Shadow of a Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: October, 1995
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Monthly Calendar

This issue of the National Capital Area Skeptics' monthly calendar, 'Shadow of a Doubt', for October 1995, focuses on a lecture titled "Who wrote the Bible's 5 Books of Moses? - A linguistic and historical investigation" by speaker Marvin V. Zelkowitz.

Featured Lecture: Authorship of the 5 Books of Moses

Marvin V. Zelkowitz, a speaker for the NCAS, will present an investigation into the origins of the first five books of the Bible, commonly known as the '5 Books of Moses'. While fundamentalist interpretations attribute the authorship to Moses, dictated by God, Zelkowitz's talk will explore alternative theories based on historical and linguistic evidence. The lecture will challenge the traditional view that these books were written around 1300 BC during the Hebrew exodus from Egypt. Instead, it will propose that the Books of Moses may have been written approximately 700 years later, during the reigns of King David and King Solomon, and the period of the second temple. The talk explicitly states that the question of God's existence is outside its scope, focusing solely on the authorship debate assuming Moses did not write the text.

The lecture is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, at 2:00 PM in the Davis Library, located at 6400 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. For further information, attendees are encouraged to call the NCAS Skeptic Line at 301-587-3827.

NCAS Activities and Events

Save a Tree Day Book Swap

The NCAS is organizing a "Save a Tree Day" activity, which is a book swap for old skeptical literature. Members are encouraged to bring books or newsletters to trade before each meeting, with the opportunity to take a book in return. This initiative is being tested for a few months, and any leftover books after the swap will be placed in a recycling bin.

Doorways to Old Virginia Ghost Tour

NCAS members are invited to join a "Doorways to Old Virginia Ghost Tour" in old Alexandria. The tour costs $4 for adults and $3 for ages 7-17. It promises legends, folktales, oddities, trivia, and tales of death. The meeting point for the 7:30 PM tour on October 21 is Ramsey House (Visitors Center) at the corner of King and Fairfax Streets. The tour covers two simultaneous 1-hour routes ending at either Christ Church or a nearby cemetery. Alternative tour times are available at 7:30 PM and 9 PM from October 20 to 31. For more information, contact 703-548-0100. Early arrival is recommended due to limited space.

NCAS Online Access

The NCAS is available online through the CapAccess FREENET community service. To access NCAS, users can telnet to capaccess.org or dial 202 785-1523 (setting the terminal to vt-100 8N1, up to 14.4K). The login is 'guest' and the password is 'visitor'. Users should press enter/return to navigate through sign-on screens and then enter 'go ncas' at any system prompt.

NCAS Joke of the Month

The issue includes a "NCAS Joke of the Month" with three definitions:

• Fortuneteller: A person who tells you about the past and the future for a present.
• Ghost: A shadow of its former self.
• Miracle: An event described by those to whom it was told by men who did not see it - Elbert Hubbard.

The last change date for this section is noted as October 7, 1995.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The 'Shadow of a Doubt' calendar consistently promotes skeptical inquiry and critical examination of various topics, from religious texts to historical events and paranormal claims. The NCAS appears to encourage active participation through lectures, social events like the ghost tour, and community engagement via book swaps and online forums. The inclusion of a "Joke of the Month" suggests a lighthearted approach to skepticism, aiming to engage members with wit and intellectual curiosity. The editorial stance is clearly one of promoting rational thought and evidence-based reasoning, as demonstrated by the focus on historical and linguistic evidence in the featured lecture and the general nature of the organization.