# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/161 "2012-02-08T21:54:50Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Show me a cite from either Edda where Odin promises such a thing! He must have done it! Or we’d be over run with giants! INFIDEL!!! ---
**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, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/162 "2012-02-08T21:55:59Z")
“My weapon is a hammer. Your God was nailed to a cross. Any questions?” —Thor ---
**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, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/163 "2012-02-08T21:57:11Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Haven’t seen any frost giants lately 😃 Won’t be such a smartass when they come pouring out of Jötunheimr, boy ! Any day now. ---
**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, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/164 "2012-02-08T21:58:50Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Lobsters can regenerate limbs. Does that mean their faith is strong? 😃 Of course. Lobsters have true faith in Jesus Crustacean. > [@GEEPERS](#): > > I already did that. I posted references showing that a heart healthy diet considers of extremely low fat content and high doses of fruits and veggies. Yeah, again, I’m not arguing against you on this point. I even said I didn’t think you needed to cite that. There are some other points you should be citing. > [@](#): > > Obviously, you are going to argue against anything a Christian says if you claim that sex with multiple partners isn’t harmful. Absolutely ridiculous. It isn’t _inherently_ harmful, and that has nothing to do with your religion. Again, this stuff just detracts from your original argument (which is more interesting- it’s at least more unique than the standard God/No God stuff). ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/165 "2012-02-08T21:59:11Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > I’m perfectly fine with the solution that God’s intelligence is so vastly superior that our limited brains can not comprehend it all. That’s the reason why I retain a little agnosticism, ultimately these issues may be beyond my intelligence. However, in all practical terms I’m an atheist, I don’t see ignorance as a reason to accept the god of the bible or any other. > [@GEEPERS](#): > > I certainly couldn’t dismiss God because He doesn’t fit nicely with modern day logic and reasoning puzzles. Who knows, 1000 years from now, our science and reasoning may appear so primitive to humans in the future. There is a lot we don’t know, but it’s highly unlikely future scientific discoveries will overturn theories such as general relativity and quantum mechanics, which have been tested exhaustively. This short essay, [the relativity of wrong](http://chem.tufts.edu/AnswersInScience/RelativityofWrong.htm), does a good job of explaining why. “Scientific theories are not so much wrong as incomplete.” ---
**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, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/166 "2012-02-08T21:59:39Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Yes, yes it does. > > I believe in a loving, compassionate\* G-d who _chooses_ not to sin. > > - Yes, this leaves me with problems like “How could He allow evil?” and “How could He allow suffering?”. We’ve had some good threads on those problems. Yet you remain quite silent when people make comments like there is no evidence for God. If you are a believer, why didn’t you go against the popular opinion on that one? What about Bible prophecy? Do you beleive the Bible is just fiction? What is your evidence for God existing? ---
**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, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/167 "2012-02-08T21:59:56Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Won’t be such a smartass when they come pouring out of Jötunheimr, boy ! Any day now. Off the top of my head- I haven’t noticed a year of global winter yet, so we’ve got time. ---
**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, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/168 "2012-02-08T22:07:56Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Yet you remain quite silent when people make comments like there is no evidence for God. If you are a believer, why didn’t you go against the popular opinion on that one? I believe I have voiced my beliefs often enough that the other posters here on the SDMB know them. I’ve also chatted with enough of the atheists on the board to know that I’m not going to be the one to convince them\*. > [@](#): > > What about Bible prophecy? Do you beleive the Bible is just fiction? I believe that the books of Moses are the word of G-d as dictated to ( and sometimes tampered with by) fallible men. For example, the prophetical section of the Book Of Daniel shows clear signs of being added later. > [@](#): > > What is your evidence for God existing? I believe based on what I have personally seen and experienced, not based on a book thousands of years old. I accept that while it has been enough to convince me of His existence, it meets neither the scientific nor legal criteria for evidence. \*Nor do I especially feel they need convincing. I believe in a G-d who gathers all the righteous to His bosom (or possibly his poker table). No one needs to believe to get into heaven. All that’s required is being your brothers’ keeper, loving your neighbor as yourself and that kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/169 "2012-02-08T22:12:49Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Off the top of my head- > > I haven’t noticed a year of global winter yet, so we’ve got time. Just you wait. Ragnarok will come eventually. And then you’ll be sorry (or not) ---
**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, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/170 "2012-02-08T22:19:43Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I believe I have voiced my beliefs often enough that the other posters here on the SDMB know them. I’ve also chatted with enough of the atheists on the board to know that I’m not going to be the one to convince them\*. > > I believe that the books of Moses are the word of G-d as dictated to ( and sometimes tampered with by) fallible men. For example, the prophetical section of the Book Of Daniel shows clear signs of being added later. > > I believe based on what I have personally seen and experienced, not based on a book thousands of years old. I accept that while it has been enough to convince me of His existence, it meets neither the scientific nor legal criteria for evidence. > > \*Nor do I especially feel they need convincing. I believe in a G-d who gathers all the righteous to His bosom (or possibly his poker table). No one needs to believe to get into heaven. All that’s required is being your brothers’ keeper, loving your neighbor as yourself and that kind of thing. Likewise, I didn’t start this topic to try and convince atheists. I have enough experience to know that it is pointless. God only reveals himself to those who truly seek him with an open heart. ---
**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, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/171 "2012-02-08T22:20:20Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Off the top of my head- > > I haven’t noticed a year of global winter yet, so we’ve got time. Yeah ? Can you conclusively prove that the current winter will pass rather than spread across the world ? HMMM ? Didn’t think so. Keep those sacrifices by hanging coming if you know what’s good for you. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/172 "2012-02-08T22:22:05Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Likewise, I didn’t start this topic to try and convince atheists. I have enough experience to know that it is pointless. God only reveals himself to those who truly seek him with an open heart. I have honestly sought, with both open heart and mind. As of yet, he has not revealed himself to me. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/173 "2012-02-08T22:26:27Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > God only reveals himself to those who truly seek him with an open heart. Why would he do that? It seems to me that if God were benevolent, he would want EVERYONE to know about him. Why does he hide himself away from those who would benefit the most from his grace? ---
**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, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/174 "2012-02-08T22:29:37Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > God only reveals himself to those who truly seek him with an open heart. 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? ---
**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, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/175 "2012-02-08T22:31:56Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Likewise, I didn’t start this topic to try and convince atheists. Which doesn’t absolve you of the need to construct some kind of logical and consistent argument. > [@](#): > > God only reveals himself to those who truly seek him with an open heart. 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. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/176 "2012-02-08T22:35:07Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > If I had known this forum was predominantly anti-Christian, I wouldn’t have bothered. This forum isn’t anti-Christian as much as it’s pro-facts. Maybe it’s the facts that are anti-Christian. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/177 "2012-02-08T22:35:26Z")
> [@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? It probably has something to do with “it’s a mystery” or “… mysterious ways” ---
**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, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/178 "2012-02-08T22:37:34Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > It probably has something to do with “it’s a mystery” or “… mysterious ways” Well, those are my go-to answers. I find many things about G-d passeth understanding and such. That’s why I would never start a thread claiming to know why He doesn’t heal amputees. ---
**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, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/179 "2012-02-08T22:47:01Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Which doesn’t absolve you of the need to construct some kind of logical and consistent argument. Well, if he were a Catholic, he’d only have to ask sincerely… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193/180 "2012-02-08T23:07:34Z")
> [@GEEPERS](#): > > Likewise, I didn’t start this topic to try and convince atheists. I have enough experience to know that it is pointless. God only reveals himself to those who truly seek him with an open heart. > [@Marley23](#): > > 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. Also, it conveniently puts the blame squarely on the non-believer. They didn’t truly seek him with an open heart. They didn’t try _hard_ enough; if they did, he would have revealed himself. It’s\* their fault\* if they didn’t find God. It is a very poisonous and unfortunately common kind of thinking. If people eat right and exercise they won’t get sick; you got sick, so you must not have taken very good care of yourself. The harder people work, the more money they will make; you’re poor, so you must be lazy. If a woman is smart and doesn’t date the wrong guys and doesn’t wear revealing clothes she won’t get raped; you were raped, so you must have done something slutty. It allows the person making the assumption to feel righteous and superior - and safe. If you engage in the correct behaviors, you will be fine. If you allow for the possibility that people can be sick, poor, or victimized through no fault of their own, you’re suddenly no longer immune from such misfortune yourself. And if God does not reveal himself to those who want to know him, maybe it’s not because they aren’t truly open to him…but because he doesn’t exist. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-know-why-god-doesnt-heal-amputees/612193.md?page=10)