Separation of Facts & Faith

A quick update to the blog I just posted below. Here are the two opening paragraphs from an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled, "Faith, Proof and Relics". It was in the Saturday/Sunday, April 11-12, 2009 edition.
See if you don't notice how the author frames this article about the Shroud of Turin. This is the accepted unchallenged mindset. Whether you believe in the Shroud or not, is not the issue. It is faith which is opposed to reason. The italics are mine.

It really isn't much to look at. Just a stretch of tattered fabric 14 feet long and a little under 4 feet wide, it is yellowed by time, scarred by fire, stained like a tablecloth not worth keeping. Only on closer inspection does there seem to be an image between the burn holes and creases: a man, naked, prepared for the grave.

The Shroud of Turin underscores an essential aspect of religion. Believers suspend their rational processes and undertake an act of faith. Yet the power of holy relics is that they offer the tantalizing possibility of concrete proof of that belief, setting up a battle between reason and devotion.

Below is a link to this article.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123940218130209621.html#mod=todays_us_nonsub_weekendjournal

Enjoy