God on Trial

Miracles - they don't have break a law of nature?

DOESN’T HAVE TO BREAK LAW OF NATURE – EVENTS THAT ARE 'LUCKY' OR CO-INCIDENCES CAN BE MIRACULOUS -     Holland – coincidences that do not break natural laws but have religious significance can sometimes be referred to as a miracle: “A coincidence can be taken religiously as a sign and called a miracle”.  Holland’s Example: Boy and express train.

He quotes a famous example where a child is stuck on a railway line in a pedal car. A train is coming, but the driver fails to see the child. However just in the nick of time the driver faints, his hand is taken off the lever and the brake is automatically activated. The train then stops in front of the child. There is no violation of nature, however for a religious person this may have religious significance and be thought of as a miracle.

JUST HAVE TO BE UNEXPECTED AND FORTUITOUS - Davies in ‘Thinking About God’ (1985) believes that a wider definition of miracle is now common.  He argues that miracles are “unexpected and fortuitous evens in the light of which we are disposed to give thanks to God”.  The word ‘fortuitous’ leaves open the possibility that the event is normal, but is perceived as showing the hand of God.  One of the miracle windows in Canterbury Cathedral illustrates such an event.  A man is buried alive in a tunnel and his workmates go for help.  In the meantime, his distant cries are heard by a passing traveller and he is saved.  In the background, a hand can be seen as emerging from a cloud, indicating that the event was a miracle.

As discussed......

Blake illustrates Milton's 'Paradise Lost'

John Martin - Wrath

Pieter Pourbus - Last Judgement

Swinburne argues we SHOULD believe in miracles

We rely on the evidence of senses and perception to give us information about the world, so why do we not rely on the evidence and the testimony of those claiming to see miracles?

We should use the following principles to make our decision

• The Principle of Credulity: If it seems that X is present, then probably x is present. In short what one seems to perceive is probably the case (It is a principle of rationality). He puts the onus on the sceptic to disprove religious experience otherwise it should be taken at face value.
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• The Principle of Testimony: In the absent of special consideration it is reasonable to believe that the experiences of others are probably as they report them. In other words you should believe other people as well.

Nice presentation HERE

Good summary HERE

Hume's "Of Miracles"

Full text is HERE

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Miracles