Why do atheists ignore miracles?

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Militant atheists have come close to ruining my faith before eg Dawkins and Hitchens.

One thing that kept me faithful was miracles, how can any atheist ignore the miracles of Padre Pio, Fatima, Guadeloupe, Lourdes and the miracles of the Eucharist?
 
They ignore them because they** do not want** to believe in God. So they have** faith** that these miracles were somehow contrived and didn’t truly occur. The most amazing explanation I had heard about the Fatima apparitions was that it was a UFO. 😃

Atheists love to be subject to no one. The very existence of God makes them morally culpable and they hate this. Therefore, they do not want to believe in the existence of God.
 
When confronted with a real miracle, an atheist must bypass it somehow. This can be ignoring it, refuting it, whatever. If they fail to sidestep the miracle, their faith in the absence of God is unraveled. This frightens them to no end.

You have to plant a seed and let God do the rest. Expect their conversion more like a decade down the road.
 
I have a very good friend who is a militant atheist and he does the same thing. They ignore them because they cannot explain them and they don’t want to submit to the rules of God. If you want to see some AMAZING miracles watch the DVD called Science tests Faith. I’ve put a link to it and you can order it online. It is downright mind-blowing, you have to see it if you want to see some truly great miracles.

youshallbelieve.com/?page_id=483
 
Miracles seem to be confined to things which cannot be demonstrated (the Eucharist), or that have alternative and reasonable explanations (spontaneous remission from cancer). Those who work miracles seem unable or unwilling to do something truly miraculous, like transporting children bodily out of a burning building, or re-growing the limbs of amputees, or resurrecting a skeleton. That’s why atheists don’t ‘believe’ in them. There is no reason to, other than faith, which means people believe in them because they believe in them. You may be right to belief thus, but I think you should concede that without faith it is a little less than convincing.
 
If the vast population of Jerusalem at the time of the Crucifixion could deny the divinity of Christ, what makes you think that modern atheists are any better. Most of them are too self impressed with their own erudition to believe anyone else. They will only find out when they face their eternal judgement…
 
When I was an atheist, I always assumed there had to be a logical explanation for miracles, even if it involved UFOs. In other words, I had a lot of faith that there was no God. 🙂
 
catholicm17 said:
Militant atheists have come close to ruining my faith before eg Dawkins and Hitchens.

One thing that kept me faithful was miracles, how can any atheist ignore the miracles of Padre Pio, Fatima, Guadeloupe, Lourdes and the miracles of the Eucharist?
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I’m not sure if you’re really looking for an answer, but I’ll give it anyway.

One reason that atheists generally ignore miracles is because of the 4-point criticism that David Hume (a prominent Scottish philosopher) used against miracles:

1) Miracles are often found amongst barbarous and ignorant civilizations. David Hume believed that science discredited what was often perceived to be a miracle.
2) Human nature can elevate a common phenomenon to that of a miracle. For instance, in the case of the miracle of the dancing sun at Fatima, Hume would probably argue that it was mass hallucination/surprise that made what was probably a normal event into that of a miracle.
3) People of religion often ‘lie’ about miracles to further promote their religion (e.g. Muslims believe the cracked groove on the Moon indicates that Muhammad “split the Moon”)
4) Different religions have different miracles, and they all point to different gods/interpretations of God. This is internally contradictory of what the purpose of a miracle is for, which is to advance the view that one interpretation of God is correct.

That’s why atheists generally find miracles problematic, although they would probably find it less problematic if it actually occurred to them.
 
Bohm_Bawerk said:
I’m not sure if you’re really looking for an answer, but I’ll give it anyway.

One reason that atheists generally ignore miracles is because of the 4-point criticism that David Hume (a prominent Scottish philosopher) used against miracles:

1) Miracles are often found amongst barbarous and ignorant civilizations. David Hume believed that science discredited what was often perceived to be a miracle.
2) Human nature can elevate a common phenomenon to that of a miracle. For instance, in the case of the miracle of the dancing sun at Fatima, Hume would probably argue that it was mass hallucination/surprise that made what was probably a normal event into that of a miracle.
3) People of religion often ‘lie’ about miracles to further promote their religion (e.g. Muslims believe the cracked groove on the Moon indicates that Muhammad “split the Moon”)
4) Different religions have different miracles, and they all point to different gods/interpretations of God. This is internally contradictory of what the purpose of a miracle is for, which is to advance the view that one interpretation of God is correct.

That’s why atheists generally find miracles problematic, although they would probably find it less problematic if it actually occurred to them.
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What about the miracles of the Eucharist and Lourdes, there is clear evidence that these things happened… the reason I am asking is because i am in doubt over my faith in God due to people like Dawkins and Hitchens
 
catholicm17 said:
One thing that kept me faithful was miracles, how can any atheist ignore the miracles of Padre Pio, Fatima, Guadeloupe, Lourdes and the miracles of the Eucharist?
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Maybe because they don’t believe that the miracles are miracles but actually fraud. When Bernadette said she was seeing a lady in a white dress, she was already being questioned by the police and accused of being crazy or trying to draw attention to make profit(or other reasons) off of her visions.

Padre Pio’s stigmata was examined by several doctors. Some who examined him said it was real and others believed it was self inflicted with acid or something.

Even Jesus himself was accused of being a fraud and sentenced to death.

New age healers often work with fraud and false claims that a certain treatment will heal the person. The classic example is a snake oil salesman.
I guess a person who is an atheist doesn’t really differ between the claims made by the Catholic church, a fortune teller or by some Indian guru. They think it is all nonsense.
 
I think they ignore them because miracles are inconvenient for them. I’ve heard people say that there must be an explanation but perhaps we don’t know it yet. This counts as faith as well, no?
 
Because they are blinded by their sins and pride. And their intellect are blinded. Maybe God permit them to be persistent in their pride and blindness like he permitted the pharisees to condemn and kill Jesus.

And yes they will go to hell if they don’t repent and convert and begs God’s mercy and forgiveness. Which would be unlikely, but not impossible. Stay away from them. Be careful. We are weak. Avoid them or you will partake in their sins against the One Holy Triune God.

Read the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska - Divine Mercy in my soul instead. It will revive your faith in Jesus’ existence and love and mercy and goodness. Jesus spoke personally and frequently to St. Faustina in the year 1900
saintsworks.net/books/St.%20Faustina%20Kowalska%20-%20Diary.pdf

Avoid bad companions, and occasions of sins. Because we are weak. And our faith is small and easily destroyed by these. Listen and read to the things that will increase and revive your faith instead. Acknowledge that we are weak and faithless. The saints, say they were faithless sinner. It is humility.🙂

You know, you are a good person catholcm. I will pray for you every day:gopray2:

Say this consecration to Mary and it will change your life and how you view your faith. Mary will put you under her protection.

Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
I, (name), a faithless sinner-- renew and ratify today in thy hands, O Immaculate Mother, the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.

In the presence of all the heavenly court I choose thee this day, for my Mother and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate to thee, as thy slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to thee the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to thy good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity. Amen.

(St. Louis-De Montfort’s Consecration)

I too am a faithless sinner, Jesus have mercy!
 
Hokomai said:
Miracles seem to be confined to things which cannot be demonstrated (the Eucharist), or that have alternative and reasonable explanations (spontaneous remission from cancer). Those who work miracles seem unable or unwilling to do something truly miraculous, like transporting children bodily out of a burning building, or re-growing the limbs of amputees, or resurrecting a skeleton. That’s why atheists don’t ‘believe’ in them. There is no reason to, other than faith, which means people believe in them because they believe in them. You may be right to belief thus, but I think you should concede that without faith it is a little less than convincing.
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Take a look at the rigorous testing that goes on before a miracle is pronounced at Lourdes.

Amputees - yup - in the Garden of Gethsemane.
 
catholicm17 said:
What about the miracles of the Eucharist and Lourdes, there is clear evidence that these things happened… the reason I am asking is because i am in doubt over my faith in God due to people like Dawkins and Hitchens
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Atheists too witnessed the miracle of the sun.

Try reading The Irrational Atheist for a good antidote to those guys.
 
Bohm_Bawerk said:
4) Different religions have different miracles, and they all point to different gods/interpretations of God. This is internally contradictory of what the purpose of a miracle is for, which is to advance the view that one interpretation of God is correct.
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This is a faulty proposition which Christianity can easily refute. In fact, Sam Harris used this faulty proposition as an escape route when he was confronted at Notre Dame with the miracles of Fatima and the scientifically attested Eucharistic miracles.

We believe that the purpose of a miracle is to manifest the power of the divine Creator. It is therefore possible for two different religions to have miracles in them, because Christianity believes that “God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34)

Sam Harris said that there were miracles purported to be performed by Sai Baba. So, he said, different religions have miracles therefore it cannot be that the miracles are true because they would point to different deities. **False! ** Sai Baba didn’t claim to be God but actually taught “Sabka malik ek hai” which means “Every one has one master” which showed his belief in the one God of the universe. He therefore fits perfectly in the category of Acts 10:34 and therefore it shouldn’t be a surprise if he had indeed performed miracles.
 
What about the incorrupt bodies of saints aswell, many saints that have died and there bodies havent disintegrated! Amazing.

Saint Bernadette’s liver was also inspected many years after her death and it was perfectly incorrupt and healthy, this is biologically impossible as the liver is the fastest organ which is destroyed after death.

I really dont know why atheists cant see this.
 
catholicm17 said:
What about the incorrupt bodies of saints aswell, many saints that have died and there bodies havent disintegrated! Amazing.

Saint Bernadette’s liver was also inspected many years after her death and it was perfectly incorrupt and healthy, this is biologically impossible as the liver is the fastest organ which is destroyed after death.

I really dont know why atheists cant see this.
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I’m just reading the book “A Holy Life: The Writings of St. Bernadette of Lourdes” amazon.com/gp/product/158617116X/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=15XD9M9KV3XC5F66DHCV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

If you want to know why Atheists still don’t see this just read the comments they post on Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=EMSCubd3hAg
 
To be perfectly honest, atheists ignore miracles because they don’t see any. How many miracles have we Catholics actually seen? Who is to say that the real flesh and real blood of certain Eucharistic miracles are not simply from dead bodies exhumed, cut up, and placed in glass? It is a macabre thought, but we humans are willing to sink pretty low. Obviously we’d have to establish a motive for using dead flesh in pretense of Christ’s flesh - and it certainly isn’t money, since I doubt they make much from those pilgrims… but you never know. I’m just saying that there’s enough reasonable doubt for me not to genuflect at the Lanciano monstrance, for instance.

We cannot blindly accept everything that a bunch of bishops say are miracles. 70% of bishops (or more) were totally dishonest heretics in the Arian age. Imagine what just one obnoxious and dishonest man can do with the innocent faith of many. As an atheist, I didn’t accept miracles because I didn’t see any; as a Christian, I still haven’t seen any, and I’m not convinced that they still occur. Our Lord was pleased to work them, but where are they now?
 
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