Skeptic Scabs
Mark Honeychurch - 29th September 2025
I’m looking forward to the day that someone writes a reasoned critique of the New Zealand Skeptics that we can engage with. We receive quite a few emails from people challenging us, but so far there’s been nothing we could get our teeth into - we mainly see bad faith arguments, people’s personal bug-bears, and grievances based on misremembered events.
The following critique of Craig Shearer, the committee, and indeed every member of our society, is a prime example of the kind of unhinged criticism we often receive. Don Murray, an astrologer who believes he can use the stars to predict the winners of upcoming horse races, sent us a link to a recent social media post he wrote. Don’s not happy that Craig profiled him in our newsletter last year - with Craig’s critique pointing out how bad Don’s predictions are, as well as how gossipy he can be. On top of Don’s post being something of a rant, at one point he manages to compare himself to what he considers the most holy of all religious figures - Buddha, the Dalai Lama and Jesus. Not only does this argument come across as a bit up himself, but I also suspect it might blow his mind to hear that these exemplars of modesty and simple, holy living he chose to compare himself to would, in reality, most likely be considered to have been nothing more than a mix of myth and mediocrity.
Here’s a copy of the relevant parts of the post, although you can also read the entire post, including three horse racing predictions that Don believes are proof of his ability, on his Facebook page.
SKEPTIC SCABS NZ DOESN’T NEED
Musical mastermind Lou Reed nailed it during “Street Hassle” back in 1978:
“You know, some people got no choice, and they can never find a voice, to talk with that they can even call their own. So the first thing that they see, that allows them the right to be, why they follow it, you know, it’s called bad luck.”
― Lou Reed
In the interim “some people” has been replaced by “most people”. It applies to television addicts and every member of the filthy NZ Skeptics Society. With whom I’ve had previous skirmishes, then another recent discovery of their stupidity. From the society’s chief spokesman Craig Shearer, back on May 27 last year:
“The biggest question anybody should have about Don’s horse racing system is if it’s so successful and predictable, why isn’t Don rich beyond his wildest dreams? Why is he selling the system to others instead of just using it to make a killing at the races? The bottom line is that Don claims to have made successful predictions, but really isn’t presenting any proof of that. Give us a single solid prediction - something that is not likely to happen - and then we’ll be impressed!”
Often when the argument is lost, the personal attacks begin. Don being “rich beyond his wildest dreams” is irrelevant, remembering that some of history’s most admired humans---like Buddha, The Dalai Lama and the Lord Jesus---never had bank accounts. Some people like to share their knowledge.
Scab Shearer had been previously directed to the 12 G.O.A.T prophesies on the website. 5 of them are from publications TRUTH and FRIDAY FLASH, with cuttings available. The other 7 on the great website could be verified as originals by the HOSTGATOR host.
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2 years back this Skeptics mob introduced a $100K challenge for someone who could prove their paranormal abilities. I put my hand up and gave examples from the beauties above. One Skeptic on their Facebook page did think that the Wayne Hillis prediction might be worthy of consideration. Soon after I was blocked !
Only a very sick person could not be shaken or stirred by the amazing array of prophecies. Then again, statistics show why NZ is hardly a world leader in health or happiness! Ideally the skeptical scabs shall waken, and see the upcoming, confidently-predicted recession as yet another learning curve.
Various pollies and experts are already talking “recession” and this ripper is still 6 months away from the March 2026 peak! Enjoy, New Zealand, you deserve it.