(March 30, 2014 at 2:22 am)NoraBrimstone Wrote: Because most of the stuff that used to be considered "miraculous" can now be explained naturally?
(March 30, 2014 at 2:38 am)Esquilax Wrote: Here's what's going to happen: the first theist is going to come into this thread, and the first sentence they're going to type is something along the lines of "who says there are no more miracles?"
Next, they're either going to list a set of unconfirmed, unconfirmable nonsense miracle claims like weeping statues, or Fatima, or some bullshit like that, or they're going to list a bunch of completely explainable, normal phenomena in the natural world, and claim that god does that, therefore miracles.
I'm going to paraphrase Tim Minchin and his famous poem "Storm":
By definition, events of "the supernatural" are either proven not to be true or not proven to be true. Do you know what they call a supernatural event that is proven to be true?
Natural.
You see, if it really exists, it can be potentially observed, studied and eventually understood and explained. Once it can be understood and explained, it's incorporated into our concept of the natural universe.
If it turned out that ghosts really were real, for example, scientists could eventually invent Dr. Venkman style devices that could detect ectoplasmic energy signatures or even capture ghosts in a box as long as you don't cross the streams. Or like in Supernatural where Sam and Dean have devices that can detect spiritual disturbances.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist