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lhvinny
Lv 7
lhvinny asked in Society & CultureReligion & Spirituality · 9 years ago

Why aren't bad events considered miracles?

Every time I've seen someone try to define "miracle" it becomes a situation that is highly unlikely (or goes against common sense) to occur without divine intervention. Why is it that highly unlikely (or events going against common sense) that we deem as "bad" or unfortunate don't count as miracles?

Can miracles be negative events? If so, why do I not hear people say "My father was struck by lighting! It's a miracle!" If not, why not?

Update:

@Rydel What exactly could someone do to "deserve to be struck by lighting?" Also, if he didn't deserve it, why is it a tragedy instead of a miracle? Do miracles only occur if you "deserve" them to happen? That kinda contradicts what I hear from others about miracles.

Update 2:

@Scrubbag Why doesn't it work both ways? Why is it that miracles are only positive? You didn't answer the question.

Update 3:

@James Evil is not surprising and not unexpected? Really? Then how come so many popular horror and suspense movies get a lot of gasps as "oh no he didn't!"s when the protagonist's best friend ends up being the bad guy as the climax? Evil acts can be surprising and our reaction to suspense movies proves it.

Update 4:

@Baby I disagree with your definition of "miracle" as being something that is impossible (from natural causes). When someone survives a car crash, I hear people way it's a miracle. However, there are natural reasons why someone would survive a car crash. There are natural reasons why someone would have their cancer go into remission. I'm not convinced, based on how people use the word "miracle," that it is limited to only impossible events.

Update 5:

@Baby I understand your position better after your edit. Thank you for sharing :-)

8 Answers

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  • Pegatha
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Miracles can be bad things, at least bad for some of the people involved. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was probably a miracle.

    A miracle, however, isn't something that's highly unlikely. A miracle is an act in which God sets aside the normal laws of physics or biology. In other words, miracles are literally impossible (by natural means), not just improbable.

    Edit to add: You're right that people sometimes use the word "miracle" to describe natural events. I was speaking of miracles in a strict theological sense. Personally, I never use the word "miracle" to describe natural events because if I do, what word is left to describe real miracles?

  • scrubbag
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Miracles are good things that happen...like a man struck by lightning, and not gettin a burn or anything... These come from bad things happening, and good coming out of it...

    "my car crashed into a tree, the tree fell across the car, crushing it...I was only scratched..it was a miracle I lived"..

    A reverse would be, " I was listening to the radio and heard the lotto numbers for today and I won the Jackpot...I had a heart attack...it was a miracle I died." see, it don't work.

    Good things happening causing a bad thing....are NOT a miracle.

  • Dianna
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    I believe it's because in general miracles have all been associated with good things, ie; someone being revived after drowning, or the miracle of birth. You don't usually hear things like, "Wow, a hurricane just wiped out 1,000 people, it's a miracle!!!!" It just sounds weird.

  • R. Peterson
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    Well if someones dad deserved to get hit by lightning, that might be considered a miracle to someone; otherwise, it's just a tragedy.

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  • Abby B
    9 years ago

    hmm never thought of it that way...but I still believe in miracles..negative or positive.

  • Julius O
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Funny thing is, there are no miracles nowadays.

    That is like calling poop something different and expecting it to not taste so delicious.....wait...

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Evil is not surprising. It is not unexpected.

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Then the religious nuts couldn't crow about how "good" god is!!!

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