Modern skepticism is a response to the torrent of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims that pervade our lives. The stories of ghosts, flying saucers, miracle cures, lake monsters, and many other fringe beliefs often go unchallenged. Skeptics provide the challenge.
While many of us are not scientists, we embrace the scientific method as humankind's best invention for seeking knowledge. Skeptics are not cynics. We don't simply reject every unusual idea. We do insist that unusual ideas require considerable supporting evidence before we accept them as being true. For example, if I claim to have a pet dog, you are unlikely to be skeptical of that claim, as it is not unusual for someone to have a dog. However, if I claim to have a dog that can speak English fluently and intelligently, you would likely insist on a demonstration before accepting it. This approach is often summarized as "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence". We insist on having the evidence.
Cincinnati Skeptics, The Association for Rational Thought, meet to discuss such claims. We debate the merits; we skewer dogmatism. We have fun.
The truth is out there. And skeptics are looking for it.
Here's a good article on how skepticism is relevant: The Danger of Knowing for Sure
A.R.T. is a local Cincinnati group committed to encouraging rational, well-informed evaluation of fringe-science, pseudo-science and paranormal claims. We sponsor programs and publish a newsletter, the Cincinnati Skeptic.
ART was founded as a non-profit organization in 1992 and draws members from within a 50-mile radius of Cincinnati. Our philosophies are compatible with those of several national skeptical groups, such as CSICOP, the James Randi Educational Foundation, and the Skeptics Society. In short, we believe that if a claim is made, its proponents should be prepared to support that claim with observable facts.
Our membership overlaps to some extent with the Free Inquiry Group (FIG), a local humanist organization, but we generally stay away from religious questions. We have no official stand on religion, feeling that it is a question best left to the individual. However, if a claim of a religious nature is made that can be determined to be true or false on the basis of evidence, then it's fair game. Examples of this sort of claim are the Shroud of Turin and faith healing.
The A.R.T. Bylaws are online, and detail the rules under which our organization is run.
It's easy to join the Association for Rational Thought. For a one-year membership, send a check or money order for $15.00 to the address below (send more, if you really want to support tri-state skepticism). Please include your name, phone number, and e-mail address (if you've got one).
For that nominal fee you'll receive notice of all member program plans and updates, six issues of Cincinnati Skeptic, access to SANE (our e-mail-based Skeptical Alert Network Effort), an invitation to our summer picnic, and the opportunity to foster skeptical thought in the tri-state.
ART Membership Secretary
PO Box 12896
Cincinnati, OH 45212-0896
The 2002-2003 officers are:
Contact our officers via email.
To learn more about skepticism, check your library or bookstore for two excellent publications: the Skeptical Inquirer, published by CSICOP, and Skeptic magazine, published by the Skeptics Society in Altadena, CA.
You can also check out some other skeptical resources on the Web that we have collected.
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Copyright 1992-2005, The Association for Rational Thought