The Case Against Unconvincing Miracles: Why Would a God of Miracles Be Unbelievable to an Atheist?
When discussing the existence of a god who can perform miracles, it's crucial to establish that such a deity actually performs miracles. This article explores why an atheist, such as the author, would find it challenging to believe in a god who claims to perform miracles, focusing on the evidentiary standards and reasons for skepticism.
How to Establish a Miracle
The claim that a god performs miracles is not sufficient on its own to compel belief. The author emphasizes the need for concrete evidence, stating, 'Please first show me, persuade me, convince me, prove to me that this god "can" indeed perform miracles.' Often, miracles are referenced from religious texts, such as the healing of Jesus, but this alone is not persuasive. The author questions, 'Then I must believe! ' and probes further into the details, asking how “blind,” literally and metaphorically, the individuals were, how the terms “healing” were understood, and how long the improvements lasted.
Skepticism Over Religious Claims
A detailed analysis of the Bible reveals that it does not address the simplest and most basic questions that a half-rational person would need to resolve before believing. The author argues, 'The Bible never addresses those questions which are the simplest, most basic kind of "proof" any half-rational person would need answered before they could go on to believing.' This highlights the gap between the text and the demands of rational inquiry.
Atheism and Miracles
An atheist, by definition, does not believe in gods. This doesn't mean an atheist is fully convinced that miracles are impossible. Instead, it means that an atheist is skeptical and requires evidence to justify belief. The author frames this skepticism as an act of rationality, stating, 'This tautology is really circular but it gets the answer count up. An atheist by definition does not believe in gods.'
Convincing Evidence for a Miracle
When the author suggests that a god would be completely believable if it truly performed a verifiable miracle, such as depositing a billion dollars in a bank account, it underscores the need for tangible and verifiable evidence. They state, 'She wouldn’t. She would be VERY BELIEVABLE if She performed a genuine verifiable miracle like dumping a billion actual genuine dollars into my bank account. I would BELI-EEEVE!' This example illustrates the difference between faith and evidence-based belief.
The Improbability of Miracles
Another reason why a god of miracles may seem unbelievable is the inherent improbability of these events. The author notes that the miracles described in the Bible often lack verifiable evidence and alternative explanations. They point out, 'Somehow the miracles always turn out to either lack verifiable evidence or be open to other less improbable interpretations.' For instance, the healing of leprosy is described as occurring over time, not overnight, making it less miraculous. The author also questions the lack of miraculous actions that would be impossible to attribute to natural causes, stating, 'Jesus tells us that faith can move mountains yet he didn’t move a single mountain in a manner that was so inexplicable it could not be put down to tectonic plates.' This emphasizes the need for miracles to be beyond natural explanations.
Evidence, Faith, and Skepticism
Ultimately, the debate centers on the need for evidence to support religious claims. The author concludes, 'I believe in the miracles of a god in the same way that I believe a magician performs real magic.' This suggests that for the author, miracles require the same level of evidence and credibility as other extraordinary claims. The article highlights the importance of rational inquiry and the necessity of empirical evidence in beliefs about the paranormal and the divine.
Throughout this discussion, the author establishes a clear stance on the necessity of concrete evidence for belief in miracles, aligning with the principle that rational inquiry should underpin religious and supernatural claims.