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

Ray Rogers Takes Issue

Ray Rogers objects. The only way that such an idea can be understood within the known laws of nature is as matter converting to energy. This is expressed by Einstein's celebrated e=mc² equation of equivalence. And understood that way, conversion of the matter in a human body to energy (what else) would produce energy equivalent to a nuclear explosion several thousand times as great as the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

But is surmising that this is impossible or recognizing how explosive such an event might be a valid objection? If we are imagining how a miracle might have happened, then no. If by the divine action of God (how else) a human body can dematerialize, can we not imagine that God is privileged to suspend the laws of conservation and any other laws of nature?

We are well beyond the realm of science. For another principle in the philosophy of science is that science, being severely restricted to the laws of nature, cannot hypothesize a process that depends on non-natural causes. It cannot be tested. It cannot be proven. It gives license to explain away any anomaly or unsolved problem by simply saying, "It's a miracle."