This is the logical problem with miracles. It's never reasonable to believe that a divine force has intervened because there will always be a more likely explanation. A miracle is an occurrence which is so unlikely that only the intervention of the divine can explain it. That means that any other explanation for the occurrence, no matter how ridiculous, must be more likely than divine intervention. And a reasonable person must prefer the likely explanation.

If a mountain range (harmlessly) sprung up in the middle of the Pacific and spelled out, in comic sans, "LDS is the true religion -XOX Jesus", it'd still be more likely that this was a natural phenomena or alien intervention than the hand of God.

This creates a paradox where both of the following statements are true:

Belief in miracles is never reasonable.
Reason can't confirm a miracle, and thus is an inadequate tool to evaluate them.

[–] tygerprints@kbin.social 5 points 5 months ago (2 children)

With the same reasoning it's never logical to assume that things we can't always identify or put a label on are strange or foreign or from other planets.

The most logical, and most mentally healthy mind, would first try to explore the most plausible explanations and first assume there is no miraculous visitation involved.

If a mountain springs up in the middle of the Pacific and a comic sans message pops up saying LDS is the true religion," I can guarantee it's because the multi-billion dollar corporation called the LDS Church has put money into a new kind of marketing campaign.

And if you're stupid enough to give that corporation 10 percent of your income, maybe you're too stupid to be trying to solve UFO mysteries in the first place.

[–] GiveMemes@jlai.lu 1 points 5 months ago

Both of these long, thoughtful replies were downvoted for some reason. Wtf guys? Is this not a forum for communication?

[–] roscoe@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I understand where you're coming from and I'm pretty much an atheist, but if that happened I would at least consider taking a stroll over to the temple.

[–] tygerprints@kbin.social 1 points 5 months ago

Ugh not me. I've been through the SLC temple and it's one horrifyingly bland white cold interior throughout. If that's what mormons see as their 'destiny' in the afterlife, I'm kinda glad I'll be roasting in hell instead. To me that kind of austerity doesn't smack of godliness, it smacks of sterility and coldhearted lifelessness.

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