President's Letter
by Mat Pauley
 
Dear CFA members:

Hey skeptics and freethinkers! This is Mat Pauley with another astonishing story for you. This week, a young girl with the power of DOUBT faces off against the chaotic Dogmatics. How will she fare? Read on…

(For those who did not grow up on Marvel Comics like I did, that was my impression of Stan Lee.)


Here's a brief bio of me:

Name: Mathew David Pauley
Age: 24
Undergrad: Middle Tennessee State University
Major: Philosophy and Political Science
Currently: Attending law school
David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar: The Diamond One all the way

Up next: current events. For brevity's sake, I will concentrate on two subjects- one national and one local to Milwaukee. First, on the issue of Christian activist and suspended Judge Roy Moore (the 2-ton granite monument of the Decalogue in the rotunda of the Alabama Supreme Court) since our community has responded creatively and critically to his actions. If you have not heard of Chief Justice Roy Moore, I do suggest you do a little research—it is a very relevant and interesting issue. Currently Moore is suspended and charged with six ethics violations by the Judicial Inquiry Commission. Regardless of the results of the inquiry, Moore gains more and more support. He is earning all the benefits of martyrdom without the messy death. Every passing week gives the suspended justice more media time. This is why it is important to educate people as best as possible of implications of Moore’s judiciary decisions and let our voices be heard. The ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State are not be the only voices of reason regarding this issue.

A couple months go, on Friday, August 22, in Milwaukee a pastor killed an 8-year-old boy while performing an exorcism on him. The boy was supposedly inhabited by demons or Satan himself; in this case the evil spirit has another name – autism. Torrence Cantrell, Jr. was autistic. Immediately the debate arose. What that pastor did to that boy was “murder,” say some. Others argue that faith healing is just as valid as traditional medicinal practices; after all, even in traditional medical practices, some patients die. To add some facts for those not up on Wisconsin happenings: the pastor David Hemphill was charged with felony child abuse as opposed to a more heinous crime. Perhaps the State could not prove homicide or manslaughter. Also, there is a Wisconsin statute under the Physical Abuse of Child that declares that one is not guilty of Child Abuse if one provides spiritual healing. This issue touches on the aims of the Campus Freethought Alliance: investigating the implications of supernatural beliefs. This case is especially saddening because an innocent child died.

To stay on topic of investigating paranormal claims, the Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) and Skeptical Inquirer Magazine is having a conference called "Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias." This conference will be in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 23-26, and will feature more big-name speakers than I can describe here. Check out
www.csicop.org/events/conference-2003/index.html. Center For Inquiry conferences and those held by its affiliated organizations such as CSICOP and the Council for Secular Humanism are always a lot of fun. There is a student discount for those who want to attend. Check out the site and see for yourself.

Lastly, I want to ask you a couple questions important for the future growth of the "movement." Have you joined the CFA as an individual? Have members of your group? There is a common question of "how big is CFA?" Sufficed to say, we are bigger than our published numbers show: we have only around 140 groups listed, 82 prospective groups listed, and about 8,000 individual members-at-large. But the sad truth is many members of CFA groups are not yet individual members of CFA (it’s always free to join, and by joining, you'll received free organizing, promotional and educational materials in the mail). Right now either you are reading my message on the website or you are reading the Campus Inquirer newsletter. If you are at the website, dude, just click and join. If you are reading the newsletter, go to the website and join -- even if you're not a student you can join for free as an "off-campus supporter." The website also has a bunch of other tools at your disposal as well as very active forum to chat with other freethinkers (and some other people who have joined to converse). A real easy thing to do is for CFA group presidents and group leaders to send an email out to your group, inviting your members to join. Feel free to email me with any questions or comments at president@campusfreethought.org.

Sincerely,
Mathew Pauley

 
New CFA Affiliate and Prospect Groups

Eight New Campus Groups Join CFA
The Campus Freethought Alliance is pleased to announce that eight new campus freethought groups have been founded by or have affiliated with CFA. These include groups at University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, University of Texas at Austin, Cornell University, University of California at Santa Barbara, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Texas Tech University, St. Petersburg College, Camosun College in Canada. Many other campuses are in the process of forming CFA affiliate groups. This is in addition to the members-at-large who join CFA without a group yet on their campus. If you attend one of the schools listed above and would like to get involved with the new CFA group there, use the group contact form. If not, you can see if there is a group at your school by visiting: www.campusfreethought.org/affiliates.htm. 

Sixteen New CFA Groups in the Process of Forming
Since the last issue of Campus Inquirer, CFA has been contacted by students or faculty at the following campuses expressing interest in starting or revitalizing a CFA affiliate group: Montana State University, University of Evansville (IN), Carleton University (Canada), University of Toronto (Canada), Bellevue Community College (WA), Brockton High School (MA), Arcadia High School (CA), University of Malta (Malta), Rutgers University (NJ) University of Memphis (TN), Bath High School (OH), Marquette University (WI), University of Maryland, College Park, Ponoma College (CA), Patterson High School (CA), and the University of South Carolina. If you attend one of the schools listed above and would like to get involved with the new CFA group forming there, use the group contact form.

 
Employment Opportunities with CFA

CFA's professional staff is expanding again, so please help us spread the word. You can see a description of the new position of "Campus Organizer" that we're seeking to fill at www.campusfreethought.org. Salary and benefits are competitive, and the job provides intellectually stimulating work with opportunities for travel, writing, and media appearances.


CFA Staff to Visit Numerous Campuses During Fall 2003

October 20-21
CFA representatives visit campuses throughout Austin TX, including University of Texas, Austin and Austin Community College, with a presentation entitled New Religious Threats to Academic Freedom.

October 21-27
CFA representatives visit the New Mexico campuses, including University of New Mexico, with a presentation entitled New Religious Threats to Academic Freedom.

November 4-6
CFA representatives visit campuses in Columbus and Cleveland OH, including Case Western University, Ohio State University, and University of Akron, with a presentation entitled New Religious Threats to Academic Freedom.

November 8-11
CFA representatives visit campuses in Indianapolis IN, including Wabash College and Purdue University, with a presentation entitled Church State Update.

November 14-18
CFA representatives visit campuses in Southern California, including UCLA, UC-Irvine, and UC-Northridge, with a presentation entitled New Religious Threats to Academic Freedom.

Representatives of the Campus Freethought Alliance are meeting with activists and supporters on and off campus in the above locations. If you would like to arrange or attend a meeting in these regions, please contact us.

Schedule a talk or debate in your area

 
CFA's Online Discussion Forum - An Online Hub for Student Inquirers

CFA is pleased to report that our online discussion forum is succeeding in its role as a hub for discussion and debate among high school and college students and faculty. With hundreds of posts and over a 170 participants, there's always a reason to stop by and opine. Its free to get involved with the discussion forums, and its a great way to meet others who share your worldview, and maybe some who don't.

Forum categories include College and High School Freethought Activism, where students share their strategies for promoting critical inquiry on campus, lively debates such as "Are Psychics Real?" and "Can you be Good Without God?" and "Does Prayer Work?" and many other threads of discussion of interest to freethinking students and faculty.

www.campusfreethought.org/forum


New CFA Resources

In addition to the existing line of CFA's free educational and promotional products, new CFA products are now available for CFA group leaders and off-campus supporters of a CFA group, including a video lecture by the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy from University of Texas, Robert Solomon, on "Spirituality as Sentimentality," a two-part video debate between Eddie Tabash and Michael Vander Meer ("Does God Exist?"), reprints of selected articles from FREE INQUIRY and SKEPTICAL INQUIRER magazines, new "Doubt" promotional stickers from CFA and CSICOP, and selected books and booklets. Additional promotional and educational products are now in production. To see the current listing of CFA's free educational and promotional products, go to www.campusfreethought.org/rfm.php. CFA Group leaders can request these resources to help promote their group on their campus, and to provide content and direction at CFA group meetings, as well as advance freethought and skepticism in their community. Please help us spread the word!


CFA Lecture and Debate Circuit

Each academic year, CFA sponsors, underwrites and/or organizes dozens of campus events throughout North America, in keeping with its mission as a public educational organization . These events include campus-wide debates, lectures, symposia and "new CFA group launch meetings." This fall, campus-wide debates and events on the role of science in society, threats to academic freedom; ethics and public policy; and the role of religion and credulity in American public life are planned at UCLA, UC-Irvine, University of Montana, Wabash College, University of New Mexico, Ohio State University and for students in Baton Rouge, LA; Knoxville, TN; Austin, TX; and St. Louis, MO. For more information on these events, see the events listing elsewhere in this issue.

Check out how CFA groups in your area can get involved by going to www.campusfreethought.org/debate.htm
or by looking at the current listing of CFA's Speakers and Debaters at www.campusfreethought.org/speakers.htm.

If you want to work with CFA to bring a campus-wide event to a school in your area, just let us know!


CSICOP Conference

NEWS FLASH!!!: Strange beings from a planet in our galaxy will converge on Albuquerque, New Mexico! And the US Government has not released this information to the public!

O.K. These strange beings are skeptics from the planet Earth, and they probably haven't yet told the government about their conference. The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP)-publisher of Skeptical Inquirer magazine-is hosting a conference on "Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias" at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Thursday, October 23 through Sunday, October 26, 2003.

Talk subjects include: "Pranks, Frauds, and Hoaxes from around the World"; "Conspiracy Theories"; "Investigating Among the Spirits"; "Beyond the Bible Code: Hidden Messages Everywhere"; "Medical Hoaxes"; and "The Use of the Polygraph." And of course, given the nearness to Roswell, there will be plenty of discussion of UFO hoaxes and encounters!

Featured speakers include: urban legends author Jan Harold Brunvand; Skeptical Inquirer editor, Ken Frazier; CSICOP Senior Research Fellow Joe Nickell; Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine Editor Dr. Wallace Sampson; National Center for Science Education Executive Director Eugenie Scott, and many others.

Mentalist Steve Shaw (a.k.a. "Banachek") will entertain attendees with amazing "psychic" demonstrations at a Saturday evening banquet. The "Candle in the Dark" and "Snuffed Candle Awards" for-respectively-the most and least skeptical person or institution in the media will also be awarded that evening.

Those interested in registering for the conference should call 1-800-634-1610 or visit www.csicop.org/events/conference-2003 -- CFA members and students get a special discounted registration price.

On Thursday, October 23, there will be a tour of Sandia National Laboratories -- one of the nation's premier research and development facilities. The tour will consist of a drive-around, "windshield" viewing of the labs with a narration of the various areas including some of Kirtland Air Force Base sites. Visitors will view the Central Receiver Test Facility, a major test field for developing technology to produce electricity from the heat of the sun.

CSICOP has also organized a bus trip to Roswell, New Mexico on Sunday, October 25, to see the town where UFO legend began.


Events Calendar
 
10/23-26 – Albuquerque, NM. CSICOP conference: Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias.
The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), publisher of Skeptical Inquirer magazine, is hosting a conference on "Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias" at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Thursday, October 23 through Sunday, October 26, 2003.
Talk subjects include: "Pranks, Frauds, and Hoaxes from around the World"; "Conspiracy Theories"; "Investigating Among the Spirits"; "Beyond the Bible Code: Hidden Messages Everywhere"; "Medical Hoaxes"; and "The Use of the Polygraph." And of course, given the nearness to Roswell, there will be plenty of discussion of UFO hoaxes and encounters! See the Announcement section for more details, and call 1-800-634-1610 or visit www.csicop.org/events/conference-2003/registration.html to register.

10/29 – Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. Panel on Evolution & Intelligent Design.
The Center for Inquiry and the Campus Freethought Alliance is pleased to sponsor this program exploring current issues in the evolution and intelligent design debate. Presenters include Trenton Holliday (Anthropology, Tulane University) who will speak on “Human Evolution: Thousands of Fossils and Growing”; and Barbara Forrest (History & Political Science, Southeastern LA University), on “What is Intelligent Design? Why Should We Care?” Free and open to the public. 7:00 p.m. in the Feliciana Room, LSU Student Union, Baton Rouge, LA. For additional information contact James Taylor at jtayl25@lsu.edu.

11/1 – Farleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ. Progressive Politics and Humanism: A New Synthesis for the 21st Century.
In a world gone mad, the voice of reason and humanistic principles can barely be heard. Yet, for the human species to survive though the 21st Century, this voice needs to reach the highest octaves! Join hosts Barry F. Seidman, NJ Coordinator for CFI-MetroNY, and Neil J. Murphy as they present Bill Cooke, International Director for Center for Inquiry; Norm Allen, Jr., Director of African-Americans for Humanism; others for an exciting night of ideas and discussion. 7:30 p.m. at Farleigh Dickinson University, Weiner Library, 980 River Rd., Teaneck, NJ. For more information call (973) 541-0049.

11/13 – New York, NY. The Assault on Scientific Medicine and Mental Health: Protecting the Public in an Age of Pseudoscience.
The latest developments in complementary and alternative medicine and mental health are addressed by a panel of experts led by Wally Sampson, editor of the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine; Scott Lilienfeld, editor of the Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice; and Paul Kurtz, founder and chairman of the Center for Inquiry. Free and open to the public. 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 5th Ave (at 103rd St), New York, NY. For more information contact info@cfimetrony.org.

11/15 – St. Louis, MO. The Ghost in the Universe: God in Light of Modern Science.
The Council for Secular Humanism and the Campus Freethought Alliance is pleased to present Taner Edis to St Louis area CFA students and off-campus supporters, in cooperation with the Rationalist Society of St Louis. Taner Edis completed his undergraduate work at Bogazici University and received his Ph.D. from The Johns Hopkins University in 1994, in theoretical and computational condensed matter physics. Working in diverse areas, from atmospheric modeling with collaborators at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to the philosophy of machine intelligence, he is currently assistant professor of physics at Truman State University, Kirksville, MO. Fascinated by the plethora of supernatural and fringe science beliefs around him, and concerned about the rise of Islamist politics in his native Turkey, Professor Edis first became involved with skeptical inquiry into paranormal claims during his graduate studies. He has since written numerous articles, particularly on the topic of anti-evolutionary thought, appearing in Skeptical Inquirer, Reports of the National Center for Science Education, and Skeptic. His critique of "Intelligent Design" in the March 2001 Skeptical Inquirer attracted national media attention, including notice in a front-page New York Times article of April 8, 2001. Professor Edis' writing has characteristically combined scientific rigor with an ability to reach a broad audience. His new book, The Ghost in the Universe: God in Light of Modern Science (Prometheus Books, 2002), is an accessible defense of a naturalistic view of the world.

11/17 – University of Montana, Missoula, MT. Eddie Tabash vs. Richard Swinburne. Does God Exist?
Edward Tabash is a Constitutional lawyer in private practice in Beverly Hills. He graduated from UCLA in 1973, magna cum laude, and from Loyola Law School in 1976. He serves as a part time judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Courts. He is on the board of directors of the Council for Secular Humanism and the honorary chair of the Center for Inquiry-West. He is on the First Amendment Committee of the ACLU of Southern California. He has debated Christian philosophers on God's existence, such as Greg Bahnsen, Petern Van Inwaagen, and William Lane Craig.
Richard Swinburne studied philosophy and theology at Oxford University, and is considered one of the most significant proponents of argumentative theism today. After teaching at the University of Hull (1963-72) and the University of Keele (1972-84), he assumed the position of Nolloth Professor of the Philosophy of the Christian Religion at Oxford University. Among his many books are Space and Time, The Concept of Miracle, The Coherence of Theism, The Existence of God, Personal Identity, and The Evolution of the Soul. 6:30 p.m. in the Ballroom of the University Center, University of Montana campus, Missoula, Montana. For additional information contact Richard Hull at rthull@buffalo.edu.

11/17 & 18 – UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. DJ Grothe vs. David Noebel. Clergy in the Classroom: Is Secular Humanism the Religion of the Public Schools?
DJ Grothe is Director of Campus and Community Programs for the Center for Inquiry. He has lectured widely on church-state separation in education and the Christian Right, specifically on the "Mind Siege" movement, and has previously debated David Noebel in media and public appearances. His writings have been published in newspapers throughout the US, and he has spoken on dozens of radio and television programs. He is currently writing a book on the need for public argument in a democratic society.
David A. Noebel, president of Summit Ministries, has been a college professor, college president, and candidate for the U.S. Congress. He is an author, editor, public speaker, and ordained minister. Mr. Noebel has appeared on numerous national radio and television programs, including The 700 Club, Focus on the Family, Truths that Transform, Point of View, Today's Issues, the Moody Broadcasting Network, the AFA Network, and The Josh McDowell Program. Mr. Noebel has authored numerous books, including Understanding the Times: The Religious Worldviews of Our Day and the Search for Truth, which is currently used in over one thousand Christian high schools, churches and colleges. Mr. Noebel is co-author of Clergy in the Classroom: The Religion of Secular Humanism, among many other works. His New York Times Best Seller, Mind Siege (with Tim LaHaye), was released in January 2001. He holds a B.A. from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and a M.A. from the University of Tulsa.
Nov. 17 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Royce 148; Nov. 18 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. in CS 24, Young Hall. For more information e-mail EmperorRuckus@aol.com.

11/20 – UC Irvine, Irvine CA. Eddie Tabash vs. Tom Frost. Does God Exist?
Eddie Tabash is a Constitutional lawyer in private practice in Beverly Hills. He graduated from UCLA in 1973, magna cum laude, and from Loyola Law School in 1976. He serves as a part time judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Courts. He is on the board of directors of the Council for Secular Humanism and the honorary chair of the Center for Inquiry-West. He is on the First Amendment Committee of the ACLU of Southern California. He has debated Christian philosophers on God's existence, such as Greg Bahnsen, Petern Van Inwaagen, and William Lane Craig. For more information contact Tom Frost at thomasjfrost@yahoo.com.

11/27 – University of New Mexico. DJ Grothe. New Religious Threats to Academic Freedom.
The UNM Humanist Society is pleased to host DJ Grothe, director of Campus and Community Programs for the Center for Inquiry, for this special presentation. Mr. Grothe has lectured widely on church-state separation in education and the Christian Right, specifically on the "Mind Siege” movement. He is currently writing a book on the need for public argument in a democratic society. 3:00 p.m. in Rm. 103, UNM SUB, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131. For more information call (505) 292-4375.


Freethought News
 
Pledge Case Taken By Supreme Court, Scalia Recuses Himself
The United States Supreme Court accepted certiorari on Unified School District v. Newdow, which questions the constitutionality of the “under God” phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance. Justice Scalia has recused himself from this case. Back in the Spring, Scalia made comments about this case at a Knights of Columbus rally. It was the Knights that had “under God” added in 1953.

Edwards Uses his “Skills” At Request of Celebrities
John Edwards, who allegedly speaks to the dead, has added Aaliyah to his list of spirits spoken to. Aaliyah’s mother sought out Edwards for his assistance. Edwards has also “spoken” to Cyrinda Tyler, deceased wife of Aerosmith singer Stephen Tyler (at the request of daughter Mia) and Norman Mailer’s father-in-law at the request of Mailer’s wife. Norman reportedly does not buy into Edwards abilities. Debunking Edwards and talking about the ethical implications of what he does is always a good speaker topic for CFA groups.

Bible-club case will not be heard by Supreme Court.
A Bible-club known as the World Changers was granted permission by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to hold their meetings at a public school stating that the club should be treated like any other school organization. The US Supreme Court refused to hear this case. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001759798_webbible06.html

Slaying of Matthew Shepard at 5
It is now 5 years since Matthew Shepard was killed because he was gay. If you perhaps forgot, you could always visit www.godhatesfags.com, where the Westboro Baptist Church and its pastor Fred Phelps has a running clock counting the days Shepard has been in hell. They even have pictures of a monument erected to celebrate the occasion. WBC and its website is one reason CFA exists; much of the intolerance in the world is religiously or ideologically inspired.