Why Doesn't God Heal Amputees?

[SleepingWillow]

The LDS Church believes miracles are ongoing and can be performed through faith and the power of the priesthood. I do not know a faithful LDS member who claims they have never witnessed a miracle. The most common type of miracle mentioned is a healing miracle, where a blessing was given and the person's ailment ameliorated.

Unfortunately, these miracles are exclusively limited to diseases we do not completely understand (e.g. cancer, diabetes, someone in a wheelchair, etc.), or illnesses one would expect to recover from eventually regardless (e.g. a cold, or the flu). If someone regenerated a limb in response to a blessing, this would be relatively easy to demonstrate as a miracle, because there is nothing in ordinary experience that has people spontaneously regenerating lost limbs.

So my question to you is: Why doesn't God heal amputees?

[charity]

I am so far the 100% vote for healing. Here is the reference: It isn't exaclty am amputee, but a young boy shot at Haun's Mill had his hip joint replaced through faith. Does that count?

[Son]

Unbelief

[Dale]

Probably because God doesn't have to. I wish all claimed miracles were of God but sometimes Cancer can go into remission. Was it a mracle or just the Cancer going into remission? I am not sure science verifies any miracle. Miracles are much a matter of faith.

[SleepingWillow]

I am so far the 100% vote for healing. Here is the reference: It isn't exaclty am amputee, but a young boy shot at Haun's Mill had his hip joint replaced through faith. Does that count?

No. According to this reference, this is what happened:

"And then I laid him comfortably on his face and said: 'Now you lay like that and don't move, and the Lord will make you another hip.'

"So I laid Alma on his face for five weeks, until he was entirely recovered, a flexible gristle having grown in place of the missing joint and socket.

Alma grew up to be a man and became a useful member of the Church."

Flexible gristle after 5 weeks of bedrest? Certainly a wonderful thing, but hardly a miracle.

Unbelief

Could you elaborate? How is this different than one of the options I listed?

Probably because God doesn't have to. I wish all claimed miracles were of God but sometimes Cancer can go into remission. Was it a mracle or just the Cancer going into remission? I am not sure science verifies any miracle. Miracles are much a matter of faith.

That's not a reason, that's a tautology. By definition, since he doesn't heal amputees, he doesn't have to. The question is why?

[cinepro]

I believe they have chosen to be amputees, and God would be infringing on their free agency if he were to heal them. (When in doubt, I always play the "free agency" card.)

[Pahoran]

The LDS Church believes miracles are ongoing and can be performed through faith and the power of the priesthood. I do not know a faithful LDS member who claims they have never witnessed a miracle. The most common type of miracle mentioned is a healing miracle, where a blessing was given and the person's ailment ameliorated.

Unfortunately, these miracles are exclusively limited to diseases we do not completely understand (e.g. cancer, diabetes, someone in a wheelchair, etc.), or illnesses one would expect to recover from eventually regardless (e.g. a cold, or the flu). If someone regenerated a limb in response to a blessing, this would be relatively easy to demonstrate as a miracle, because there is nothing in ordinary experience that has people spontaneously regenerating lost limbs.

So my question to you is: Why doesn't God heal amputees?

So, IOW, you are demanding a sign.

Got it.

Matthew 16:

1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring, O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

And thus it is.

Regards,

Pahoran

[SleepingWillow]

So, IOW, you are demanding a sign.

Got it.

And thus it is.

Regards,

Pahoran

I shouldn't have made "other" an option. Cinepro is the only person who has come up with something unique. Your explanation falls squarely under "it is part of His ongoing campaign to hide Himself from science and observation."

[Jerubaal]

The LDS Church believes miracles are ongoing and can be performed through faith and the power of the priesthood. I do not know a faithful LDS member who claims they have never witnessed a miracle. The most common type of miracle mentioned is a healing miracle, where a blessing was given and the person's ailment ameliorated.

Unfortunately, these miracles are exclusively limited to diseases we do not completely understand (e.g. cancer, diabetes, someone in a wheelchair, etc.), or illnesses one would expect to recover from eventually regardless (e.g. a cold, or the flu). If someone regenerated a limb in response to a blessing, this would be relatively easy to demonstrate as a miracle, because there is nothing in ordinary experience that has people spontaneously regenerating lost limbs.

So my question to you is: Why doesn't God heal amputees?

My view on this is gonna sound really wierd, and is probably wrong, but: Artificial limbs totally rock! I would not mind losing a leg, and getting a wicked awesome peg leg. Losing an arm or a hand... I'd be a bit more reluctant. Anyways, our weaknesses give us strength (like a wicked awesome solid steel peg leg to beat people down with.).

[charity]

Who wouldn't want to be the $6 Million man or the bionic woman? Right now, I am ready for a new knee. My old one doesn't work much at all!

[Dale]

I don't think a why could figure out the mind of God. I read this story recently about this little girl who had her toes chewed off by a Pit Bull while her parents slept. If God doesn't save a child from disfigurement why would he heal an amputee? My best answer is God wants human beings to deal with being alive no matter what physical struggles they have. Maybe God has a non-interference plicy with human beings and handicaps. He simple does not get in the way of letting bad things continue with mortals most of the time.

[Tarski]

I am so far the 100% vote for healing. Here is the reference: It isn't exaclty am amputee, but a young boy shot at Haun's Mill had his hip joint replaced through faith. Does that count?

No.

We need a healed amputee and we need more than just a story or we will have allow everything from alien abductions to the miracles of Buddha.

[Pahoran]

I shouldn't have made "other" an option.

Your "options" are so heavily push-pollish as to make your "poll" useless.

Cinepro is the only person who has come up with something unique. Your explanation falls squarely under "it is part of His ongoing campaign to hide Himself from science and observation."

That is a ridiculous straw man. Neither I nor any Latter-day Saint has ever described such a "campaign."

No, my answer falls squarely under "your question tells us all about yourself and nothing about God."

Regards,

Pahoran

[juliann]

Why doesn't save the world from those who have nothing to offer humanity but mockery, intolerance and disdain to those who belong to the wrong religion? It would sure make it a better place and it would be a heck of a lot easier.

[Tarski]

My view on this is gonna sound really wierd, and is probably wrong, but: Artificial limbs totally rock! I would not mind losing a leg, and getting a wicked awesome peg leg. Losing an arm or a hand... I'd be a bit more reluctant. Anyways, our weaknesses give us strength (like a wicked awesome solid steel peg leg to beat people down with.).

Yeah, who wants to feel anything?

Why doesn't save the world from those who have nothing to offer humanity but mockery, intolerance and disdain to those who belong to the wrong religion? It would sure make it a better place and it would be a heck of a lot easier.

Same reason.

[juliann]

Yeah, who wants to feel anything?

Well let's see....what do the countermos say about "feelings"?

[Jerubaal]

Yeah, who wants to feel anything?

Like I said, I'm not so sure about losing an arm. But I totally want a peg leg.

[SleepingWillow]

Your "options" are so heavily push-pollish as to make your "poll" useless.

No, they cover most of the bases and the ones who are offended by the implications of my poll answers can select "other" and explain how their answer is exactly the same as one of the choices.

That is a ridiculous straw man. Neither I nor any Latter-day Saint has ever described such a "campaign."

It's not a straw man if it describes exactly your position.

No, my answer falls squarely under "your question tells us all about yourself and nothing about God."

It tells us a lot about God. It's very telling that you don't like the implications of a straight answer.

[emeliza]

Are you kidding me about this poll? Those answers are all skewed towards the opinion of the OP.

[SleepingWillow]

Why doesn't save the world from those who have nothing to offer humanity but mockery, intolerance and disdain to those who belong to the wrong religion? It would sure make it a better place and it would be a heck of a lot easier.

Would you please stay on topic and answer the question?

Are you kidding me about this poll? Those answers are all skewed towards the opinion of the OP.

Look, those were the best explanations I could come up with. Do you have any better ones?

[Pahoran]

No, they cover most of the bases and the ones who are offended by the implications of my poll answers can select "other" and explain how their answer is exactly the same as one of the choices.

My answer is "exactly the same as" none of the choices.

An honest poll, such as you are not capable of making, does not attempt to influence the outcome by making choices appear ridiculous.

It's not a straw man if it describes exactly your position.

And since the "campaign" nonsense does not describe my postion, it remains a straw man.

It tells us a lot about God.

No. It does not.

It's very telling that you don't like the implications of a straight answer.

It's very telling that you don't like the implications of your own question.

Because the fact remains that you asked for a sign. And Jesus told us precisely who does that.

Regards,

Pahoran

[T-Shirt]

So my question to you is: Why doesn't God heal amputees?

How do you know He doesn't?

T-Shirt

[Homestar Runner]

Phrase the question differently, and perhaps we gain some insight:

"How come God doesn't produce proof of his existence?"

This makes it more a question about the necessity of faith, than why amputees are different.

HSR

[Tarski]

Well let's see....what do the countermos say about "feelings"?

First, don't equivocate between various senses of the word.

As for bodily sensations, they are useful and often nice. The senses provide one of the bases of empirical science. I would like to see and feel the arm of a cured (and known) amputee for example.

On the other hand, inner private feelings (of well being, certainty, inner light, emotion etc) cannot provide knowledge about the objective world. The track record of such is like unto guessing.

Because the fact remains that you asked for a sign. And Jesus told us precisely who does that.

Or so says whoever wrote or transcribed that part of the Bible.

[Doctor Steuss]

There was a really good discussion on this about 10 months ago (I think it ended up being about 15 pages). Iâ??ve tried searching for it, but I fear it may have been lost during the â??hiccupâ? that the board had.

Perhaps someone else will have better luck finding it?

IMO, miracles have to follow the laws of nature (albeit higher laws that we don't comprehend in many instances). I think the replacement of a limb is a bit too much like resurrection for it to occur while having the constraints of a mortal body (our human DNA in this imperfect state could not support such a miracle... unless we were of course fused with some lizard DNA).