Assuming the supernatural is possible

[Justin108]

Would assuming the supernatural is possible suddenly mean that the supernatural is probable? Or would supernatural occurrences still be highly unlikely events?

[Mithrae]

They'd be comparable to a winning lottery ticket. (Though of course with a lot less resting on the outcome.)

[McCulloch]

[Replying to post 1 by Justin108]

If supernatural events were possible, nothing could be known. The supernatural could explain any and all anomalous data.

[bjs]

Most orthodox Christians have treated miracles as possible but exceedingly uncommon. The biblical writers seemed to suggest that miracles recorded in the Bible were noteworthy in part because of how rare such events were.

[Inigo Montoya]

[Replying to post 4 by bjs]

Or because, without miracles, you may as well be reading the Burger King menu...

[bjs]

[Replying to Inigo Montoya]

On the surface this statement makes no sense. In what sense is ethical and philosophical teaching, regardless of the presence of miracles, similar to a fast food menu?

[Inigo Montoya]

[Replying to Inigo Montoya]

On the surface this statement makes no sense. In what sense is ethical and philosophical teaching, regardless of the presence of miracles, similar to a fast food menu?

Granted it was a bit tongue in cheek, a passing comment focusing on " biblical writers seemed to suggest that miracles recorded in the Bible were noteworthy in part because of how rare such events were." In other words, a miracle is noteworthy when compared to any mundane occurrence, and were the Bible authors disinclined to mention any, the stories would be wholly unremarkable, as a menu might.

The jokes work better when I don't have to explain them, but I'm pointing out the silliness implied in miracles being recorded on the grounds that they're "noteworthy" and not the backbone of the entire faith.

[bluethread]

Probability is a statistical calculation comparing a number of like kind occurrences to the total number of possibilities in a given universe. So, are you setting the universe as all possible events, or just some possible events?

According to a gallop poll 71% of people in these United States claim to have had a paranormal experience.

[rikuoamero]

They'd be comparable to a winning lottery ticket. (Though of course with a lot less resting on the outcome.)

How does this make sense? We know for a fact, it is beyond dispute, that someone wins the lottery. Open up a newspaper and there'll be a segment somewhere saying Person A has just won millions.

Miracles though? Do you have an actual miracle to show the class?

[rikuoamero]

[Replying to post 1 by Justin108]

If supernatural events were possible, nothing could be known. The supernatural could explain any and all anomalous data.

Exactly. This is one of my main reasons against the whole concept of miracles. We have liamconnor in other threads saying that since resurrections don't happen naturally, therefore the natural sciences are out when trying to test to see if resurrections can even happen.
However, if we just assume the supernatural exists, then hey presto! He can say the story is true.
Well...where do we go from there? At what point after I have done the same as him can I say to a person "No, I'm not going to accept your claim that a wizard did it"?