`  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 shouldn't 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 Church's 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.  ``)`