Shroud of Turin and the Resurrection of Jesus & More

Shroud of Turin Conference at Ohio State University

 

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Latina A. D. Rockhold

(614) 688-3310

rockhold.14@osu.edu

New Data at International Shroud of Turin Conference Precedes Exhibition in Turin

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 24 — An international conference on the Shroud of Turin to be held at The Ohio State University will reveal new information regarding the controversial 1988 Carbon-14 (C-14) dating of the cloth believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth. The 1988 test gave the putative results at A.D. 1260–1390, but they were immediately questioned by many scientists as being inconsistent with other accumulated data on the Shroud. The Vatican recently announced that the Shroud will be exhibited in Turin in the spring of 2010, when millions are expected to see it. New evidence will be presented at the conference summarizing recent work by seven independent scientists of a world-renowned American research facility on Shroud samples adjacent to ones used in the 1988 dating. The research indicates that the area from which the C-14 samples were taken is chemically different from the main part of the Shroud, confirming research published in 2005 by a scientist who had studied actual C-14 samples. Due to the sensitive nature of the research and of the work of the research facility, the speaker and paper will only be announced at the conference.

“The Shroud of Turin:  Perspectives on a Multifaceted Enigma” will be held Aug. 14–17, 2008, at The Blackwell Hotel, 2110 Tuttle Park Place, on the grounds of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.  The conference, which is open to the public, is being organized by the Shroud Science Internet Group, composed of about 100 scientists, scholars, and researchers from around the world.

The conference will also include presentations from five members of The Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP), which had studied the most intensely-studied artifact in human history for five days in 1978. None of the data collected by the group suggested the Shroud could be a forgery.  If the 1988 C-14 test results were accurate, the Shroud could not be the actual burial cloth of Jesus.

However, in 2005, a member of STURP, the late Raymond Rogers, who was given access to leftover samples from the 1988 testing, authored a paper published in Thermochimica Acta in which he presented evidence that the sample used in the testing was not part of the original cloth possibly due to the area having been repaired.  Rogers believed his evidence invalidated the C-14 test.  While some researchers have challenged Rogers findings, there have been no rebuttals in peer-reviewed scientific literature.  Several new papers are being presented at the conference that will provide corroborating evidence for the repair theory, including two by M. Sue Benford (43016) and Joseph Marino (43016) whose paper at an international conference in Orvieto, Italy, in August 2000 prompted Rogers to undertake the research that led to his 2005 paper. One of the two papers by Benford and Marino will be published in Chemistry Today shortly after the conference.

Furthermore, speakers will present the findings of scientific analysis of dusts and particles collected during the 1988 C-14 testing.   In addition, there will be a paper by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Department of Evolution, Systematics, and Ecology Professor of Botany, Avinoam Danin, Ph.D., who presented evidence at the 16^th International Botanical Congress in St. Louis in 1999 that suggested that the C-14 test in 1988 had been invalid.  Dr. Danin, whose research places the Shroud's geographical origin in the Middle East. will present new botanical evidence that raises new questions about the Shroud's image-formation process.

For more information regarding the conference, which commemorates the 30^th anniversary of the 1978 STURP study and the 20^th anniversary of the C-14 dating of the Shroud, or to register, visit ohioshroudconference.com. Registration is also available by visiting ced.osu.edu/CED_conference.html or calling the Office of Continuing Education at (614) 292-8571.

The Department of Conference Management in The Ohio State University Office of Continuing

Education (CEd) specializes in providing meeting and conference management services — from pre-conference concept to post-conference follow-up — on a cost-effective basis to the university community as well as to private and public businesses and associations. For more information on CEd’s Conference Management services, visit ced.osu.edu and click on “Conference Management,” or contact Sarah Sieling in the Office of Continuing Education at (614) 292-8571.

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Team of scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory confirm the carbon 14 dating of the Shroud of Turin was invalid.

Using some of the most advanced analytical equipment available, a team of nine scientists at the famed Los Alamos National Laboratory confirmed that the material used for radiocarbon dating of the shroud in 1988 was not part of the shroud's fabric. Previously, micro-chemical tests had demonstrated that the cloth is at least twice as old as the medieval date determined by the now discredited carbon 14 tests. This gives new life to historical and forensic arguments that suggest that the shroud might be the burial cloth of Jesus.

PRESS RELEASE

COLUMBUS, Ohio, August 15 -- In his presentation today at The Ohio State University's Blackwell Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) chemist, Robert Villarreal, disclosed startling new findings proving that the sample of material used in 1988 to Carbon-14 (C-14) date the Shroud of Turin, which categorized the cloth as a medieval fake, could not have been from the original linen cloth because it was cotton. According to Villarreal, who lead the LANL team working on the project, thread samples they examined from directly adjacent to the C-14 sampling area were "definitely not linen" and, instead, matched cotton. Villarreal pointed out that "the [1988] age-dating process failed to recognize one of the first rules of analytical chemistry that any sample taken for characterization of an area or population must necessarily be representative of the whole. The part must be representative of the whole. Our analyses of the three thread samples taken from the Raes and C-14 sampling corner showed that this was not the case." Villarreal also revealed that, during testing, one of the threads came apart in the middle forming two separate pieces. A surface resin, that may have been holding the two pieces together, fell off and was analyzed. Surprisingly, the two ends of the thread had different chemical compositions, lending credence to the theory that the threads were spliced together during a repair.

LANL's work confirms the research published in Thermochimica Acta (Jan. 2005) by the late Raymond Rogers, a chemist who had studied actual C-14 samples and concluded the sample was not part of the original cloth possibly due to the area having been repaired. This hypothesis was presented by M. Sue Benford and Joseph G. Marino in Orvieto, Italy in 2000. Benford and Marino proposed that a 16th Century patch of cotton/linen material was skillfully spliced into the 1st Century original Shroud cloth in the region ultimately used for dating. The intermixed threads combined to give the dates found by the labs ranging between 1260 and 1390 AD. Benford and Marino contend that this expert repair was necessary to disguise an unauthorized relic taken from the corner of the cloth. A paper presented today at the conference by Benford and Marino, and to be published in the July/August issue of the international journal Chemistry Today, provided additional corroborating evidence for the repair theory.

Blogging from Ohio State University at the Shroud of Turin Conference.

Mysterytopia: Top 5 Unsolved Mysteries

A QUICK SUMMARY

The shroud of Turin is a linen cloth bearing the image of a man who had apparently died of crucifixion. Most Catholics consider it to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ. It is currently held in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. Despite many scientific investigations, no one has yet been able to explain how the image has been imprinted on the shroud and despite many attempts, no one has managed to replicate it. Radiocarbon tests date it to the middle ages, however apologists for the shroud believe it is incorrupt - and carbon dating can only date things which decay.

Prior to the middle ages, reports of the shroud exist as the Image of Edessa - reliably reported since at least the 4th century. In addition, another cloth (the Sudarium) known even from biblical times (John 20:7) exists which is said to have covered Christ’s head in the tomb. A 1999 study by Mark Guscin, a member of the multidisciplinary investigation team of the Spanish Center for Sindonology, investigated the relationship between the two cloths. Based on history, forensic pathology, blood chemistry (the Sudarium also is reported to have type AB blood stains), and stain patterns, he concluded that the two cloths covered the same head at two distinct, but close moments of time. Avinoam Danin (a researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem) concurred with this analysis, adding that the pollen grains in the Sudarium match those of the shroud.

Source: Mysterytopia: Top 5 Unsolved Mysteries

Catholic Online: World Youth Day 2008 - Pope Apologizes for Clerical Sexual Abuse

SYDNEY (Catholic Online) - His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today delivered a heartfelt apology to the victims of sexual abuse by clergy in Australia.

Departing from his official homily, the Holy Father said: “Indeed, I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured, and I assure them that as their Pastor, I too share in their suffering.”
The apology was delivered during a special service at St Mary’s Cathedral – the Dedication of a new altar before seminarians and other young religious people.

The Pope consecrated (blessed) the new white marble altar, featuring an image of the body of Jesus Christ, based on the sacred Shroud of Turin. As he addressed the full cathedral and forecourt, he used the new altar to highlight their role.

World Youth Day 2008 - Catholic Online

GodTube.com - Examining the Shroud

The Shroud of Turin, the piece of cloth that is alleged to be the burial garment of Christ, is one of the most widely studied relics in the entire world. Scientists from 67 different academic studies ...

 

 

GodTube.com - Examining the Shroud

Benedict the Wise: Why the face of the Shroud of Turin?

Raul Nidoy of Makati City, Philippines writes:

When we see the face of Christ, why should we emphasize the particular face of Christ in the Shroud of Turin and not just a more comprehensive searching for his face, his personality, his expressions, his look, the self shining out through his words?

The answer lies in to the reply to the question on why three of the universal sacraments have a symbolic force limited to the Mediterranean region: olive oil, bread, wine.

Christ chose mediterranean symbolism. Why? Ratzinger reasoned out in his book Spirit of the Liturgy: God's incarnation binds us to the history of a particular place. It does not mean doing as we please, a typical tendency of those who want to invent a new liturgy, or new sacraments. No. "The elements become sacraments through connection with the unique history of God in relation to man in Jesus Christ."

Benedict the Wise: Why the face of the Shroud of Turin?

Updated Shroud of Turin Conference Schedule, Ohio State University

Conference schedule as of 4 July 2008

Thursday, August 14, 2008

5:00-7:00 p.m. On-site registration

6:45-7:00 Opening remarks

7:00-8:30 Opening address: The Shroud: An Eternal Challenge by Rex Morgan, Shroud Science Group member

8:30-8:45 Break

8:45-9:00 A Tribute to STURP by Barrie Schwortz, STURP documenting photographer and Shroud Science Group member

9:00-10:00 Informal gathering in Ballroom (Refreshments provided)

Friday, August 15, 2008

7:00-9:00 a.m. On-site registration

8:00-9:30 Breakfast (provided by Hotel)

8:30-8:45 Opening remarks

8:45-9:15 The STURP Experience by Thomas D’Muhala, former President of STURP

9:15-9:45 The Sudarium of Oviedo: A Study of Fiber Structures by Raymond Rogers, STURP member and Shroud Science Group member, read by Joanna Emery.

9:45-10:15 VP-8 Shroud Image Analysis, Impact and History by Peter Schumacher

10:15-10:45 My White Linen White Paper by Kenneth Stevenson, STURP member and Shroud Science Group member

10:45-11:00 Visibility of the Shroud Image: An Optical Physicist’s Perspective by John Dee German, STURP member

11:00-11:30 The Spectroscopy of Various Candidate Processes Associated with Image Formation and Features of the Shroud of Turin

Redux (what we might have seen if we did it right) by Joseph Accetta, STURP member

11:45-12:00 Question and Answer session with STURP members

12:00-1:30 Lunch (provided by Hotel)

1:30-2:00 Digital Image Analysis of the Shroud of Turin

: An Ongoing Investigation by Raymond J. Schneider, Shroud Science Group member

2:00-2:30 A Physical Hypothesis on the Origin of the Body Image embedded into the Turin Shroud by Paolo Di Lazzaro

2:30-3:00 Shroud Coins Dating By Image Extraction by T.V. Oommen

3:00-3:30 Revisiting The Right Eye Image: What is it? By Dr. Alan and Mary Whanger, Shroud Science Group members

3:30-4:00 Aspects of The Shroud in Botany and Related Art By Dr. Alan and Mary Whanger, Shroud Science Group members

4:00-4:22 Body Image Formation Hypotheses Based on Corona Discharge: Discussion by Giulio Fanti, Shroud Science Group Member

4:23-4:45 Resolution of images obtained without an acquisition system using MTF by Giulio Fanti, Shroud Science Group member and Roberto Basso

4:46-5:08 Statistical analysis of dusts taken from different areas of the Turin Shroud

by Giulio Fanti, Shroud Science Group member and Roberto Basso

5:09-5:29 Scourge bloodstains on the  Turin Shroud: an evidence for different instruments used by Barbara Faccini, Shroud Science Group member, read by Giulio Fanti

5:30-6:00 Questions and Answers--afternoon speakers

6:00-8:00 Dinner (not provided by hotel)

8:00-9:00 Informal presentation: History of the Holy Grail by Daniel C. Scavone

9:00-10:00 Judging of Student Posters

Saturday August 16, 2008

8:00-9:30 a.m. Breakfast (provided by Hotel)

8:30-8:45 Opening remarks

8:45-9:15 What Went Wrong with the Shroud's Radiocarbon Date?  Setting it all in context by Paul Maloney, Shroud Science Group Member

9:15-9:45 Overview of and New Findings for Historical and Scientific Evidence Pertaining to Possible “Invisible Mending” of the C-14 area of the Turin Shroud by Joseph G. Marino, Shroud Science Group member and M. Sue Benford

9:45-10:15 Surface chemical analysis of the Shroud of  Turin identifies discrepancies in Radiocarbon Dating Region by M. Sue Benford and Joseph G. Marino, Shroud Science Group member

10:15-10:45 SPECIAL PRESENTATION TO BE ANNOUNCED

10:45-11:15 SEM-EDXA Analysis of Red Particles Removed from the Underside of the Turin Shroud in 1988 by Parr RL, Reguly B, MacKenzie A, Merriwether DA, Benford MS, Baraldi P, and Fanti G

11:15-11:45 Questions and Answers--morning speakers

11:45-1:15 Lunch (provided by Hotel)

1:15-1:45 Neutron Radiation Effects on Linen Fibers and Consequences for a Radiocarbon Dating by Francesco Barbesino & Mario Moroni, read by Giulio Fanti

1:45-2:15 A Global Forensic Analysis of the Elements of the Shroud of Turin: Compatibility Between the Evidences of Vitality and the Absence of Signs of Death on the Cloth by Dr. Miguel Lorente

2:15-2:45 The death of the Shroud Man: an improved review by Barbara Faccini, Shroud Science Group member, read by Giulio Fanti

2:45-3:15 The Shroud of Turin , The Holographic Experience by Petrus Soons

3:15-3:45 Botany of the Shroud of Turin by Avinoam Danin

3:45-4:15 Ancient Edessa and the Shroud: History Concealed by the Discipline of the Secret by Jack Markwardt

4:15-4:45 On Besancon and Other Plausible Theories for the Shroud During the Missing 150 Years, 1204 to 1355 by Daniel C. Scavone, Shroud Science Group member

4:45-5:10 Was Sixth-Century Desertification a Factor in the Transfer of Relics from Palestine by Diana Fulbright, Shroud Science Group member

5:10-5:30 A Note on “the Servant of Peter” by Diana Fulbright, Shroud Science Group member

5:30-6:00 Questions and answers--afternoon speakers

6:00-8:00 Dinner (provided by Hotel)

8:00-10:00 GENERAL OPEN FORUM: Twenty Years After – Where Do We Stand with the Carbon dating? moderated by Barrie Schwortz, Shroud of Turin Research Project Documenting Photographer and Shroud Science Group member

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2008

8:00-9:30 a.m. Breakfast (provided by Hotel)

8:30-9:00 Jesus Christ, the Man of the Shroud, and Bilirubin by Carlo Goldoni, read by Roberto Basso

9:00-9:30 Advancing the Shroud into the 21^st Century: Reaching the next generation by Russ Breault, Shroud Science Group member

9:30-10:00 Focus Projects for Student Involvement in Researching the Scientific Properties of the Shroud of  Turin by Raymond J. Schneider, Shroud Science Group member

10:00-11:00 GENERAL OPEN FORUM: The 2002 “Restoration” – its Impact and Prospects for Future Testing (and miscellaneous topics) moderated by Barrie Schwortz, Shroud of Turin Research Project Documenting Photographer and Shroud Science Group member

11:00-11:30 The Tangible Emmanuel: How the Scriptures Shed Light on the Meaning and Presence of the Shroud of Turin by Chris Knabenshue

11:30 Closing remarks; End of Conference

Shroud of Turin - Fabric Of Time - 2007 5 of 6 | Video Digs

And interesting video, "Shroud of Turin - Fabric of Time -2007" may be found at Shroud of Turin - Fabric Of Time - 2007 5 of 6 | Video Digs

It is 5 of 6 and I have no idea where the other 5 parts are to be found

For those who seek perfection there can be no rest on this side of the grave.

So says the fizzystuff  blog:

How sure are you that Jesus rose from the dead?

There is the Shroud of Turin, for one, I am sure you like this evidence. Other than that, there are also the numerous believers who have lived and died for the faith as martyrs. Surely they would not have died for nothing?

The Shroud of Turin is interesting, yes, but we have had many cases of hoaxes before. If the shroud was so strong an evidence, why is it still so under-publicized? About the martyrs, I see a paradox. If I followed in the footsteps of saints and martyrs, I would add to their number, and maybe, just maybe in future, I would be cited among those special few! They died because they believed that the faith of those who went before them was true, who in turn believed that those who went before them had the true faith, who in turn... who in turn believed that Jesus was the way. Surely one man would not have died for nothing? Yet so many people die for nothing in the world today.

Source: For those who seek perfection there can be no rest on this side of the grave.

Spoof: Shroud of Turin, Forgery; Jesus Tortilla, Authentic

Good for a laugh.

Abilene, TX - The infamous relic said to bare the image of Jesus Christ, The Shroud of Turin was finally and officially exposed as a hoax yesterday. News of the revelation shocked many believers.
“It’s really disheartening,” noted Roy Baker, a lifelong Catholic. “…to find out that something like that is just a fake.”

Read more at Monkey Breath: Shroud of Turin, Forgery; Jesus Tortilla, Authentic

Shroud of Turin to be discussed at Missouri Botanical Garden

For additional information see Faith Struggling: The Shroud of Turin: An exercise in thinking through absurdity

Christopher Ramsey, director of the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit in England, said on the lab's website that scientists there would take another look at the shroud. Jackson's theory is that a fire in France in the 16th century scorched the shroud and altered the radiocarbon date by introducing elevated levels of carbon monoxide to the cloth.

"There is a lot of other evidence that suggests to many that the shroud is older than the radiocarbon dates allow and so further research is certainly needed," Ramsey wrote on the Oxford lab's website.

. . .

One man who has challenged the radiocarbon dating is Avinoam Danin, a professor of botany at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has spent decades examining images of plant remains on the shroud. Danin has said the shroud was buried in the vicinity of Jerusalem — not Europe, as had previously been thought — during the months of March or April.

Danin and Petrus Soons, a retired medical doctor who has used digitized photos of the shroud to create three-dimensional holograms, will give a free double lecture at the Missouri Botanical Garden on Monday, Aug. 18, at 5:30 p.m.

See: STLtoday - Shroud of Turin scholars will speak at Botanical Garden