102-592: The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry ( CSI ), formerly known as the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal ( CSICOP ), is a program within the U.S. non-profit organization Center for Inquiry (CFI), which seeks to "promote scientific inquiry, critical investigation, and the use of reason in examining controversial and extraordinary claims." Paul Kurtz proposed
204-785: A B.A. in Journalism from the University of Colorado and a M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University . He was a member of the National Association of Science Writers and the American Geophysical Union . Frazier lived with his wife, Ruth, in Albuquerque, New Mexico . She is an international consultant in community development and a former president (1974–1997) of Futures for Children, an organization which works with American Indians of
306-530: A CIA memo and sending it to media sources, including The New York Times , to spread rumors that CSICOP was a front group for the CIA. A letter from CSICOP founder Paul Kurtz was forged to discredit him in the eyes of parapsychology researchers. In 2004, CSICOP was accused of scientific misconduct over its involvement in the Discovery Channel 's test of the "girl with X-ray eyes", Natasha Demkina . In
408-634: A "media watchdog" group that would direct public and media attention to egregious media exploitation of the supposed paranormal wonders. An underlying principle of action was to use the mainline media's thirst for public-attracting controversies to keep our activities in the media, hence the public eye. As a media watchdog, CSI has "mobilized thousands of scientists, academics and responsible communicators" to criticize what it regards as "media's most blatant excesses". Criticism has focused on factual TV programming or newspaper articles offering support for paranormal claims, and programs such as The X-Files and Buffy
510-771: A 14-year-old severely disabled child at Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina . The "angel" was sunlight from a hidden window, and the girl remained handicapped. In July 2018, CFI filed suit against CVS in the District of Columbia for consumer fraud over its sale and marketing of ineffective homeopathic medicine. The lawsuit in part accused the CVS of deceiving consumers through its misrepresentation of homeopathy's safety and effectiveness, wasting customers' money and putting their health at risk. Nicholas Little, CFI's Vice President and General Counsel said, "CVS
612-736: A 1976 conference with the aim of establishing a new organization to critically examine a wide range of paranormal claims. Attendees included Martin Gardner , Ray Hyman , James Randi , and Marcello Truzzi, all members of the Resources for the Scientific Evaluation of the Paranormal (RSEP), a fledgling group with objectives similar to those CSI would subsequently adopt. RSEP disbanded and its members, along with Carl Sagan , Isaac Asimov , B.F. Skinner , and Philip J. Klass , then joined Kurtz, Randi, Gardner, and Hyman to formally found
714-591: A Candle in the Dark . The council is made up of scientists, media and academics, all concerned with the "balanced portrayal of science". The Candle in the Dark Award is presented to those who show "outstanding contributions to the public's understanding of science and scientific principles" and to "reward sound science television programming". The Snuffed Candle Award is awarded to those "for encouraging credulity, presenting pseudoscience as genuine, and contributing to
816-506: A conference focused on freethought advocate Robert Ingersoll . CFI has provided meeting and conference facilities to other skeptical organizations, for example an atheist of color conference on social justice. CFI also undertakes atheist education and support activities, for example sending freethought books to prisoners as part of its Freethought Books Project . CFI is active in advocating free speech, and in promoting secular government. It speaks against institutional religion in
918-421: A counterbalance, although not yet nearly a loud enough voice, to the pseudoscience gullibility that seems second nature to so much of the media. Notes Bibliography Center for Inquiry The Center for Inquiry ( CFI ) is a U.S. nonprofit organization that works to mitigate belief in pseudoscience and the paranormal and to fight the influence of religion in government. The Center for Inquiry
1020-442: A declaration "In Defense of Science and Secularism", which calls for public policy to be based on science rather than faith. The next day The Washington Post ran an article about it entitled "Think Tank Will Promote Thinking". In 2011, video expert James Underdown of IIG and CFI Los Angeles did an experiment for "Miracle Detective" Oprah Winfrey Network which replicated exactly the angelic apparition that people claim cured
1122-749: A journal covering philosophical issues, are no longer being published. In June 2020, CFI announced the "newly launched CFI online publication", Pensar , "the Spanish language magazine for science, reason, and freethought." It is published by Alejandro Borgo, director of CFI Argentina. CFI has produced the weekly radio show and podcast, Point of Inquiry , since 2005. Episodes are available free for download from iTunes . Its current hosts, as of June 2020 , are Leighann Lord and James Underdown . Notable guests have included Steven Pinker , Neil deGrasse Tyson and Richard Dawkins . The Center for Inquiry has an emergency fund called Secular Rescue, formerly known as
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#17327823176261224-627: A positive alternative to religion, led the organization for thirty years. In 2009, Kurtz said he was forced out of CFI after conflict with Ronald A. Lindsay , a corporate lawyer hired to become CEO in 2008. Robyn Blumner succeeded Lindsay as CEO in January 2016 when CFI announced that it was merging with the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science . Through the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), and its journal, Skeptical Inquirer magazine, published by
1326-456: A quarterly newsletter for associate members. CSI conducts and publishes investigations into Bigfoot and UFO sightings, psychics , astrologers , alternative medicine , religious cults , and paranormal or pseudoscientific claims. CSICOP has held dozens of conferences between 1983 and 2005, two of them in Europe, and all six World Skeptics Congresses so far were sponsored by it. Since 2011,
1428-523: A seat on the board of directors of the Center for Inquiry. Her criticism was that both organizations had all white boards of directors. During Richard Dawkins' October 2011 book tour, Center for Inquiry – the tour's sponsor – signed a contract with Wyndgate Country Club in Rochester Hills, Michigan, as the venue site. After seeing an interview with Dawkins on The O'Reilly Factor , an official at
1530-402: A self-published commentary, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Brian Josephson criticized the test and evaluation methods and argued that the results should have been deemed "inconclusive" rather than judged in the negative. Josephson, the director of the University of Cambridge 's Mind–Matter Unification Project , questioned the researchers' motives, saying: "On the face of it, it looks as if there
1632-783: A special roster honoring deceased fellows of the Committee who have made the most outstanding contributions to the causes of science and skepticism. This roster is part of an ongoing effort to provide a sense of history about the modern skeptical movement. According to the Jan/Feb 2021 Skeptical Inquirer the role of a CSI fellow is to "promote scientific inquiry, critical investigation, and the use of reason in examining controversial and extraordinary claims. Fellows are elected for their distinguished contributions to science and skepticsim as well as their ability to provide practical advice and expertise on various issues and projects deemed important to
1734-573: Is an annual award that was presented by the Atheist Alliance of America up until July 2019, when it moved to the Center for Inquiry (CFI). According to the CFI press release, "The recipient will be a distinguished individual from the worlds of science, scholarship, education or entertainment, who publicly proclaims the values of secularism and rationalism, upholding scientific truth wherever it may lead". The award has been presented since 2003, and
1836-620: Is given in recognition of distinguished contributions in the use of critical inquiry, scientific evidence, and reason in evaluating claims to knowledge." This is the highest award presented by CSI and is often presented at the CSIcon conferences. Founded at the 1996 World Skeptics Congress in Buffalo, New York, the Council for Media Integrity gives these awards that were named in inspiration by Carl Sagan's book, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as
1938-513: Is given to the "creator of the published work that best exemplifies healthy skepticism, logical analysis, or empirical science". Robert P. Balles, "a practicing Christian", established this permanent endowment fund through a Memorial Fund. Center for Inquiry's "established criteria for the prize include use of the most parsimonious theory to fit data or to explain apparently preternatural phenomena." CSICOP seeking to acknowledge and encourage "fair and balanced reporting of paranormal claims" established
2040-536: Is headquartered in Amherst, New York . The committee was officially launched on April 30, 1976, and was co-chaired by Paul Kurtz and Marcello Truzzi . In the early 1970s, scientific skeptics were concerned that interest in the paranormal was on the rise in the United States, part of a growing tide of irrationalism. In 1975, Kurtz, a secular humanist , initiated a statement, "Objections to Astrology ", which
2142-579: Is named after Richard Dawkins , an English evolutionary biologist who was named the world's top thinker in a 2013 reader's poll of Prospect magazine . The following projects and programs are no longer active. The Center for Inquiry organized an annual summer camp for children called Camp Inquiry , focusing on scientific literacy, critical thinking, naturalism, the arts, humanities, and humanist ethical development. Camp Inquiry has been described as "a summer camp for kids with questions" where spooky stories were followed by "reverse engineering sessions" as
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#17327823176262244-491: Is needed; convenes conferences and meetings; publishes articles that examine claims of the paranormal; does not reject claims on a priori grounds, antecedent to inquiry, but examines them objectively and carefully". An axiom often repeated among CSI members is the quote "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence", which Carl Sagan made famous and adapted from an earlier quote by Marcello Truzzi: "An extraordinary claim requires extraordinary proof". (Truzzi in turn traced
2346-557: Is taking cynical advantage of their customers' confusion and trust in the CVS brand, and putting their health at risk to make a profit and they can't claim ignorance. If the people in charge of the country's largest pharmacy don't know that homeopathy is bunk, they should be kept as far away from the American healthcare system as possible." In May 2019, CFI announced that they have filed a similar suit against Walmart for their range of homeopathic products. In July 2019, CFI announced that
2448-704: Is the Canadian branch of CFI Transnational, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario , Canada. Justin Trottier served as National Executive Director from 2007 to 2011. Originally established and supported in part by CFI Transnational, CFI Canada has become an independent Canadian national organization with several provincial branches. CFI Canada has branches in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Saskatoon, Calgary, Okanagan (Kelowna), and Vancouver. Organizations affiliated with
2550-659: The Bem Experiments Are Not Parapsychology's Next Big Thing", "Getting People Emotionally Invested", and "The Roswell Syndrome ....and Pseudoskepticism". His comprehensive history of CSICOP was published in The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal . From 1983 to 2006, he concurrently worked as a full-time staff member at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he wrote about its research projects and for
2652-612: The Independent Investigations Group (IIG), a volunteer-based organization in January 2000. The IIG investigates fringe science , paranormal , and extraordinary claims from a rational, scientific viewpoint and disseminates factual information about such inquiries to the public. IIG has offered a $ 50,000 prize "to anyone who can show, under proper observing conditions, evidence of any paranormal, supernatural , or occult power or event", to which 7 people applied from 2009 to 2012. "The In Praise of Reason Award
2754-625: The Parapsychological Association , suggests that CSI's aggressive style of skepticism could discourage scientific research into the paranormal. Astronomer Carl Sagan wrote on this in 1995: Have I ever heard a skeptic wax superior and contemptuous? Certainly. I've even sometimes heard, to my retrospective dismay, that unpleasant tone in my own voice. There are human imperfections on both sides of this issue. Even when it's applied sensitively, scientific skepticism may come across as arrogant, dogmatic, heartless, and dismissive of
2856-550: The Stiefel Freethought Foundation was contributing an additional $ 150,000 to the previously committed $ 100,000 to support the two lawsuits. In 2020 both cases were dismissed. In September 2022 the District of Columbia's Court of Appeals revived the lawsuits. In 2016, the atheist Sikivu Hutchinson criticized the merger of the secular organizations Center for Inquiry and the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science , which gave Richard Dawkins
2958-641: The US Tax Code . In 2014 and 2017, respectively, the CFI won two lawsuits compelling the states of Illinois and Indiana to allow weddings to be performed by officiants who are neither religious clergy nor government officials. A similar lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of marriage law in Texas was dismissed in August 2019. CFI actively supports secular interests, such as secular state education. It organizes conferences, such as Women In Secularism and
3060-537: The CFI Summit in Tacoma, Washington, in 2013 calling her a "Champion of Evolution Education". Established to acknowledge the contributions to humanity and science by Isaac Asimov . This award is given to those who has "shown outstanding commitment and ability in communicating the achievements, methods, and issues of science to the public". In April 2011, the executive council of CSI created The Pantheon of Skeptics,
3162-652: The Center For Inquiry. In 2007, CSH sued the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) to block the use of state funds in contracts to faith-based programs for released inmates, claiming that this use is prohibited under the "No Aid" provision or Blaine amendment of the Florida constitution. The initial decision found in favor of the DOC but, on appeal, the case was remanded in 2010 on just the issue of
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3264-406: The Center for Inquiry in Amherst , New York , to present the idea, which CFI then supported. Ronald Lindsay, president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, said regarding Blasphemy Day, "We think religious beliefs should be subject to examination and criticism just as political beliefs are, but we have a taboo on religion", in an interview with CNN . It takes place every September 30 to coincide with
3366-529: The Center for Inquiry include: The Institute for the Secularisation of Islamic Society (ISIS) is an organization of writers that promotes the ideas of secularism , democracy and human rights within Islamic society. Founded in 1998 by former Muslims, the best known being Ibn Warraq , the group aims to combat theologically driven fanaticism, violence and terrorism. The organization subscribes to
3468-536: The Center for Inquiry, CSI examines evidential claims of the paranormal or supernormal, including psychics, ghosts, telepathy, clairvoyance, UFOs, and creationism. It also hosts the CSICon . They also examine pseudoscientific claims involving vaccines, cellphones, power lines, GMOs, and alternative medicine. In the area of religion, they examine beliefs that involve testable claims, such as faith healing and creationism, but stay away from untestable religious beliefs such as
3570-449: The Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). Kurtz, Randi, Gardner, and Hyman took seats on the executive board. CSICOP was officially launched at a specially convened conference of the AHA on April 30 and May 1, 1976. According to the published correspondence between Gardner and Truzzi, disagreements over what CSICOP should show how volatile the beginnings of
3672-644: The Freethought Emergency Fund. Between 2015 and 2018, Secular Rescue helped thirty individuals fleeing anti-secular regimes gain asylum. The Office of Public Policy (OPP) is the Washington, D.C., political arm of the Center for Inquiry. The OPP's mandate is to lobby Congress and the Administration on issues related to science and secularism. This includes defending the separation of church and state, promoting science and reason as
3774-735: The Humanist Pioneer Award in 1995 for his "effective worldwide advancement of rational skepticism". Frazier received the In Praise of Reason Award, the highest honor from the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal in 2001. The award is given in recognition of distinguished contributions in the use of critical inquiry, scientific evidence, and reason in evaluating claims to knowledge. Other recipients of this award include Carl Sagan , Murray Gell-Mann , Stephen Jay Gould , Martin Gardner , Ray Hyman and Nobel laureate physicist Leon Lederman . Frazier
3876-457: The IIG re-branded as the Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG) in 2020 before it was raised again to the current amount. The IIG Awards (known as "Iggies") are presented for "scientific and critical thinking in mainstream entertainment". IIG has investigated, amongst other things, power bracelets , psychic detectives and a 'telepathic wonder dog'. The center promotes critical inquiry into
3978-732: The Internet. In September 2022, Kenny Biddle was announced as CSI's Chief Investigator. Biddle is a CSI Fellow and writes a column for Skeptical Inquirer called A Closer Look (2018–present), which focuses on his use of scientific skepticism to investigate paranormal claims, including ghost photography and video, ghost hunting equipment, UFOs and psychic ability. Biddle credits his previous careers as an auto mechanic, helicopter mechanic, and X-ray technician for building his skills in attention to detail, problem-solving, testing, and critical thinking. Biddle also has co-written articles with Joe Nickell about ghost and miraculous photography. Biddle
4080-677: The Responsibility in Journalism Award in 1984. Frazier stated that "There are many responsible reporters who want to do a good job in covering these kinds of controversial, exotic topics." Beginning in 1991, CSI began awarding in two categories, "print" and "broadcast". In recognition of distinguished contributions to the testing of scientific principles and to the public understanding of science. Presented to founder and chairman of CSICOP, Paul Kurtz "In recognition of your wisdom, courage, and foresight in establishing and leading
4182-592: The Southwest. They have a son, Chris; their daughter, Michele aka Lady Ganga , died February 5, 2012, from cervical cancer , 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 months after completing a 700-mile expedition (called Starry Ganga) standup paddleboarding down the Ganges River in India to spread awareness about cervical cancer and its preventability and treatment. Frazier died on November 7, 2022, at the age of 80. Frazier
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4284-718: The U.S. legislative process. In partnership with the Graduate School of Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo , CFI offers an accredited Master of Education program in Science and the Public, available entirely online. Aimed at students preparing for careers in research, science education, public policy, science journalism, or further study in sociology, history, and philosophy of science, science communication, education, or public administration,
4386-513: The Vampire Slayer , which its members believe portray skeptics and science in a bad light and help to promote belief in the paranormal. CSI's website currently lists the email addresses of over ninety U.S. media organizations and encourages visitors to "directly influence" the media by contacting "the networks, the TV shows, and the editors responsible for the way [they portray] the world." CSI
4488-566: The anniversary of the publications of the controversial Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons . Kendrick Frazier Kendrick Crosby Frazier (March 19, 1942 – November 7, 2022) was an American science writer and longtime editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine. He was also a former editor of Science News , author or editor of ten books, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He
4590-608: The armed forces. Free Inquiry is published by the Center for Inquiry, in association with the Council for Secular Humanism (CSH). The results of research and activities supported by the center and its affiliates are published and distributed to the public in seventeen separate national and international magazines, journals, and newsletters. Among them are CSH's Free Inquiry and Secular Humanist Bulletin , and CSI's Skeptical Inquirer , CFI's American Rationalist . The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine , The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice and Philo ,
4692-508: The basis of public policy, and advancing secular values. The OPP publishes position statements on its subjects of interest. Examples have included acupuncture , climate change , contraception and intelligent design . The Office is an active participant in legal matters, providing experts for Congress testimony and amicus briefs in Supreme Court cases. It publishes a list of bills it considers of interest as they pass through
4794-593: The battle against ignorance and superstition." Williams College astronomer Jay M. Pasachoff said "Ken Frazier's collection brings a well-chosen selection of logical and well-reasoned pieces before a general audience that would enjoy and benefit from their analyses and exposés." In 1985 the University of Colorado presented him with the George Norlin Award for outstanding achievement by an alumnus. The American Humanist Association awarded Frazier
4896-728: The central issues of naturalism include the exploration of varieties of naturalism; problems in philosophy of science; the methodologies of scientific inquiry; naturalism and humanism; naturalistic ethics; planetary ethics; and naturalism and the biosciences. CFI is a nonprofit body registered as a charity in the United States. It has 17 locations in the U.S., and has 16 international branches or affiliated organizations. The organization has Centers For Inquiry in Amherst, New York (its headquarters), Los Angeles , New York City , Tampa Bay , Washington, D.C. , Indiana , Austin , Chicago , San Francisco and Michigan . CFI has branches, representation or affiliated organizations in countries around
4998-487: The changing popularity and prominence of what it considers to be pseudoscientific and paranormal beliefs. For example, as promoters of intelligent design increased their efforts to include it in school curricula in recent years, CSI stepped up its attention to the subject, creating an "Intelligent Design Watch" website publishing numerous articles on evolution and intelligent design in Skeptical Inquirer and on
5100-449: The choice of critical level was appropriate, because her claims were unlikely to be true: I decided against setting the critical level at seven because this would require Natasha to be 100% accurate in our test. We wanted to give her some leeway. More important, setting the critical value at seven would make it difficult to detect a true effect. On the other hand, I did not want to set the critical value at four because this would be treating
5202-476: The claim. Rawlins, a founding member of CSICOP at its launch in May 1976, resigned in early 1980 claiming that other CSICOP researchers had used incorrect statistics, faulty science, and outright falsification in an attempt to debunk Gauquelin's claims. In an article for the pro-paranormal magazine Fate , he wrote: "I am still skeptical of the occult beliefs CSICOP was created to debunk. But I have changed my mind about
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#17327823176265304-593: The claims of occultism and pseudoscientific theories. In August 1977 Frazier became the editor of the journal, and with the first issue of 1978 its name was changed to the Skeptical Inquirer . Frazier wrote articles in every issue for thirty-five years and participated in every national and international conference of the organization since 1977. Examples of his recent editor's columns and reports that feature popular science topics include "The Winter of Our Discontent" (about attacks on climate science ), "Why
5406-469: The club cancelled Dawkins' appearance. Dawkins said that the country club official accepted Bill O'Reilly 's "twisted" interpretation of his book The Magic of Reality without having read it personally. Sean Faircloth said that cancelling the reading "really violates the basic principles of America ... The Civil Rights Act ... prohibits discrimination based on race or religious viewpoint. ... [Dawkins has] published numerous books ... to explain science to
5508-550: The conference is known as CSICon. Two conventions have been held in conjunction with its sister and parent organizations, CSH and CFI, in 2013 and 2015. The conferences bring together some of the most prominent figures in scientific research, science communication, and skeptical activism, to exchange information on all topics of common concern and to strengthen the movement and community of skeptics. CSI has also supported local grassroot efforts, such as SkeptiCamp community-organized conferences. Many CSI activities are oriented toward
5610-917: The detriment of public health and safety. The Center for Inquiry is the transnational non-profit umbrella organization comprising CSI, the Council for Secular Humanism , the Center for Inquiry – On Campus (national youth group) and the Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health. These organizations share headquarters and some staff, and each has their own list of fellows and their distinct mandates. CSI generally addresses questions of religion only in cases in which testable scientific assertions have been made (such as weeping statues or faith healing ). The Center for Inquiry West, located in Hollywood, California Executive Director Jim Underdown founded
5712-463: The establishment of CSICOP in 1976 as an independent non-profit organization (before merging with CFI as one of its programs in 2015), to counter what he regarded as an uncritical acceptance of, and support for, paranormal claims by both the media and society in general. Its philosophical position is one of scientific skepticism . CSI's fellows have included notable scientists, Nobel laureates , philosophers , psychologists , educators, and authors. It
5814-401: The existence of God. The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), then known as the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), was, alongside magician and prominent skeptic James Randi , sued by TV celebrity Uri Geller in the 1990s after Randi told a newspaper interviewer that Geller's tricks "are the kind that used to be on the back of cereal boxes when I
5916-428: The facts get twisted." Three prominent scientists gave testimonials about the book. Astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson wrote "Science Under Siege is a welcome antidote to the profound science illiteracy that, today, permeates American pop culture and the press." Harvard University cognitive scientist and author Steven Pinker called the book "An entertaining and eye-opening collection of essays that advance
6018-423: The feelings and deeply held beliefs of others ... CSICOP is imperfect. In certain cases [criticism of CSICOP] is to some degree justified. But from my point of view CSICOP serves an important social function – as a well-known organization to which media can apply when they wish to hear the other side of the story, especially when some amazing claim of pseudoscience is judged newsworthy ... CSICOP represents
6120-447: The first two decades is available in The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal published in 1998 by S.I. editor Kendrick Frazier . In 2018, Frazier reemphasized the importance of the committee's work by saying that "[w]e need independent, evidence-based, science-based critical investigation and inquiry now more than perhaps at any other time in our history." Paul Kurtz was inspired by the 1949 Belgian organization Comité Para , whose full name
6222-611: The foundations and social effects of the world religions. Since 1983, initially through its connection with Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion , it has focused on such issues as fundamentalism in Christianity and Islam, humanistic alternatives to religious ethics, and religious sources of political violence. It has taken part in protests against religious persecution around the world and opposes religious privilege, for example benefits for clergy in
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#17327823176266324-574: The goal posts." Truzzi coined the term pseudoskeptic to describe critics in whom he detected such an attitude. An early controversy concerned the so-called Mars effect : French statistician Michel Gauquelin 's claim that champion athletes are more likely to be born when the planet Mars is in certain positions in the sky. In late 1975, prior to the formal launch of CSICOP, astronomer Dennis Rawlins , along with Paul Kurtz , George Abell and Marvin Zelen (all subsequent members of CSICOP) began investigating
6426-527: The hypothesis that she could see into people's bodies as if it were highly plausible. The compromise was to set the value at five. On a more general level, proponents of parapsychology have accused CSI of pseudoskepticism , and an overly dogmatic and arrogant approach based on a priori convictions. A 1992 article in The Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research , an organ for
6528-497: The idea back through the Principle of Laplace to the philosopher David Hume .) According to CSI member Martin Gardner, CSI regularly puts into practice H. L. Mencken 's maxim "one horse-laugh is worth a thousand syllogisms ." CSI publishes the magazine Skeptical Inquirer , which was founded by Truzzi, under the name The Zetetic . The journal was under Truzzi's editorship for the first year, until August 1977. The magazine
6630-579: The integrity of some of those who make a career of opposing occultism." CSICOP's Philip J. Klass responded by circulating an article to CSICOP members critical of Rawlins' arguments and motives; Klass's unpublished response, refused publication by Fate , itself became the target for further criticism. In 1977, an FBI raid on the offices of the Church of Scientology uncovered a project to discredit CSICOP so that it and its publications would cease criticism of Dianetics and Scientology . This included forging
6732-472: The last 11 years edited its award-winning newspaper, the Sandia Lab News. He retired as a Principal Member of Laboratory Staff. One of Frazier's later books, Science Under Siege: Defending Science, Exposing Pseudoscience , was featured by Science News for its "engaging, insightful, and often surprising essays by researchers and journalists" about "what science is and is not, and what happens when
6834-426: The media. As CSI's former executive director Lee Nisbet wrote in the 25th-anniversary issue of the group's journal, Skeptical Inquirer : CSICOP originated in the spring of 1976 to fight mass-media exploitation of supposedly "occult" and "paranormal" phenomena. The strategy was twofold: First, to strengthen the hand of skeptics in the media by providing information that "debunked" paranormal wonders. Second, to serve as
6936-491: The merit and legality of controversial medical techniques. In 2014, CEO Ron Lindsay publicly criticized Stanislaw Burzynski 's controversial Texas cancer clinic. CFI campaigns for a secular society, for example in opposing the addition of prayer text on public property. The center supports secular and free speech initiatives. On November 14, 2006, the CFI opened its Office of Public Policy in Washington, DC , and issued
7038-614: The name, and to reflect more accurately the actual scope of the organization with its broader focus on critical thinking, science, and rationality in general, and because "it includes the root words of our magazine's title, the Skeptical Inquirer ". In order to carry out its mission, the committee "maintains a network of people interested in critically examining paranormal, fringe science, and other claims, and in contributing to consumer education ; prepares bibliographies of published materials that carefully examine such claims;encourages research by objective and impartial inquiry in areas where it
7140-672: The organization were. Truzzi accused CSICOP of "act[ing] more like lawyers" taking on a position of dismissal before evaluating the claims, saying that CSICOP took a "debunking stance". Gardner, on the other hand, "opposed 'believers' in the paranormal becoming CSICOP members", which Truzzi supported. Gardner felt that Truzzi "conferred too much respectability to nonsense". CSICOP was funded in part with donations and sales of their magazine, Skeptical Inquirer . The formal mission statement, approved in 2006 and still current, states: The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry promotes science and scientific inquiry, critical thinking , science education, and
7242-430: The organizing conference at which the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, CSICOP, was founded. In a discussion with James Randi at CSICon 2016 regarding the founding of CSICOP, Frazier said that Isaac Asimov being associated with the organization "gave it immense status and authority" in his eyes. The committee published a journal called The Zetetic featuring articles examining
7344-471: The participants were encouraged to determine the cause of an apparently supernatural experience. Camp Inquiry has been criticised as " Jesus Camp in reverse"; its organisers countered that the camp is not exclusive to atheist children and that campers are encouraged to draw their own conclusions based on empirical and critical thinking . The Center for Inquiry Institute offered undergraduate level online courses, seminars, and workshops in critical thinking and
7446-614: The person is also a member of the CSI Executive Council. This is a list of former CSI fellows not included in the Pantheon of Skeptics. CSI's activities have garnered criticism from individuals or groups which have been the focus of the organization's attention. Television celebrity and claimed psychic Uri Geller , for example, was formerly in open dispute with the organization, filing a number of unsuccessful lawsuits against them. Some criticism has also come from within
7548-442: The position of fellow is a lifetime appointment. However, if in the opinion of the CSI Executive Council an individual's behavior or scholarship renders that person unable to continue to qualify for the position of fellow under the criteria listed or to effectively fulfill the role of ambassador or science and skepticism, CSI may choose to remove them from the list of fellows." This is a list of current CSI fellows; an asterisk denotes
7650-413: The program explores the methods and outlook of science as they intersect with public culture, scientific literacy, and public policy. In February 2020, Quackwatch , founded by Stephen Barrett , became part of CFI, which announced it plans to maintain its various websites and to receive Barrett's library later in the year. ScienceSaves is a nationwide pro-science campaign to generate an appreciation for
7752-579: The public's lack of understanding of the methods of scientific inquiry." The council urges TV "producers to label documentary-type shows depicting the paranormal as either entertainment or fiction". The council also provides the media with contact information of experts who would be willing and able to answer questions and be interviewed for paranormal topics. CSI awards the Robert P. Balles Annual Prize in Critical Thinking annually. The $ 2,500 award
7854-484: The public, so it's rather an affront, to reason in general, to shun him as they did." CFI Michigan executive director Jeff Seaver stated that "This action by The Wyndgate illustrates the kind of bias and bigotry that nonbelievers encounter all the time." Following the cancellation, protests and legal action by CFI against the Wyndgate Country Club were pursued. In 2013 this case was settled in favor of
7956-437: The punishment by Saudi authorities of Raif Badawi for running an Internet forum, whom they accused of atheism and liberalism. CFI's statement was supported by the American, Canadian, Irish, and French delegates. Blasphemy Rights Day International encourages individuals and groups to openly express their criticism of or outright contempt for religion . It was founded in 2009 by the Center for Inquiry. A student contacted
8058-483: The role of science. National Science Appreciation Day started in 2022 and is part of the ScienceSaves initiative and happens annually on March 26. In 2022, CFI got proclamations declaring March 26 as National Science Appreciation Day from more than a dozen states. Main article: Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science This programs provides teachers with tools to teach evolution. The Richard Dawkins Award
8160-526: The rule of secular law, freedom of speech and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights . It does not promote any belief system or religious dogma. CFI participates in media debates on science, health, religion and its other areas of interest. Its "Keep Healthcare Safe and Secular" campaign promotes scientifically sound healthcare. It has been an outspoken critic of dubious and unscientific healthcare practices, and engages in public debate on
8262-490: The schools of psychotherapy. It supported naturalistic addiction recovery practices through Secular Organizations for Sobriety . CFI challenges the claims of alternative medicine and advocates a scientific basis for healthcare. CSMMH papers have covered topics such as pseudoscience in autism treatments and in psychiatry. CFI also ran the Naturalism Research Project, a major effort to develop
8364-462: The scientific community and at times from within CSI itself. Marcello Truzzi , one of CSICOP's co-founders, left the organization after only a short time, arguing that many of those involved "tend to block honest inquiry, in my opinion. Most of them are not agnostic toward claims of the paranormal; they are out to knock them. [...] When an experiment of the paranormal meets their requirements, then they move
8466-644: The scientific outlook and its implications for religion, human values, and the borderlands of science. In addition to transferable undergraduate credit through the University at Buffalo system, CFI offered a thirty-credit-hour Certificate of Proficiency in Critical Inquiry. The three-year curriculum plan offered summer sessions at the main campus at the University at Buffalo in Amherst. The Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health (CSMMH) stimulated critical scientific scrutiny of New Age medicine and
8568-553: The state's motion in January, 2016, allowing the contested contracting practice to continue. After consideration, CFI announced in February, 2016, that it would not appeal. CFI representative Josephine Macintosh was repeatedly interrupted and heckled by the delegation from Saudi Arabia whilst presenting the center's position on censorship at the UN Human Rights Council . CFI advocated free speech, and opposed
8670-483: The theoretical and practical applications of philosophical naturalism . As part of this project, CFI's libraries, research facilities, and conference areas were available to scientists and scholars to advance the understanding of science's methodologies and conclusions about naturalism. Activities of the Naturalism Research Project included lectures and seminars by visiting fellows and scholars; academic conferences; and support CFI publications of important research. Among
8772-537: The unconstitutionality of appropriating state funds for this purpose. While this case was in progress, after the appellate finding, Republican legislators began an effort to amend the Florida constitution to remove the language of the Blaine amendment, succeeding in 2011 to place the measure on the 2012 ballot as amendment 8. The ballot measure failed. In 2015, CHS (now CFI) and the state (along with its co-defendants) both filed for summary judgement. The court granted
8874-425: The use of reason in examining controversial and extraordinary claims." A previous mission statement referred to "investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims", but the 2006 change recognized and ratified a wider purview for CSI and its magazine, Skeptical Inquirer , that includes "new science related issues at the intersection of science and public concerns, while not ignoring [their] core topics". A history of
8976-434: 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. A shorter version of the mission statement appears in every issue: "... promotes scientific inquiry, critical investigation, and
9078-499: The work of the Committee. Election as a fellow is based upon the following criteria, approved by the CSI Executive Council: Fellows of CSI serve as ambassadors of science and skepticism and may be consulted on issues related to their area of expertise by the media or by the Committee. They may be asked to support statements issued by CSI and contribute commentary or articles to CSI outlets. ... Election to
9180-557: The world's first public education organization devoted to distinguishing science from pseudoscience". Award was given April 26, 1986 at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Awarded to author and entertainer Steve Allen at the First World Skeptic Congress held in Buffalo, New York, in 1996. Allen was recognized for his lifetime achievement "in cultivating the public appreciation of critical thinking and science". Presented to Eugenie Scott by Ronald Lindsay at
9282-926: The world. It organizes its international activities under the banner Center For Inquiry Transnational . In addition, CFI holds consultative status to the United Nations as an NGO under the UN Economic and Social Council . The center participates in UN Human Rights Council debates, for example a debate on the subject of female genital mutilation during 2014. International programs exist in Germany (Rossdorf), France (Nice), Spain (Bilbao), Poland (Warsaw), Nigeria (Ibadan), Uganda (Kampala), Kenya (Nairobi), Nepal (Kathmandu), India (Pune and Hyderabad), Egypt (Cairo), China (Beijing), New Zealand (Auckland), Peru (Lima), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Senegal (Dakar), Zambia (Lusaka), and Bangladesh (Dhaka). CFI Canada (CFIC)
9384-425: Was Comité Belge pour l'Investigation Scientifique des Phénomènes Réputés Paranormaux ("Belgian Committee for Scientific Investigation of Purported Paranormal Phenomena"). In 1976, the proposed name was "Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal and Other Phenomena" which was shortened to "Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal". The initial acronym , "CSICP"
9486-483: Was a fellow and a member of the executive council of Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), an international organization which promotes scientific inquiry . Frazier wrote extensively about a variety of science topics including astronomy, space exploration, the earth and planetary sciences, archaeology, technology, the history and philosophy of science , public issues of science, and the critical examination of pseudoscience and fringe science . Frazier received
9588-553: Was a kid." The case ran for several years, and was ultimately settled in 1995 with Geller ordered to pay the legal costs of Randi and CSICOP. The Investigations Group (Formerly the Independent Investigations Group), a volunteer group based at CFI Los Angeles, undertakes experimental testing of fringe claims. It offers a cash prize of US$ 500,000 for successful demonstration of supernatural effects. This prize had been previously raised to US$ 250,000 when
9690-646: Was a speaker at CSICon in 2019 and 2022. CSI is concerned with paranormal or pseudoscientific claims that may endanger people's health or safety, such as the use of alternative medicine in place of science-based healthcare. Investigations by CSI and others, including consumer watchdog groups, law enforcement, and government regulatory agencies, have shown that the sale of alternative medicines, paranormal paraphernalia, or pseudoscience-based products can be enormously profitable. CSI says this profitability has provided various pro-paranormal groups large resources for advertising, lobbying efforts, and other forms of advocacy, to
9792-519: Was co-written with Bart Bok and Lawrence E. Jerome, and endorsed by 186 scientists, including 19 Nobel laureates. The statement was published in the American Humanist Association (AHA)'s newsletter The Humanist , of which Kurtz was then editor. According to Kurtz, the statement was sent to every newspaper in the United States and Canada. It received a positive reaction, which encouraged Kurtz to invite skeptical researchers to
9894-417: Was difficult to pronounce and so was changed to "CSICOP". According to James Alcock , it was never intended to be "Psi Cop", a nickname that some of the group's detractors adopted. In November 2006, CSICOP further shortened its name to "Committee for Skeptical Inquiry" (CSI), pronounced C-S-I. The reasons for the change were to create a name that was shorter, more "media-friendly", to remove "paranormal" from
9996-480: Was established in 1991 by atheist philosopher and author Paul Kurtz . It brought together two organizations: the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (founded by Kurtz in 1976) and the Council for Secular Humanism (founded by Kurtz in 1980). The Center for Inquiry Inc was registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization in April 2001. Kurtz, a humanist who founded CFI to offer
10098-471: Was quoted to consider pseudoscience topics to include yogic flying , therapeutic touch , astrology , fire walking , voodoo , magical thinking , Uri Geller , alternative medicine , channeling , psychic hotlines and detectives, near-death experiences , unidentified flying objects (UFOs), the Bermuda Triangle , homeopathy , faith healing , and reincarnation . CSI changes its focus with
10200-527: Was retitled to Skeptical Inquirer with Kendrick Frazier , former editor of Science News , serving as its editor. In June 2023, Stephen Hupp was named as the magazine's editor. Hupp replaced Stuart Vyse, who was the interim editor in November 2022 following the passing of Kendrick Frazier. In 1987, Cecil Adams of The Straight Dope called Skeptical Inquirer "one of the nation's leading antifruitcake journals". In addition, CSI publishes Skeptical Briefs ,
10302-420: Was some kind of plot to discredit the teenage claimed psychic by setting up the conditions to make it likely that they could pass her off as a failure." Ray Hyman , one of the three researchers who designed and conducted the test, published a response to this and other criticisms. CSI's Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health also published a detailed response to these and other objections, saying that
10404-506: Was the earth sciences editor of Science News in 1969–70. He was named managing editor in 1970–71, then editor from 1971 to 1977, and remained a contributing editor until 1981. In December 1973 he traveled to Antarctica and the South Pole and wrote a series of articles reporting on the historic U.S. research into the continent's geologic and climatic history and the environmental impact of such research. In 1976 Frazier reported on
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