Throughout much of human history, stories of the miraculous have been a dime a dozen; very little was understood, and ignorant humans were perpetually running across inexplicable events that could only be the work of unseen forces.

As science erases ignorance, "miraculous events" become increasingly rare, but those who want to see miracles always will find them.

For example, last year CNN published a widely circulated story, "Woman finds 'God's water' gurgling from tree." A Texan named Lucille Pope reported her century-old oak tree had "gurgled water" for months. A variety of local experts were reportedly "baffled" as to where the little fountain of water was coming from.

That's all it took. When scientific experts fail to provide an instant natural explanation, for any phenomenon, claims of the supernatural are never far behind.

Apparently, "God's water" also possessed the power to heal, positive proof of its divine origin. Pope claimed, "her insurance agent dabbed drops on a spider bite that went away after the application," and she "soaked her sore ankles in water from the tree, and the pain has gone away."

According to the San Antonio Express-News, "Scores of people went to Pope's yard to taste the water, to fill small bottles with it, to rub it on their ailing bodies."

This embarrassingly unenlightened display of blind faith and superstition, evocative of the ignorant masses in medieval times, took place right here in 21st century America.

It turned out, not surprisingly, that the tree's root system had tapped into an active waterline; when the water was shut off, the supernatural gurgle unceremoniously ceased. Many faithful, however, kept right on believing in the "miracle tree," even after the entirely earthly explanation was known. That's the power of religious delusion. Once a faith-based belief is established, contrary evidence is insufficient to convince the truly faithful to abandon it.

Sadly, a magical tree isn't the only example. It seems that Jesus and the Virgin Mary are making appearances with greater regularity than celebrity sex tapes; the faithful see them everywhere.

They've seen Jesus in a Lay's sour cream and onion potato chip, and the Virgin Mary in tree bark. Sightings happen in a hilarious collection of disparate objects: the belly of a turtle, a filthy expressway underpass, a fence post, assorted tree stumps and a grilled cheese sandwich, to name just a few. Mother Teresa even made an unanticipated appearance as a cinnamon bun.

Not to be outdone, the Virgin Mary materialized on a half-eaten slice of burnt bread, a nice trick that prompted the BBC news to offer this caption: "Father, son and holy toast."

The blessed virgin mother also managed to manifest herself as a clump of chocolate. According to MSNBC, employees at a chocolate shop "spent much of their time hovering over the tiny figure, praying and placing rose petals and candles around it." The worker who discovered the now sacred glob of chocolate said, "I picked it up, and I felt emotion just come over me. For me, it was a sign."

Yes, it is a sign. A sign of just how desperate people are to believe in the supernatural and how easily this delusional craving can alter perceptions and overwhelm the rational mind.

This nonsense isn't exclusive to Christianity. Other religionists also see what they wish to see. For example, a Web site called "Miracles of Islam," provides photographs of Allah's name appearing in clouds, on mountains, plants and even on a slice of watermelon.

Modern-day miracle stories seem harmless, but they're indicative of an underlying medieval mindset that permeates the modern world and informs opinions on a variety of issues: embryonic stem cell research, reproductive freedom, homosexual equality, end of life rights, sex education, population control, HIV prevention, contraceptive use, science education and more.

I doubt most people are capable of turning their rational minds on and off at will, with no ill effect. A brain switched off to entertain fantasies of "miracle trees," "holy toast," souls, angels and imaginary entities may stay off and remain the credulous victim of alluring irrationalities.

Thomas Jefferson said it best, "Man once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the sport of every wind. With such persons, gullibility, which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason, and the mind becomes a wreck."

The article above was found on Google and was published originally on The State News