Religion So, How do Atheists explain miracles?

[Donners]

Bit of bad luck for those who do pray and see no improvement. Was their faith not strong enough? Or was their chosen God too busy causing disasters in third-world countries?

 

[TheBloods]

So true and totally correct. Thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster and his noodly appendage for saving this one woman in a rich country while letting several tens of thousands die of starvation around the world from preventable diseases in poorer countries every single day

No but seriously, just because there is no immediate or apparent answer based on the few details we have you just jump to a illogical conclusion. Just because someone can do a card trick doesn't mean there's magic. Besides, 'miracles' have been documented all throughout history with virtually every faith that has existed, so I suppose this proves virtually every faith that has ever existed as true. No wait that can't be right, just the one you happen to believe in obviously, my bad.

Top post!

 

[TheBloods]

How would the Church react if an atheist was cured of cancer for unexplained reasons? Would that also be hailed as a miracle, even if that person never once prayed to the Lord for help?

Many people have survived through sudden remission and no doubt a number of them are atheists, so it does occur to people who don't pray and yet the religious ignore these examples.

 

[Nasma]

Let's go back a few hundred years. "So, how do you atheists explain thunder?" A few hundred more - "So, how do you atheists explain floods?"

There is some humility in saying "I don't know" instead of coming up with a reason that doesn't stand up to even preliminary analysis.

Touch the cloth you live, don't touch the cloth you die.

Too bad if you had cancer and gave all your money and time to a 3rd world orphanage instead of touching the magic cloth, kapow.

I want nothing to do with your absurd God.

This

 

[bunsen burner]

I just meant that you can 'pray' for other people. I know it sounds whacked and maybe it is conformation bias but good things have been happening for people around me lately.

It just doesn't sound whacked, it is whacked. If you believe positive internal thinking (ie no actions or words, but similar to praying) can alter someone else's destiny then you are delusional.

I pray for West Coast to win the flag every year. It's happened 3 times out of 23. A realist understands that no matter how much I pray for them to win, my praying has absolutely zero effect. A delusional person (most likely religious) will ignore the 20 years of no flags and parade the 3 flags as ultimate proof.

 

[Rustin Cohle]

You must be doing something right, because I've been praying for a Collingwood flag for 19 years with no success.

 

[Wallaby]

There's a whole lot of interwebby-literature based around 'Why can't God cure amputees?'.

Now that would be a real miracle. We'd all be impressed.

 

[Dawson]

David Copperfield does some rippers.

I think he should be a Saint

 

[Richo83]

I was going to start praying for a tiger flag, but I remembered that this is the tigers we're talking about.

 

[Pie eyed]

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2789958.htm

How do Atheists explain Miracles?

How was the woman who was diagnosed with inoperable cancer saved, even leaving doctors stumped?

Do they acknowledge the power of prayer, that science can't explain everything?

I've heard of other cases where people's illnesses have just dissapeared: cancer, HIV, athritis.

Are there any Atheists that believe in miracles? Or do you simply put it all down to random chance like you always do?

First, before you ask that question, post a link to a miracle. Any miracle ever.
Then afterwards ask yourself who is responsible for the agonising deaths of three toddlers in a petrol fire.

 

[Chief]

There's a whole lot of interwebby-literature based around 'Why can't God cure amputees?'.

Now that would be a real miracle. We'd all be impressed.

If this ever happens I will get down on my knees and pray fervently to God, asking why the hell he waited so long to do it.

 

[Pie eyed]

If this ever happens I will get down on my knees and pray fervently to God, asking why the hell he waited so long to do it.

Where you feeling especially mischievous when you put Science, Religion and Politics in the same thread?

 

[Chief]

No, that's just how it evolved. The name came afterwards.

 

[bit_pattern]

Evolved, or intelligently designed?

 

[dmc333]

I pray for a tattslotto win every week. Never happens.

What miracles?

 

[cancat]

It just doesn't sound whacked, it is whacked. If you believe positive internal thinking (ie no actions or words, but similar to praying) can alter someone else's destiny then you are delusional.

I pray for West Coast to win the flag every year. It's happened 3 times out of 23. A realist understands that no matter how much I pray for them to win, my praying has absolutely zero effect. A delusional person (most likely religious) will ignore the 20 years of no flags and parade the 3 flags as ultimate proof.

Since I started 'praying' Geelong have won two out of three flags. And I'm optimistic about this year

 

[Wally Carter]

Kevincat could quite possibly be the greatest troll that ever lived.

 

[dmc333]

I always thought this was an interesting moment in bible bashing history.

The disaster received extensive news coverage in the media worldwide. After mining officials released incorrect information, many media outlets, including the New York Times reported that 12 survivors had been found alive, when, in fact, only one of the thirteen trapped miners survived.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sago_Mine_disaster

I recall seeing the footage of the reaction to the false reports that the miners were alive. There had been a lot of praying going on in the lead up, and of course they were thanking God for the miracle he'd played a big part in.

But there was no miracle, the reports were false and God hadn't done shit.

So easily led.

 

[dmc333]

Kevincat could quite possibly be the greatest troll that ever lived.

I find this more believable than God.

 

[Pie eyed]

Evolved, or intelligently designed?

You have been in this forum longer than I and yet pose that question. LOL
Have you ever seen Scrapheap Challenge?

 

[Suspense]

Kevincat could quite possibly be the greatest troll that ever lived.

Third best SRP troll behind IntheNet and JW Frogen for mine.

 

[Fire]

Come on gusy it was obvious KC wasnt coming back after hsi second post.

Feeding trolls is a lose-lose.

 

[Fire]

If this ever happens I will get down on my knees and pray fervently to God, asking why the hell he waited so long to do it.

No, you'd probably still turn to science to see if a rational explination could be made. Perhaps this human had somehow evolved the ability to regenerate like other animals.

As would I.

 

[Fire]

If this ever happens I will get down on my knees and pray fervently to God, asking why the hell he waited so long to do it.

No, you'd probably still turn to science to see if a rational explination could be made. Perhaps this human had somehow evolved the ability to regenerate like other animals.

As would I.

 

[likka]

Third best SRP troll behind IntheNet and JW Frogen for mine.

Ever seen all three in the same room?