The American Atheist take on it

Posted by rpcman on October 08, 1998 at 20:48:01:

In Reply to: John Stossel does it again posted by The Big Lebowski on October 07, 1998 at 01:20:24:

Those who tuned in the ABC television network on Tuesday night were treated
to a rare, and pleasant, change from the usual programming fare. Reporter
John Stossel spent a full hour examining a range of superstitious claims in a
segment aptly titled "The Power of Belief."

"Why do so many Americans consult astrologers, hunt for ghosts, fear
extraterrestrials, try to recall past lives, and seek miracle cures," asked
the program. The answers were informative and compelling.

For once, the good guys in the intellectual debate over science vs. faith
actually got more than a 15-second sound byte. Magician and professional
skeptic James Randi dismantled a number of preposterous claims, and repeated
his standing offer of $1,000,000 to anyone who could conclusively demonstrate
paranormal powers under controlled laboratory conditions. We note that
Randi's money is still unclaimed, and probably quite safe. Among the other
highlights of the show...

-- John Stossel examined the claims of astrology, and distributed
horoscopes to a classroom of students. All were told that the horoscope had
been calculated specifically for them. Upon being asked for their reaction,
many suggested that the character descriptions were accurate. In good fun and
taste, Stossel then informed the group that all of the horoscope readings were
identical, and had, in fact, been calculated for the birthday of a convicted
murderer.

-- Claims about Therapeutic Touch received an appropriate lashing as well.
Stossel noted that nearly 80,000 nurses, often in mainstream hospitals and
medical centers, are carrying out this pseudoscience ritual of allegedly
sensing and aligning the body's "energy field." A recent experiment by a
young student, though, established controlled conditions and examined whether
or not Therapeutic Touch practitioners could really sense any such "field."
The practitioners would have done better in flipping a coin than in trying to
"sense" the presence of the experimenter's hand behind a screen.

-- Anyone can fire walk under the right conditions. Burning coals are hot
and give off a menacing glow, but are poor conductors of heat.

Other subjects included the "near death experience" or NDE, channeling of
ancient spirits from the lost continent of Atlantis, the placebo effect,
voodoo, and even a full-blown hoax engineered by Mr. Randi which promoted a
bogus channeler on Australian television. It was also refreshing to see
relatively uninterrupted commentary by the articulate Dr. Michael Shermer of
Skeptic Magazine, a man who I suspect manages to control the impulse to burst
into sudden laughter behind a polite, perpetual grin. Usually, skeptical
critics like Shermer and Randi are only permitted token appearances on the
questionable "unsolved mystery" - style network specials which claim to
"examine" the unexplained, paranormal or supernatural.

"The Power of Belief" seemed to gingerly avoid the claims made by socially
acceptable religion. In fact, at the beginning of the program, Stossel noted
"we're not talking about mainstream religion." Why not? Perhaps the reality
of how far television and open, unencumbered inquiry can actually go in the
contemporary culture. The subject matter which was dissected exists on the
fringes of belief, and encompasses claims identified mostly as "new age."
While "many Americans" were said to unquestioningly accept these belief,
whether about the alleged healing powers of cheap crystals or the efficacy of
astrology, no reference was made to the more socially acceptable (and
widespread) beliefs of American Christians, Jews, Moslems or other groups.
From an atheist perspective, little separates doctrines concerning heaven, the
divinity of Jesus or the existence of a creator from the claims of channelers,
astrologers or other sales hucksters of the paranormal.

No network would dare embark on such a venture -- to seriously and
critically examine the claims of the prevalent religious superstitions. There
have been occasional breakthroughs, of course, in televised debates over
creationism, or perhaps the PBS series based on John Romer's seminal book
"Testament, The Bible and History." Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" series was another
intellectual tour de force stressing the primacy of reason and the scientific
enterprise. More of this type of programming needs to be encouraged,
especially in light of the rampant popularity of pseudoscience programming
which networks promote and indulge in.

Still, half a loaf is better than none. Many people may not be prepared to
question the assumptions of those mainstream religious which Stossel managed
to tactfully circumvent, but they can be prompted into developing critical
thinking skills, especially in regard to the absurd and downright silly claims
which circulate throughout the new age belief bazaar. For atheists, "The
Power of Belief" may be considered a positive and constructive step in the
right direction. ABC needs to be congratulated for airing this type of program
which is clearly a healthy and refreshing break from the incessant flow of
paranormal and mystical bilge pouring out of our television sets.

Still, I'll pass on the firewalking!