Commentary
archive #2
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Index for this page 18th
July 2005 4th
July 2005 2nd
July 2005 19th
June 2005 30th
May 2005 26th
May 2005 14th
May 2005 30th
April 2005 16th
April 2005 9th
April 2005 2nd
April 2005 26th
March 2005 19th
March 2005 12th
March 2005 5th
March 2005
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18th July 2005 (amended) The
trouble with religion There are many things that religion can be criticised for; persecution of homosexuals, promoting Creationism as having scientific credibility (in whatever form), refusal to endorse condom use, bullying art forms (Satanic Verses, Harry Potter, Behzti, Jerry Springer the Opera), ‘Keep Sunday Special’ campaigns, banning stem cell research and the general subjugation of women to name but a few. In fact anything that achieves progress at the expense of religious doctrine. And I submit that for all those who rigidly stick to such dogma there are probably many more who despair at such excess. I see the problem like this, Holy Scripture (e.g. Bible, Koran) follows P.T. Barnum’s creed of having, “a little something for everyone”: So taking the Christian Bible as an example we have some sections that tell us to kill homosexuals and others telling us to forgive and love one another. You can find the Almighty will back you whether you prefer to take, “an eye for an eye” or simply turn the other cheek. Not being overly familiar with the contents of the Koran I’ll quote the well known Islamic scholar Boris Johnson (note for foreign readers: Boris is actually a Member of the UK Parliament and not known for his religious knowledge), 22.9 As for the unbelievers, for them garments of fire shall be cut and there shall be poured over their heads boiling water whereby whatever is in their bowels and skins shall be dissolved and they will be punished with hooked iron rods. Not exactly “peaceful” in my view but surely we have the imminent and much vaunted ‘Incitement to Religious Hatred’ law standing by ready to curb these unpleasant excesses? Not necessarily, Muslims are apparently already trying to seek exemption for their own scripture and if, as many seem to think, this law is simply an appeasement to Muslim unease after the invasion of Iraqi, I imagine there is a good chance that they will receive a favourable hearing. The next part of the problem is that because these holy books are supposed to be the immutable word of ‘God’ they are forever fossilised in the distant past, never to be revised or updated. Society’s problems and numerous challenges inevitably change with time but alas not scripture. Thus followers are bound to the past and whilst most religious supporters don’t go round bombing innocent people it seems, at least to me, that the cycle of violence is doomed to be repeated as extremists can always find the necessary theological justification. Topped with the cherry of martyrdom what’s to persuade the extremists of their error? I can’t help but notice that all religions demand rights but few if any shoulder any responsibility. This isn’t helped by increasing fragmentation. Islam is not controlled by some El Supremo Imam who has the final say in what is acceptable and what isn’t leaving everyone free to make up their own minds. Even the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury have their limitations. They have no authority or even influence over Christian Evangelists who are pretty much leaderless and free to interpret what they consider to be acceptable and what isn’t. And yet religious groups continue to pursue favour through the political process. I feel a need to emphasise that morality is not the sole province of religion and doesn’t come under its authority. Is there a solution? I don’t really know but I’ll venture a suggestion. Surely it is time for the separation of church and state, the disbanding of religious schools (and otherwise using the education system as a means of early indoctrination) and the establishment of firmly secular government. I would never suggest the banning of any religion, I would rather humanity learned to outgrow such naivety but as this isn’t likely to happen anytime soon I’d like religion to be a question of personal choice and its political ambitions kept in check. Update: See Ross Sargent's Guest Contribution on James Randi's site. Brilliant as ever!
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4th July 2005 Why is it that AIDS is such a problem in the African continent? Perhaps they have a particularly virulent strain whilst in Europe we have a sort of AIDS Lite? Probably not, so what’s different? When AIDS first came to our attention here in the UK we had a massive advertising campaign. Remember John Hurt’s voice telling us not to “die of ignorance”? For the first time that I can remember condoms were freely discussed on television. There was some kind of acknowledgement that sexual activity was actually going on and a nervous realisation that this wasn't just a 'gay problem'. Even anal sex got a mention. The Church of course were not happy with all this promiscuity. I mean it’s one thing to die, but casual sex? Appalling! (See here if you don’t believe me). But the good news is that loads of us didn’t die of ignorance. But without the heavy promoting of the good old condom (remember Richard Branson and his 'Mates') what would have happened? Well the self appointed guardian of our morals the Church, seemed to prefer the somewhat unpopular birth control method of abstinence - but was this ever likely to be a successful strategy? In Africa manifestly not. Shocking as it may seem people do have sexual urges and whilst AIDS could be stopped if people just didn’t have sex anymore this is hardly a practical solution. If it was we could stop people smoking by just asking them nicely. The problem of obesity? A cinch – stop eating. Now as far as I know the Church has never taken a strong moral stance on smoking or the fat content of a Big Mac, because whilst the Church doesn’t seem to mind if we smoke or thicken our arteries it has never really liked us mucking about with our genitalia. It actually feels it has a legitimate say in what I do with my willie. Now I can accept friendly advice to keep it away from the bacon slicer but other than that it’s surely mine to do with as I please. Telling me what I can or can't do with it is bad enough, but criticising its dress sense is surely overly intrusive. If I wish to glad my tackle in a rubber suit then I bloody well will, okay? Meanwhile getting back to AIDS in Africa…. I’ve heard a lot in the last few days about how a child dies every 3 seconds, a vile and damning statistic that will hopefully apply some moral pressure on the G8 summit, but I’ve heard no mention of the Catholic Church’s part in this horror. If there is anything that can be done to help bring this misery to an end then it would be the most immoral inhuman act imaginable not to do it? Therefore this is an appeal to the Catholic Church, IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY PROMOTE THE USE OF CONDOMS NOW. Not all Catholics believe in this out dated doctrine but apparently those at the top do. And that is where the guilt should lie and it is they who will eventually be judged by history. I accept that just allowing the use of condoms will not automatically end the epidemic but it would be a massive start. Of course it would have to be backed up with persuasion and education but if that Catholic Nun or Priest could now turn to those they claim to be helping and tell them it’s okay to use condoms then I believe things would at least start to improve. If not, then people will continue to die needlessly and one day in a sadly distant future a Pope will read from a prepared script apologising to the world for the millions who died because of a pointless doctrine. It will be too late. Don’t let Africa die of ignorance. Some links of interest..... BBC
News 10th December 1981. The unknown condition, which consists of two separate diseases - a form of pneumonia and skin cancer, has been found in 180 patients in 15 states since last July. From
the same site… Guardian Unlimited Catholic
News Spiked Online Condoms4Life.org CNN.com/World BBC News Global Health Council
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2nd July 2005 Most
Haunted farce Anyway I did manage to see some of the last show, which this time came from Wakefield. My main criticisms are these; The show is mainly hosted by Dr David Bull, who is quoted as saying that his ‘paranormal status’ is “open-minded”, but at the same time says the scariest location he went to was a pub in Somerset, “I cried with fear” claims the qualified doctor. For saying that alone he earns a certain amount of contempt (say about 2 kilos) but for having qualified, at great expense, as a doctor only to host a show that consists of mindless crap gets him a whole lorry load of contempt. Then there’s Ciaran O’Keeffe one of the show’s token sceptics (an open-minded sceptic if you please). Do MHL viewers think this is what all sceptics are like? All I’ve seen him do is walk around with a few superfluous bits of equipment making ineffectual, easily forgotten statements. Now perhaps I’m being unnecessarily harsh here but as the whole show is a cloob, (for those that don’t know it means a ‘complete load of old bollocks’) to appear on it as anything like a real sceptic would mean biting the hand that feeds you: and when I say ‘biting’ I’m talking missing fingers! Compare this insipid contribution with something that James Randi might offer. Randi still stands out as a giant amongst sceptics. He would never compromise his position and wouldn’t sit back making flaky, equivocal points. But of course that wouldn’t be at all welcome in a programme like this would it? The alternative is to end up as an ineffectual, intellectually compromised fumbler of useless equipment and mumbler of unremembered words. You takes ya choice… Yvette Fielding just fluctuates between asking a ghost to make themselves known and then squealing at any unexpected noise. I mean is that all there is to it – you just ask them to make a sign? I suppose because they’re on TV the otherwise shy spooks make a special effort. Of course the absolute favourite has to be good old Derek Acorah. As a diversion from the camara operator's normal close up shot of Derek's flaring nostrils I experienced the hilarity of seeing him being dragged into the abyss by some imaginary Wakefieldian phantom. This was easily the most amusing piece of the whole show. As memory serves Ciaran did, and said, pretty much nothing (see I’ve already forgotten his contribution) while the rest of the team showed their deep concern regarding Derek’s narrow escape. I’d like to take the opportunity to suggest a better response to Derek’s clowning around. Here goes… “Well Yvette I personally can’t determine any difference between Derek’s ridiculous over-acted performance and a prat just running off screaming for no particular reason. Either Derek is just hamming it up or we can re-write the laws of physics? What do you think?” So in summing up, this programme is certainly not a scientific exercise. In fact it’s just a load of trivial nonsense that really doesn’t even deserve the effort of debunking it. And yet this tripe manages to generate a huge following. As our American friends say, “Go figure”. On the other hand how many programmes have had a sceptic as the main focus? Why not produce a show unashamedly sKeptical. Hey you can even have a token psychic bumbling around in the background making useless comments – just for balance you understand. Christian
Voice: The money lenders strike back Anyway Christian Voice homophobic bully boy Stephen Green has found the Co-op bank less than happy about his organisation’s stance on homosexuality. So much so they have given notice that they are closing the account. In a press release Christian Voice (i.e. Green) writes, “Stephen Green, National Director of Christian Voice, said today: “The decision from the Co-operative Bank fits a pattern where politically-correct bully-boys try to attack Christian organisations, Christian symbols, the Bible, and in the case of Jerry Springer the Opera and BBC2, even the person of our Saviour.” There is nothing better for a Christian than to feel persecuted, but of course the Co-op is not doing any such thing. It is rightly offended by homophobes like Green who think such things an abomination before the Lord! I know what you’re thinking! That nice Mr Green will be turning the other cheek as recommended by the afore mentioned Saviour. Nah! He’s asking Christians to boycott the bank. I seem to remember when Green harassed Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres into not accepting a donation from Jerry Springer the Opera, he said the Lord would provide for them. Well Steve perhaps God will recommend a bank for you. But if that bank turns out to be mine I’ll be changing.
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19th June 2005 The
complete and utter emptiness of the paranormal If evolution didn’t do it then we have to resort to supernatural explanations and the most popular candidate is that unknown thing many refer to as ‘god’. The concept of a god is a strange one and whilst believers are content to accept god as the ultimate cause of everything they refuse to explain what caused god. So the argument seems to run, everything must have a cause therefore if we trace back all causes we end up with the first cause – god”. And when atheists asked what caused god the response is he (genitals?) is uncaused. To me this has the distinct aroma of male cow droppings about it. Here we are a tiny planet occupying no particular position in a universe so vast that it is beyond our comprehension. And yet I’m expected to accept (and even respect) the fact that this unknowable entity chose a small primitive tribe in the near east as being his chosen race. Sorry, whilst there’s a slim chance you could convince me that Tony Blair really did believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq I can’t swallow the god hypothesis. It’s just too crazy. But even if I suspend belief for a moment and allow that the universe did have a supernatural beginning, there is still another problem - dualism. The philosopher Descartes thought that there were two kinds of ‘stuff’ in the universe; physical stuff and spiritual (mental) stuff. The latter being essentially non-physical. Now we have various people around some of whom seem to think they can communicate with ‘god’ and others who tell us about ‘spiritual energy’ without ever feeling the need to either prove its existence or explain what it is. So here’s a question that no one has yet managed to explain. How can something non physical interact with something physical? To say it’s mental or psychic energy explains precisely nothing at all. I challenge any medium or theologian to come up with a satisfactory explanation, but they can’t, they have no idea. Some don’t even understand the question. How could something that is not physical be said to exist at all? On the other hand if the souls or spirit is made up of something physical why can’t we say what it is? If something is not physical how do people see it? One thing perhaps sceptics and believers can agree on, with a ghost you’re literally seeing nothing. An yet if some idiot medium tells someone that their second cousin twice removed died at 2 weeks of age and was called Gladys I’m supposed to ditch all of the above and accept the spirit world as being fact! The popularity of the paranormal is nothing more than the collective desperation of people longing for eternal life. Paranormal and religious belief survives because a certain percentage of the human race can’t learn to accept their own mortality, and until they do the rest of us have to endure this infantile nonsense on a daily basis. Talking of infantile nonsense BBC News has a report It begins…. “Staff at a Grimsby museum are taking part in a vigil with paranormal experts to try to explain a series of strange happenings over the past two years.” Paranormal experts? Is there any point in being an ‘expert’ in bullshit? Probably not but hey it makes BBC News. What evidence is there to justify this vigil? Well it comes down to, “Unexplained smells, extreme cold spots and loud footsteps….” Fair enough let’s forget evolution, embrace the omnipotent creator and forget the problems of Descartes' dualism. I mean after all, an “unexplained smell” you can’t argue with evidence like that can you? So for me anything supernatural is a make believe. A fantasy for believers to construct in order to give meaning to their lives. Should we infer from this that without this fiction life has no meaning? Does it mean that being a skeptic commits you to a cold and dark view of the world? Is life, in the words of Thomas Hobbes, just "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."? Happily no, even a skeptic can have a ‘spiritual’ dimension and two things recently reminded me of this. The first is a picture sent to me by Number Eighty showing the remnant of a once massive star that died in a violent supernova explosion 325 years ago. You can find it at: http://ipac.jpl.nasa.gov/media_images/ssc2005-14c.jpg. When I saw this I felt truly privileged to see such an amazing picture. The second can be found in James Randi’s Commentary this week. It’s the words of Phil Plait who runs the Bad Astronomy website. I won’t reproduce them here but please read them in Randi’s Commentary. If you’re a believer in the paranormal it’s an eloquent invitation to abandon the chimera that is the paranormal and embrace the wonder of reality - the world of real science. Go to: http://www.randi.org/jr/061705like.html#6 “I know a place where the Sun never sets…..”
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30th May 2005 The
unpleasant world of the psychic detective. Even when it isn’t someone you know you just wish there was some way you could help. It’s probably feelings like this that make people tune into Crimewatch. But sadly we have to accept that in most cases we simply cannot help. We don’t know the people involved or the facts about the disappearance and we recognise, frustrating as it is, that we are powerless to help. In real life there are no amateur detectives like Hercule Poirot to bail out bumbling police inspectors and solve cases with nothing more than a few civil interviews and the focussed application of their “little grey cells”. So regardless of any perceived imperfections, we have to rely on the professionals who make up our modern police force. However although there are few, if any, wannabe Hercule Poirots around to trample over police procedure and generally get in the way we do have the entirely superfluous phenomenon of the psychic detective. I honestly try to be charitable to those who believe in what I consider to be the most unlikely of abilities but I am fast developing a special loathing for this particular breed of non psychic. We now have another case where a psychic medium is offering ‘help’ to the parents of a missing woman. Lisa Dorrian was last seen at 5am , on Monday 28 February 2005 , after a party at a caravan site in Ballyhalbert in County Down . She is now presumed dead and all her desperate parents want at this stage is to recover her body and give her a decent funeral. At the moment the crime remains unsolved and although accusations have been made regarding the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) the police are keeping an open mind. Enter Warren Coates, founder of the Northern Ireland Paranormal Research Association (NIPRA), with a magnanimous offer of help to use his mediumistic talents to locate her body. To quote from Sunday Life, “According to the medium, he would require a photo or one of Lisa's personal items, in an attempt to see if he can gain information which may point him to the whereabouts of her body.” I take this as being an accurate reporting of his words, in particular, “… require a photo or one of Lisa's personal items.” (my italics). A photo would be enough would it? Well here’s the one that’s been included in every BBC report of the case. So what’s the delay? And why bother the family? Just do it. I’m sure many will take the charitable view that, “he’s only trying to help”. But while we might allow that any medium is motivated by the noblest of intentions it is reasonable to point out that no medium and/or psychic known since the dawn of humanity has ever shown with anything approaching convincing evidence that they actually have any such ‘gift’ at all. So we begin this process with the usual unproven abilities. But once such an offer has been made what’s going to happen? The family, whose torment can’t even be imagined, are likely to cling to any glimmer of hope - no matter how unlikely. “It’s worth a try” and “What have we got to lose?” are likely responses. They probably feel some frustration with the police in not being able to resolve matters. You really can’t blame them. Then we have the police. Now it’s quite possible that someone on the force thinks there might actually be something to this claptrap or they might feel obliged, on behalf of the family, to follow up any lead, no matter what the source. They may also feel the need to respond because of another possibility. Assuming there is someone who actually knows what happened and that it might be the work of an organisation such as the LVF, contacting the police could be very risky indeed so why not tell a local psychic who can pass it on for you? If the police think this is a possibility then once again they may feel the need to follow it up. But what is the likely result from a psychic medium, who has never had their claims scientifically validated, and just wants to play at detective? The first thing is the wasting of police resources. I imagine that if there was a league table of overstretched police forces the Police Force of Northern Ireland would come somewhere near the top. Then there is the obvious raising of false hopes for the family involved. Why any medium or psychic thinks these outcomes are acceptable is beyond me. So assuming Warren Oates actually knows diddlysquat what is information likely to consist of? If I was a psychic it would be something along these lines… “There are 2 men involved. One is an older man in his thirties and the other around 19. The younger man is thinner than the older man. They used a car. It wasn’t new, I’d say around 3 years old. I feel a blue vehicle is involved. The letters “J” and “H” are in someway significant.” As to the location of the body I would probably suggest it was taken out to sea. Why? Well if the body is never found then it can be assumed that I’m right. But in fact it’s a pretty likely guess anyway considering that Ballyhalbert is located by the sea. Alternatively we have variations on a rural location such as, “I see a small road that leads to a wooded area but it’s not in the immediate area of the disappearance. They passed a large building on the way there. There’s the sound of running water and what sounds like a dog barking. I can see some kind of monument but can’t quite make it out.” There are a couple of things worth pointing out about statements like this. Firstly it is of absolutely no use and secondly, should the body be discovered in an even vaguely rural location, it will probably be vague enough to enable enough retrofitting to show how ‘accurate’ they were. This will help enhance the medium’s reputation whilst achieving absolutely nothing for either the family or the police. I have missed out some of the more unpleasant details such as weapons used, etc. as I feel the above description makes the point sufficiently. If I were a ‘real’ psychic I would probably have included them. It’s perhaps worth exploring why we entertain the idea of psychic detectives at all. Although I realise they are a convenient modern scapegoat I feel the media need to take some responsibility here. It is no longer unusual to see a medium on television or hear one on the radio. Newspapers too like to print sensational stories about how psychics have helped the police. For many it’s no longer ‘weird’ to consider such things possible. Then there are the police themselves. They can be very tight lipped about the use of psychics. I have yet to hear any Chief Constable come out and complain about the number of psychics contacting police with conflicting stories which just waste time and effort. Last, and by no means least, there are the psychics themselves. I’m sure they think they are helping and even the victims may publicly thank them for trying. But they are not helping: They are a waste of time. They are silly people who believe they are wizards a fairy tale world. We don’t need them. Have you ever dealt with a psychic detective who proved utterly useless? If you are I would like to hear from you whether you are a victim of crime or a police officer. Your anonymity is assured. Meanwhile if you do know anything please contact the Police Force of Northern Ireland.The family are offering a £10,000 reward. For background about the case see these reports; BBC
News 6th March 2005 For more on psychic detectives see: Another Psychic Detective and Did a Medium Identify a Murderer? Thanks go to Eighty for bringing this to my attention. Update:
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26th May 2005 Even
more ghosts! As I expected the group came fully equipped with a variety of pointless gadgets. To quote www.leedstoday.net, Guided by theatre staff, the psychics were kitted out with a range of technical kit, from traditional ghostbusting artefacts such as crucifixes to motion sensors and electromagnetic frequency detectors.
No one shall be found among you who makes a son or daughter pass through fire, or who practices divination, or is a soothsayer, or an auger or a sorcerer, or one who casts spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead. Even more worrying is Leviticus 20:27, A man or woman who is a medium or a wizard shall be put to death; they shall be stoned to death, their blood is upon them. Seems a little severe but then if you’ve ever sat through two hours of Derek Acorah the desire to throw something is almost overwhelming. But I digress. Let’s have a look at what they found. To quote again from Leeds Today, Ms Relton said the presence in the upper circle was a man in his early 20s, about 5ft 8in tall, wearing black trousers, a white shirt and a waistcoat. She said: "I think he was from the early 1900s. I became aware someone was running through the wall behind me, along the back of the seats, then through the door. We were told later there used to be double doors where he was coming through the wall." Holy Mother of God! I never realised that electromagnetic frequency detectors could tell you so much, very impressive. I must ask about this on my next trip to Maplins. I’m taking part in a debate at GhostFest 2005 on 4th June 2005. The topic up for discussion, “Are ghosts real and can mediums communicate with them.” I won’t give my answer now it might spoil the surprise.
Evolution PARENTS eager for their children to receive a moral grounding are fuelling growth in US-style Christian schools that teach creationism. I suppose on the parent’s list of ‘morals’ is not telling lies which to me at least makes the syllabus of morality and creationism somewhat contradictory. Happily if you want to bring up your child on a diet of misinformation and myth you can. Emmanuel College in Gateshead being one of the most well known. The ic Wales report continues, There are 14 independent Christian schools in Wales and demand for places is growing as parents fear ordinary schools are turning their backs on Christianity. Of course! That’s the main worry we parents have. Keeps us awake at night doesn’t it? Apart from the attempt to indoctrinate of children in pseudoscience and the preferred religion of their parents I am more than a little irritated at the idea that those who attend Christian (or any religious school) are somehow more ‘moral’ than the rest of us. I have four children none of whom have had the benefit of a private Christian education and to imply that they have less morality than some religious elite is offensive. None of my children think homosexuals are an abomination before the Lord for a start. I remember good old Tony “I’ve listened to the people” Blair being asked about the teaching of creationism in UK schools. This is from Guardian Unlimited The appeal for reinspection is backed by Dr Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond , who yesterday asked the prime minister if he was concerned that staff at a state-funded school were promoting creationism. Mr Blair sidestepped the question, commenting: "I think it would be very unfortunate if concerns over that were seen to remove the very, very strong incentive to make sure we get as diverse a school system as we properly can. "In the end, it is a more diverse school system that will deliver better results for our children and if you look at the actual results of the school, I think you will find they are very good." It’s a sad state of affairs when even our own Prime Minister refuses to condemn this nonsense. Respect?
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14th May 2005 Cashing
in on death Even more amazingly research from Lloyds TSB shows that such nonsense even has an effect on home buyers. Myfinances.co.uk report: “New research from Lloyds TSB has found out that one person in four would not buy a home with the number 13, another 50 per cent would be put off if the property overlooked a cemetery, while the idea of a ghost in the house would put off 47 per cent of prospective buyers.” Luckily not all ghosthunters are thermometer wielding anoraks. Professor Richard Wiseman looks beyond the nonsense to try and study what’s really going on. Thank you Richard for trying to apply some real science. Ruth...
the Truth? You
are also provided with the opportunity to call Ruth’s
magical ‘Mystical Bones & Stones Line’ Still Ruth’s cheap, on the page opposite (after the ghost story) you can call ‘The only genuine Chat psychic phonelines’ which cost £1.50 per minute. Now I’ve picked on Chat because that’s the magazine I was shown but there are plenty of others and they’re all doing the same thing. Remember ‘just say no’. If you need advice why not ask a close friend? Just for a moment let’s pretend that all this is true. Acorah and Fry can talk to dead people. Ruth the truth can divine the future with her witchdoctor bones. Why then are there so many unsolved crimes? There are people the police would dearly love to trace (See: Crimestoppers) why not just tell them exactly where they all live? You’re psychic so just send in the information. Why doesn’t Acorah ask ‘Sam’ to do something bloody useful for a change? By next week I expect all these people to be in custody. No chance. While we're at it let's get the faith healers to empty the hospitals. Announcements And before you go I recommend The View from Number Eighty, and The Stealing of America. It's shows the growing depth of intolerance in George W. Bush's theocracy.
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30th April 2005 Parrots
and angels Meanwhile, on with this week’s breathtaking insight into the world of the weird. Every Saturday I buy a copy of The Times and amongst its numerous supplements is ‘body&soul’. This week I was fortunate to learn a little bit about angels. I confess that the article stirred my creativity. The result being I wish to introduce a new word into the English language, ‘cloob’. Cloob is actually shorthand for “complete load of old bollocks” and although it can be applied to anything supernatural it is by no means limited to that field. For example homeopathy is also a cloob. Anyway back to angels. Diana Cooper (I’m sure we met once on ‘Kilroy’) knows a thing or two about angels and her guardian angels are telling her there will be a “shift in consciousness” around 2012. Unfortunately at the moment there is too much greed and hatred around but luckily angels are here in sufficient numbers to clear our spiritual blocks. Methinks I spot a cloob, but supposing it’s true? I don’t really want my consciousness shifted? I regard it as a fundamental human right to have my consciousness left exactly where it is thank you. What happened to free will? Of course there is an upside in believing such a cloob. Being able to converse with the angels means an opportunity for making bucket loads of cash. Ms Cooper has sold over 180,000 books in the UK alone (2.5 million worldwide) and also offers CD’s, crystals (to help you ‘vibrationally’ connect to specific archangels) and packs of angel cards. And there was me thinking that to make money you actually had to do something useful. The article also mentions Diana’s U.S. counterpart Doreen Virtue. Virtue? Is that a real name? I imagine her empire is so large she’s known as Vice President Virtue. Anyway, Doreen was on Richard & Judy this week and whilst she may have been accompanied by a host of angels from upon high the show was completely free on any skeptics. I didn’t see it myself (due to the assignation with the parrot) but I hear the hosts were suitably uncritical and fawning. This free publicity will no doubt help boost the sales of her lectures. Cloob or not, the cash just keeps rolling in. But enough of this imported cloob, let’s get back to the good old British stuff. Diana Cooper tells us she met her first angel during a black period of her life when she called for help and suddenly found herself with a ‘being of light’, who showed her how her future mapped out. Now I don’t want to pick holes but why is some supernatural entity, possessed no doubt of all sorts of powers, mucking around with Ms Cooper? I’m mean all she has done so far is to sell a lot of books and a range of angelic accessories. Why didn’t the damn angel go and have a word with Mrs Bin Laden about her son Osama? The world is in need of many things and an angel giving an interview with Jeremy Paxman might carry some weight. Before I leave this sorry tale of delusion and gullibility I’d like to comment on one more of Ms Cooper’s claims. “I started off as a healer and worked with spirit guides, which operate on a lower frequency than angels.” Lower frequency? I fear we have moved up a notch from cloob to cauloob (pronounced ‘cowloob’: complete and utter load of old bollocks). Where exactly on the electromagnetic spectrum do angels sit? Somewhere between X-rays and Gamma rays or can we find them lurking near Radio Four? Are angels cancer forming? Has she done tests? This is all very worrying. In conclusion our only hope is widespread inoculation against TB (Total Bollocks!). Skepticism is the vaccine.
Off
topic rant – The Election. Despite this Tony Blair, with unseemly haste, went ahead and committed our country to killing thousands of innocent mean women and children. And now he wants my vote. Well he’s not going to get it. Firstly I don’t care if we suffer if Labour doesn’t get a third term. We deserve to pay the price for our barbarous aggression. Secondly if Labour do win, and I expect them to, I want their majority hacked back as far as possible. Noises are already being made in the direction of Iran and I don’t want to be part of George W. Bush’s Christian crusade: neither do I imagine do a lot of Christians. I voted Labour last time and if it wasn’t for the war I would vote for them again this time, but sometimes you just have to listen to your conscience. Tony Blair can go to Hell!
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16th April 2005 Derek
Acorah “To the believer, no proof is necessary, to the non-believer, no proof is possible.” Wise words indeed . My first problem is that they aren’t really true they just sound good. As a non-believer I would certainly like more proof than Derek talking to imaginary people on stage. A few ghostly manifestations would be a start. This coupled with communication that actually meant something would also go a long way. But my second difficulty is that ‘Sam’ seems to have plagiarised someone else’s words. Is it me or does this sound awfully similar? “For
those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who
do not believe, This quote originated (as far as I know at least) with the legendary mentalist Joseph Dunninger (1892 – 1975). Now it could be that Sam asked Dunninger if he could borrow his snappy phrase, but even then it would surely be the right thing to acknowledge the original source. The awful truth has finally hit me. If Derek is a genuine medium and truly in contact with his spirit guide ‘Sam’ then ‘Sam’ is surely cold reading. Yep, Derek is being cruelly deceived by someone who is just a lying, cheating, cold reading, quote stealing son-of-a-bitch. Luckily anonymous dead people can’t actually sue for defamantion. There’s even more evidence that Sam is an egocentric creep persuing fame and fortune at the expense of the bereaved. Badpsychics* has come up with yet more embarrassment for Derek. Evidently he got in touch with the spirit of a dead highwayman called ‘Rik Eedles’ which turns out to be an anagram of ‘Derek Lies’. I'm betting Sam knew this and just wanted to make Derek look a complete bozo. My guess is that Sam wants his own series and intends to cut out the middle man. Living TV could pay him in spirit money. All
this makes me wonder if can mediums claim some sort of copyright
over the names of their guides? I can’t really see how they
can. Hmm, that gives me an idea – stay tuned. Update! 18th
April 2005 Homeopathy
- The alternative to medicine
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9th April 2005 More
ghost infestation As usual no ectoplasmic evidence was found so what has persuaded the PSI group that, “There’s definitely something there”? |
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Well they had a go at getting an EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) recording and got what was described as “an unexplained grunt”. A grunt you say, maybe there’s more to this than I thought. Here’s the clincher, despite there being no open windows and a metal ceiling, stones were thrown at the team while they were in the condemned cells. It was observed that the stones thrown were significantly hotter than the temperature in the cell. Although admitting this wasn’t conclusive proof team leader Nicky Sewell felt that something was trying to make its presence known. My own cynical mind thinks that someone among the team was having a bit of a joke. If the source of the stones was someone’s pocket I humbly suggest that these would feel somewhat warmer than the ambient temperature, particularly if held in the hand for a while prior to throwing. Alas the EVP ‘grunt’ must remain a mystery. You can visit Paranormal Site Investigators here: http://www.p-s-i.org.uk/about.htm - a strangely difficult website to navigate. |
To be taken seriously you must have green tinted pictures |
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Meanwhile someone has drawn my attention to some very interesting links. These show clips from Most Haunted Live (I assume Living TV hold the copyright). Clip
1. Fingersmith Clip
2. Sick Sense |
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2nd April 2005 Psychic
dumbing down The viewing public seems to have bought into the idea that ghostly activity can and will take place right on cue just because a TV crew turns up. The idea that this programme could ever be real can be dismissed by taking a few moments to reflect on just how much nonsense we are being expected to swallow.
Okay let’s consider this from a different angle, namely health and safety. Under regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety Regulations (1999) all employers must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of any risk to which their employees may be exposed and having done so, reduce the risks to the lowest level reasonably practicable. So knowing that all this dangerous stuff is happening they must surely have completed the required risk assessment prior to tackling another potentially nasty phantom. If they have I’d love to see it. Then we have the Reporting of Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations commonly referred to in the trade as RIDDOR. All companies need to keep a record of accidents including near miss accidents (i.e. those that did not actually result in personal injury) and considering stuff like flying spoons, etc. actually happens then this should be recorded in an Accident Book. Is there an entry in any such book? I honestly doubt it. Then we must consider the risk of harm that ghostly possession exposes Derek to; is this hazard adequately controlled? These days there is a great deal of concern about stress in the workplace, something that is also covered by regulation 3 of the Management Regulations. I’m shocked to think this hasn’t been properly addressed. You see once you expose fantasy to the harsh light of reality it starts to look stupid. No one actually gets hurt, neither is anyone really scared. It’s just TV. What is the overriding desire of any director? I’ll tell you, it’s to make the programme interesting enough so that people will actually take the trouble to watch it. Which is why they don’t make many programmes about sceptics, it’s just too easy to make any programme more interesting with a spooky paranormal angle. Why then do shows have sceptics at all? Generally they would probably rather not but it all comes down to ‘balance’ or at least the appearance of it. But here’s the problem, you can’t keep a television series going, even one about the paranormal, without sufficient drama to allow viewers to vicariously experience the fear of coming face to face with the dead. Has there ever been an episode when nothing happened? No? Really? I wonder why that is. As the public’s imagination takes flight, basic economic theory kicks in and supply increases in order to meet demand. We now have “Paranormal investigator” Jane Goldman (aka Mrs Jonathan Ross) joining the psychic feeding frenzy. Of her latest series Ftn says, “This time she’ll be delving into the darker side of the paranormal, with real-life encounters and firsthand evidence that will raise the hairs of the steeliest sceptic. (no it won’t) She meets a voodoo priest, a victim of demonic possession and a family whose lives have been ruined by a plague of poltergeists. Then there are journeys into the terrifying worlds of alien abductions and the talking dead.” Sounds dangerous, best get those risk assessments sorted out. In a strange game of supernatural one-upmanship this week the ‘Express and Star’ boast that prior to the Most Haunted team descending on the Four Crosses Inn near Cannock they took the liberty of checking the place out with their own preferred psychic “Mystic Ed”. Ed has already jumped in and identified some of the pubs wayward spirits. Evidently these have been spotted by various members of staff over the years which might have Most Haunted fans sitting on the edge of their sofas hoping to finally catch a glimpse of a real ghost. I don’t want to spoil things but my guess is that they won’t see anything. I’m old enough to remember the time when volunteers were hypnotised on television shows and then people called in complaining that they had accidentally been hypnotised too? This virtually stopped such shows completely. Well it occurs to me that in today’s world where everyone is taking everyone else to court, what’s to say that someone watching won’t find themselves possessed by one of Derek’s itinerant spirits? What no risk assessment? It’s an open and shut case. If you want to read more about the doubtful side of Most Haunted Live have a look here:
Christian
Vice I don’t care if Stephen Green is offended just as he obviously doesn’t care who he offends. I get the impression he would dearly love the UK to become part of George W. Bush’s theocracy but as far as I’m concerned his imaginary god has no place in a secular society. I could write more but 'Number Eighty' has it covered wonderfully so go and treat yourself to a look. http://www.eighty.btinternet.co.uk/#glance Look for 'Begging Voice' |
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26th March 2005 Big
cat attack |
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Speaking
personally ‘Big Cat’ sightings invoke a response similar
to those of Nessie and UFOs. Over the years UFO sightings have
been reported in huge numbers with some even claiming alien abduction,
so we know it’s possible to get convincing reports from reliable
witnesses about things that don’t exist. There are other
similarities; ‘Big Cats’ (which often seem to be black)
once witnessed seem to disappear and avoid all detection, they
just vanish. Photos tend to be blurred and provide little in the
way of conclusive evidence. The only difference seems to be that
cats do actually exist whereas flying saucers don’t. |
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 |
This
latest attack in London has a ring of familiarity about it. The
victim, Anthony Holder, is reported to have said a 6ft-long black
animal pounced and then knocked him to the ground. He also says
it was about the size of a Labrador dog which is a lot less than
6 feet. It was a black cat that suddenly jumped out at him during
the middle of the night so conditions are not good for a reliable
sighting. I understand that he has scratches on his face which,
considering the size and ferocity of most big cats, is getting
off lightly in my opinion. I’ve no doubt that to Mr Holden
is completely sincere but my prediction is that no big cat will
be found. |
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Original BBC News story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4370893.stm Join the hunt with British Big Cats |
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19th March 2005 Halifax
ghost An
18 year old apprentice with a digital camera eh? Well at least that
rules out a
hoax. |
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The picture on the left is the one that is supposedly of the ghost haunting the Church spire in Halifax. The picture on the right is one I took of my daughter Sophie. Picture three is an enlarged version of the 'ghost'. |
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| Spiritual
healing on the NHS Apart from a few metaphysical differences and
the wording of incantations I’m not entirely sure what the
difference is between a ‘spiritual energy channeler’
and a witch doctor. There is one difference though and that is that
the first is available on the NHS and the second isn’t (yet). As our fascination with healing hocus pocus descends ever deeper into absurdity we hear of “a ground breaking move to complement conventional cancer treatments”. Graham King who heals using the power of ‘cosmic energy’ has been employed by the paediatric oncology ward, an acute cancer unit, at Middlesex Hospital in London treating around 8 children a week. His role is to not to cure cancer but to help with the side effects of chemotherapy. Mr
King is a reiki master an art we are assured “can be traced
back several thousand years to the mountains of Tibet”. That
pretty much settles it then, it has the necessary pedigree. As with
other similar forms of |
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I have an idea that Middlesex Hospital might well be interested in. I’m going to start a chi transfusion service. If everyone in the UK could give just a pint of chi every six months they would have quite a stock pile to help the sick and needy. Of course it’s not quite that straightforward as there is a risk of giving ‘AB’ positive chi to someone who is type ‘O’ but I’ll work out a safe procedure, promise. |
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| The
item ends by telling us that “One US group believes reiki gives
its members the power to talk to their dogs”. Talking to your
dog is okay, it’s when you think they answer back that you have
to worry. Read the article here |
A
bottle of chi goodness |
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12th March 2005 When Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells disappeared in August 2002 the whole country held its breath and hoped they would eventually be found alive. Tragically as we know, this was never to be. The two young girls, aged 10 had been mu | |||||
Okay
I still haven't worked out why but detecting electromagnetic frequency
seems de rigour for any self respecting ghost hunter these days,
but crucifixes? Do these psychics assume that Christianity is the
one true religion or are they just edging their bets? I see a slight
problem here in that once again God doesn’t
like this sort of thing at all. To quote Deuteronomy 18:10
-11,
for
just 65p per minute. In case you don’t trust the ‘Bones & Stones’ method
you have the alternative of phoning her ‘Angel Love Oracle’ where
one of her 40 angel guides is waiting to serve. Excuse me but this
is unmitigated crap! How can this humbuggery be allowed? You will
call and all you’ll get is some woman giving you her ill informed
opinion. Don’t do it! And once you discover that you’re
just throwing money away who are you going to complain to? Trading
standards? Try it, see how far you get. This is just a licence to
print money.
First
off has anyone ever seen a ghost during the show? Well no but hey
stuff happens. Spoons fly around, things fall for no apparent reason,
sometimes even nearly hitting people. Crew members get badly shaken
up causing Yvette Fielding to show much motherly concern. Best
of all of course is when Derek Acorah becomes ‘possessed’ by
some ancient malevolent and/or deeply troubled spirit who takes control
of his body much to the merriment of any sceptics who may be watching.
This is obviously regarded by the crew as dangerous and poor old
Derek, weakened by all this, finds himself having to rest and regain
his strength.