This Saturday, 28th April, the King’s Hall Complex [map] is hosting the New Age Psychic & Holistic Fair. With only £3 cover charge and a number of free talks throughout the day on spiritual awaking, meditation, love and astrology, the benefits of herbalism and palmistry, we will be there to take it in and analyse the bullshit at work. The event promises to be “full of things to uplift and inspire you.” We’ll see about that.
As there are no specific times of talks/events taking place, some of us will be there from 1pm.
Follow us on Twitter (@BelfastSkeptics) to follow us and see where we are. DM or @reply and we’ll meet anyone. However, I suggest we gather at 3pm, which will lead nicely to going for a drink and post-event discussion at 5.30pm.
We will meet at the King’s Head pub [map] opposite the King’s Hall at around 5.30pm for a few drinks and discuss the event.
Full details of the fair and the speakers can be found at www.newageholisticfair.com.
Titanic Tourism
Claiming to be disinterested in the hype and surrounding the Titanic does a good job of both alienating people from those who feel creating such business models of a disaster are a good way to remember those whose lives were lost, and an history industry, and bringing together those who are fed up seeing it on the news, TV, newspapers, internet and splashed all over the city every day for the last 6 months. There are two very distinct sides to the story of making it a part of the Belfast’s current appeal for tourism: simply cashing in on disaster-tourism or aptly and respectfully remembering something great the city once did?
A commemoration of a huge feat of engineering and a time when ship-building was one of the largest industries in Belfast: this fine city built the biggest ship in the world, donned “practically unsinkable”, later changed to simply “unsinkable” by local press. Taking 3 years to complete by 3,000 workers and costing $7.5 million (1912) the ship was a beast at 882.9 feet long and 92 feet wide, 59 feet high from water level, and weighed over 46,328 tons.
The scale of accomplishment is worth celebration, yes. To be a first class passenger would have been a great experience; and if you pay enough you won’t have to look hard enough to find a restaurant serving up a menu given to those first-class passengers. However, beyond being a huge ship — the biggest of its time — I find it difficult to get over the fact that it did indeed sink, killing 1,513 of its 2,224 passengers. There were not enough lifeboats, as White Star Line didn’t want to cut into the passenger’s space on the promenade deck, let alone the fact that the living conditions were pretty dire for those in steerage; closer to the engines it was noisy and cramped, with locked gates between them and first and second class decks where the lifeboats where.
We have a whole area of the city rebranded in its name: The Titanic Quarter. Complete with shops, a college, apartments, bars, and corporate business; “maritime disaster to urban status symbol“. Frames Complex has changed its name to Titanic, you can eat ‘salt and vinegar’ flavoured Titanic crisps, there’s The Dock café (a front for a Christian meeting place, but that’s a different topic), ‘Titanic’ burgers are being sold in St Georges Market, complete with “iceberg lettuce”. Why not wash it down with a mug of Titanic Tea, or drown your sorrows with a pint Titanic Beer. It’s beyond ridiculous and completely insensitive.
The recent wave of marketing towards the Titanic, by local councils and tourist groups for the region, backed by far too much money and the ability of some very clever marketing people, while lauded as a celebration of “glory and disaster” has led to a wave of “disaster tourism” and a number of people simply cashing in on the gullibility of those who feel that a tea towel or ice cube holder is a sufficient way of remembering this tragedy. While sectarianism may have been a part of life in Belfast at the time, the fact that “Catholic workers were often excluded from the workforce because of their religion”, as William Crawley discussed, hails of glorifying the very issue.
Belfast man William Neill, now a Professor of Urban Planning at Aberdeen University in Scotland, was quoted as saying that he acknowledges Belfast’s shipbuilding history and it’s “unique” place in the Titanic story, but is concerned that the city is trying to cash in with Titanic “infotainment” with its new Titanic centre.
Constructed as a near-replica of the original Grand Staircase on board the ship the staircase which has caused much controversy in recent weeks is situated in the 750-capacity Titanic Suite conference and banqueting hall, yet mere members of the public are not given permission to see it, beyond admiring photographs elsewhere in the visitors’ centre. Unless of course you have celebrity status. A modern tale of class-based discrimination?
While the experience of the Titanic Belfast visitor centre may be one to enjoy and remember: it is a beautiful building from the outside, and, from first-hand reports, what has been done on the inside to celebrate Belfast and its ship-building industry of a day gone by is done tastefully and with much hands-on interactivity. However, this is £97m which could have gone into working on what is left of the industry in Belfast: the dry dock and pump house, Clendon Dock, the Drawing Rooms and other artifacts, which have left to all but rot under the watchful eye of residents, and this new wave of tourists. Hopefully it won’t become the white elephant that some predict it will.
All photographs copyright © Phil O’Kane
I am anti-Titanic. Why? Because it is continuing the idea of Belfast being known for all the wrong reasons: a ship which sank and killed hundreds of people, George Best; a wife-beating, alcoholic footballer, The Troubles, home to the most bombed hotel in the world (The Europa), Snow Patrol (I jest). No, we mustn’t forget the Titanic, though if only it was done more respectfully. We don’t need it to be our Disneyland.
The pneumatic tyre and the tractor were invented in Belfast? Belfast’s Sirocco Works invented air conditioning and the Royal Victoria Hospital became the first building in the world to be fitted with air conditioning. Shorts Aircraft Factory pioneered Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircrafts in the 50’s when Sir James Martin invented the aircraft ejector seat. Professor Sir Frank Pantridge, born in Hillsborough and educated at Queens University invented the portable defibrillator, which saves thousands of lives each year. (info).
A grand ship yes, but with an unforeseen outcome, one which Belfast shouldn’t be particularly proud. The History Press used available research in order to provide historically accurate tweets from the first person perspective of the crew, passengers, captain and engineers, following the ship as it left on its journey to its demise in the North Atlantic on 15th April 100 years ago. Personally, I find it a hugely morbid affair.
#firstclass Those poor souls floating in the ice cold water, I want to pull them into the boat but others resist. Why?
— TitanicVoyage (@TitanicRealTime) April 15, 2012
A similar attempt was performed by RMS Titanic, Inc.
April 15th 3:00AM: Water became quiet; screams from the water stopped.
— RMS Titanic, Inc. (@RMS_Titanic_Inc) April 15, 2012
As Mark Simpson recently said: “There is a thin line between embracing the Titanic legacy in Belfast and exploiting it.”
This was originally posted on my personal blog: icedcoffee.ie.
Ghosts in the City Hall?
There was a story on the BBC news website a couple of months ago about a local paranormal research group who were seeking access to the city hall to do a ghost hunt. I had intended writing about it at the time, but as usual these things slip my mind. But I was reminded of the story by a recent episode of the Righteous Indignation podcast where Marsh, Hayley and Trystran spent a whole episode talking about the group. The group are called the North Belfast Paranormal Research Group – NBPRG (I’m not aware of a South, East or West Belfast Paranormal Research Group – so they could probably dispense with the North bit) As Marsh said it does remind you of some of the long winded paramilitary names you got in the troubles. Apparently the City Hall are taking this seriously enough that they are asking councillors to rule on the matter. As yet I have been unable to ascertain as to whether the council have made a formal response to the group. Hopefully it wont waste too much more council time.
Obviously there is a need within scepticism to examine claims about the paranormal and this has been done for years by the likes of Joe Nickell and CSICOP. But theirs is an approach that differs radically form the type of group that the NBPRG appear to be. Essentially the NBPRG are the type of group we are familiar with from programmes like Most Haunted who use Electronic Voice Phenomena, EMF Metres and Orb Photography as the tools of their trade. I wont spend any time here explaining the problems with these techniques as Hayley Stephens does it much more succinctly here.
But to be honest I’m not so much bothered about the NBPRG gaining access to the city hall, I’m more curious about how as skeptics we should respond to this kind of story. Shows like “Most Haunted” and “Ghost Hunters” are just the latest incarnation of a centuries old tradition of telling ghost stories. This is a tradition that encompasses cultures across the globe, and has been a way of expressing morality tales or just exploring our fears of the unknown with in the safe confines of an allegory. But where the ghost hunters differ from the oral traditions of old is their attempt to claim scientific credibility through the use of cod scientific methods.
So, how should we respond? Complaining may just confirm to people that we are the cynical kill joys that they already suspected we were. I think any approach needs to be humorous and educational rather than dry and hectoring. A letter to the Belfast Telegraph may have been appropriate but to be honest I think there are bigger fish to fry.
Many people watch “Ghost Hunters” because of its tongue in cheek style and the programme has virtually become a parody of itself – but it has fed in to this world of “big name” psychic readers such as Derek Akora and Sally Morgan, and it is with these high profile characters that the sceptical movement is now focusing its attention. Project Barnum was set up last year after Sally Morgan was accused of being fed information from somebody behind the scenes at her Dublin show. The site aims to provide information to people about the psychological tricks used by mediums to convince people of their “skills”. Sally’s story has remained in the news thanks to the efforts of Simon Singh and The Merseyside Skeptics Society. The latest incident relating to a reading given to Drew McAdam in Edinburgh after he had already e-mailed Sally with the details that she went on to supposedly reveal from the spirit world.
Both Sally Morgan and Derek Akora are “performing” in Belfast over the next couple of months. Although I wouldn’t want to support them by actually paying to hear them talk – it may be a good opportunity to promote the work of Project Barnum.
29th March – Sally Morgan at Belfast Waterfront Hall
18th May – Derek Akora at The Ulster Hall
Why I’m “Doing” Lent
There is a lot of cynicism around Lent: giving up Lent for Lent, doing it out of tradition, giving up fairy stories, myths and bullshit, deliberately eating and drinking more. Now this is all very well, and very funny, but it’s the very stuff I’ve been saying since I was 15. I never did like being told what to do and when to do it. This year, however, I am in a place where I am willing and able to change something for 46 days. And while I still do not like being told when and how to do things, I am simply being inspired by the cause of Lent to take this time to improve myself.
When I was young I used to attempt to give up chocolate, sugar, TV… I did it religiously. Just like many others. Then there are the people who give up sarcasm, Facebook, swearing, junk food etc. Are these real sacrifices? Lent, like much of the teachings of the Christian church, is based on goodness, humility, kindness, empathy, self-control; being true to yourself and neighbours, fasting, abstinence, discipline, living spiritually, to change the routine for a few weeks: this is what Lent is supposed to be about for Christians. And, like many aspects of Christianity, there is nothing wrong with any of this.
I’m aiming to give up some small things, yet no less difficult: giving up alcohol (which in turn should help me stay off the cigarettes as I’ve done mostly successfully the last 4 months), giving up coffee, eating out and generally live more frugally. These are things I have difficulty doing; unlike giving up heroin. But why? Because I don’t like to take things lightly, and do anything out of “tradition”. I aim to do things deliberately, out of passion and because I want to. I’m far from perfect, and this is just another time in which to perfect myself. By setting myself just another challenge. To discipline myself. For myself. Piggy-bagging of this Catholic/Christian calendar event, if you will.
Like Christmas today, there is very little of Jesus and the bible in many people’s interpretation of Lent: Jane Williams put it very eloquently in the Guardian: “…there is really no point at all in a Lenten discipline that isn’t about re-imagining the world so that it revolves less about our own desires and more about the good of all. When Lent ends, that vision of the world doesn’t.”
The true meaning of Lent?
Curiously, Al Terry received death threats after posting this on Twitter. Where’s the Christianity in that?
Embracing the other side?
I really don’t know where to start when it comes to my views on religion, specifically the Catholic faith in which I was raised. Do I mention being forced to go to mass each Sunday as a kid? Do I mention my fear of going to confession or my fear when meeting the bishop at my confirmation? Do I mention that I once (and for a significant portion of time) considered the priesthood? Do I talk about my rebellion against going to mass, once I realised how ridiculous the whole thing is? Do I talk of my agnosticism giving way to atheism?
Religion has been such a massive part of my life, whether I’ve wanted it to be or not. This is Ireland afterall, how could I avoid it? It’s ingrained into our psyche. The most atheist among us will still scream expletives akin to “Holy Mary, Mother of God” when we stub our toe. The most ardent disbeliever will still be able to recite Our Father. And there is not one rational person on this isle who doesn’t have an opinion on the abuses towards children (and others) committed by senior members of the biggest religion in the country.
My name is Darren and I am steeped in Catholic guilt, despite many years ago casting aside the crazy beliefs with which I was raised. There’s no escaping it. This lent, I’ve decided to embrace it. I’m not turning my back on the Catholic Church any longer. I’m stepping through it’s overly ornate doors, walking up it’s marble aisle, kneeling in front of the altar of opulence and accepting the Church into my life.
Yes, for the next 40(ish) days, I am going to attend mass and find out what all the fuss is about. I will listen to the sermons and try to find out if these Lords of Hypocrisy still have a place within Irish society. I will share my views on belief, doctrine, cults; I will share my thoughts on why I think the Catholic Church should quietly slink away into the dark recesses in which it belongs. There is no God, this I have long since accepted. Now I ask, why is there a Church?
Here is my first video is a series I hope to continue. On Ash Wednesday, I step into a Church for the first time since my grandmother’s funeral, six years ago. Please join me, agree with me, argue with me, criticise me, praise me, talk to me, berate me and applaud me, as I attempt to give my views on the Catholic Church over the lenten period.
February Event :: Brian McClinton
On Thursday 16th February, Belfast Skeptics in the Pub will present Brian McClinton, retired school teacher, author of ‘The Shakespeare Conspiracies’ and ‘Ulster’s Third Way’, a director of the Humanist Association of Northern Ireland, and editor of the all-Ireland magazine ‘Humanism Ireland’. He will argue that scepticism is not enough. Humanism goes beyond scepticism to place a trust (faith?) in humanity and that we can create a better world based on humane principles: “Remember your humanity and forget the rest”.
As always, this event is open to everyone and anyone and is completely free.
As with all Skeptics in the Pub events, come along, have a drink, listen to the speaker, and feel free to stick around afterwards for a chat and another pint!
Register your attendance on Eventbrite and Facebook.
Date: Thursday, 16th February
Time: 7.30pm sharp
Location: The Parlour Club Room (up the stairs and around to the left),
2-4 Elmwood Avenue, Belfast, BT9 6AY [map].
Soapbox: Nadine’s Big Strop
Last week, an attempt by Nadine Dorries MP to remove counselling services from abortion providers and giving it to what were referred to as ‘independent’ providers was stopped by a vote of 368 to 118 in Westminster.
Of the Northern Irish MPs in attendance at the vote, every single one voted in favour of Dorries’ amendment. This includes SDLP MPs and Alliance’s sole MP, Naomi Long.
The argument was that it is wrong to give bodies that receive public money for carrying out abortions the task of also providing counselling on the subject, as they would have a “vested interest” in making sure abortion levels stayed the same or grew. That is to say, that current providers Marie Stopes and bpas would seek to profit out of providing abortion services.
One of the major groups that would become responsible for providing this counselling however, CareConfidential, was found by a Newsnight investigation to hold hardline Christian views.
The group, which has over 130 affiliated centres across the UK, making it the largest independent crisis pregnancy body in the UK, was found to issue the following religious statements within its training manual:
- “Abortion is undoubtedly a wickedness that grieves God’s heart. As we study the Bible we see that life begins within the womb when the human egg is fertilised and then implanted.”
- “The deliberate destruction of the developing child at any stage from this point is to deny the life of the human being – a most grievous sin in the eyes of God…”
- “Because abortion involves the taking of a human life, a life that God created, it is very much a spiritual issue. It is important therefore that this work of post-abortion counselling is ‘church-based’”.
Speaking to Newsnight, former Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris said;
“There already is an existing, unbiased, professional service which is regulated and inspected by the department of health itself, which on its website warns against going to the so-called independent abortion providers who have been shown time and again through mystery shopping exercises to give distorted advice, incorrect advice and try and shame women into not seeking abortion when that’s in their interests and what they want”.
The argument for the change was that it would increase choice for women, but what has subsequently emerged is that this was merely a smokescreen for radical changes from a group of people which, seemingly, take issue with abortion.
Campaigners, for example, claimed that the scheme would reduce the number of abortions each year by 60,000 – a striking talking point rooted in the notion that people having abortions is a problem.
Further, in the House of Commons, Nadine Dorries claimed that during her meetings with David Cameron, the Prime Minister was enthusiastic of the plan and instructed Dorries to use the word ‘independent’ in describing the replacement bodies.
Given the highly religious findings from the Newsnight investigation, the group is certainly not independent, leaving Cameron’s advice as smart misdirection inferring fault with the current system and, subsequently, the need for reform.
Finally, during the debate, Dorries stood in Parliament and stated, “Like 73 per cent of the country I am Church of England, I do have Christian beliefs, but I am not sure when that became a crime”.
If we are being kind, we would say that Dorries felt persecuted for her Christianity when trying to implement a change she believed in, detached from her religion. This is a woman, after all, who has declared, “I am pro-choice. Abortion is here to stay.”
In light, however, of the replacement provider, the talking point about reducing the number of abortions, the fact that the plans would lengthen the abortion process closer toward the limit and the clear spin top Tory brass placed on the amendment, it does put her Christianity in new light, casting doubt on her true intentions and posing the question of whether her idea was founded in fact or religion.
There is growing concern amongst some Christians that they are in some way being outlawed. In reality, the issue is that these same Christians are seeking to impose their beliefs on an entire society. In doing so, they circumvent logic, morality and decency.
Regardless of what the Bible says, it would be abhorrent to give Government money to an abortion counselling service which referred to one woman’s 6 week pregnancy as a ‘baby’ and described her situation as ‘God giving her another chance’.
Further, it is outrageous that some churches deny same-sex ceremonies on the grounds that they would seek to ‘rewrite nature’ when, in reality, it is their unverified, ungrounded beliefs which discriminate against groups due to innate aspects as irrelevant and incidental as race or eye colour. Coincidentally, these aspects are not beliefs but scientific fact.
These people are ignoring fact. Let us be clear; what these people are doing is akin to denying the sky is blue, the grass green or the existence of gravity.
The argument of ‘independence’ suggests that a compromise between fact and fiction is beneficial. The UK Prime Minister was in favour of this amendment and, indeed, suggested the ‘independence’ line. If this government is going to be so adverse to fact, why don’t they just make everyone rub cats on their foreheads to reduce the deficit and have done with it? For our MPs to vote in favour of this shambles is embarrassing, shameful and depressingly predictable.
Finally, in the words of Dorries herself in an article she wrote for the Mail, “I would like to say that we have reason on our side but then, in politics, when the issue of abortion is raised, all reason seems to fly out of the whips’ office window”. Oh irony of ironies.
It must be true, I read it in the Mail
In the short history of this website, we haven’t taken aim, really, at the media. Thanks to the Daily Mail on Saturday, however, that’s about to change. You see, the Daily Mail offered a corker of an example of how the media ignore all common sense, logic and reason and draw on pre-established narratives to appeal to their readers. Like all good dealers of addictive schlock, they keep hitting the same buttons they know will send a thrill through their audience to keep them coming back for more.
As I’m sure you all know, it would strongly appear as though Daily Mail hates the BBC. That’s their narrative and the Daily Mail’s ‘middle England’ readers lap it up. So it came as no surprise, then, when I came across a story on their site called “The price of beauty: BBC to spend £100,000 of licence fee payer’s money on make-up artists for news presenters”. Now, let’s keep in mind the fact that BBC News has 24 hour coverage, 7 days a week featuring no less than 30 people, anchors, journalists and contributors, (and probably tens more) which appear in the studio and need make up. Let’s keep in mind the fact, then, that for £100,000 the BBC is employing make-up people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which could easily be the salaries of four people. Let’s also remember the fact that neither you nor I wish to see a melting George Alagiah or a Fiona Bruce with a forehead not too dissimilar to Niagara falls. And let’s remember that TV news programmes, be it ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 or Sky, all use makeup on their talent and contributors and that, due to studio lights, it’s nice when people’s faces don’t reflect every stage light into camera.
The Daily Mail have, however, ignored all that in Rebecca Twomey’s article, favouring instead emotive phrases like “the staggering amount of licence fee payer’s money”, “pricey measures” and “an expensive affair”. Knowledge is what allows us to hold bodies and politicians to account. Why, then, is this naked ideological agenda permitted and tolerated? This type of propaganda only serves the purposes of newspaper and its owners. Knowledge is vital to a healthy democracy and has a profound effect on the electorate.
On the same day, serial BBC hater Liz Thomas wrote an article called “A glass act: Fiona Bruce wears specs and no make-up to read the news after catching eye infection”. In this article, Thomas uses three Tweets (I kid you not) to show how her glasses sparked a “flurry of debate” about her glasses. So, after hammering the BBC for spending money on makeup artists and, ultimately, vanity, the Mail is now hammering one of the BBC’s newsreaders for not having makeup on and wearing glasses. Hypocrisy aside, it’s obvious the Mail uses articles like this to rile people up and drive traffic to their site. In the links here, however, you won’t be giving them any traffic. Win-win.
It’s a real illustration, however, of the role the media plays in the dumbification of the public. If it’s written in the papers, it has some legitimacy in it. That’s the perception. This is exactly why bullshit like homeopathy, psychics and the like float unchecked into the public’s consciousness, and how religion dictates, directly or otherwise, public policy. It might not seem like it matters, but homeopaths have been travelling to disaster zones handing out their glorified Skittles to people in need of real medication. Why do we accept this kind of stuff? Because it’s true, of course. I read it in the papers.
So last week I was watching Psychoville at one or two in the morning on BBC iPlayer. This happens a lot. I have the sleeping patterns of a bat and the TV consumption habits of a student. Personally, I blame rap music.
Anyway, when it ended I went to the Guardian’s website and saw, at the top, in the Breaking News ticker, a harrowing developing story on a mass grave in Texas containing the bodies of up to 40 women and children.
“What in the name of Christ is this about?” I thought. “Was this some cult or a lone mental?” As it turned out, it was just the sick ramblings of a psychic the police had to look into. There was no mass grave.
Now, I was going to write a real skeptics blog post on this, but I really don’t need to since the Discovery channel’s news website have completely nailed it already.
If you want to hear the psychic’s ‘side’ of this, the Houston Chronicle managed to track her down.
Now, this story made it to the Guardian, Reuters and the New York times. The FBI was involved in the search. This psychic should face a penalty. Wasting police resources and, as such, tax payer money on the fanciful imaginings of a disturbed person while also including a national body is wholly unacceptable.
I haven’t heard if this psychic is going to face any consequences for this, but I sincerely hope they are. I can’t imagine I’m the only person that would want penalties in place so these people have to think again.
Denial is not just a river
A Minister for the Environment who denied climate change.
A Minister for Culture who wanted creationism promoted in the Ulster Museum.
Now? Well, now we have a Minister for Health who denies evolution. Well, that’s just super. As we said on Twitter:
Good thing evolution has nothing to do with medicine, viruses, genetic disease, science or anything else. No sireee no. Nothing to see here.
Some of our fellow Tweeters are very, very funny. Here’s Colm Ryan‘s illustration:
Thanks to Colm Ryan
He also said:
His first duty will be to legislate against penicillin for evolving. #edwinthecreationist
Then there was Alun:
Could be a clever move. If he makes evolution illegal in NI, that’s MRSA wiped out, yes?
And of course Chris, in a wonderful nod to the Life of Brian:
Apart from sanitation, medicine, education, irrigation, health, roads and freshwater what has science done for us?
Big props to Robin Ince for retweeting us 
Just to see what his reaction might be and how the idea of denying evolution while being minister for a department that has a serious science backing might be reconciled, we sent him the following email:
Dear Minister Poots,
First of all may we congratulate you on your recent appointment as the Minister of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. After the news broke today it came to our attention that, according to your website, you are a “young earth creationist and an opponent of the theory of evolution”. Could you please elaborate on this point? We would not wish to misrepresent your position on this matter. We are also concerned about how it might be possible to reconcile responsibility for public health and public safety with the denial of a well-established, well-supported and widely-accepted scientific theory and the possible repercussions that this might have.
We look forward to hearing back from you to respond to our concerns.
Kind regards,
Conor, Alana and Phil
If you want to do the same, you can email him directly on either private.office@dhsspsni.gov.uk or edwin@edwinpoots.co.uk. They’re both publicly-available email addresses.
Welcome to the Belfast Skeptics in the Pub; the springboard for a group of people looking to further the cause of skepticism in Belfast. We meet on a monthly basis at a central location. Drop us a line if you have any queries or suggestions.