medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Rev. Gordon Plumb, wrote:
>I don't know if I am alone in this, but I am heartily sick of the
>Shroud of Turin - genuine or fake. The use of relics to bolster
>faith is a bit like attempts by some conservative Christians ( I
>will not use the "F" word!) to seize upon "evidence" from
>archaeology to "prove" the truth of the Bible.
No, you are not alone. The constant resurrection of "academic debate"
(and not so academic debate) is tiresome and belittling, as well.
There is one thing about the shroud, though, -- and Chris le Crock
(who seems to think I am my 23-year old granddaughter) sort of
touched on it. While I find it obviously not authentic as a shroud, I
have never believed it was *intended* as a fake relic.
I did try to draw attention to the flat head join -- (hint, hint).
The shroud far too closely resembles a "flat." It would have stood
draped across a support on one of the portable platforms during the
appropriate place in a mystery cycle. You would need both sides for
such a display; but you would NOT want a space at the head.
I am familiar with the English cycles -- and I know that there were
cycles performed on the continent, but I do not know if a record of
cycles performed in Turin exists. Anyone out here know anything
about touring or guild cycles in Italy back then?
Nor is it the only Medieval artifact that is treated as a deliberate
forgery -- the so-called Newark Holy stones are neither forgeries nor
evidence of early population by the 10 lost tribes. (See, two more
faith groups and just as vehement.) The artifacts are very obviously
of 12-13th century South French or South Spanish provenance and, as
many family heirlooms, was brought to the US by a new immigrant. Poor
fellow was murdered for those artifacts (plus ca change???)
And George, while sometimes people misspell my name as double-n on
the end, this is the first time I have seen me changed from an "old
man" to an all man -- even if I am a middle-sized old lady wearing
tennis shoes.
Cheers,
Rochelle Altman
>Gordon Plumb.
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