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

The Image and the Gospels

There is nothing about the image that contradicts the gospels. For instance the man's legs appear not to have been broken. Breaking a victim's legs was a common practice of the Romans when there was a reason to expedite death. This was done so the victim could not raise himself up on his feet, something he needed to do to relieve the pressure on his chest so he could breath. This isn't proof but these are nonetheless compelling arguments that the images on the cloth belong to Jesus.

All significant investigation into how the images might have been formed by some perfectly natural means so far suggests that a simple process is all but impossible. Chemical reactions (or stains) caused by contact with the body would produce a grossly distorted image. Gaseous products from a body or funerary spices would seem to produce a diffused image lacking in detail. Radiant energy such as bodily heat lacks essential directional qualities.