CINXE.COM
Skeptical Briefs Volume 7.3 - CSI
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.csicop.org/sb/archive/category/sb_7.3","20150908010429","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1441674269"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" /> <!-- End Wayback Rewrite JS Include --> <meta name="revised" content="2009"/> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=EmulateIE7"/> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/web/20150908010429cs_/http://www.csicop.org/css/screen.css"/> <!--[if lte IE 6]><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" href="/css/ie6-1.css" /><![endif]--> <!--[if lte IE 7]><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" href="/css/ie7.css" /><![endif]--> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/web/20150908010429im_/http://www.csicop.org/img/favicon.png"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="RSS" href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/common/feed/sb_7.3"/> <meta name="title" content="The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry"/> <meta name="description" content="The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry promotes science and scientific inquiry, critical thinking, science education, and the use of reason in examining important issues. It encourages the critical investigation of controversial or extraordinary claims from a responsible, scientific point of view and disseminates factual information about the results of such inquiries to the scientific community, the media, and the public."/> <style type="text/css">@import url(https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429cs_/http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css);</style> <style type="text/css">body {background-image: url(/web/20150908010429im_/http://www.csicop.org/img/ask-the-dust.jpg);}</style> <title>Skeptical Briefs Volume 7.3 - CSI</title> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="CECWrLNmS2I5Dsw0UQuTkeTsxg8DjJQnrhgKSuZdCdw"/> </head> <body> <div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script> <script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429js_/https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js"></script> <div id="header"> <ul class="orgs"> <li id="csi"><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/"></a><a href=""><span> </span></a></li> <li id="cfimark"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/"></a><a href=""><span> </span></a></li> </ul> <ul class="kwicks"> <li id="kwick4"><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about/about_csi"><span> </span></a></li> <li id="kwick1"><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/resources"><span> </span></a></li> <li id="kwick2"><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/publications"><span> </span></a></li> <li id="kwick3"><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/news"><span> </span></a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="moreoptions"><p><span class="mag"><a href="#footer">More Options</a></span></p></div> <div id="quotespacer"></div> <div id="wrapper"> <div id="sidebar"> <div id="subscribeSI"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://csi-store.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/si"><img src="/web/20150908010429im_/http://www.csicop.org/img/subscribesi.png" alt="Subscribe to SI" style="border:none;"/></a> </div> <h3 style="margin-top:-5px; margin-bottom:25px;"> </h3> <a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/donate" class="img_link"><img src="/web/20150908010429im_/http://www.csicop.org/img/csi-donate-today.png" alt="Donate Today"/></a> <div id="search"> <h3 style="border:none;">Search CSI:</h3> <script> (function() { var cx = '001833901238129012569:pyvfrjzkeyy'; var gcse = document.createElement('script'); gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; gcse.async = true; gcse.src = (document.location.protocol == 'https:' ? 'https:' : 'http:') + '//web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://cse.google.com/cse.js?cx=' + cx; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s); })(); </script> <gcse:searchbox-only resultsurl="http://www.csicop.org/search"></gcse:searchbox-only> </div> <ul class="subnav"> <li class="described inactive"> <h4><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/si/archive/category/volume_39.4">Latest Issue</a></h4> <p>The July/August 2015 <span class="mag">Skeptical Inquirer</span></p> </li> <li class="described inactive"><h4><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/si/archive">Archive</a></h4> <p>Past <span class="mag">Skeptical Inquirer</span> articles now available online</p> </li> <li class="described active"><h4><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb/">Skeptical Briefs</a></h4> <p>Selected articles from CSI's quarterly newsletter</p> </li> <li class="described inactive"><h4><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/">Special Articles</a></h4> <p>CSI's web-only exclusives</p> </li> <li class="described inactive"><h4><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/publications/guide/">Guide for Authors</a></h4> <p>A guide to submitting content for <span class="mag">Skeptical Inquirer</span></p> </li> </ul> <a class="twitter-timeline" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/https://twitter.com/SkeptInquiry" data-widget-id="286527152260780033">Tweets by @SkeptInquiry</a> <script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script> <h3>News & Announcements</h3> <dl> <dt><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/news/show/deniers_are_not_skeptics">Deniers are not Skeptics</a></dt> <dd> <p class="date">December 5, 2014</p> <p>Public discussion of scientific topics such as global warming is confused by misuse of the term “skeptic.” </p> </dd> <dt><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/news/show/skeptical_inquirer_is_now_available_digitally">Skeptical Inquirer Is Now Available Digitally</a></dt> <dd> <p class="date">July 3, 2013</p> Skeptical Inquirer is now available digitally on Apple Newsstand and on all other major platforms through the Pocketmags app. </dd> <dt><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/news/show/skeptic_authors_steven_salzberg_and_joe_nickell_to_receive_balles_prize">Skeptic Authors Steven Salzberg and Joe Nickell to Receive Balles Prize in Critical Thinking</a></dt> <dd> <p class="date">June 14, 2013</p> <p><em>Forbes</em> columnist Steven Salzberg and author-investigator Joe Nickell will each be awarded the 2012 Robert P. Balles Prize in Critical Thinking, to be presented by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry at the CFI Summit in October. </p> </dd> </dl> </div><!--/sidebar--> <div id="content"> <div class="showall"><form action=""><input type="checkbox" id="showallarticles" checked="checked"/><span>Show Print-Only Articles</span></form></div> <h1> Skeptical Briefs — Volume 7.3 </h1> <h3 class="issue">September 1997</h3> <div class="article-single"> <h4><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb/show/prayer_wars/">Prayer Wars</a></h4> <h5 class="author">by <a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/author/robertbaker">Robert Baker</a></h5> <h5><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb/archive/category/sb_7.3">Volume 7.3, September 1997</a></h5><br/> <h5 class="type"><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb/archive/category/a_skeptics_notebook">A Skeptic's Notebook</a></h5> <p>In 1994, we reported on Larry Dossey, who assured us that prayer can not only heal, but it also makes those who pray feel better</p> <div class="clear"></div> </div><!--/issue-abstract--> <div class="article-single"> <h4><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb/show/csicop_in_the_news/">CSICOP in the News</a></h4> <h5 class="author">by <a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/author/mattnisbet">Matt Nisbet</a></h5> <h5><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb/archive/category/sb_7.3">Volume 7.3, September 1997</a></h5><br/> <p>CSICOP in the news, 1997</p> <div class="clear"></div> </div><!--/issue-abstract--> <div class="article-single"> <h4><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb/show/ouija_in_the_classroom/">Ouija in the Classroom</a></h4> <h5 class="author">by <a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/author/larrybarrieau">Larry Barrieau</a></h5> <h5><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb/archive/category/sb_7.3">Volume 7.3, September 1997</a></h5><br/> <p>For the past decade I have been introducing the scientific method to my seventh graders in a unique way: I use the paranormal.</p> <div class="clear"></div> </div><!--/issue-abstract--> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div class="clear"></div> </div> <div id="footer"> <a name="footer"></a> <img src="/web/20150908010429im_/http://www.csicop.org/img/csi-logo-new.png" alt="CSI logo" style="display:none"/> <div id="about"> <h2><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about">About</a></h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about/about_csi/">About CSI</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about/contact/">Contact</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about/csicop/">Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about/csi_fellows_and_staff/">CSI Fellows and Staff</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about/donate_to_csi/">Donate to CSI</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/si/show/skeptical_programs_for_generation_y_and_beyond/">Educating Youth</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about/policy_on_hostile_conduct_harassment_at_conferences/">Policy on Hostile Conduct/Harassment at Conferences</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about/privacy_policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/about/the_pantheon_of_skeptics/">The Pantheon of Skeptics</a></li> </ul> </div><!--/about--> <div id="resources"> <h2><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/resources">Resources</a></h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://csi-store.myshopify.com/">CSI Store</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/resources/us_organizations">Skeptical Organizations in the United States</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/resources/international_organizations">International Network of Skeptical Organizations</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/resources/cfi">Centers for Inquiry</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/resources/free_i_doubt_it_decal">Free ‘I Doubt It’ Decal</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www.centerforinquiry.net/forums" rel="external">CFI Forums</a></li> </ul> </div><!--/resources--> <div id="publications"> <h2><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/publications">Publications</a></h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://csi-store.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/si">Subscribe</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/si">Skeptical Inquirer</a> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/si/archive">Archive</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/si/archive/category/volume_39.4">Latest Issue</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb">Skeptical Briefs</a> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/sb/archive/category/sb_25.1">Latest Issue</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles">Special Articles</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/publications/guide/">Guide for Authors</a></li> </ul> </div><!--/publications--> <div id="news" style="border:none;"> <h2><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/news">News</a></h2> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/news/events">Events</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/news/coverage">Press Coverage</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/news/press_releases">Press Releases</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150908010429/http://www.csicop.org/news">Recent Announcements</a></li> </ul> </div><!--/news--> <p class="legal">Content copyright <acronym title="Committee for Skeptical Inquiry">CSI</acronym> or the respective copyright holders. Do not redistribute without obtaining permission. Thanks to the <acronym title="European Space Organisation">ESO</acronym> for the image of the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090303.html">Helix Nebula</a>, also <acronym title="National Aeronautics and Space Administration">NASA</acronym>, <acronym title="European Space Agency">ESA</acronym> and the Hubble Heritage Team for the image of <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2007/36/">NGC 3808B (ARP 87)</a>.</p> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429js_/http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.4.2/jquery.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20150908010429js_/http://www.csicop.org/js/jquery.biggerlink.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20150908010429js_/http://www.csicop.org/js/jquery.kwicks.js"></script> <script src="/web/20150908010429js_/http://www.csicop.org/js/csi-master1.js?1" type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/https://ssl." : "https://web.archive.org/web/20150908010429/http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-5311668-5"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}</script> </body> </html><!-- FILE ARCHIVED ON 01:04:29 Sep 08, 2015 AND RETRIEVED FROM THE INTERNET ARCHIVE ON 07:42:52 Nov 24, 2024. JAVASCRIPT APPENDED BY WAYBACK MACHINE, COPYRIGHT INTERNET ARCHIVE. ALL OTHER CONTENT MAY ALSO BE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT (17 U.S.C. SECTION 108(a)(3)). --> <!-- playback timings (ms): captures_list: 0.474 exclusion.robots: 0.022 exclusion.robots.policy: 0.013 esindex: 0.008 cdx.remote: 6.255 LoadShardBlock: 76.213 (3) PetaboxLoader3.datanode: 63.243 (4) PetaboxLoader3.resolve: 158.505 (2) load_resource: 189.123 -->