[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

Anything I’ve read about the shroud is that it appears to be an image of a crucified man that dates from approximately the time of Jesus. No shred of evidence that it is Jesus.

If there were any hint in church writings and/or scripture that Jesus’ burial cloth would be preserved / important, I might believe it. Same with the cross, or Noah’s ark, etc. - no physical reason why such things would survive to our day, and no spiritual reason for it. We believe because of the changing power of the Holy Spirit, in lieu of physical evidence.

[texas booster]

Certainly the use of icons is not a thing in Western churches. We have been taught that it is faith that saves our souls. I think that we have adopted the Jewish prohibition against idols - at least in church.

But I can't image why this cloth would have been saved through the centuries if people didn't see it as something special.

And I certainly can't understand how it could have been created, except supernaturally.

And I only know of one crucified man that I consider supernatural.