Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1992, Page 89
Correction
In CSJ Volume 8, Number 2, Kevin Garvey and Linda Blood critiqued the report, Satanism in
America, published by the Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion (CSER). On
page 151 Garvey and Blood say: “This report was written by a collection of authors officially
representing the Academy of Humanism. This group is integrally connected to the
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), which has
produced various and admirable works exposing religious and scientific frauds.”
Garvey and Blood attributed the report to the Academy of Humanism because of the
following footnote at the bottom of the report’s title page: “CSER is a special committee of
the Academy of Humanism consisting of scientists and other scholars worldwide. Its purpose
is the scholarly examination of religious claims. CSER is based in Buffalo, NY and publishes a
quarterly journal – Free Inquiry.” Garvey and Blood believed that the groups are “integrally
connected” because, among other reasons, Dr. Paul Kurtz, Chairman of CSICOP, is also the
editor of Free Inquiry.
Mr. Tim Madigan, Executive Editor of Free Inquiry has informed me that the above-quoted
footnote was incorrect and that the report’s authors had the book printed before Mr.
Madigan and other authorities in CODESH had an opportunity to review the final copy. In
fact, Free Inquiry has always been published by the Council on Democratic and Secular
Humanism (CODESH, Inc.). The Academy of Humanism and CSER are subcommittees of
CODESH. The report was prepared under the auspices of CSER and had nothing to do with
the Academy of Humanism.
Mr. Barry Karr, Executive Director of CSICOP, has informed me that “CSER and the
Academy of Humanism are not connected to CSICOP, and that CSICOP played no role in the
production of the Satanism in America book.”
Although Garvey and Blood do not equate CSER and CSICOP, saying only that they are
“integrally connected,” readers should realize that they are distinct entities. I thank Mr. Karr
and Mr. Madigan for helping to clarify this matter.
Michael D. Langone, Ph. D.
Editor
Correction
In CSJ Volume 8, Number 2, Kevin Garvey and Linda Blood critiqued the report, Satanism in
America, published by the Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion (CSER). On
page 151 Garvey and Blood say: “This report was written by a collection of authors officially
representing the Academy of Humanism. This group is integrally connected to the
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), which has
produced various and admirable works exposing religious and scientific frauds.”
Garvey and Blood attributed the report to the Academy of Humanism because of the
following footnote at the bottom of the report’s title page: “CSER is a special committee of
the Academy of Humanism consisting of scientists and other scholars worldwide. Its purpose
is the scholarly examination of religious claims. CSER is based in Buffalo, NY and publishes a
quarterly journal – Free Inquiry.” Garvey and Blood believed that the groups are “integrally
connected” because, among other reasons, Dr. Paul Kurtz, Chairman of CSICOP, is also the
editor of Free Inquiry.
Mr. Tim Madigan, Executive Editor of Free Inquiry has informed me that the above-quoted
footnote was incorrect and that the report’s authors had the book printed before Mr.
Madigan and other authorities in CODESH had an opportunity to review the final copy. In
fact, Free Inquiry has always been published by the Council on Democratic and Secular
Humanism (CODESH, Inc.). The Academy of Humanism and CSER are subcommittees of
CODESH. The report was prepared under the auspices of CSER and had nothing to do with
the Academy of Humanism.
Mr. Barry Karr, Executive Director of CSICOP, has informed me that “CSER and the
Academy of Humanism are not connected to CSICOP, and that CSICOP played no role in the
production of the Satanism in America book.”
Although Garvey and Blood do not equate CSER and CSICOP, saying only that they are
“integrally connected,” readers should realize that they are distinct entities. I thank Mr. Karr
and Mr. Madigan for helping to clarify this matter.
Michael D. Langone, Ph. D.
Editor
