Argument from miracles
Encyclopedia
The argument from miracles is an argument for the existence of God relying on eyewitness testimony of the occurrence of miracle
s (usually taken to be physically impossible/extremely improbable events) to establish the active intervention of a supernatural being (or supernatural agents acting on behalf of that being). One example is the claims of some Christians that historical evidence proves that Jesus rose from the dead
, and this can only be explained if God exists. This is also known as the Christological argument for the existence of God
. Another example is the claims of some Muslims that the Qur'an has many fulfilled prophecies, and this can also only be explained if God exists.
, which states that multiple incompatible miracles are alleged to have occurred which provide evidence for different religions. Not all these can be correct.
Another counter-argument is Occam's Razor
, which can be used to argue that God is unnecessary to explain "miracles" for which natural explanations can be found. In his documentary The Root of All Evil?
, British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins
utilises this argument when examining the supposed miracles in Lourdes
, France. According to Catholic theology, supernatural cures may occur in the area. Dawkins expresses doubts as to their divine nature, noting that all the recorded cures comprise diseases which may have healed by themselves without the need for a divine cause.
Miracle
A miracle often denotes an event attributed to divine intervention. Alternatively, it may be an event attributed to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that a god may work with the laws...
s (usually taken to be physically impossible/extremely improbable events) to establish the active intervention of a supernatural being (or supernatural agents acting on behalf of that being). One example is the claims of some Christians that historical evidence proves that Jesus rose from the dead
Resurrection of Jesus
The Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus states that Jesus returned to bodily life on the third day following his death by crucifixion. It is a key element of Christian faith and theology and part of the Nicene Creed: "On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures"...
, and this can only be explained if God exists. This is also known as the Christological argument for the existence of God
Christological argument
The Christological argument for the existence of God is based on certain claims about Jesus. The argument, which exists in several forms, holds that if these claims are valid, one should accept God exists...
. Another example is the claims of some Muslims that the Qur'an has many fulfilled prophecies, and this can also only be explained if God exists.
Criticisms
A counter-argument to the Argument from miracles is the Argument from inconsistent revelationsArgument from inconsistent revelations
The argument from inconsistent revelations, also known as the avoiding the wrong hell problem, is an argument against the existence of God. It asserts that it is unlikely that God exists because many theologians and faithful adherents have produced conflicting and mutually exclusive revelations...
, which states that multiple incompatible miracles are alleged to have occurred which provide evidence for different religions. Not all these can be correct.
Another counter-argument is Occam's Razor
Occam's razor
Occam's razor, also known as Ockham's razor, and sometimes expressed in Latin as lex parsimoniae , is a principle that generally recommends from among competing hypotheses selecting the one that makes the fewest new assumptions.-Overview:The principle is often summarized as "simpler explanations...
, which can be used to argue that God is unnecessary to explain "miracles" for which natural explanations can be found. In his documentary The Root of All Evil?
The Root of All Evil?
The Root of All Evil?, later retitled The God Delusion, is a television documentary written and presented by Richard Dawkins in which he argues that humanity would be better off without religion or belief in God....
, British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL , known as Richard Dawkins, is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author...
utilises this argument when examining the supposed miracles in Lourdes
Lourdes
Lourdes is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in south-western France.Lourdes is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous...
, France. According to Catholic theology, supernatural cures may occur in the area. Dawkins expresses doubts as to their divine nature, noting that all the recorded cures comprise diseases which may have healed by themselves without the need for a divine cause.