Shroud of Turin, part 7

Shroud of Turin, part 7

 

CONCLUSION

 

So, we hereby declare: every single result published by STURP scientists has been deliberately or incompetently misinterpreted and sometimes contrived. It is outrageous that some of this data were actually published in refereed scientific journals. Further, we say, STURP members, as referees, must have reviewed and approved each other's work. The editors must have been personal friends of certain key participants to allow such callow atrocities to be perpetrated using the weapons of the institutionalized professional press.

 

The story of the Shroud attains excess mythic majesty if left undisturbed to grow and spread. STURP only added to it. But as a nonsense myth, it will never be taken to heart by any significant portion of the human race because of its many smothering flaws.

 

 

Much has been made of the fact that the picture on the cloth represents accurately every biblical account of the crucifixion and resurrection that can possibly apply. This has been pointed to as conclusive proof of authenticity - as if the Bible must not have been available to any artists of the 14th century, especially not to illiterate French artists.

 

These Shroud fans' claims are an insult against France and against the French people. They belittle the bishops and the whole Church of France whose investigations of old have shown that the cloth is a fake. In the light of the testimony of witnesses from the time of its first appearance that it is phony, extraordinary proof of great quality and quantity is needed to reverse this condemnation. This proof is what STURP tried desperately to supply. But at best STURP'S evidence is inconclusive and if other facts are considered, such as Dr. McCrone's discoveries, the mass of evidence weighs more heavily against the Shroud. This even without the radiocarbon dating that corroborates McCrone.

 

Besides this and even besides the theological arguments against the Shroud, legion as they are, there is a certain wonder that the Shroud has got as far as it did for so long. In fact, that the Shroud has survived so long is often referred to as if its longevity (since the 14th century, at least) was further proof of its divine origin.

 

If the Shroud image is not divine, how has it been able to survive so long and why do so many people believe in it? The answer cannot be stated simply. Apart from this episode of High Pseudo science, the Shroud phenomenon can be adequately rationalized by analysis that explicitly takes into account the history, rivalry and politics between France and Italy. The true answer to the mystery of the Shroud of Turin resides most patently in the reasons for Geoffrey de Charney of France's loss and Savoy of Italy's gain. Besides being the greatest art fraud in history and one of the greatest scientific frauds, the Shroud of Turin ranks as one of the world's most battered political footballs.

 

It is more than a mere coincidence that the Shroud legally belongs to the exiled King of Italy and his family and that his House of Savoy stands to gain by the continuing political turmoil in that country. Royals love to meddle even if they don't have anything material to gain. This particular Shroud controversy was deliberately encouraged by King Humberto and his relatives as a means of keeping the royal family in the eye of the Italian public.

 

Careful analysis suggests that Humberto had used some unscrupulous or gullible scientists in Europe and America to maintain himself in a position to influence the course of events inside Italy. He dreamt of engineering a return to the Italian monarchy. In a country that is almost 100% Roman Catholic, the man who can successfully claim to own such a holy relic as a fully authenticated and universally recognized Shroud could parlay his "monopoly of Jesus" into, who knows? Machiavelli would be proud.

 

Just remember that there are a number of angles from which to view the cloth. When examining this case, though it is nothing more than an artist's picture, there is indeed much more to the famous Shroud of Turin than hits the eye. The late singer Dean Martin would agree that it is all ultimately a matter of faith and amore no matter how much the Shroud is likened to a bright, full, romantic rectangular moon or a big, oblong pizza pie.

 

 

 additional Keywords

 

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