Australian Skeptics
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The Australian Skeptics is a non-profit organization based in Australia which investigates paranormal and pseudoscientific claims using scientific methodologies.
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[edit] History
The Australian Skeptics were founded in Victoria in 1982, after a visit to Australia by James Randi, who encouraged its establishment based upon the USA Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (also known as CSICOP). It grew from a Melbourne based organization to a national one over the following years. It currently has some 2100 members in all Australian States and Territories. Each State and Territory has its own Branch and most have their own newsletters.
[edit] The Skeptic
The journal of the Australian Skeptics is called The Skeptic and has been published since 1982. The Skeptic is used extensively by the media in Australia seeking an alternative view on many of the issues examined by the Australian Skeptics.
[edit] The (Skeptic) TANK Podcast
The TANK Podcast, produced by Richard Saunders of Australian Skeptics and Mystery Investigators, is Australia's only skeptical podcast. Guests have included James Randi, Eugenie C Scott, Phil Plait and Alison Smith from SAPS. Tank Podcast
[edit] Debate
In June 2005, staff scientists from Answers in Genesis–Australia debated a team from the Australian Skeptics online on Margo Kingston's web diary section of the Sydney Morning Herald website.[1]
[edit] $100,000 prize
Australian Skeptics is offering $100,000 (Australian) for proof of psychic or paranormal powers. $20,000 of it goes to the person who nominates the successful claimant (which may be the same person).
[edit] Disputed claims
The Australian Skeptics dispute the veracity or scientific basis for the following phenomena or theories:
- Acupuncture
- Adam and Eve
- Alchemy
- Abduction Phenomenon (Aliens)
- Aliens
- Alternative Medicine
- The Amityville Horror
- Ancient Astronauts
- Angels
- Anti-gravity (Machines)
- The Antichrist
- Apparitions
- Anti-Immunisation Claims
- Aromatherapy
- Astrology
- Astral projection
- Atlantis
- Auras
- Automatic writing
- Ayurvedic Medicine See: Ayurveda
- Backward Masking See: Backward message
- Bass Strait Triangle
- Bee Venom Therapy
- Bermuda Triangle
- Bible Numerics
- Biblical Literalism
- Bigfoot
- Biorhythms
- Bone Pointing
- Bridey Murphy
- Bunyip
- Cattle mutilation
- Channeling
- Chiropractic
- Christian Science
- Clairvoyance
- Cold Fusion
- Creationism
- Crop Circles
- Cryonics
- Cryptozoology
- Crystal healing
- Crystal power
- Cults
- Curses
- Demons
- Dental Amalgam Removal
- Devils
- Dianetics
- Divining
- Dowsing
- Dragon's Triangle
- Dreams Of The Future
This is not a complete list, a complete list of disputed claims is available on their website.
[edit] Prominent members of the Australian Skeptics
- Phillip Adams A.O.
- Dr Colin Groves
- Dr Donald Laycock
- Dick Smith
- John Stear
- Barry Williams
- Richard Saunders
- Peter Bowditch
