A reader after reading Stephen Jones’ latest posting asked, “What is a pro-authenticist?” My reply was that it was someone who is not an anti-authenticist. But then, of course, there is everyone else.
Wiktionary defines an authenticist as a person who espouses authenticism. Don’t you just love dictionaries. It defines authenticism as a belief in the superiority of the authentic over the inauthentic. Don’t you just love dictionaries. So now I’m confused. What is the definition? And what of everyone else? Is objectivity a good thing?
Authenticist: One who having considered the evidence on both sides thinks that the balance of probability is that the Shroud is the burial cloth of Jesus.
Non-Authenticist: One who having considered the evidence on both sides thinks that the balance of probability is that the Shroud is not the burial cloth of Jesus.
Pro-Authenticist: One who, having determined that the Shroud is the burial cloth of Jesus, considers that any evidence to the contrary is the work of the devil and that anyone who disbelieves in the authenticity of the Shroud is in peril of his immortal soul.
Anti-Authenticist: One who, working directly under Satan, knows and cares nothing for the Shroud but is working for the downfall of Christianity.
Scientist: See Anti-Authenticist.
I think that sums it up…
Now I must go and polish my horns…
I’m a shroudnostic.
David – do you mean a Shroud agnostic or a Shroud gnostic?