The term Lourdes effect has been coined by the Belgian philosopher and skeptic Etienne Vermeersch for the tendency of supposed supernatural powers to resist clear demonstration. Vermeersch suggests that, if the miraculous healing powers of Lourdes are real, one would expect the Virgin Mary or God to reattach a severed arm as often as more ambiguous cures of paralysis or blindness; and that the lack of such undeniable healings is strong evidence against the subtle ones as well. The same applies to other mysterious and occult phenomena such as the sightings and photos of the Loch Ness Monster and the Yeti.
Vermeersch uses this term to mock what he calls the selective and uncritical approach to miracles, or the frivolous attribution of supernatural gifts to human beings. Skeptics note that the number of fatal accidents that occur on the way to and from Lourdes may well be considerably higher than the 67 alleged miracles due to faith healing recognized in 2005 by the Vatican.
References
- Scientific apriori's against the paranormal Archived 2009-06-19 at the Wayback Machine by Prof. Etienne Vermeersch.
- Vermeersch, E., Het paranormale ter discussie, Studiumgenerale, nr 9107, Utrecht University, 1992, pp. 81-93 (English title: The paranormal questioned).
- Vermeersch, E., Epistemologische Inleiding tot een Wetenschap van de Mens, Brugge, De Tempel, 1966.
- Lourdes needs a miracle - interview with prof. Etienne Vermeersch and prof. med. Willem Betz, Het Nieuwsblad, March 12, 2006.
Further reading
- Etienne Vermeersch, Van Antigone tot Dolly. Veertig jaar kritisch denken, Antwerpen, Hadewijch, 1997, 256 pp. (i.e. From Antigone to Dolly: Forty Years of Critical Thinking)