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Indian
Committee For Scientific Investigation Of Claims Of The Paranormal (CSICOP) is a well-known rationalist group based at
Podanur,
Tamil Nadu, India. Founded by
Basava Premanand, Indian CSICOP is in the forefront of the
rationalist campaigns in India which attempt to expose perceived miracles and to
eradicate
superstitions.
Indian CSICOP is an affiliate of the US based skeptical
group CSICOP
and it publishes Indian Skeptic, a rationalist periodical. It is also
affiliated to
Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, which is an apex body of
about 65
rationalist,
atheist and organizations aimed at popularization of science among
laypersons. It is an associate member of
International Humanist and Ethical Union based in London.
Objectives of Indian CSICOP are as
below:
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To develop
Scientific Temper, Humanism, Spirit of Inquiry and reforms.
To encourage the
critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims from a
responsible, scientific point of view and to disseminate factual
information about the results of such inquiries to the scientific Community
and the public.
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To investigate into the ethics of
the Cult & Religious Leaders.
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To carry out
these objectives the Committee:
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Maintains a network of people
interested in critically examining claims of the paranormal.
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Prepares bibliographies of
published materials that carefully examine such claims.
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Encourages and commissions
research by objective and impartial inquiry in areas where it is needed.
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Convenes conferences and
meetings.
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Publishes articles, monographs,
and books that examine claims of the paranormal.
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Does not reject claims
on a priori grounds, antecedent to inquiry, but rather examines them
objectively and carefully
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