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

Trusting History

There are some of us who believe that Columbus discovered America and demonstrated that the world was round. Perhaps, if we believe this; if this is part of our worldview, we are not as well educated about history as we should be – or perhaps we are victims of a bad education or cultural influences.

This misconception about Columbus is repeated every year throughout America when we celebrate Columbus Day. I remember a fifth grade class in which we reenacted Columbus’ grand return to Spain. One lucky student, picked to play Columbus, explained that the world was round to the amazed King Ferdinand II, Queen Isabella, and assembled bishops wearing cardboard miters. Just recently, a Columbus Day parade on television featured a float with a costumed Columbus pointing jubilantly at a giant paper-maché globe, forming his arms into a big circle above his head and then pointing at his brain, miming for all, ‘Surprise. The world is round.”

If we believe this about Columbus, if we believe that he discovered America and proved that the earth was round, it is also unlikely that we know that we have learned the wrong things. It has become part of our worldview. And unless we run into contradictions and are open to investigating them, we continue to believe it. And, it affects other things which we may believe.