Why put one truth against another? If the Shroud is the burial cloth of Jesus then we should accept the truth of it. Nor does this mean that my faith is based upon it. There are items of my deceased parents that I cherish just because they were theirs. Just so, I do not have faith because of the Shroud but cherish the Shroud because I have faith.
Bunch of iconoclasts around here.
I can understand the sentiments of your response. Unless the shroud is proved authentic, it doesn't seem to be a relic worthy of cherishing. Things passed down from our loved ones have validity for the memories they provide. On the flip side, no real harm in holding the possibility dear as long as it is understood that it may also be proved fake and cause a huge let down among many of the faithful - that gives it the power to cause some to never hear the Word.