va.siameserescue.org/ which not know many people with pets, has fosters from Florida to Maine. This Minky, although very sad, seems to be otherwise he would not be denying foster happened to be from Maryland but coming out of his grieving. something simply because he has unfortunately this happens to animals Finally, there are 7180 Google hits not observed it. Scientists used to everywhere. Please help owners to stop on the phrase “depression in cats”; think that animals did not have and think before giving away their pets. 28800 for “...dogs”. I recommend that emotions but that attitude is pretty Siamese Rescue often has to force-feed Mr Brookman explore some of these 1,2,5 much a thing of the past . and give under the skin fluids for weeks links. Certainly he would not deny that until a cat will decide it wants to live. animals can show love and affection References (even if not based on human values) Melang and Minky were left behind 1. www.messybeast.com/ toward people. Why then, not other when their owners moved. They were ter- emoticat.html emotions such as depression? rified in the shelter; who can blame them, after ten years with their family, they just There is an entire 2. pets.yahoo.com/cats/behavior-and- didn’t understand why all these scary veterinary specialty of animal training/23/can-cats-become-de- things were happening to them. behaviour (that’s not “horse whisper- pressed/ ing” or pet “psychics”)3. They were still terrified when they ar- 3. www.animalbehavior.org/ A 1996 study called the “Compan- rived at a Siamese Rescue foster home. 4. www.petplace.com/dogs/do-dogs- ion Animal Mourning Project” They had their own room, food, mourn/page1.aspx conducted by the ASPCA found that litterboxes, and comfy beds. But it 5. www.catchannel.com/Magazines/ 36% of dogs mourned the loss of a wasn’t right, it wasn’t their home and CatFancy/october-2007/cat-depres- their family. Days went by, and they hid, sion-checklist.aspx

Page 62 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Dangers are real Be under no delusion. “Alterna- It is useful to consider the Zeno tive” practitioners are involved in paradox; the one about Achilles and the making of extremely serious, life th tortoise. If we restrict ourselves to altering and possibly dangerous the “pure”, “close to the fundamental Name Supplied but decisions about people’s lives, at truths” tools of philosophy, we Withheld by Request least as serious as any technically or conclude that Achilles can never scientifically trained doctor, lawyer, catch the tortoise. financial consultant, psychologist or The Greeks who pondered this keptics may rightly think that other professional who is legally were at least smart enough and wise Speople who believe in the par- responsible for their advice and enough to recognize that the flaw anormal are deluded, however some decisions. Unlike the ‘alternatives’. was with their philosophy, not with may remain unaware of the serious the evidence. harm that following such mystical Philosophy tells us what might be; arts may involve. this includes what is, but also a lot of I have previously written in this what isn’t. Science is the sanity column about the very serious life Philosophy and science check that filters philosophy to decisions that followers of such remove what isn’t to reveal what is. practices involve themselves with and I described a personal experience. These people allow themselves to K R Anderson be guided in such areas as marriage Kingston TAS and divorce, finances, career, real The passion of belief estate, interstate or overseas moves, medical, educational and child rear- ecent interaction with Barry’s ing decisions and numerous other Rblogs blogs.theaustralian. areas of life with extremely serious, news.com.au/barrywilliams/ Brian Marsh long-term and life-altering conse- index.php prompted a thought that St James WA quences. Just look at the advice might be suitable for the Skeptic. provided by psychics in women’s One blogger asked some philo- magazines. sophical questions that seemed to he passion with which many A further real-life experience of refute the theories of evolution and Treligious people believe and act which I have become aware involves a that took us on a very amusing walk means that they must have very young woman who became pregnant up a garden path to the bizarre strong reasons for holding to their to her boyfriend. She was looking conclusion that if the Big Bang was beliefs. There must be a very deep, forward to the child and as a psychic indeed what started it all, then none meaningful and spiritual basis for had prophesised prior to knowledge of of us can ever understand anything, their spiritual ego. the pregnancy that a wonderful hinting at a rather awkward proof of Many people have strong beliefs young girl would be born that would “cogito ergo deus est”. in a God, a messiah, religious bring the extended family together, This reveals a misunderstanding scripts, a set of morals, an after life, all was considered well and good. of what philosophy can and can’t do, heaven and hell, a strong sense of A second “reading”, this time with and I think it is useful to clarify this. the spiritual and the need for knowledge of the pregnancy, was Historically, philosophy and worship and a way to worship. Any requested and the psychic, apparently science have shared a complex questioning of these beliefs is not remembering the previous advice, coexistence; sometimes like love and usually met by passionate indigna- said that this child would be a prob- marriage, but often more like tion. To understand the basis for the lem boy with seriously behavioural divorce and marriage. passion underlying these beliefs one problems, would end up in a foster Because philosophy can consider needs to study how the individual home and he would traumatise the all ideas that science can consider came to decide on what to believe family. When reminded and ques- and also lots of ideas that science and to hold his attitudes and to a tioned about the girl the psychic then can’t consider, it is tempting to think particular set of beliefs. said that the previous prophecy that philosophy is “more fundamen- In a religious household a child is referred to a child yet to be born. tal” or “closer to the fundamental exposed to ideas about the Divine, As the young lady and her boy- truths” than science, and in this about God, Jesus or Mohammed or friend felt that they were emotionally sense, it is. some other messiah quite early in unable to deal with a baby at this But this also tempts us to think life. At school and church the child time, and given the bad news from that when a philosophical deduction hears things from the scriptures and the psychic, a decision was made to is inconsistent with scientific evi- learns of ways of behaving morally. terminate the pregnancy. dence, then we should accept the He learns of marvels of early reli- philosophy and reject the science. gious leadership, of miracles, of an

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 63 Letters after life, the wonders of a heaven or be regarded as part of himself, to be Accountability Office (GAO). The nirvana and the terrors of Hades. held and protected against outside GAO carried out a “sting operation” Not only are the beliefs imposed attack. It follows that the individual on four web-based testing sites, not in this way, but the religious affilia- would feel very strongly and pas- named, selling this internet tion is also imposed before the child sionately about the need to protect nutrigenetic service (INS). Fourteen is able to make an informed deci- and even promote his beliefs. tests were bought for 14 bogus sion. This is not to say that anyone’s customers. A nine-month female The basic religious ideas were beliefs are wrong, or suspect in any infant supplied 12 swabs and 2 came imposed at an age when the child way. Regardless of the basis for from a 48 year-old man. Each of the was too young to understand, too anyone’s beliefs, they could be right. 14 questionnaires submitted with inexperienced to know of alterna- Everyone has the right to hold the swabs gave bogus profiles of men tives, too naive to do other than whatever beliefs he has, and the and women of various ages, phy- believe what he is told, too reliant on corollary to that is that no one has siques and life-styles. his parents to do other than accept the right to say that anyone else GAO found that the 14 health what they say, too young to be able should abandon his beliefs. But, in assessments given could not have to make a reasoned judgement and view of the extremely superficial been determined from the DNA too immature to make any decisions basis for anyone’s beliefs, there is analysis and questionnaire and that himself. absolutely no basis for the extreme the accompanying dietary recom- So the child, in fact everyone, passion with which some people hold mendations did not provide mean- played no part and exercised no to, and even promote, these beliefs. ingful information. judgement in accepting early reli- With two analyses of the identical gious knowledge and has therefore swabs taken from the infant, one an extremely superficial basis for his INS found a particular variant of a beliefs. No matter how much he has gene in one but not in the other. The tidied up his religious ego, the basis DNA and diet GAO also tried to trick the testers by for them is not his, and not even of separately submitting swabs that his parents and religious instructors were blank, as well swabs from a who imposed them on him, but in Ken Newton dog and a cat, but these were picked turn they were imposed on their up by the INS used. Nunawading VIC parents and religious instructors The GAO report is on the web as and so on back over the generations. a 23 page document, given to a US So the child and his instructors all Scientific American of December Senate Committee, at www.gao.gov/ have a very superficial basis for 2007 has an article on a new.items /d06977t. This GAO their beliefs and have no basis for service,purchased on the web, in report has also been reported in their passionate defence. which a genetic analysis of your Nature and in our own Choice, which In later life, as the individual DNA is done and, based on this, concluded that nutrigenetic testing thinks for himself, he decides which health assessments and nutritional promised results not able to be beliefs and behaviour to continue recommendations are given. This delivered. with. That later thinking is by a nutrigenetic testing is available now In summary the GAO were of the mind in which there are deeply on the internet from a US web site view that the questionnaire gave imprinted ideas which the individual for $US 525 (genelex-health & rise to a lifestyle profile which regards as his own. An individual DNA). determined the recommendations would be able to remember having The client provides an inside-of- irrespective of the DNA — smokers learned some of these things, but it cheek swab for the DNA analysis advised to stop, inactives to exercise, would be impossible to remember and answers a questionnaire on life over-eaters to diet,etc. The GAO everything right back to babyhood style — gender, weight, height, diet, noted one INS gave several fictitious and early childhood. Some of the exercise, etc. This questionnaire is clients an identical recommendation beliefs would be in the person’s brain used with a DNA analysis of some 19 to buy dietary supplements person- without there being any recollection specific genes to give a medical alised to their genetic profile. These of how they got there. They would be prediction of risk from things like supplements were stated to be some as though part of the original ego. diabetes, heart-disease, blood- 30 times more expensive than Later learning, coming from the pressure and osteoporosis. Dietary alternatives from stores. same parents and in the same recommendations to cope with such Our Therapeutic Goods Adminis- religious environment, would tally are also given. These can include tration has a report on nutrigenetic well with the thoughts, believed by costly vitamin and mineral supple- testing stating that most tests at the individual to be his, and there- ments sold by the tester. present are exempt from being fore accepted without question. So The article details an investiga- required to be listed on the Austral- all these beliefs and attitudes would tion in 2006 by the US Government ian Register of Therapeutic Goods,

Page 64 - the Skeptic, Winter 2008 Notices National Convention Adelaide Norwood Concert Hall Saturday 11 — Sunday 12 October 2008 Theme: It Ain’t Necessarily So

Concentrating on areas that, while they may be generally accepted as being factual, may not actually be so!

Speakers being sought. Contact: Skeptics SA 52B Miller St Unley SA 5061 Tel: (08) 8272 5881 [email protected] Full details, including prices, will soon be on www.skeptics.com.au

Letters Nominations Sought and so do not have to meet various standards. I found a local INS, For the 2008 Australian Skeptics Prize for Critical Thinking offering to match your genes to your diet at — holistichealthsciences.com. The 2008 Australian Skeptics Prize Rules for Entry Almost every Australian under 40 for Critical Thinking will be an- * Members of Australian Skeptics state would have had a test done at birth nounced at an awards dinner on committees and their immediate families to uncover if they had an ineffective Saturday, October 11, 2008, at the are ineligible to nominate. enzyme, produced by a defective Australian Skeptics Annual Conven- * Work submitted must have been gene, vital for the breakdown of the tion in Adelaide.. undertaken/published/broadcast in amino-acid phenylalanine, common The Prize of $10,000 is to reward Australia by an Australian citizen or permanent resident within the 5 years in many food proteins. This disorder work that investigates popular prior to the closing date for entries. is phenylketonuria (PKU) and is conventional wisdom and beliefs * Entries will be judged according to serious but can be controlled by a that lack reliable evidence or scien- originality, depth of critical thought and diet. The test done is not on the tific method. It should promote public benefit. They may be accompanied DNA but uses blood from the baby’s rational thinking about such mat- by supporting comments from others foot to measure the phenylalanine ters by the public, educators and the expert in their field. level by a petri-dish technique or by media. * The judging panel may, at their chromatography. Entries are welcomed from any discretion, award up to two extra prizes Of interest as well is the ability of interested Australian, whether of $2000 each to runner-up entries of particular merit. the GAO in America to undertake involved professionally or by way of * Six copies of each entry, complete with such a “sting”. Is it possible for any private enthusiasm. all documentation, marked Skeptics of our regulatory bodies to officially Full details can be found on the Prize, must reach PO Box 268, Roseville do the same in the alternative Australian Skeptics web site at: NSW 2069 no later than COB September health market? www.skeptics.com.au 5, 2008.

the Skeptic, Winter 2008 - Page 65 Blatant Plugs

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