Question: Is the cause of an unexplained phenomenon attributed --by religious people--...?

(Posted by: Just The Kid Next Door on 2009-01-09 00:46:19)

...to the deity or deities of the specific geographical location where the miracle occurred? Well, yes, there is a religious overtone, but «miracle» literally means an «unexplained phenomenon».

Posted by: hannah t on 2009-01-09, 00:50:17

No, usually by the deity or deities that they personally worship.

Posted by: Maars on 2009-01-09, 00:53:02

Could be. God answers prayer!

Posted by: Old Timer Too on 2009-01-09, 00:58:02

It depends upon the religion and the "unexplained phenomenon. " I also don't know what you mean by "miracle, " but I suspect you are talking about something with religious overtones. Not all religious people or religions "buy into " a phenomenon of another religion. That is being skeptical and those who are scientists among the religious will seek answers before just declaring that it (the miracle) was performed by a deity. Who knows? The skeptics actually might come up with a plausible explanation that can then be tested and confirmed.

Posted by: JRB on 2009-01-09, 00:58:32

God is a spirit, the most powerful. The other spirit creatures he created, even the ones who turned bad ( like when Adam & Eve sinned), also have powers but are limited in comparison to God's. I wouldn't call these "miracles " but merely phenomenons.

Posted by: Gary F on 2009-01-09, 01:23:05

Mostly, I guess. In general pre- or non-scientific explanations of the world tend to somehow be based on the locally popular supernatural being(s). However unexplained phenomenon are not miracles, they are just unexplained phenomenon. ' Religions developed to provide an explanation for phenomenon that people had no real understanding of. Remember, until Ben Franklin's experiment, it was not know that lightening was electricity. The number of really major things that can effect people are rather limited in number and common to just about every group flood, drought, disease, famine, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes - whatever. As a result, you find recurring and similar stories in the mythology and religions based on these kinds of things. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all trace their origin to Abraham and are from the same region, and so they share a lot of similarities in their doctrine, beliefs, and behavior. Religions that developed at temporal and/ or spatial distances away from others are naturally more variable.

Posted by: ROBERT P on 2009-01-09, 03:50:40

There is a common thread in the apparitions of the Virgin Mary - conditions of the area, conditions in the world at that time, the persons to whom she appeared to, her physical appearance, her secrets, water, springs, the messages. Isolated inaccessible areas, religion laughed at, all countries were mainly Catholic. All the visionaries were children (except Juan Diego). Uneducated visionaries, build chapels, poor. Mary's appearances were accompanied by brilliant light, golden beams. Her introductions: "I am the ever Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God. I am the Mother of God. I am the Queen of Heaven. " Springs at Lourdes, Banneux, La Salette. Fatima, combinations of light, which is a property of fire and water at these apparitions.Mary was young and unbelievably beautiful. Always clothed in white gowns of dazzling brilliance. Plus blue and gold. Many apparitions under the most adverse conditions. Miracle of the sun - even when raining the area of the apparition is dry. Always spoke in the native language.