I can tell from several posts in this thread that for some people, Jesus is a joke. That is why we are told "...not to worship... idols, or images...." Relics and artifacts may be "holy" to some, but also are objects of derision for others.
My personal faith in Jesus as my savior would not be changed one bit if they prove or disprove the shroud. I remember reading about some lady in Hiroshima who had the pattern of her silk dress transferred to her skin after the atomic bomb blast, so I see how a burst of energy could imprint some image on a cloth, but if not, so what?
Scientists say yes, scientists say no. The fact is, NO scientist can describe with absolute certainty any unique past event without corroboration from a verifiable, independent observer.
Time will tell. "For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face."
Yes, darkly. Where the veil was rent in the mind and shut it off from perceiving 'face to face'.
But soon the veil will be lifted.
To that time.
( :}