RE: The undeniable miracle at Fatima
August 8, 2017 at 4:47 am
(This post was last modified: August 8, 2017 at 4:54 am by Alex K.)
@skeptics
As always beware not to try and debunk events that never occurred. I don't think we have compelling evidence that hundreds or thousands of people actually saw something miraculous at Fatima and unless you have that evidence, don't feel the need to explain. The story has been embellished and source material is unreliable. Skeptics shouldn't waste their bullets trying to debunk the interpretation of events that never took place before vetting that there is actually something to debunk, or otherwise the loonies and charlatans can run leaps around you making outrageous claims that may be needlessly difficult to debunk if you take them at face value. In the case of Fatima, don't rush in with a kneejerk rational explanation how 10000 people would plausibly have seen an apparition, just because someone makes the spurious claim that 10000 people saw an apparition. You make your position more vulnerable than necessary, and give them way too much leeway by even accepting what is claimed.
You've all had this in everyday discussions: "My uncle knows a guy whose aunt had terminal cancer, and she fired her doctor and only took homeopathy, and because of that is still alive after 20 years. Explain that!"
What you then do is not explain the placebo effect
As always beware not to try and debunk events that never occurred. I don't think we have compelling evidence that hundreds or thousands of people actually saw something miraculous at Fatima and unless you have that evidence, don't feel the need to explain. The story has been embellished and source material is unreliable. Skeptics shouldn't waste their bullets trying to debunk the interpretation of events that never took place before vetting that there is actually something to debunk, or otherwise the loonies and charlatans can run leaps around you making outrageous claims that may be needlessly difficult to debunk if you take them at face value. In the case of Fatima, don't rush in with a kneejerk rational explanation how 10000 people would plausibly have seen an apparition, just because someone makes the spurious claim that 10000 people saw an apparition. You make your position more vulnerable than necessary, and give them way too much leeway by even accepting what is claimed.
You've all had this in everyday discussions: "My uncle knows a guy whose aunt had terminal cancer, and she fired her doctor and only took homeopathy, and because of that is still alive after 20 years. Explain that!"
What you then do is not explain the placebo effect
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
