Why an Atheist Thinks the Shroud of Turin is the Real Deal

Modern Biblical Literalism in Pia’s Day

In 1898, modern biblical literalism, particularly as it is seen in North America, had not yet emerged. That would happen in the next decade, in the years leading up to World War I, as a response to the liberal interpretations emerging from the Quest for the Historical Jesus, Darwinism and modernity in general.

The situation was different in France, particularly in the Académie des Sciences. It was perceived to be, if not the high temple of Atheism and Agnosticism, at least a precinct where the mention of God or Christ was off limits. This is probably not surprising given France’s strong secular attitudes born of the French Revolution.

Delage, amongst his French colleagues, had committed a heresy. Marcelin Berthelot, the secretary of the physics section of the Academy, the renowned discoverer of thermo-chemistry principles, and a militant atheist, ordered Delage to rewrite his paper so that it dealt only on the chemistry and made no mention of Christ. One can’t help but think of Galileo being told to retract his conclusions. His conclusion was omitted from official published proceedings. It was silly. It was akin to an ostrich hiding its head in the sand—which we all know they don’t do as we realize it wouldn’t work well. Newspaper reporters had the story and the Paris edition of New York Herald trumpeted the headline, "Photographs of Christ's Body found by science."