I edited then zilched a paragraph which was nothing but dissertation It should go in an essay or something and be linked from this article but shouldnt be in the article itself    It said There is no discernable pattern showing the purpose of any hypothetical entity working miracles  Any such entity could prove its existence by for example raising the dead or replacing amputated limbs In Mediaeval times when doubting the veracity of the Catholic Churchs claims was punishable by excommunication imprisonment or death it was more common to hear local tales of extreme miracles Rationalists may fail to understand why an entity which wants to heal and can heal would help so few of the sick pilgrims  Therefore rationalists may assume no such entity exists