# I Think I Know Why God Doesn't Heal Amputees **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 8, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193 "2012-02-08T15:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/181 "2012-02-08T23:17:01Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > Also, it conveniently puts the blame squarely on the non-believer. It does, although I think a great many atheists wouldn’t care about that one way or the other. I’m not looking for God, and I never did. I don’t feel I failed to find anything or just looked in the wrong place. I came to the conclusion years ago that the idea didn’t make any sense to me and that was essentially the end of it. I know other people have struggled with those kinds of things and I agree it’s very much unfair to them. It also gets the whole process backward. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/182 "2012-02-08T23:24:24Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > This forum isn’t anti-Christian as much as it’s pro-facts. > > Maybe it’s the facts that are anti-Christian. Right, facts like there is absolutely no harm with having sex with multiple partners, bacon is healthy for you, and no evidence that a vegan diet is more healthy. I live in the real world where those “facts” are considered fiction. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/183 "2012-02-08T23:31:37Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Right, facts like there is absolutely no harm with having sex with multiple partners Having unprotected sex with multiple partners whose history you don’t know is a good way to get a disease. Having protected sex with partners you do know after testing is much less risky. You said it’s inherently harmful, which is going too far. > [@](#): > > bacon is healthy for you Nobody said it’s healthy for you. One poster said it’s not bad for you, and one challenged your Bible quote on the subject. Food is not that binary; it’s about habits. You don’t get heart disease because you ate bacon once or a few times. If you eat a lot of bacon, you’re probably going in the wrong direction. > [@](#): > > and no evidence that a vegan diet is more healthy. Nobody said that either. People challenged your assertion that people were intended to be vegetarians (we weren’t), and **Czarcasm** disagreed with your statement that “bodies are healed and protected by eating fruits and veggies” more than a diet that includes fruits and veggies and some animal products. You did not mention going vegan. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/184 "2012-02-08T23:32:05Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Which doesn’t absolve you of the need to construct some kind of logical and consistent argument. > Again, this is sort of an easy answer that makes up for a lack of evidence. You’ve acknowledged that in your view, God doesn’t _have_ to do that just like he doesn’t have to leave most cancer patients without a spontaneous remission or most amputees without a limb. It certainly does absolve me when atheists have proven again and again their bristled resistance to consider any pro-Christian evidence. Atheists won’t even define what kind “evidence” they are looking for. God to appear in the sky? Nope, videos can be faked. UFOs appear in the sky all the time, but that doesn’t make people believe in aliens. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/185 "2012-02-08T23:39:45Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > It certainly does absolve me when atheists have proven again and again their bristled resistance to consider any pro-Christian evidence. You haven’t provided evidence. You have distracted. Do you think the biblical prohibition against bacon is evidence for God’s existence? If so, why aren’t you a Hindu? > [@](#): > > Atheists won’t even define what kind “evidence” they are looking for. God to appear in the sky? Nope, videos can be faked. UFOs appear in the sky all the time, but that doesn’t make people believe in aliens. You’re the one who said you have evidence. What is the evidence you have? A super-special feeling you get when you look at a sunset? The warm-cockles of a father holding his infant child? That’s not evidence for God. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/186 "2012-02-08T23:39:49Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I disagree. > > **Revenant Threshold** and His Squeeky Majesty both raise good points. > > If G-d shows Himself to all who seek Him, why haven’t all those atheists who spent years of searching found Him? > > If G-d only shows Himself to those who look for Him, why? Because they didn’t truly seek him. Yes, atheists read the Bible, not seeking divine truth, but with the attitude of “hey I want to find some contradictions or stories of evil God to make those Christians look like idiots. lol” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/187 "2012-02-08T23:40:31Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > It certainly does absolve me when atheists have proven again and again their bristled resistance to concern any pro-Christian evidence. You’ve posted no evidence for a bunch of the statements you’ve made, and some of those claims don’t have anything to do with Christianity anyway. So your problem is not that people are anti-Christian. It’s simply about a lack of evidence and logical argument. Your comments about the human body being intended to be immortal, free of disease, and eat only vegetables is not “Christian.” It’s taken from the Garden of Eden story in the Old Testament, and it’s not something all Christians or Jews believe. Your comment about degraded human genes and incest not being a problem before the Fall isn’t “Christian” either. I don’t know where that comes from. Your claim that God can’t create new limbs for amputees because of sin isn’t “Christian,” it’s your own idea- although it does relate to the Christian doctrine of original sin. I could probably find some other examples, but I’ll quit there. You also haven’t addressed some theological argument about why God couldn’t do these things, but at least those have more to do with religion. > [@GEEPERS](#): > > Because they didn’t truly seek him. Yes, atheists read the Bible, not seeking divine truth, but with the attitude of “hey I want to find some contradictions or stories of evil God to make those Christians look like idiots. lol” You don’t know much about atheists, and you’re in no position to comment on whether or not anyone except yourself made a real effort to seek God. I’ve met atheists who read the Bible the way you’re talking about (there are plenty of them here), but you’re making errant assumptions about them so you can write off their point of view. Most atheists are not raised atheist, so it stands to reason that some of them did seek God and didn’t find anything. Like I said, it’s easy for you to say that proves they weren’t really looking, but that’s a lazy argument. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/188 "2012-02-08T23:41:42Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > You haven’t provided evidence. You have distracted. > > Do you think the biblical prohibition against bacon is evidence for God’s existence? > > If so, why aren’t you a Hindu? > > You’re the one who said you have evidence. What is the evidence you have? A super-special feeling you get when you look at a sunset? The warm-cockles of a father holding his infant child? > > That’s not evidence for God. I certainly did give evidence. I’ve personally witnessed divine healing, and the Bible prophecies regarding Israel. Of course , you rejected it immediately because atheists HAVE to reject it immediately. It doesn’t mean I DID NOT present evidence. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/189 "2012-02-08T23:41:49Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Because they didn’t truly seek him. Yes, atheists read the Bible, not seeking divine truth, but with the attitude of “hey I want to find some contradictions or stories of evil God to make those Christians look like idiots. lol” And **Jenaroph** called it. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/190 "2012-02-08T23:44:24Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > I certainly did give evidence. I’ve personally witnessed divine healing, and the Bible prophecies regarding Israel. The thread was about why God doesn’t heal amputees. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/191 "2012-02-08T23:46:13Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Because they didn’t truly seek him. Ah, yes, the “No True Scotsman” argument. I’m convinced. And offended. Are you saying that my faith isn’t as good as yours? ---
**Author:** ![IntelliQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e99b99/32.png) [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/192 "2012-02-08T23:46:20Z")
I am slightly surprised it took a few pages before the “he’s too mysterious and complex to understand” was vomited. It took longer than usual. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/193 "2012-02-08T23:46:31Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Because they didn’t truly seek him. Yes, atheists read the Bible, not seeking divine truth, but with the attitude of “hey I want to find some contradictions or stories of evil God to make those Christians look like idiots. lol” So, you know how all atheists think? Are you G-d or just Professor X? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/194 "2012-02-08T23:46:48Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > I certainly did give evidence. I’ve personally witnessed divine healing, and the Bible prophecies regarding Israel. Of course , you rejected it immediately because atheists HAVE to reject it immediately. It doesn’t mean I DID NOT present evidence. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/195 "2012-02-08T23:48:00Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > It certainly does absolve me when atheists have proven again and again their bristled resistance to concern any pro-Christian evidence. If it gets you off your cross, you might want to consider the possibility that we’d treat the same sort of “evidence” you came up with so far the exact same way if it came from Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, animists, Wiccans, worshippers of Athena (hi, **Skald**!) and, yes, even other atheists. So far, you’ve presented a muddy, far-fetched theory based on vague feel-good notions and cursory knowledge that isn’t even internally coherent (or really coherent with Scripture, either) and whined that people were big meanies who raised their eyebrows and prodded at weak points of your logic instead of fawning over your stupendous blaze of theological insight. When come back, bring better class of rhetoric. Thomas Aquinas, you ain’t. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/196 "2012-02-08T23:48:28Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You’ve posted no evidence for a bunch of the statements you’ve made, and some of those claims don’t have anything to do with Christianity anyway. So your problem is not that people are anti-Christian. It’s simply about a lack of evidence and logical argument. Your comments about the human body being intended to be immortal, free of disease, and eat only vegetables is not “Christian.” It’s taken from the Garden of Eden story in the Old Testament, and it’s not something all Christians or Jews believe. Your comment about degraded human genes and incest not being a problem before the Fall isn’t “Christian” either. I don’t know where that comes from. Your claim that God can’t create new limbs for amputees because of sin isn’t “Christian,” it’s your own idea- although it does relate to the Christian doctrine of original sin. I could probably find some other examples, but I’ll quit there. You also haven’t addressed some theological argument about why God couldn’t do these things, but at least those have more to do with religion. Tell me what kind of evidence you are looking for. WHat would convince you? Can you do that at least?? The comment about gene degradation is certainly supported in Christian apologetics, in particular to the question about who did Cain marry. If you need references, I can post them. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/197 "2012-02-08T23:49:23Z")
Because he’s a “hands-off” kind of deity? ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/198 "2012-02-08T23:50:57Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > If it gets you off your cross, you might want to consider the possibility that we’d treat the same sort of “evidence” you came up with so far the exact same way if it came from Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, animists, Wiccans, worshippers of Athena (hi, **Skald**!) and, yes, even other atheists. > > So far, you’ve presented a muddy, far-fetched theory based on vague feel-good notions and cursory knowledge that isn’t even internally coherent (or really coherent with Scripture, either) and whined that people were big meanies who raised their eyebrows and prodded at weak points of your logic instead of fawning over your stupendous blaze of theological insight. > When come back, bring better class of rhetoric. Thomas Aquinas, you ain’t. LOL, why can’t atheists just offer their counter arguments and move on? No, it has to degrade into a personal attack. You think I’m full of crap? Fine, move on then. ---
**Author:** ![GEEPERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@GEEPERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GEEPERS)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/199 "2012-02-08T23:52:16Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. And yet atheists refuse to explain what “evidence” will satisfy them. Answer: nothing will. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/200 "2012-02-08T23:53:49Z")
Will someone please explain the difference between GEEPERS’ posts and those of a troll? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193.md?page=11)