Atheism and Miracles

C. S. Lewis, photographed in 1947.

In relation to atheism and miracles, modern scholars are divided on the issue of whether or not David Hume was an atheist.[1] With that caveat in mind, Hume is well known for arguing that it is always more probable that the testimony of a miracle is false than that the miracle occurred.[2] Christian apologists William Lane Craig, Norman Geisler, C. S. Lewis, JP Holding, and others have shown the inadequacy and unreasonableness of Hume's position regarding miracles.[3]

Impossibly high standards are often set for miracles to be accepted including requirements such as multiple doctor's testimonies from before and after a medical miracle may have occurred along with x-rays and other confidential medical information being made public. When such evidence is produced it is simply stated to be inadequate or fraudulent. See also: Atheism and evidence

## Contents

* 1 Bible believing Christianity and prayer
* 2 Internet reports of miracles challenging naturalism/atheism
* 3 Atheists and supernatural beliefs
* 4 See also
* 5 Books relating to miracles
* 6 External links
* 7 Notes

## Bible believing Christianity and prayer[edit]

See also: Studies on prayer and Irreligion and recovery from illnesses

The Christian Post reporter Stoyan Zaimov wrote:

“  |  Double-blind prayer experiments: where people pray for others with terminal illness. Habermas admitted that most such experiments have not worked, but the three that he knows of that have indeed worked were cases of orthodox-Christians praying for the sick.[4] |  ”

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Habermas has also discussed documentations of miracle claims and referred to thousands of cases around the world of documented miracles, including those where medical doctors witness prayer healing people with severe physical disabilities.[5]

According to the American Cancer Society:

“  |  According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 69% of cancer patients say they pray for their health. A recent study published in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, suggests a link between religious or spiritual beliefs and better physical health reported among patients with cancer.[6] |  ”

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## Internet reports of miracles challenging naturalism/atheism[edit]

See:

Internet spreading reports of miracles is killing atheism and will continue to do so. Pentecostalism and evangelical Christianity are booming. Also, the healing of amputees

## Atheists and supernatural beliefs[edit]

See also: Atheism and the supernatural

Atheism, as defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and other philosophy reference works, is the denial of the existence of God.[7] Beginning in the latter portion of the 20th century and continuing beyond, many agnostics/atheists have argued that the definition of atheism should be defined as a mere lack of belief in God or gods. [8][9] [10] See also: Definition of atheism

Naturalism as a philosophical stance rejects the possibility of supernatural phenomena, describing such phenomena as misunderstood natural phenomena or falsehood. This preconception necessarily precludes the existence of God.

Although all atheists indicate that they do not believe in the existence of God, a significant portion of atheists do not strictly subscribe to the philosophy of naturalism (see: Atheism and the supernatural).

## See also[edit]

* Argument from religious experience

* Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian

## Books relating to miracles[edit]

* C. S. Lewis (1996), Miracles (New York: HarperCollins), restored edition, original edition published in 1947.

* James Rutz (2005), Megashift (Colorado Springs, CO: Empowerment Press), ISBN 0-9669158-2-8

## External links[edit]

* Miracle by CreationWiki

* Miracles by Matt Slick of CARM

* Miracles by C. S. Lewis Foundation

* Are Miracles Logically Impossible?

* Miracles and Modern Scientific Thought by Norman Geisler

* "Miracles are not possible," some claim. Is this true?

* A miracle by any other name would be … called science?-Atheists believe in miracles By Calvin Smith. Published: 10 November 2011

* Craig Keener's "Miracles" - book review

v • d • e

Atheism

Atheism • Rebuttal • Morals • Academics • Quotes • Christianity • Debate • Evolution • Atheism and the suppression of science • Mass Murder • Communism • Atheist Shooters and Serial Killers • Mental and Physical Health • Miracles • Morality • Uncharitableness • Agnosticism • Deception • The Bible • The Problem of Evil • Agenda • Psychology • Population • Prison Statistics • Racism • Atheism and women • Brights Movement • Causes • Death Toll • Definitions • Evangelical atheist • Ex-atheists • Faith Freedom International • Godless: The Church of Liberalism‎ • Godless liberal • His Dark Materials • History • Liberalism • Militancy • New Atheism • Videos • Skeptics Annotated Bible • Strong atheism • The God Delusion • There Are No Atheists In Foxholes • Weak atheism

## Notes[edit]

1. ↑ Russell, Paul (Winter 2014). "Hume on religion". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy website, Edward N. Zalta (ed.) Retrieved on May 24, 2015.
2. ↑ Craig, Dr. William Lane, Ph. D. (1998). "Creation, providence, and miracle". Philosophy of Religion, Brian Davies (ed.) (Washington D.C.: Georgetown University Press), pp. 136-162. Retrieved from LeaderU archive website on May 24, 2015.
3. ↑ Multiple references:
* Craig, Dr. William Lane, Ph. D. (1998). "Creation, providence, and miracle". Philosophy of Religion, Brian Davies (ed.) (Washington D.C.: Georgetown University Press), pp. 136-162. Retrieved from LeaderU archive website on May 24, 2015.
* Craig, Dr. William Lane, Ph. D. (1986). "The problem of miracles: A historical and philosophical perspective". Gospel Perspectives, David Wenham and Craig Blomberg (ed.)(Sheffield, England: JSOT Press), volume VI, pp. 9-40. Retrieved from LeaderU archive website on May 24, 2015.
* Hoffman, Paul K. (Spring 1999). [Excerpt of] "A jurisprudential analysis of Hume’s ‘in principle’ argument against miracles". Christian Apologetics Journal, vol. 2, no. 1. Excerpt retrieved from Galaxie Software Electronic Publishing website on May 24, 2015.
* Geisler, Dr. Norman (February 2010 or bef.). "Miracles and modern scientific thought". Retrieved from LeaderU archive website on May 24, 2015.
* Lewis, C. S. (1996). Miracles (New York: HarperCollins), restored ed. Retrieved from GoogleBooks archive on May 24, 2015.
* Holding, James Patrick (January 2008 or bef.). "David Hume: A critique". Tekton Apologetics. Retrieved on May 24, 2015.
* Esposito, Lenny (January 2008 or bef.). "Is there an answer for David Hume on miracles? Are miracles logically impossible?" Come Reason Ministries website/Apologetics topics/Philosophical questions. Retrieved on May 24, 2015.
4. ↑ Christian Apologist: 10 Reasons for the Fall of Atheism by Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post, October 14, 2013
5. ↑ Christian Apologist: 10 Reasons for the Fall of Atheism By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter
6. ↑ Study: Cancer Patients with Strong Religious or Spiritual Beliefs Report Better Health, American Cancer Society
7. ↑ Multiple references:
* Smart, J. J. C. (August 8, 2011). "Atheism and agnosticism". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2013 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.).
* Sarfati, Jonathan, Ph.D. (23 June 2007). "Atheism is more rational?". See Creation Ministries International, Jonathan Sarfati.
* Day, Donn R. (2007). "Atheism - etymology".
* Definition of atheism by William Lane Craig
* Putting the Atheist on the Defensive by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.
8. ↑ Day, Donn R. (2007). "Atheism - etymology".
9. ↑ Definition of atheism by William Lane Craig
10. ↑ Putting the Atheist on the Defensive by Kenneth R. Samples, Christian Research Institute Journal, Fall 1991, and Winter 1992, page 7.