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

John Jackson on Complexity of Image

Physicist John Jackson has observed that "mathematical analysis of image resolution suggested that no single, simple molecular-diffusion or radiation mechanism could produce the image observed."  Roger agrees. And Rogers proposes:

[A] combination of systems could offer an explanation, e.g., anisotropic heat flow by radiation from the body to the cloth, attenuated heat-flow in the cloth, gaseous diffusion, convection, surface properties of cloth, and the dependence of chemical rates on temperature.

Were it not for some significant characteristic of the images, this potential explanation (something of a chemistry equivalent of two wrongs make a right) might suffice. Rogers alludes to the problem:

A dead body at normal temperatures and humidity will produce reactive amines—absolutely. A primitive (Roman times) piece of linen that is contaminated with crude starch will react with the amines—absolutely. Some color will be produced. If the Shroud is truly old and it covered a dead body, the amine/saccharide colors ARE present. Can they have been produced in a distribution that reflects the characteristics of the body? Theoretically the answer is yes; however, a number of demonstrations are required to illustrate the problem to everyone's satisfaction. . .