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

Baumgardner Fires Back

Baumgardner fired back accusing Roger of wanting LANL to officially endorse atheism. That is actually not surprising, for a careful reading of other material by Baumgardner reveals that he classifies everyone as either an atheist or a Christian, and to be a Christian he asserts requires complete belief in biblical creationism. Rogers wrote another letter:

John Baumgardner's response to my letter attributes statements to me that I did not make. I was advocating classical scientific method as the best approach to the solution of problems. I did not advocate or even mention atheism. I did not advocate any control over religious expression. Religion is "revealed": The body of knowledge in science is developed by application of a specific logical process. The two operate in different spheres. Science and atheism are two different things. Trouble comes when a person attempts selectively to accept or deny scientific observations primarily on the basis of religious beliefs. By definition, a "scientist" is a person who uses scientific method. Like Caesar's wife, a scientist must be above suspicion. The more "renowned" the scientist, the more careful he should be.

It was as close as Rogers would get to expressing religious convictions in scientific context. Rogers wasn’t an atheist. But he certainly was not the religious fanatic that some skeptics, including Nickell, portray him as.