"And the thing that materialists really hate is the concept of miraclesÂ….they hate the concept that something real could be beyond the power of their beloved laws of physics and chemistry . This seems to be the thing that really separates Christians from materialists Â– Christians readily , accept Â– even revel in Â– the notion that Jesus died on the cross and rose in 3 daysÂ….we revel in the fact that Christ made a return and was seen by his disciples and hundreds more after his death . We revel in the fact that Jesus turned water into wine and glowed a glorious bright , white light up on the mountain . Etc etc"
"You revel in those beliefs , certainly - and not surprising either . All these miracles , and others , embody the personally comforting notion that for special people , the universe makes exceptions . This is a common feature of religions , from the oldest to the newest , ever since we were first intelligent enough to appreciate at a conscious level that there were things in the world we did n't understand and could n't control and which did n't seem to care very much about us , like lightning or crocodiles . As members of a species who have evolved the habit of ingratiating ourselves with other , more powerful members by making the right sounds and employing properly deferential body language , the idea of being able to employ the same techniques to get the uncaring forces of nature on your side is a powerfully seductive one . Certainly it 's more palatable than believing that sometimes the crocodile is already full when you happen to take a dip , and sometimes it is not . Got ta go , back later ."
"And the thing that materialists really hate is the concept of"
"You revel in those beliefs , certainly - and not surprising either"