Science vs. Fanaticism

I love the use of 21st century technology to repair 2nd or 3rd century artifacts that were destroyed by 20th century fanatics who worship a 6th century prophet whose words were not written down until the 8th century.

Italian restorer Antonio Iaccarino (L) shows on a computer a 3D model of the two funeral reliefs from Palmyra archeological site that will be restored at the Higher Institute of Conservation and Restoration (ISCR – Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) in Rome, on February 16, 2017. The busts of a man and a woman, dated from the 2nd and 3rd century AD and destroyed by the Islamic State group (IS), have been entrusted to the care of the technical and restorers of the ISCR in Rome. By the end of this month, they will be returned to their place of origin. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Italian Minister for Cultural Heritage, Activities and Tourism Dario Franceschini (L) looks at a restorer fixing a restored piece of the face of a man bust, which is one of the two funeral reliefs from Palmyra archeological site that will be restored at the Higher Institute of Conservation and Restoration (ISCR – Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) in Rome, on February 16, 2017. The busts of a man and a woman, dated from the 2nd and 3rd century AD and destroyed by the Islamic State group (IS), have been entrusted to the care of the technical and restorers of the ISCR in Rome. By the end of this month, they will be returned to their place of origin. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

A restorer looks at a bust, which is one of the two funeral reliefs from Palmyra archeological site that will be restored at the Higher Institute of Conservation and Restoration (ISCR – Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) in Rome, on February 16, 2017. The busts of a man and a woman, dated from the 2nd and 3rd century AD and destroyed by the Islamic State group (IS), have been entrusted to the care of the technical and restorers of the ISCR in Rome. By the end of this month, they will be returned to their place of origin. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

A restorer points the missing nose of a woman bust, which is one of the two funeral reliefs from Palmyra archeological site that will be restored at the Higher Institute of Conservation and Restoration (ISCR – Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) in Rome, on February 16, 2017. The busts of a man and a woman, dated from the 2nd and 3rd century AD and destroyed by the Islamic State group (IS), have been entrusted to the care of the technical and restorers of the ISCR in Rome. By the end of this month, they will be returned to their place of origin. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Italian Restorer Antonio Iaccarino poses in front of the two funeral reliefs from Palmyra archeological site that will be restored at the Higher Institute of Conservation and Restoration (ISCR – Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) in Rome, on February 16, 2017. The busts of a man and a woman, dated from the 2nd and 3rd century AD and destroyed by the Islamic State group (IS), have been entrusted to the care of the technical and restorers of the ISCR in Rome. By the end of this month, they will be returned to their place of origin. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

A restorer fixes a restored piece of the face of a bust, which is one of the two funeral reliefs from Palmyra archeological site that will be restored at the Higher Institute of Conservation and Restoration (ISCR – Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) in Rome, on February 16, 2017. The busts of a man and a woman, dated from the 2nd and 3rd century AD and destroyed by the Islamic State group (IS), have been entrusted to the care of the technical and restorers of the ISCR in Rome. By the end of this month, they will be returned to their place of origin. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Italian restorer Antonio Iaccarino (L) shows on a computer a 3D model of the two funeral reliefs from Palmyra archeological site that are displayed next to him and that will be restored at the Higher Institute of Conservation and Restoration (ISCR – Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) in Rome, on February 16, 2017. The busts of a man and a woman, dated from the 2nd and 3rd century AD and destroyed by the Islamic State group (IS), have been entrusted to the care of the technical and restorers of the ISCR in Rome. By the end of this month, they will be returned to their place of origin. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Italian Minister for Cultural Heritage, Activities and Tourism Dario Franceschini males an appropriate gesture to ISIL as he speaks in front of a restored bust, which is one of the two funeral reliefs from Palmyra archeological site that will be restored at the Higher Institute of Conservation and Restoration (ISCR – Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) in Rome, on February 16, 2017. The busts of a man and a woman, dated from the 2nd and 3rd century AD and destroyed by the Islamic State group (IS), have been entrusted to the care of the technical and restorers of the ISCR in Rome. By the end of this month, they will be returned to their place of origin. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

A picture taken on February 16, 2017 shows a restored bust, one of the two funeral reliefs from Palmyra at the Higher Institute of Conservation and Restoration (ISCR – Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro), in Rome. The busts of a man and a woman, dated from the 2nd and 3rd century AD and destroyed by the Islamic State group (IS), have been entrusted to the care of the technical and restorers of the ISCR in Rome. By the end of this month, they will be returned to their place of origin. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Source: Art Daily

Though not a believer, I have no problem with religion in general. But when someone decides that their beliefs are the only true way and all others must be put to the sword, that is fanaticism and it sucks.
Here’s an album of religious (and sacrilegious) images to enjoy: