[Swordmaker]

Shroudie, this guy is not looking for an answer... he has it. He chooses to ignore the evidence right in front of his face and prefers to continue to attack already discounted and discarded theories just as Joe Nickell does.

My post should have layed out the evidence so that anyone on FreeRepublic can see it plainly. The C14 samples are pictured and the OBVIOUS change in material from one side to the other can be plainly seen. The FACTS have been laid out for him as well as others but he CHOOSES not to look. Therefore his position is willfull and fearful. He does not WANT to see the facts in front of his face, so he WILL not.

He is afraid that the facts might invalidate his world view because he cannot refute them. Since he can't refute the latest "Flawed Sample" proof, he falls back on the "Fire Changed Carbon" or "Bioplastic Coating" theories that CAN be refuted and ignores any attempt to agree with him about the old theories and point out the newly proved fact.

You warn him about the elephant in the corner of the room and he says "What elephant?" looking everywhere but at the elephant infested corner.

This mind is not only closed, it is hermetically sealed.

[orionblamblam]

> Since he can't refute the latest "Flawed Sample" proof

It's hardly proof. There are patches that MIGHT be more recent. But even if so... how much more recent?

The obvious conclusion to draw from any such thing as the shroud is Forgery. Forgeries are far more common than True Miracles; consequently, it is up to the believers in miracles to provide their evidence that the shroud is anything more than clever art. So far, that has not been done.

Hell, for all we know, the shroud could well be 1st century... taken from a burial, sold to an artist, who then painted on it. Given that there is no blood on the shroud but there is iron oxide and other pigments...

Occam's Razor.