North Texas Skeptic - Vol 16 No 08 - 2002

Magazine Overview

The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 16, Number 8, published in August 2002, is a newsletter from The North Texas Skeptics, available at www.ntskeptics.org. This issue features articles critically examining religious and pseudoscientific claims.

The New Old Testament

This article by John Blanton delves into the archaeological and historical discrepancies surrounding biblical narratives, particularly the Exodus story. It highlights the work of James Cunliffe, who presented findings at an NTS meeting suggesting that the biblical account of the Jews' escape from Egypt is likely a myth. Cunliffe, a geologist with an interest in archaeology, points out the lack of evidence for a large Jewish population in Egypt, their enslavement, or their role in building the pyramids. The article references Daniel Lazare's essay in Harper's magazine, which discusses the current status of biblical archaeology. Lazare's findings suggest that the traditional biblical timeline, including creation around 6000 years ago and a world-wide flood, is not supported by archaeological evidence. The narrative of Abraham bringing his people from Mesopotamia to Israel, their subsequent enslavement in Egypt, and their eventual return to Canaan is questioned.

• Specific points of contention raised by archaeological studies include:
• Use of camels: Abraham's supposed use of camels for transport predates their widespread use in the region by centuries.
• Isaac and Abimelech: The presence of Philistines, who were not in the area until after 1200 BCE, contradicts the timeline of Isaac's encounter with Abimelech.
• Heshbon and Edom: The biblical battles with the kings of Heshbon and Edom are questioned as these cities likely did not exist at the time of the supposed conflicts.
• Forty years in the Sinai: No archaeological trace exists to support the presence of a large group of people in the Sinai during the supposed period of wandering.
• Invasion of Canaan: Evidence suggests a gradual cultural development of Israelites locally around 1200 BCE rather than a sudden invasion.
• Envy of the hillbillies: Archaeological evidence does not support the claim of a prosperous kingdom of Judah under David and Solomon, suggesting their dominance might have been constructed in later historical accounts.

The article notes that these findings are uncomfortable for many religious adherents, as they challenge core tenets of Judaism and Christianity, including the Exodus and the crucifixion of Jesus. It mentions Rabbi David Wolpe's statement that the Exodus may not have happened as described, which drew a response from Rabbi Ken Spiro. Spiro emphasizes that archaeology involves both excavation and subjective interpretation, and that claims of "proof" in biblical archaeology should be viewed critically.

The article concludes by discussing how historical narratives, even ancient ones, can be subject to revisionism, drawing a parallel to how nations might suppress negative historical events. It also provides a bibliography for further reading on related topics.

Oh, Say, Can You Chi?

Daniel R. Barnett reviews the 'Chi Machine,' a device presented at an NTS meeting. Designed by Dr. Shizuo Inoue, the machine uses an electric motor to gently rock a person's ankles in a figure-eight pattern. Barnett encountered promotional material claiming the machine could cure dyslexia, improve bodily functions, increase oxygenation, and even help cancer patients. He recounts receiving an MLM solicitation for the device, which was offered at a wholesale price of $460. After trying the machine himself, Barnett found it to be relaxing but could not confirm any of the purported health benefits, concluding it was an "interesting little device" for relaxation.

Beam me up

This short piece by John Blanton comments on a report stating that only 7% of scientists believe in God, attributing this to scientists being "super smart." The author satirically questions the concept of creation "from no thing" and suggests that in extreme situations, education is worthless without God and common sense. The article also notes the ousting of James Traficant (D-Ohio) from Congress due to convictions involving misuse of office, characterizing him as an "anti-intellectual poster child."

The Mothman Prophecies — DVD Review

Greg Wroblewski reviews the movie "The Mothman Prophecies," discussing its basis in a real-life incident in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, during the late 1960s. The legend involves sightings of a "big bird" creature, nicknamed the Mothman, accompanied by reports of strange lights and missing dogs. Dr. Robert L. Smith, a wildlife biologist, suggested the creature was a greater sandhill crane, a large bird with a distinctive cry and red eye markings. The article also mentions the collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967, which some speculated was related to the Mothman's appearance.

Wroblewski critiques the book by John Keel, which popularized the Mothman story. Keel claimed to have received paranormal communications and prophecies, which the reviewer states were inaccurate and uncorroborated, happening only to Keel. The article dismisses the movie's portrayal as fictional, particularly its depiction of a reporter with paranormal abilities and evidence of supernatural occurrences. Wroblewski concludes that while the movie is atmospheric and comparable to "The Twilight Zone" or "The Sixth Sense," it has little basis in reality.

Skeptical Ink

This section features a political cartoon by Prasad Golla and John Blanton titled "AT THE HOMELAND SECURITY TRADE SHOW." The cartoon depicts a device that "automatically sounds an alarm when it detects somebody who threatens our American way of life," with a senator looking concerned as the device beeps.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around skepticism towards religious dogma, pseudoscientific claims, and sensationalized paranormal accounts. The North Texas Skeptics consistently apply critical thinking and scientific reasoning to debunk unsubstantiated beliefs. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting rationalism and challenging claims that lack empirical evidence, particularly those found in religious texts and popular culture narratives about unexplained phenomena.