It doesn't even have to be "fringies". People who believe often WANT to believe. If you were Catholic and found out that someone had found glowing bones that sound like ringing bells... wouldn't you shift the part of your beliefs that are a bit more abstract-philosophical and less emphasized in sermons? Particularly if the pay-off was having something that was Proof? Religions often emphasize faith without evidence, but everyone WANTS evidence (as long as it doesn't contradict them).