BIGOTRY ALERT: What is worse here: bigotry, ignorance or what? Donald P. Ames writes about ”That Shroud of Turin” in Truth Magazine: Conservative Christian Bible Study Materials. Without reading the whole article for context, understand that the “proof” being discussed is the claims by some that Roman produced coins can be seen over the eyes. (See There is an Image of a Flying Saucer on the Shroud of Turin).
But, let us examine this “proof” a bit more closely. Who contends the coin is “conclusive proof”? Do all the scholars? Nol Every reference comes back to one person: “The Rev. Francis L. Filas, a professor of theology at Loyola University” (Aurora Beacon News, 11 – 17-8 1). And what is Loyola University? A Catholic school! And who is Mr. Filas? “A Jesuit priest” (Carbondale Southern 11linoisan, 9-2-81)! No wonder he is speaking so boldly in defense of the cloth!
And how conclusive is the “proof” he has produced? Not worth the time it took for the press to set the print for the story! Note that according to the article in the Reader’s Digest the image was so faint and hard to visualize that one had to stand back three foot to even see it at a (Jan. 1984). Further note that the letters, which appear on the side of the coin away from the light source, are but “one-thirty second of an inch high” (Southern Illinoisan, 9-2-81). Further note that these tiny letters, on the wrong side of the coin, which must be viewed from 3 foot away, are so clear that he has even determined the word “Caesar” was misspelled with a “C” rather than a “K,11 and that this proves conclusively it was a coin issued in the time of Christ (per Mr. Filas, who has a relic to preserve). But, “critics contend experts have no historical record of a coin containing the rare misspelling in Greek of the name Caesar, using a ‘C’ instead of a ‘K,’ and that the markings found on the shroud could have been distorted by age and the texture of the cloth” (Beacon News, 11-17-81). “Some researchers doubt whether a coin really exists in the photographs of the shroud. ‘I think the problem is whether there is any indication of a coin (emp. mine – DPA), said Dr. Walter C. McCrone, a Chicago microscopist who has done research on the shroud. ‘Not very many people except Father Filas (emp. mine – DPA) are able to see it… (Southern Illinoisan, 9-2-81).
Although Mr. Filas affirms, “As far as I’m concerned, I see no way of objecting to this (conclusion) anymore” (Southern Illinoisan, 9-2-81), we simply remind him and other Catholic relics collectors that we have heard many such strong statements before – in the face of conclusive evidence to the contrary. In this case, we find no exception. The Shroud of Turin was exposed as a fake when it was first revealed in 1356 A.D., and though it has undergone a variety of tests, Catholicism will not allow any test that will expose it for the fraud it actually is; but rather, they will continue to boldly proclaim their “great find” to those gullible enough to follow their many (and false) relics of the past, the facts notwithstanding!
Maybe it is citing Readers Digest. No, it’s the bigotry. No, it’s the . . .
I guess they can’t get over the problem that John Calvin could be wrong, you know – if it’s not in scripture it can’t be true! Never mind why it’s not in scripture. I wonder if he’d heard of disciplina arcani, probably the Catholics used it, but it never took with that lot. If you’re going to enter the debate, it’s more effective to speak from a position of knowledge rather than ignorance, unless of course you’re just wanting to toady up to a lot of other like-minded bigots!
As a Catholic who is not in total lock-step with the Vatican (cf. nuns), I kind of agree with the post as to one thing: were it not for the Roman Catholic Church through the ages, the Shroud would have been disposed of centuries ago. If had been in France, not Italy, it certainly would not have survived the French Revolution (or apparently the Reformation).
I believe that the survival of the Shroud into the scientific era is not a question of provenance but providence, or rather Providence. As to John Calvin, he lost me with predestination.
“[…] critics contend experts have no historical record of a coin containing the rare misspelling in Greek of the name Caesar, using a ‘C’ instead of a ‘K,’ “.
RIGHT.
RELIABLE numismatic archives/professional numismatists JUST ignore such a mispelling. Actually Filas, Haralick, Whangher, Moroni etc JUST grossly misread half of a dozen of pretty much worn out Pilate coins (lituus coin type). Actually the alleged partial CAI[CAPOC] lettering they thought they read on the Shroud right eye erea should be read [KAI]CAP[OC] with the “P” letter reduced to a fragmented-shaped like “I”.
“… [critics contend] that the markings found on the shroud could have been distorted by age and the texture of the cloth”.
BOTH WRONG & RIGHT.
When the partially blood smeared coin obverse (lituus coin type) was recorded onto the Shroud RIGHT eye area, it was recorded nearly at scale 1:1 (98-99%). However when the partially blood smeared coin obverse (simpulum coin type) was recorded onto the Shroud LEFT lower eyelid and possibly the LEFT eyebrow midarch area it was at reduced scale (via alkali water solution soaked 3/1 woven linen mechanic return force).
Mistyping: “alkali water solution soaked 3/1 woven linen FABRIC mechanic return force”
PS: I don’t belong to any Church, Temple, Mosque or Synagogue…
I am neither a theist nor a gnostic nor even an agnostic…
…nor an atheist…
…I am a FREEthinker…
As far as the Turin Shroud is concerned my agenda is archeo(crypto)logical truth…
Correction: ” (forensic) archaeo(crypto)logical truth”…
Donald P. Ames also writes: “[…] the [partial coin] image [on the right eye area] was so faint and hard to visualize that one had to stand back three foot to even see it at all”.
TOTALLY WRONG.
You need a range of 3D enhanced close-ups and silver & digital macrophotographs to see it (the blood decal resolution on the TS is 0,5mm). Shroud face TRUE close-ups by Enrie (1931), Miller (1978) and Durante (2002 & 2010) are a must.
BEWARE the alleged 2002 Durante Shroud face photograph currently provided on Mario’s Shroud Scope is biased: actually it is just a detailed view of the 2002 Durante Shroud overall photograph. Many tiny relevant details are lost.
(I JUST WROTE TONGUE IN CHEEK: Donald P. Ames also writes: “[…] the [partial coin] image [on the right eye area] was so faint and hard to visualize that one had to stand back three foot to even see it at all”.)
From the faint brown to carmin brown and carmin red tiny markings/partial blood decals, I was able to digitally reconstruct the two Pilate coin obverses on the Shroud face orbital region
Sounds like the writer’s conclusion is if he’s a Catholic priest, he could not possibly be right, no matter what he says. Impressive argument.
I’ve heard the claim and it may or may not be true. Honestly I have not put too much time into learning about that. Most assuredly, the authenticity of the Shroud does not rest on this claim, be it true or not. This is actually secondary or tertiary to the issue of the authenticity of the Shroud and interesting as it might be.
I’d rather say this is primary to the relic’s authenticity and dating…
:)
To Tornike: :)
Vaca!
Yes, the compelling material proof might well rest on very tiny details… that were (forensic) archaeo(crypto)logy comes in…
Mistyping: “That’s where…”
Because Filas just more sensed than correctly identified the tiny markings…he was most unfairly persecuted by his “very charitable brothers” from the Catholic University Herarchy he depended on…
Even Shroud Science has its martyrs…