Why doesn't God heal amputees?

[NLN]

This is not my question, but one posed by Marshall Brain (creator of the popular How Stuff Works website). It's a profound question, because it points out why supposed faith healing cannot be used as an argument to justify the existence of God.

It has been widely demonstrated that cases of faith healing occur at rates no greater than that expected by chance alone -- a fact most often ignored by religious believers.

But more than this, consider the fact that there have been absolutely no reported cases of amputated limbs being regenerated in humans. Rather than saying that God does not favor amputees, this strongly suggests that if God exists, she plays absolutely no role in the healing of human ailments. In other words, faith healing cannot be used as an argument for the existence of God.

machineslikeus.com

 

[gamespotter10]

it points out why supposed faith healing cannot be used as an argument to justify the existence of God.

it tries to say that because god doesn't "heal" amputees, he must not be real, which is interesting because I'd like to see why God is obligated to "heal" amputees.

second, there is a difference between actually healing someone and causing spontaneous limb regeneration

 

[LordTimothytheWise]

The idea of an amputee is that your limb was surgically removed. If God was going to heal, he probably would have done it before the surgery.

 

[Loudmouth]

The idea of an amputee is that your limb was surgically removed. If God was going to heal, he probably would have done it before the surgery.

Wouldn't the same argument apply to God healing cancer patients? Wouldn't it make more sense for God to prevent the cancer to begin with?

 

[LordTimothytheWise]

Wouldn't the same argument apply to God healing cancer patients? Wouldn't it make more sense for God to prevent the cancer to begin with?

Not necessarily. They aren't really losing any sort of functionality... also maybe he has done it at times... we just wouldn't know about it.

 

[Vene]

And it's all irrelevant as far as evolution is concerned. Wouldn't this be better suited to GA?

 

[LordTimothytheWise]

I agree, it would be better suited for GA. That point was brought up on the original thread, but I guess no one listened.

 

[speakout]

This is based on a false assumption or several false assumptions. It is simple God does heal amputees, it is called a creative miracle.

I do not see anyone healing anyone by chance, how do you do that anyway, I would like to try to do it.

Did Jesus, drag people who did not want healing to be forcefully worked on? Of course not because God respects the choice of those who refuse to be healed. Where does this idea that God does not heal amputees come from?

I will present evidence of God healing people who are amputees.

 

[Molal]

This is the formal debate area.
Please reivew the rules of formal debate.....it is clear that this thread does not conform to the aforementioned rules.

 

[pgp_protector]

I don't know if God has healed any in a while. But it appears as though Man is working on doing it now.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/01/biomagic-pixie-dust-regrows-mans-lopped-off-finger/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7354458.stm

Way Cool.

Ok it was only the finger tip right now, but still it's sweet.

 

[tcampen]

This is based on a false assumption or several false assumptions. It is simple God does heal amputees, it is called a creative miracle.

I will present evidence of God healing people who are amputees.

when?

 

[pgp_protector]

when?

I guess they're still looking.

 

[pgp_protector]

This is based on a false assumption or several false assumptions. It is simple God does heal amputees, it is called a creative miracle.

I do not see anyone healing anyone by chance, how do you do that anyway, I would like to try to do it.

Did Jesus, drag people who did not want healing to be forcefully worked on? Of course not because God respects the choice of those who refuse to be healed. Where does this idea that God does not heal amputees come from?

I will present evidence of God healing people who are amputees.

^^^
Posted in March.
Now near the End of November

Anything yet ???

 

[Quasicentennial]

When I accepted the healing spirit of Jesus Christ, courage and calmness of peace have overtaken fear and confusion over reality of God. The powerful protection from Jesus has kept me whole. It is the work of a Christian to keep talking, learning and discussing about the holy bible, God's ancient puzzle book of good and evil.
Comparisonitis - this word popped in my subconscious mind while I was typing this comment. Comparing yourself with others and finding many strange differences like atheism and scientology, millionaires and the homeless.
All Christians are on the same level, rich or poor, smart or low-intelligent because God's curse on Adam and Eve affected all future generation, the punishment for apple-picking the tree of good and evil.
I believe atheists would see me as a Christian far more special than other Christians if they imagine seeing me as the body of Elvis Presley and the mind of Albert Einstein. Perfection and youth are superhuman qualities given to Christians in the next life. God knows what our new bodies would be like in heaven or on a new Earth when Jesus returns.

 

[LordTimothytheWise]

PGP, I believe the aforementioned individual ceased posting after the mod appeared presuming the thread was to be shut down or something.

Usually when a person says "I will present evidence for x or y," they already have something in mind.

 

[Gracchus]

"Why doesn't God heal amputees?"

It's for the same reason the Easter Bunny doesn't lay candy eggs.

 

[pgp_protector]

PGP, I believe the aforementioned individual ceased posting after the mod appeared presuming the thread was to be shut down or something.

Usually when a person says "I will present evidence for x or y," they already have something in mind.

That or they (And no one else) has any evidence that they can post of such an event.

 

[Tomm]

But more than this, consider the fact that there have been absolutely no reported cases of amputated limbs being regenerated in humans. Rather than saying that God does not favor amputees, this strongly suggests that if God exists, she plays absolutely no role in the healing of human ailments. In other words, faith healing cannot be used as an argument for the existence of God.

Sorry, you are wrong. There is -- Pierre De Rudder, and his bones are kept today in Belgium.

Do you know how much time the Vatican spends on each healing case?
Years and years of investigations. If those healing cases are all frauds,
the Vatican wouldn't have to spend so much efforts on each of them, and could simply give an "OK" as soon as each is reported.

 

[Norbert L]

This is not my question, but one posed by Marshall Brain (creator of the popular How Stuff Works website). It's a profound question, because it points out why supposed faith healing cannot be used as an argument to justify the existence of God.

It has been widely demonstrated that cases of faith healing occur at rates no greater than that expected by chance alone -- a fact most often ignored by religious believers.

But more than this, consider the fact that there have been absolutely no reported cases of amputated limbs being regenerated in humans. Rather than saying that God does not favor amputees, this strongly suggests that if God exists, she plays absolutely no role in the healing of human ailments. In other words, faith healing cannot be used as an argument for the existence of God.

machineslikeus.com

Another profound question would be how would God justify His existence?

Is the healing of amputees the means to justify His existence in the first place? Understanding that wether it is a mortal person or Him doing the justifying can be two totally different things. The real question is how would God reveal Himself to humanity and the individual?

It's not as if powerful miracles as the means that justifies God as the way of finding the truth is put into question by Jesus own words, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." (Mt 12:39)

And even the complete opposite in symbolic language is given by Him, "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." (Mt 5:30)

I believe there is more to God than physical miracles, after all if any person were to allow themself a moment in freewill and sincere soulfelt objectivity ask, "God do you exist?" and then have Him not answer, what is to be made of it? That God is rather rude and if He does exist is being irresponsible?

Perhaps the proof of God's existence can be found in a hard lesson science itself had to get past. That there was a time when inquiring minds felt the Sun, the Moon and stars all revolved around the Earth and mankind. Only to find out differently. Likewise God's existance can only be seen when the people have their eyes opened in a moment of revelation, at His chosing and understand our lives revolve around Him and not Him around what was created.

 

[plindboe]

Sorry, you are wrong. There is -- Pierre De Rudder, and his bones are kept today in Belgium.

He wasn't an amputee.

Peter