How do you explain the various miracles that happen around the world at Catholic pilgrimage sights? I mean, miracles that we know actually happened? I know some other religions claim that there have been miracles at their holy places, but I haven’t found any that I can believe. However, I know [many] people who have been healed at Fatima and Lourdes.
First, when you say that we ”know” that the miracles actually happened, how do you know? Because someone told you? Has it been scientifically proven? My guess to that answer would be no, and if I’m wrong, please provide proof.
Second, how about the power of the mind. Have you seen someone under hypnosis getting burn scars when you touch a pen to their arm, telling them it’s a hot poker?
Third, you mention Lourdes and Fatima.
The whole Medical wing of Lourdes have only yielded 66 “cures”. And these cures are only labeled as such because science can’t explain it yet. Note I say yet. The power of the mind is a proven, very powerful thing.
And even if the miracles were real, what ration is that? Estimations show around 200 mil people visiting Lourdes since 1860. That’s a cure rate of 0.00000033% at the worlds “hottest hotspot” of miracle cures?
Are you willing to concede that the power of suggestion and the mind has nothing to do with this? No, wait don’t answer, I’m going to guess that you are willing to do that. Blind faith and all, and that’s ok.
How do you explain the incorruptibles?
Let’s take St. Bernadette, the best known case, als fitting because we are talking about Lourdes.
Even the doctors that were present at her first exhumation swore that there was partial mummification of the corpse. It was described as shriveled, the lower part was black, the nose was dilated and shrunken, and the body sounded like cardboard when struck.
At the third exhumation in 1925, the doctors spoke about the blackish face and the sunken eyes and nose that would make an unpleasant impression on the public, so the decision was made to display the corpse with a wax mask. Did you even know that?
The corpse of Catherine of Bologna is actually black and shriveled up as she is seated.
Saint Silvian is another incorruptible claimant. His body is actually in a box below the effigy, but there are no signs on the effigy to this effect, so the pilgrims think they see the actual body when they don’t.
Actually, let me ask you this, what proof do you have that God doesn’t exist?
It’s not my claim that he does exist, so I have no burden of proof.
I do not believe in god, that’s where I’m coming from.