Stichting Skepsis

Stichting Skepsis is a Dutch nonprofit organization devoted to scientific skepticism: the use of evidence, testable explanations, methodological criticism, and informed reasoning when assessing extraordinary claims. Its work focuses on subjects such as paranormal phenomena, alternative medicine, pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, misleading uses of research, and questionable claims in public life. The organization presents itself as an independent, volunteer-based foundation rather than as a commercial publisher, political party, or academic institution. Skepsis is best known for Skepter, a Dutch-language magazine that has been published since 1988. The periodical examines disputed claims and practices through investigative articles, reviews, and critical analysis. The publication has been associated with a number of prominent Dutch skeptics and science writers; Hans van Maanen is identified in the supplied reference material as its current editor-in-chief. Skepsis also operates the Skepsis Blog, which applies similar scrutiny to news reports, popular beliefs, and dubious practices in a more immediate online format. A separate website, Klopt Dat Wel?, originated from Skepsis but is formally independent. Another central activity is the annual Skepsis Congres. The conference began in Amersfoort, moved to Amsterdam for its 2002 edition, and has been held in Utrecht since 2003. Each edition is organized around a theme, ranging from critical thinking and alternative medicine to belief psychology, religion, paranormal claims, conspiracy theories, science education, and problems in scientific practice. The events provide a public forum for skeptical researchers, authors, and speakers; the 2006 conference, for example, included contributions from Joe Nickell and Chris French. The foundation is also connected to the wider international skeptical movement. It is a member of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations, and its first chairman, astronomer Cornelis de Jager, later served as the council's first chairman. Skepsis participated in the international 10:23 Campaign in 2011, a public action challenging the plausibility and evidential basis of homeopathic remedies. Skepsis has attracted public attention through challenges to high-profile claims. In the Robbert van den Broeke controversy, the organization argued that details presented during a television psychic reading had been copied from publicly available genealogical information. It also became involved in the legal aftermath of the death of television personality Sylvia Millecam, who had pursued alternative treatments and advice from a healing medium after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Together with the Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij, Skepsis took legal steps after prosecutors initially discontinued the case; the proceedings eventually produced convictions of two alternative practitioners, while Jomanda was acquitted. Its activities are financed primarily through Skepter subscriptions and donations. Contributors and authors are generally volunteers, with writers receiving modest honoraria according to the supplied reference material. Skepsis therefore occupies a distinctive position in the Netherlands: it combines public education, investigative journalism, publishing, conference programming, and advocacy for evidence-based evaluation without being a conventional commercial brand.

Stichting Skepsis emerged in the Netherlands in the late 1980s as an organized advocate for scientific skepticism. Its first chairman was astronomer Cornelis de Jager, who led the organization from 1987 through 1998. De Jager subsequently became the first chairman of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations, linking the Dutch foundation to the broader European skeptical movement. The organization's principal publication, Skepter, began appearing in 1988 and became its most durable channel for research-based criticism. Published quarterly, the magazine covers subjects including paranormal claims, alternative medicine, pseudoscience, religious and extraordinary experiences, conspiracy theories, and the misuse or overstatement of scientific evidence. The publication relies substantially on volunteer contributors and expert authors, with modest honoraria reported for some writing. Subscription contributions and donations support the foundation's activities. Skepsis also developed a public-events program centered on the Skepsis Congres. The conference was held in Amersfoort from 1987 to 2001, moved to Amsterdam in 2002, and has taken place in Utrecht since 2003. Each conference adopts a principal theme. Topics represented in the supplied historical record include critical thinking, alternative medicine, the psychology of belief, climate change and environmentalism, religion and secularization, paranormal claims, fringe science, pseudoscientific business practices, the financial costs of dubious claims, conspiracy theories, cognition and illusion, science education, extraordinary experiences, and weaknesses in scientific institutions. Speakers at the 2006 event included Joe Nickell and Chris French. The foundation expanded its communication work online through the Skepsis Blog, which comments on current news and questionable practices. The website Klopt Dat Wel? developed out of Skepsis's activities but became formally independent. These outlets allowed the organization to apply skeptical methods outside the slower publication cycle of Skepter. Skepsis has periodically become involved in public controversies where extraordinary claims intersected with television, health, or consumer protection. In late 2005, it investigated television psychic Robbert van den Broeke. Skepter editor Rob Nanninga compared information used in a televised reading with a genealogy website and argued that the apparent supernatural knowledge could be explained by prior research. The controversy was followed by reports in 2006 that the associated television series would not continue. The foundation also played a role in the legal controversy following the 2001 death of television personality Sylvia Millecam from breast cancer. Millecam had received advice and treatment from alternative practitioners and the self-described healing medium Jomanda, including claims that she did not have cancer. After prosecutors initially discontinued the case on the grounds that Millecam had made her own choices, Skepsis and the Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij pursued legal action to require further proceedings. The case concluded in 2009 with convictions of two alternative practitioners and an acquittal for Jomanda. In 2011, Skepsis participated in the 10:23 Campaign, an international action intended to demonstrate skepticism toward homeopathy. The organization remains an independent nonprofit foundation whose work combines magazine publishing, online commentary, conferences, public criticism, and participation in international skeptical networks.

• 2011

  Participation in the 10:23 Campaign

  [1]Stichting Skepsisen.wikipedia.org

  Skepsis joins international skeptical organizations in a public challenge to homeopathic claims.

• 2003

  Congress establishes Utrecht as its venue

  [1]Stichting Skepsisen.wikipedia.org

  The annual conference begins its continuing run in Utrecht.

• 2002

  Congress moves temporarily to Amsterdam

  [1]Stichting Skepsisen.wikipedia.org

  The annual Skepsis Congress is held in Amsterdam after its earlier run in Amersfoort.

• 1994

  Cornelis de Jager becomes first ECSO chairman

  [1]Stichting Skepsisen.wikipedia.org

  Skepsis's first chairman also takes the inaugural chairmanship of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations.

• 1988

  Skepter begins publication

  [1]Stichting Skepsisen.wikipedia.org

  Skepsis launches its recurring magazine devoted to critical examination of extraordinary and pseudoscientific claims.

• 1987

  Foundation established and first Skepsis Congress held

  [1]Stichting Skepsisen.wikipedia.org

  The organization begins its documented public activity, with Cornelis de Jager serving as its first chairman and the Skepsis Congress taking place in Amersfoort.

An independent Dutch skeptical organization positioned as a public-interest source of evidence-based criticism of extraordinary claims, pseudoscience, quackery, and misleading interpretations of research.

• Magazine · 1988

  Skepter

  A Dutch-language quarterly magazine published by Stichting Skepsis since 1988. It uses investigative reporting, scientific reasoning, and source criticism to assess paranormal claims, alternative medicine, pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, and questionable interpretations of research. It is the foundation's principal recurring publication and is supported by subscribers and donors.

• Online publication

  Skepsis Blog

  An online outlet associated with Stichting Skepsis that applies skeptical analysis to current news, popular claims, and dubious practices. It complements the longer publication cycle of Skepter by allowing more timely responses to public controversies and emerging claims.

• Annual conference · 1987

  Skepsis Congres

  The organization's annual public conference. It began in Amersfoort, was held in Amsterdam in 2002, and has been held in Utrecht since 2003. Each edition centers on a specific theme related to critical thinking, science, belief, health claims, or pseudoscience.

• 2005

  Robbert van den Broeke psychic-reading controversy

  Skepsis publicly challenged claims made by television psychic Robbert van den Broeke after identifying apparent correspondence between details from a televised reading and information on a genealogy website. The episode became a high-profile dispute over whether the information was obtained supernaturally or through prior research.

  Source

• 2001

  Sylvia Millecam alternative-treatment controversy

  Skepsis became involved in the legal aftermath of Sylvia Millecam's death from breast cancer after she had received alternative treatment and advice that reportedly denied or minimized her cancer diagnosis. Together with the Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij, the foundation pursued continuation of the case after an initial prosecutorial decision. The 2009 outcome included convictions of two alternative practitioners and an acquittal for Jomanda.

  Source

Read more

• 201110:23 Campaign

  Netherlands · International

  Skepsis participated in the international 10:23 Campaign, a skeptical public action directed at homeopathy and its lack of convincing scientific support.

  Outcome. The campaign increased public visibility for skeptical criticism of homeopathy; the supplied material does not provide a quantified organizational outcome.

  Source

• 2011

  Participation in an international homeopathy challengeStrategy

  Background

  The international skeptical movement sought a visible public response to claims made for homeopathic remedies.

  Action taken

  Stichting Skepsis joined the 10:23 Campaign.

  Aftermath

  The action positioned Skepsis within an international campaign for evidence-based evaluation of homeopathy.

  Source

• 2003

  Move of the annual congress to UtrechtStrategy

  Background

  The annual conference had previously been held in Amersfoort and in Amsterdam for the 2002 edition.

  Action taken

  Skepsis began holding the annual Skepsis Congress in Utrecht.

  Aftermath

  Utrecht became the conference's continuing venue according to the supplied reference material.

  Source

• 1988

  Establishment of a recurring skeptical magazineStrategy

  Background

  The organization needed a durable way to communicate evidence-based criticism of extraordinary claims and questionable practices.

  Action taken

  It began publishing Skepter on a quarterly basis.

  Aftermath

  Skepter became the foundation's principal publication and a continuing platform for Dutch skeptical writing.

  Source

1. 1Stichting Skepsisen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official Stichting Skepsis websiteskepsis.nl