Some Useful Links for Beliefs
This is a list of links to sites that cover various beliefs that are generally considered to be anomalous, sometimes bizarre. Most do not fit easily within conventional scientific theories. Most of the links are to sites that provide a gateway to additional sites and information. Whenever possible I have tried to provide links to sites with a wide variety of viewpoints, many of which I personally find silly and in some case immoral and dangerous. This page was developed primarily as a resource for students in courses I teach on the psychology of beliefs. For others, please do keep in mind that the Internet is a useful starting point for information but that we all need to be properly cautious about the validity of much of the information contained therein. There is still no substitute for reading of carefully written books and articles on topics of interest. For lists of suggested readings consult the first two link below under General.
For criticisms, comments, suggestions for additional links, reports of broken links and the like please contact Dave Schneider. For additional information on beliefs check the UP link at the top of the page. Clicking on HOME takes you to my home page.
Index
Afterlife and Ghosts
Astrology
Cults
ESP and Psi
General
General Cranks
Legends and Rumors
Political Groups and Conspiracies
Prejudice and Racism
Recovered Memory and Dissociative Disorders
Religion
Satanism, Ritual Abuse and Modern Witchhunts
UFOs and Alien Abductions
General
Reading Suggestions
My suggestions for additional reading. This list is tilted toward the skeptical position.
The Skeptical Annotated Bibliography
An extensive listing of books on all phases of paranormal phenomena including those that are favorable and those that are skeptical. Brief evaluative reviews of each.
1,000,000 Paranormal Links
I haven't checked the accuracy of the number of links, but there are plenty.
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal On-line
CSIOCP publishes the Skeptical Inquirer and is the leading organization for scientific debunking of paranormal phenomena
Journal of Scientific Exploration
With links to the Society for Scientific Exploration which is far less militantly skeptical than the CSIOCP above.
ParaNet
Strongest on UFO sightings, but links to information on conspiracies and paranormal phenomena
International Society for Paranormal Research
Information about the group and links
Robert Sheaffer's Debunker's Domain
A leading skeptic -- especially strong on UFO materials
The Skeptics Refuge
Links to sites skeptical of paranormal phenomena and to bibliographies on various related topics.
The Skeptics Dictionary
Extensive list of articles debunking various paranormal and other anomalous beliefs
Fortean Times
The Journal of Strange Phenomena
James Randi Educational Foundation
James Randi, a leading skeptic, is a professional magician which gives him special insights into conjuring tricks and supposed demonstrations of paranormal phenomena. Good info on all sorts of strange stuff.
Bibliography for Paranormal
Several hundred references
Pseudo-Science Paranormal Skeptics Page
Many links
Back to Index
ESP and Psi
The Parapsychology Association
A leading national organization with links to extensive information and other sites
Cognitive Sciences Laboratory
Despite the title this group does research primarily on paranormal phenomena
Consciousness Research Laboratory
A group of Psi researchers
Back to Index
Cults and "Brainwashing"
Watchman Fellowship Home Page
A Christian group that has been especially active as an opponent of Scientology and other cults
Cult Information and Awareness Centre
Links to articles on cults, ritual abuse, recovered memory and other such topics.
General Cult Links
Ex-Cult Archive
An extensive list of links to cults and issues surrounding cults
Watchman Fellowship's 1998 Index of Cults and Religions
More links to cults
Specific Cults
An Introduction To Scientology
Maintained by Scientologists and discusses the group's philosophy as well as criticisms
Children of God AKA The Family
One of the largest cults during the 1970s and 1980s with units around the world. Controversial in part because of the emphasis on sex, perhaps involving children, and the use of "flirty fishing" as a means of gaining new members.
Doomsday, Destructive Cults
Links to information about cults that most people consider to be dangerous in the sense that they cause the deaths of members
Heaven's Gate
Good information with links (some outdated) to other sites
Branch Davidians
A balanced discussion of the beliefs of Koresh and his followers. Also some discussion of what we know about the "Waco incident" . Links to additional information.
The People's Temple (Jim Jones and Jonestown)
Balanced with links to additional information
Cults 'r Us Hit List
Part of an Internet crime site, this article describes various destructive cults
"Brainwashing" and Social Influence
Steve Hassan's Freedom of Mind Center
Back to Index
Political Groups and Conspiracies
Beachbum's Clinton Scandal Page
The conservative lowdown on every Clinton scandal you've heard of and some you haven't
Conspiracy.Com
Links to sites and books on conspiracy theories.
Back to Index
Legends and Rumors
Urban Legends Reference Pages
The San Fernando Valley Folklore Society collection of information on urban legends and rumors
The AFU & Urban Legends Archive
Additional information on various urban legends
Back to Index
Prejudice and Racism
White Pride World Web
An example of many such pages out there
Religious Tolerance Page on Anti-Semitism
Emphasis on various age-old myths that have been used by Christians as justification for anti-Semitism
Back to Index
Afterlife and Ghosts
Philadelphia Ghost Hunters Alliance
Information on ghosts from a group that clearly has an open mind about their reality.
Ghost Hunting
Information on the how to hunt and get rid of ghosts. Links to additional information.
Back to Index
Religion
The Secular Web
Links to information that is generally hostile to conventional religious beliefs.
Religious Tolerance Page
Extensive links to material on a great many religions including some that many would consider cults. Also links to other materials generally relevant including material on day care andritual abuse.
The Argument from the Bible
An analysis of the Bible and arguments about why it should not be taken as literal truth
Back to Index
UFOs and Alien Abductions
The J. Allen Hyneck Center for UFO Studies
An organization that clearly supports the idea that UFO sightings are genuine but insists on a level of scientific proof not normally seen in such organizations
Alien City
A general site with many links to UFO materials including various alien abduction sites.
Back to Index
Ritual Abuse, Satanism, and Modern Witchhunts
General Issues
San Diego Grand Jury Report
A lengthy document summarizing psychological and legal issues surrounding charges of sexual abuse of children.
Day Care Child Sex Abuse Phenomenon
Lengthy summary of a conference on the topic held at Harvard Law School
Religious Tolerance Site on Ritual Satanic Abuse
Good discussion, pointing out that there are no proven cases.
Religious Tolerance Site on Ritual Abuse
Similar to the above
1992 FBI Report on Satanic Abuse
Acknowledges that one cannot never prove the negative but makes clear there is no direct evidence of Satanic Abuse or cults.
Frontline Summary
In conjunction with Innocence Lost (see below under Little Rascals) a summary of many cases and their outcomes.
Religious Tolerance Summary
Another summary of 41 known cases of alleged ritual abuse primarily in daycare settings.
The McMartin Daycare case
Perhaps the most famous of the day care cases. Peggy Buckely and her son, Ray, were charged by a mother of abusing her son. The mother was an alcoholic and paranoid schizophrenic which did not stop the prosecutors from aggressively pursuing the case. Ultimately after extensive interviewing by a zealous social worker several hundred children said that the Buckleys and several other workers at the center had sexually abused them. In the longest and most expensive criminal trial in California up to that point, the Buckleys and other workers at the center were found not guilty but had served many years in jail awaiting trial.
Religious Tolerance Site
A good summary sympathetic to the defendants with links to other sites
The Tunnels
The children claimed abuse in tunnels under the school. Evidence that the tunnels probably did not exist.
New York Times article on Peggy Buckley
The effects on one defendant
Apologics article
Brief article with some links. Highly critical of the prosecution case
Alex Constantine article
A defense of the allegations
Children's Memories
Religious Tolerance site devoted to the reliability of children's memories and whether they can be implanted.
Little Rascals Day Care Case
A famous case in Edenton, NC where Betsy and Bob Kelly who ran Little Rascals Day Care were accused by a parent of having abused her child. Bob Kelly was convicted and given several life sentences and Betsy Kelly pleaded guilty to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Five other people were charged and three were convicted. Although the convictions were subsequently overturned, many of the defendants spent several years in jail awaiting trial and appeals. Like most such cases the evidence against the Kellys was based entirely on the testimony of children as young as 3 whose stories emerged only after extensive interviews by police officers and social workers. And like most such cases the children's testimony viewed in the cold light of hindsight is often improbable, and well, childish.
PBS Frontline Program: Innocence Lost
A 4 hour documentary on the Little Rascals Case. Slow moving at first but gripping and anger provoking. Documentary TV at its best. The program is available in video format. Available for checkout at Rice Library.
An informal but excellent summary of the facts and issues in the case
A good discussion
Other Cases
Religious Tolerance description of a Canadian case
Another case of a purported sex ring by Religious Tolerance
Early Childhood Development Center
The first major case in Pittsfield, MA.
Article on Kelly Michaels and Wee Care from Crime Magazine
Detailed analysis of the case with many links.
Cornwall, Ontario Ritual Abuse
Another Religious Tolerance page
Prescott, Ontario Ritual Abuse Case
Religious Tolerance Site
Back to Index
Recovered Memory and Dissociative Disorders
Paul Ingram Case
An update on the famous case of Paul Ingram as described in Lawrence Wright's Remembering Satan
The Recovered Memory Project
Case studies of recovered memories and other materials in response to the PBS Frontline Programs on Divided Memories
Research Materials on Recovered Memories
Extensive links to sites and papers which support the notion of recovered memories of sexual abuse. Also some annotated bibliography and analysis of case studies and research.
False Memory Syndrome Facts
Despite the title this site is largely favorable to claims of recovered memories and has links to legal, clinical, and scientific materials in support.
Repressed Memories
Religious Tolerance page critical of repressed memories
Back to Index
Astrology
There are thousands of astrology sites on the Internet, most promising about the same level of predictive power and the horoscope in the newspaper, but some taking the refinements of modern astrology seriously. The links below represent a sampling of sites devoted to defending and criticizing astrology.
Astrology and Numerology
Lots of information on astrology and numerology. Supportive of the ideas.
Introduction to Astrology
A simplified introduction
Skeptics Dictionary
A brief description of astrology and it many failings as organized science
Astrology Test
An empirical test of astrology predictions -- a complete failure for astrology
Rethinking Astrology
A point by point rebuttal of criticisms
Watchman Profile
Another brief description and set of criticisms in part from a Christian religious perspective
Back to Index
Alex Chiu's Eternal Life Page
Devices to insure eternal life and plans for a telaporter. One strange dude
The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement
Now here's a radical solution to the world's problems
Back to Index