Shroud of Turin Reproduced

An Italian scientist, Luigi Garlaschelli, has successfully replicated the Shroud of Turin. The best part of the entire recreation is that Garlaschelli was able to do this using only technology that was available at the time of creation of the original shroud (middle ages - determined via carbon dating).


This has several implications for the Catholic religion and Christianity as a whole, but as Garlaschelli was quick to mention, "if they [sceptics] don't want to believe carbon dating done by some of the world's best laboratories they certainly won't believe me," but this isn't about proving anything so much as opening minds. It is my hope not that this discovery will crush the hope of Christians everywhere (which I know will not happen), but simply that more people will think critically about something before accepting a fact as truth.

This is a large order, but as science gets better and more refined, perhaps people will become more rational (for it is rational thinking which is need most, especially now). And before the fundamentalists start ranting, I feel that religion and myths and such can be a useful tool to instill certain principles into people through the use of anecdotes and fables to teach morals, but religion certainly creates extremists who act before or without thinking.

Either way, I digress from my original point (which was what again? oh, right). While the shroud is considered by many a mainstay of religion and faith, it is, at best, a supposed relic which may provide some with a "proof" of concept. I hope that this finding will allow some the wherewithal to at least open their eyes and question their faith.

For the full article detailing the procedures of duplication and more, see Yahoo's article or fly to Italy this upcoming weekend where Luigi Garaschelli plans to present his findings at a paranormal conference.