Assuming supernatural events

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frank91

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So I have this problem that keeps happening.

Let’s say some family member was in a car accident. Just from the fact that he didn’t die he assumes there was some kind of divine intervention. Other family members start praising God for the alleged supernatural event. What if I think it was a natural event? What if I don’t see anything miraculous about it?

For the sake of argument, let’s say it was just a natural event.

What should I do? I’m not denying that miracles exist, but how can I relate to persons like these? They won’t accept my inquisitive nature. Am I expected to conform to whatever other people think? Should I praise God for that “miracle” even though I don’t think it was a supernatural event? If I tell them what’s on my mind they would get angry with me.

What I care about is this: what would be the proper way of interacting with other christians if I don’t share their way of interpreting the ongoing events?
 
As you get older (I’m assuming you’re young), you’ll see it’s not possible to really change other peoples minds. I would just smile and say “wow isn’t that something?” and change the topic.
 
StudentMI said:
As you get older (I’m assuming you’re young), you’ll see it’s not possible to really change other peoples minds. I would just smile and say “wow isn’t that something?” and change the topic.
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This^^

(Outta likes.)
 
frank91 said:
What I care about is this: what would be the proper way of interacting with other christians if I don’t share their way of interpreting the ongoing events?
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It’s normal for Christians, and even other faiths with a belief in God, to thank God when they are spared from some disaster. There were Muslims on the news the other day thanking Allah they were not killed by the blast in Beirut.

If you don’t believe, then just smile and say you’re glad they weren’t hurt and move on. Respect their beliefs.

I have no idea why you’re making such a big deal out of it. If your family member escaped serious harm then I would think you would be so glad they’re okay that you wouldn’t be focusing on starting an argument with them over whether God was involved or not.

By the way, your profile says “Catholic”. It’s a bit odd for a Catholic to have a problem with someone thanking God (or Mary, a saint, a Guardian Angel etc) for keeping them safe from harm. If you’re truly Catholic you should be giving thanks and praising God’s name every day you’re on the earth breathing. We do nothing without God’s help…that includes wake up, drive to work etc.
 
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" you should be giving thanks and praising God’s name every day you’re on the earth breathing"

Yes, but I don’t think you are getting my point.
My point is this: Let’s assume it was a natural event and they praise God for a supernatural one. Is this distinction irrelevant?

“I have no idea why you’re making such a big deal out of it.”

It’s suffocating when people around you keep seeing supernatural events everywhere. Is it ok to assume things with no regard for careful examination of the events?
 
There are things I habitually thank God for, sometimes out loud, sometimes silently, several times a day. Do you think that makes me a bad Catholic? Do you think I’m doing something very wrong by thanking God for what was, in reality, only a natural event? A few examples:

• Finding my glasses quickly when I can’t remember where I left them

• Washing the dishes without breaking anything

• Waking up in the morning and finding that the whole family, including the dogs and cats, have slept well, are in good health, and have a good appetite for breakfast
 
frank91 said:
So I have this problem that keeps happening.

Let’s say some family member was in a car accident. Just from the fact that he didn’t die he assumes there was some kind of divine intervention. Other family members start praising God for the alleged supernatural event. What if I think it was a natural event? What if I don’t see anything miraculous about it?

For the sake of argument, let’s say it was just a natural event.

What should I do? I’m not denying that miracles exist, but how can I relate to persons like these? They won’t accept my inquisitive nature. Am I expected to conform to whatever other people think? Should I praise God for that “miracle” even though I don’t think it was a supernatural event? If I tell them what’s on my mind they would get angry with me.

What I care about is this: what would be the proper way of interacting with other christians if I don’t share their way of interpreting the ongoing events?
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If you mean to say that they are thankful to God that the person is okay, then this is completely normal and something Christians ought to be doing on a daily basis even if they’re not in a car accident.

If you mean that they automatically think something supernatural happened, then yeah, that’s pretty strange and also somewhat toxic, because we’re not suppose to be “hunting” for miracles. So, in your shoes, I would say something like “Thank God that they’re okay” without participating in the other superfluous stuff.

Peace.
 
No, I don’t think that makes you a bad Catholic. But let me be more specific. There is a distinction between thanking God for something and saying it was a supernatural event.

Now, imagine that you are surrounded by people who have no second thoughts about the causes of things and just assume they were supernatural.

What if you have a natural explanation? they won’t care. How can you communicate with them? It’s as if they live in an alternative reality.
 
Yes, I’m talking about making rash judgements about the nature of events with no regard for possible natural explanations.
 
frank91 said:
There is a distinction between thanking God for something and saying it was a supernatural event.
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What is the distinction? It if wasn’t a supernatural event, then there’s nothing to thank God for, is there?
frank91 said:
What if you have a natural explanation? they won’t care. How can you communicate with them? It’s as if they live in an alternative reality.
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If you have a natural explanation for the kind of things I listed, well, that’s okay by me, why should I care? I’m not going to quarrel with you. But what do you want to “communicate” with me about? Do you want to try and persuade me I’m making a mistake? If that’s what it is, it sounds to me like you’re the one that’s being “toxic,” not the others.
 
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frank91 said:
My point is this: Let’s assume it was a natural event and they praise God for a supernatural one. Is this distinction irrelevant?
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I personally think it’s irrelevant in this context. God is not a “natural” force, so one could argue the supernatural, as in God, is acting in our lives all the time and we just can’t see it. Our guardian angels likewise are “supernatural” and protect us all the time. It is also almost impossible to distinguish, on a practical level, between natural and supernatural because we generally don’t see the supernatural working in our lives. If a deer runs into the road in front of my car and then runs back to the shoulder just in time for me to not hit it, I could say the deer simply got scared and ran the other way or that my guardian angel got that deer to move so I didn’t have a wreck. I don’t know for sure which one it is and it’s not important - what’s important is to give glory to God or his agents (Angels, saints etc) for keeping me safe.

If you are not “into” the supernatural, then you can simply offer up the “cross” of having to “put up with” family members who perhaps see God’s hand in things more than you choose to do. It doesn’t seem to me to be “suffocating” or a big deal. I grew up in a family where we gave God, Mary, saints, guardian angels lots of credit for helping us all day and it is natural for me to do.

In any event, I agree with the person who said you could just say “Thank God you’re all right” to the person who escaped the accident, and have done with it.
 
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frank91 said:
What I care about is this: what would be the proper way of interacting with other christians if I don’t share their way of interpreting the ongoing events?
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As long as there’s no heresy or danger of turning the soul from God, celebrate the Divine with them.

Feel free to ask, “What makes you think the Almighty cares if you get the last pack of Zingers?” & don’t fret asking honest questions with the intent to understand where they are coming from.

But if I have to chose between people over doing it & people not even thanking God for the food on their table, I’d choose the former.
 
“What is the distinction? It if wasn’t a supernatural event, then there’s nothing to thank God for, is there?”
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Perhaps you don’t see the difference between (1) being accurate in saying how things are and (2) thanking for things Or perhaps you don’t care about that type of accuracy.

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why should I care? I’m not going to quarrel with you… it sounds to me like you’re the one that’s being “toxic,” not the others."
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You wouldn’t have to care about anything I say. But, I was talking about family members, so I can’t ignore them and I have to figure this out. Should I keep my opinions to myself? As I said in my first post they would get angry with me. Is that fair?
“But what do you want to “communicate” with me about? Do you want to try and persuade me I’m making a mistake?”
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And why not? Perhaps you have a different type of personality, or a different way of engaging in social interactions. Is it wrong to try to figure out if something is true or false? Is it wrong to have an inquisitive nature?
 
I don’t know how old you are but my Guardian Angel works 24/7 to keep me safe. I can’t tell you the innumerable times he has saved me.
And if you think it’s “just a natural event” that God in His Mercy has protected you (and is doing so right now) through your Guardian Angel, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you for $ 1.00. 😆

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here,
Ever this day (night) be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
From stain of sin oh keep me free,
And at my death my helper be. Amen.

Don’t forget to thank your Guardian Angel for his help and protection! Even Angels like to hear “Thank You!” And God likes to hear it too!
 
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"my Guardian Angel works 24/7 to keep me safe. I can’t tell you the innumerable times he has saved me.
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Im not disputing this type of things. Im just saying some people have no regard for careful examination of events and say the first thing that crosses their minds. And if I disagree they might get angry with me. Besides, I think its a positive trait to try to examine the causes of things and try to discern what is natural and what is supernatural even if we make mistakes in these examinations.
 
frank91 said:
Im just saying some people have no regard for careful examination of events and say the first thing that crosses their minds. And if I disagree they might get angry with me.
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So don’t disagree. They’re your family. They’re not going to change their mind. Keep the peace.
Besides, I think its a positive trait to try to examine the causes of things and try to discern what is natural and what is supernatural even if we make mistakes in these examinations.
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If you think this is really important, do it on your own time and find some philosophy majors or someone else who’s interested in this topic to discuss it with. Preferably someone Catholic so you don’t have some nonbeliever talking you out of your faith.

Your family clearly is not interested in this type of thinking and there’s no reason for you to inflict it on them.
 
So don’t disagree. They’re your family. They’re not going to change their mind. Keep the peace
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So they can express themselves freely but I cannot. Perhaps you are right in suggesting this course, but it certainly doesn’t seem a fair situation to begin with.
 
It may not be “supernatural” in the sense of a miracle (e.g. the Resurrection) but it is supernatural according to the Providence of God.
Everything good that happens to us is a gift of God (c.f. James 2: 17)

I was inches away from being in an accident yesterday, and immediately thanked my Guardian Angel. I literally wouldn’t be here if not for God and my Guardian Angel.
 
“It may not be “supernatural” in the sense of a miracle (e.g. the Resurrection) but it is supernatural according to the Providence of God.”

Ok ,but I think the context of what I said was important. In a strict sense there is a difference between natural and supernatural.

If an event is natural and someone says it’s supernatural, that opinion would be wrong . Do you disagree?
 
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