How do atheists explain miracles?

Question

First of all, don't get offended by this question. I'm not saying atheists' claims on miracles are nonsense. I just want to know what they think about it.

So numerous Christian miracles have been reported, even in this era. Do you think they're all made-up stories to persuade non-believers effectively? Or do you think they just happened by sheer coincidences? What's your thought on this?

Answer 1

Its only Christians who seem to believe in miracles, go figures.

Answer 2

Not only Atheists but also Muslims do not believe in miracles.

Mohammed was the only religious leader who did not perform any miracles. But he also believed in the miracles of Jesus Christ.

Answer 3

they cannot because they are fools who refuse to reason.

wake up atheists, the end is near, prepare yourselves before it is too late.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpAvxvNrS...

Answer 4

It's called pareidolia:

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

Overall, people have the tendency to explain unusual events as being miracles.  Here's an example from another religion:

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

I, for one, welcome our new Monkey God overlord.

Giz

Answer 5

To paraphrase a better thinker than I:

A miracle is a violation of laws of the universe. So... when I get to know all of the laws of the universe, then, and only then, will I know which ones have be violated. Until then, claims of miracles are cases of extreme arrogance.

Answer 6

First of all, please provide objective evidence for any such claimed "miracles".

No evidence ever offered ? Thus, claims of miracles fail.

Reports are not evidence. Note that a police report alone doesn't guarantee even a prosecution, never mind a conviction. To be taken seriously as having actually happened, more is needed: Objective evidence.

Until you have some, its 100% reasonable to state that miracles are fiction.  

Answer 7

I belive they are either hallucinations or frauds, seems strange how relics dont crop up anymore, or people dont try out weeping statues anymore.

Answer 8

Just because you, personally, cannot understand how something happened does not mean that a supernatural being did it.

If you watch a magician make something disappear your natural reaction is that it is a trick, even if you can't work out how it's done.  The only difference between that and "miracles" is that the magician happens to claim some religious connection. Yet as soon as religion is introduced into the equation all logic and reason instantly evaporates and gullible fools dash around proclaiming the existence of god and building shrines.

Answer 9

First of all, most miracles aren't.  Their are good reasons why they happen.  People just like to think that they are miraculous.  Then there are those things that can't be explained away. They just seem to happen.  While, on the surface, they seem miraculous, their maybe be some logical explanation that we just don't know, or can't see.  I just can't make the leap of faith from WOW! I CAN'T EXPLAIN THAT! to WOW! GOD DID IT!

Answer 10

Is a "miracle" that happens to a Hindu boy an act of Krishna?

Is a "miracle" that happens to a Muslim boy an act of Allah?

Is a "miracle" that happens to a Pagan an act of his or her gods/goddesses?

Is a "miracle" that happens to a Pastafarian an act of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

Miracles don't stand because they "happen" so frequently in other parts of the world to people of different faiths.

Answer 11

There is no such thing as a miracle.  Most occurrences, weird as they may seem, can be rationally explained by science and the rest goes to "$hit happens"

Miracle (according to Webster's dictionary) is:

1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs

2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment

3: Christian Science: a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law

Answer 12

I dont believe that they're made up stories per sey, I really do believe that people believe that some things are miracles. The way I see it though, why would a God who doesnt do anything about the big things do something over one tiny, unimportant person. Faith isn't an answer.

Answer 13

The same way that Christians explain miracles in the devil's name (hurricanes, and disasters, etc.) Many people claim to have seen Elvis, but that doesn't make it true.

Answer 14

first you'd need to provide actual scientific evidence that they were in fact miracles (ie could not have happened without supernatural intervention).  

Answer 15

Miracles are nothing more than luck with hindsight.

For example, if someone has a remission of his cancer, is it a miracle or is it luck?  What do we call the other case when the cancer kills the man?  Was that a miracle or was that chance?  The thing with alleged miracles is that they self-define and select good luck after the fact.

Answer 16

atheist explain away God's miracles by saying they are from the devil.

Answer 17

Miracles are nonsense. A miracle that would qualify would be someone loosing an arm, then having the arm regenerate. So far all claims of miracles fall very short of divine intervention.

Answer 18

Anecdotal evidence from believers who are hardly likely to be unbiased and objective is proof of nothing. When I encounter compelling evidence I might take miracles seriously but I've never seen any evidence that is convincing.

Answer 19

Can you cite the miracles in question?  

I don't believe in miracles, let alone biblical ones.

Answer 20

Coincidence.  Extremely improbable (but not impossible) outcomes.  Take your pick.

.

Answer 21

They're made up stories for personal reasons or coincidences.

  

Answer 22

A lot of them would say it would be a coincidence.  I am a christian but I have never really seen a miracle happen like the ones you see on Benny Hinn etc.  I do find it difficult to believe what you see on TV and I have heard that some people have been known to fake their healings but I have heard from people who have attended these revival crusades who have been healed.    

Answer 23

i think people mistake soemthing that has a rational and logical explanation for soemthing supernatural or unexplainable

or

when soemthing IS unexplainable they then say its a miracle as that now makes it explainable and understandable to them

Answer 24

I will admit, that grilled cheese sandwich with the Virgin Mary on it is mighty convincing, but I still think I'll ere on the side of caution.

Answer 25

Numerous miracles supporting other religions have been reported, even this era, too.  Tell me why those aren't real and you'll have your explanation.

Answer 26

3 Ne 1:22 (LDS)

22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be lyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.

3 Ne 2:1

1 AND it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen--

Answer 27

They use science to explain these so-called "miracles."

I don't know of anyone who thinks that science is "nonsense."

Answer 28

A lot of things have rational explanations.

Some things, no one can explain. Everything falls into those two categories.  Atheism isn't a claim to know everything.  It is a non-believe in deities.

Answer 29

Miracles are a phenomenon like UFO's, aliens, werewolves, vampires. Imaginary creatures like Sasquatch. Your human cerebrum imagines these things.

Answer 30

It's just a Coincidence they say but all these answers are  also correct, they are exactly how athiests explain miracles

Answer 31

By "miracle" I would assume one that you're referring to is the sudden disappearance of say, cancer or a tumor. They then get healed, and say God healed them.

However, what healed them what not a prayer or God, but instead the medical treatment they received for it. Sure, prayer keeps them hopeful, but it is a slim-to-none chance of them actually healing on their own without any medical attention.

In my opinion, I don't think they're made up, but I seriously think that they attribute the healing of their symptoms to the miracles of God. They don't thank the doctors, they say that it was God's work.