NEWS: See here for the truth, in response
to this 8/8/08 St. Petersburg Times article.
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skeptic (n): a person who searches for truth
through questioning and reasoning
 What is Tampa Bay Skeptics?
Founded in 1988, Tampa Bay Skeptics is a nonprofit educational and scientific organization devoted to the critical
examination of paranormal and fringe-science claims, and the
dissemination of factual information about such claims. In 2004, TBS became a Special Interest Group of the
Center For Inquiry/Tampa.
Particular areas of interest to TBS
include UFOs, "psychic" power, astrology,
fringe science & medicine, purported miracles and
other New Age claims. Our interest in religion is restricted to claims that can be
objectively tested and potentially verified, such as "weeping icons" or miraculous healings.
TBS conducts its own investigations, follows the activities of other
skeptics groups, monitors the press coverage of the paranormal, and
publishes a quarterly newsletter, Tampa Bay
Skeptics Report, which is also distributed gratis to members of the press and
to many other skeptics groups around the world. TBS also makes its
representatives available to local and national media to provide a
skeptical voice as a counterweight to the irrationalism and superstition
that is increasingly prevalent in the television and print media.
TBS does not reject claims out of hand, but rather is committed to objective
and critical inquiry. In this vein, we share the philosophy of the
Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) -- formerly known as CSICOP --
publisher of Skeptical Inquirer magazine, an international
organization that has nurtured the growth of local skeptics groups (such as ours) all over the world.
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TBS's "$1,000 Challenge"
Whenever possible, TBS attempts to put claims to the test. Since 1989 we have had a
standing $1,000 Challenge available to anyone able to provide TBS
with verifiable scientific proof of any paranormal phenomenon. No one has yet succeeded, but we
remain open-minded (though highly skeptical) and desirous of subjecting testable paranormal claims to
objective scrutiny. Should anyone ever succeed in a test for TBS, we will arrange for a test by the
James Randi Educational Foundation for its $1,000,000 Challenge.
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Membership in TBS
We encourage those who wish to help further the cause of skepticism to join TBS! You can take
your first step, and make a statement about irrationality and superstition at the same time,
by writing a check for $15 to cover your first year's dues. Annual membership includes four
issues of Tampa Bay Skeptics Report,
each snailmailed to you in advance of our quarterly meetings (last Saturday of every March,
June, September, and December). Members also receive a 30% discount on
any Prometheus Books purchased through TBS.
Make your $15 check payable to "Tampa Bay Skeptics"
and mail to:
Tampa Bay Skeptics
c/o Center For Inquiry/Tampa
5201 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 124
Tampa, FL 33609
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Or want to simply join our TBS e-mail list(s)?
Or order TBS T-shirts?
Or join CFI/Tampa?
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TBS Quarterly Meetings
Tampa Bay Skeptics quarterly meetings are generally held on the last Saturday of every March, June, September
and December (barring special circumstances) and are open to the public.
Next TBS Quarterly Meeting:
When:
Saturday, June 27, 2009
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where:
Center for Inquiry/Tampa
Bridgeport Center
5201 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 124
Tampa [ Click for Directions ]
Featured: An Evening with James Randi
(1-hr. video hosted by Michael Shermer)
Also, TBS Executive Council member Bill Hall on "How I became a skeptic"
Plus "Open Forum" and other fun stuff
And after the meeting, join us for an optional lunch at a local restaurant.
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Contact Us!
Send questions, comments, claims, criticisms, and reports of defective web links to TBS office (see right)
or personally to:
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TBS Report Newsletter Topic Index (partial):
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Webmaster: Gary Posner
© 1997-2009 by Tampa Bay Skeptics, Inc.
(a Special Interest Group of CFI/Tampa)
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