Final answer:
Miracles are defined as events that violate the laws of nature and must be supported by unequivocal evidence, ruling out any other explanations, offering a compelling argument for the existence of a divine being.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Conditions for Miracles
In discussing what is necessary for miracles to occur, two key conditions must be met. First, the event must violate the laws of nature. Second, there should be clear and indisputable evidence supporting that the event indeed occurred as reported. This evidentiary standard ensures that the event's description aligns with the notion of a miracle, being an act of God, with no alternative explanations possible. Within various religious traditions, especially those of the Western hemisphere, miracles serve as pivotal events that validate the existence of a divine entity.
When considering a miracle, it is crucial that all other possible explanations, such as advanced technologies, optical illusions, or fraud, be completely ruled out. This is to maintain the strong definition of a miracle as something only a supreme being could enact. In this light, miracles would not only be recounting stories or testimonies but also fundamentally compelling arguments for the existence of God or a supernatural power.