Barry Karr
| Barry Karr | |
|---|---|
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| Born | USA |
| Residence | Buffalo, NY, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts |
| Alma mater | State University of New York |
| Occupation | Executive Director Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and CFO of Center for Inquiry |
| Website | http://www.csicop.org |
Barry Karr is the Executive Director of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He is consulted by the media for all things paranormal. Karr has been involved in many investigations including faith healing, UFOs, firewalking, ghosts and many others. He is a published author in two anthology publications, and as an editor of two others. Karr is a proponent of scientific skepticism and a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
His parents are Angelina and Leo Karr of Arkport, NY. Angelina Karr taught speech therapy for five years in Scio before becoming an elementary school teacher at Hornell in Arkport. She served on the school board from 1973-1988 and was active on the New York State Boards Association and president of the Steuben County School Boards Association. Both parents were members of the American Legion. Karr and his four siblings all went through the Arkport school system.
Karr began by stuffing envelopes part-time at CSICOP during his sophomore year in college, and he was hired in their 5th year. After graduation from State University of New York at Buffalo with a political science degree,Paul Kurtz hired Karr full-time as the assistant public relations director. In 2012 Karr was awarded for his 25 years of service and recognized as honorary Trenches winner at the Skeptic's Toolbox. Karr has been involved in many investigations including remote viewing, ghost hunting, firewalking, UFO's, Satanism, faith healing.
About CSICOP, he said: "We approach the paranormal with an open mind... We try to show people that claims are made for all kinds of powers and demonstrate that the evidence is not there to support them." "People are looking for the mystical. It's exciting and fun". As far as proving or disproving God, Karr was interviewed as saying "CSICOP takes no formal stance on the existence of God... some members are skeptical,... and some are deeply religious. There is no religious litmus test for membership in CSICOP." Karr feels that holding a belief in the supernatural and superstition can "detract from the advancement of the human race". People want to make decisions rationally but to do that they need to be aware of science and technology, that does not mix with the supernatural. "We believe before you jump into the realm of the paranormal... you should explore some of the rational alternatives."
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