Do you believe in miracles?!

[Pinkbanana]

I was talking about this topic to a colleague the other day, who does believe that miracles occur.

Ive typed in a definition I found...
A miracle, derived from the old Latin word miraculum meaning "something wonderful", is a striking interposition of divine intervention by a god in the universe by which the ordinary course and operation of Nature is overruled, suspended, or modified. People in different faiths have substantially different definitions of the word "miracle". Even within a specific religion there is often more than one usage of the term.

Sometimes the term "miracle" may refer to the action of a supernatural being that is not a god. Thus, the term "divine intervention", by contrast, would refer specifically to the direct involvement of a deity.

Is the term miracle used to explain an event/happening that we can not explain?

For example, I was reading some time ago about 9/11. The firefighters whom entered the world trade centre building (not sure which tower it was) after the plane crashed into it, had been guiding the workers down the stairs, when they came across a lady who couldnt keep up with the main group. The fire chief decided that he and some of his colleagues should remain with the woman and help her down the stairs (a brave decision, considering they knew that the tower could collapse at any time).

So they continued their journey down the stairs carrying this lady, at a very slow rate. The tower did collapse whilst they were in it. However all the stairwells collapsed except the one their were on! They survived because they had stopped to help this woman...Many have said, including some of the firefighters and families, that this must have been a miracle...but was it just down to pure luck?

Soooo what do peeps think....do miracles happen? :angel:

If so, what/who makes them happen? :hmm:

[CrazyLea]

I reckon that story was just a coinsidence.

But then I also reckon that to believe in miracles, you have to have some kind of faith in a god. So as an Atheist, I don't believe in miracles. Mainly because there's no one, I believe, to make them happen. It's all just conidence for me I'm afraid..

[Bryan]

I believe in a God, but not Jesus and Miracles, it's just too farfetched and ridiculous.

What people deem as miracles are just a set of conicidances (sp?) or very rare events. In my opinion.

[JustJodi]

This is a sticky topic for some people, I was raised in a Southern Baptist enviorment, where the preachers preached HELL AND BRIMSTONE,, and the rafters shook when he raised his voice, kids cowered down scared to move,,
Miracles .. do I believe in them ??? I believe in God, and I believe that miracles do occur, I leave it up to every one to decide,, was it a miracle, luck, coindence ???? that is up to each person to decide...
As I said this is quite a sticky topic :)

[Chloe O'brien]

I was raised a strict catholic and although I am not a practicing catholic now I do still believe in God, what the bible preaches and miracles.

[Trinity]

I am an atheist.

I believe in hard work, and making your own luck as far as that goes.

Sometimes there are examples, as above, of extreme good luck. Winning the lottery is extremely lucky and I am sure that the people who do consider it to be a 'miracle' - but it is just chance.

I don't believe that you can appeal to a higher power in order to intercede on your behalf, so miracles are myth to me.

:angel: <--- unless he knows better?

[Siobhan]

I know the story you are refering to PB.. there were many documentaries on it.. It is down to the person on wether they believe miracle or not.. I am sure if you ask a lot of people who survived a disaster of any kind they will say it was a miracle they got out.. another example of this is the guy who was on the 80 floor of tower 2 (plane struck between 79 - 82 floor), the plane turned at angle millseconds before impact and the only intact corner was the one this guy was in.. I am sure he will say it was a miracle he got out.. others would say he was just the luckiest man alive..

I was brought up catholic but I am not practising now but I do believe everyone has a time to go and these people.. it just wasn't their time so it is not a miracle - my motto "everything happens for a reason".. I am sure there is greater plans for people who survive disasters.. they just don't know it yet!!!

[Xx-Vicky-xX]

Im not sure if i do or not sometimes it is nice to think they happen but then im not sure they do, as alot of people have said it could just be coincidence

[Meh]

To me a miracle is something that can't be explained by chance or luck. So, for example, Jesus raising Lazerth from the dead would be a miracle.

[Katy]

I'm of the same opinion of TM. I think a miracle is something that can't be explained by chance or luck, Otherwise it's more luck than a miracle.

[Abbie]

To me a miracle is extreme luck, you luck in your life but when something seems impossible and then it happens I think its a miracle but its kinda exremely lucky at the same time.
Hmm I think I explained that okay

[Abi]

I beleive that Miracles can happen, yes. Not in a religious way, but just generally, i think that things can happen out of the blue, which are unexplainable, and brilliant. Maybe its God, maybe its not, no one is probably going to find that out, but i think something exists which causes these events to happen, definately.

[Pinkbanana]

I think I personally come down on the side of believing that miracles do/can happen...some might call it extreme luck or coincidence. To me a mircle is somthing/an event that occurs that transcends all understanding and reason...

My only bug bear is why miracles seem to only happen to certain peeps....are they the chosen ones? If God is just and fair...why isnt everyone entitled to a miracle or two?! lol Im not talking about for material gain here, ie everyone winning the lottery or anything like that, just alittle fairness and equality.

Im rambling on here, and I am tired, so I'll call it a night. Hope the above makes some sort of sense to the anyone reading it! lol
I

[Siobhan]

I understand where you are coming from PB.. mind you I do know of a kind of miracle..My sister friend has a daughter who is severly handicapped.. with her illness nobody who has it lived passed the age of 3.. This girl is now 19 and is flown around the world for studies as everyone before and after her have never lived that long and Doctors cannot understand why... Wether you would class this as a miracle or not, I am not sure but I do know that this girl have a big support and love from her Grandfather who adores her and has been taken care of her since day one.. maybe it is him that keeps her going!! :searchme: