Shadow of a Doubt

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: November 2003
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "Shadow of a Doubt," the monthly calendar of the National Capital Area Skeptics, features a prominent article on "Understanding Biblical (In)accuracy" by Marvin Zelkowitz, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland with a long-standing interest in biblical history. The magazine also includes news about skeptical organizations, upcoming events, interesting websites, and a note on a predicted astrological phenomenon.

Understanding Biblical (In)accuracy by Marvin Zelkowitz

Marvin Zelkowitz's lecture, a continuation of a previous talk on the authorship of the Bible's "5 Books of Moses," addresses the discrepancies between biblical narratives and the historical and archaeological records concerning ancient Israel. Zelkowitz notes that while biblical scholars generally agree that the stories approximate events from around 2500 years ago, there is disagreement on the exact details. The historical record, as written in the Bible and elsewhere, presents one view of kings David, Solomon, and the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, whereas the archaeological record offers a different perspective.

Adding to the complexity, Zelkowitz highlights the issue of forgeries that have influenced the historical record, possibly due to profit motives or ideological promotion. He specifically discusses two recent artifacts that caused significant stir in the archaeological community: the James bone box, which was presented as evidence for the existence of Jesus, and the Jehoash tablet, which corroborated King Solomon's role in building the temple in Jerusalem. Both of these artifacts have since been declared forgeries, though they initially created considerable debate.

The lecture was scheduled for Saturday, November 8, from 2-4 pm at the B-CC Services Center, located at 4805 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda, Maryland. The center is described as being on the plaza level of a two-story County office building within the Metropolitan complex, adjacent to a Metro station, with free parking available in the garage on weekends.

News and Announcements from NCAS and Related Organizations

CFI Announces Two New Magazines: The Council for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health (CSM MH), now integrated with the Center for Inquiry (CFI), has launched two new magazines: "The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine," edited by Dr. Wallace Sampson, and "The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice," edited by Professor Scott Lilienfeld. The launch event was scheduled for November 13th at the New York Academy of Medicine.

James Randi in Las Vegas: Following the success of the 2003 Amaz!ng Meeting, a similar event, "The Amazing Meeting II," is planned for Las Vegas from January 15th to 18th, 2004. Hosted by The James Randi Educational Foundation, the conference will feature prominent speakers such as Michael Shermer, Philip Plait, Jerry Andrus, Jamy lan Swiss, Ian Rowland, and Banachek. Registration details are available via phone or a provided URL.

Spring 2004 NCAS Workshop: The NCAS board is planning its 2004 weekend workshop and is soliciting topic suggestions from members via email.

Evolution in Texas: The Texas Board of Education was set to decide on November 6 regarding the inclusion of evolution in biology textbooks, with ID proponents attempting to weaken current standards. The NCSE website (www.ncseweb.org) provides further details.

Interesting Websites and Phenomena

• Some Interesting Websites: The article lists several websites mentioned at a recent CSICOP meeting in Albuquerque, including:
• www.badastronomy.com (Philip Plait's site on bad astronomy)
• www.skeptiseum.org (Joe Nickell's collection of paranormal objects)
• www.phact.org/e/ (Eric Krieg's site on free energy proponents)
• www.ncseweb.org (National Center for Science Education, focusing on combating creationism and ID)

Harmonic Concordance: A predicted event on November 8-9, 2003, termed the "Harmonic Concordance," is discussed. It involves the Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Chiron forming a hexagonal alignment when viewed from Earth. Some believe this alignment will inspire humanity and elevate consciousness. The badastronomy.com website is cited for further explanation.

Membership Renewal

An announcement urges members to check their mailing labels and renew their membership. The cost is $30 for an individual or $40 for a household for a one-year renewal. Failure to renew will result in being dropped from the membership.

Contact Information

The National Capital Area Skeptics' contact information is provided, including their P.O. Box in Silver Spring, Maryland, telephone number, email address, and website.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The "Shadow of a Doubt" publication, as represented by this issue, clearly promotes skepticism, critical thinking, and scientific understanding. The focus on debunking forgeries, questioning historical and biblical narratives based on evidence, and highlighting organizations dedicated to rational inquiry underscores this stance. The inclusion of events and resources related to skepticism, such as the James Randi events and the NCAS lectures, reinforces the magazine's commitment to promoting a critical examination of claims, particularly those related to pseudoscience and unsubstantiated beliefs. The editorial stance is one of evidence-based reasoning and a healthy skepticism towards extraordinary claims.