Glasgow Skeptics

Founded by Ian Scott, Glasgow Skeptics, aided by the Glasgow Brights, held their inaugural "Glasgow Skeptics in the Pub" Meetup on 10 November 2009.{{Cite web |url=http://www.meetup.com/Glasgow-Brights/events/11780286/ |title=Glasgow Brights (INAUGURAL GLASGOW SKEPTICS MEETUP) Meetup |author1=Keith Gilmour |author2=Billy Russell |author3=Dick Hendry |work=Meetup.com |publisher=Glasgow Brights |date=10 November 2009 |access-date=29 May 2015}}{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8544995.stm |title=Out of the labs, into the pubs |author=Owen Duffy |work=BBC News |date=9 March 2010 |access-date=29 May 2015}}

Since the foundation of the Glasgow Skeptics in November 2009, its Skeptics in the Pub events have become increasingly popular. In March 2010, when Simon Singh lectured about his book Trick or Treatment and the British Chiropractic Association v Singh case, about 65 people attended the monthly meeting. In October 2014, Professor Helen Sang from The Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh gave a presentation titled "Would You Eat a GM Chicken?" on the ethics and hazards of genetically modified food in feeding a growing population.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/food-and-drink/news/scottish-food-news-october-2014|title=Scottish Food News – October 2014|date=30 September 2014|work=The Skinny|publisher=Radge Media|author=Peter Simpson|access-date=31 August 2015}} During the 5th anniversary of Glasgow Skeptics in the Pub on 10 November 2014, LGBT, atheist and secularist activist Nate Phelps talked about his past experience in the Westboro Baptist Church, his escape from it and his efforts for Recovering from Religion.{{Cite web|url=http://glasgow.stv.tv/180596/|title=Son of 'the most hated family in America' to speak in Glasgow|date=10 November 2014|work=STV Glasgow website|access-date=31 August 2015}}

In recent years they have stepped up the frequency of their events, with the aim of filling as many Monday nights as possible throughout the year. They have been assisted in this endeavour with an increasingly close relationship with Edinburgh Skeptics, and other Scottish Skeptics in the Pub groups.

File:GlasgowSkepticsIndependenceDebateAudience.jpg

As was as regular SITP talks, Glasgow Skeptics have hosted and organised a number of debates. Most notably discussions on Scottish independence before and after the 2014 referendum, and whilst the society itself officially remained "staunchly neutral" on the question, Guardian journalist Libby Brooks noted, and polls showed, a large majority of debate attendees was in the "Yes" camp.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/scottish-independence-blog/2014/sep/23/scottish-independence-referendum-grief-at-the-glasgow-skeptics |title=Scottish independence referendum: grief at the Glasgow Skeptics |author=Libby Brooks |work=The Guardian |date=23 September 2014 |access-date=15 July 2015}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UafGNaOEMNU |title=Should Scotland be an Independent Country? - Glasgow Skeptics |author=ProductionAttic |work=YouTube |publisher=Glasgow Skeptics |date=2 April 2014 |access-date=15 July 2015}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/63744-five-events-discussing-the-2014-scottish-independence-referendum/ |title=Five events discussing the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum |work=The List |date=17 August 2014 |access-date=31 August 2015}} After "No" won, however, public commenters stressed that the referendum had "energised" the electorate, and further discussions should keep it focused on what "how, where and in what direction" Scotland should go now.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/scottish-independence-blog/2014/sep/26/scotland-after-the-independence-referendum-week-in-review |title=Scotland after the independence referendum: week in review |author=Libby Brooks |work=The Guardian |date=26 September 2014 |access-date=31 August 2015}}

Glasgow Skeptics continue to organise and participate in debates, for events such as the EU Referendum, MSP and General Elections, and occasionally for other topics – including a debate with representatives from the Centre for Intelligent Design hosted by Glasgow University Christian Union.

Glasgow Skeptics have participated a number of initiatives over the years. In 2010, they were involved in the UK-wide 10:23 Campaign, initiated by the Merseyside Skeptics Society, by taking a mass 'overdose' of homeopathic pills to publicly demonstrate their inefficacy. In 2013, the Glasgow Skeptics launched a petition calling on the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to cease funding the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital.{{Cite news |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/13255708.Glasgow_homeopathic_unit_faces_funding_fight/ |title=Glasgow homeopathic unit faces funding fight |author=Caroline Wilson |work=Evening Times |date=9 May 2013 |access-date=15 July 2015}} In 2014 they took part in the Good Thinking Society's Psychic Awareness Month{{Cite news|url=http://goodthinkingsociety.org/projects/psychic-awareness-month/|title=Psychic Awareness Month|date=2014-11-01|newspaper=Good Thinking Society|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-11-10}} initiative.

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Glasgow Skeptics}}

• {{official website|glasgowskeptics.com}}

{{Sceptic organisations}}

Category:2009 establishments in Scotland

Category:Clubs and societies in Glasgow

Category:Skeptic organisations in the United Kingdom