FOREWORD
It is claimed that our consciousness is so strange, and does not fit well into nature, that we should suppose that there is something above nature - that can even control it.
Answer: The fact that we find it a mystery means we should not be using that mystery as an excuse for assumptions.
The brain creates narratives and lies. That makes the wonder of consciousness seem less wondrous.
Damage to the brain damages consciousness - whatever it is, it is linked to physical processes. Even if it is supernatural, the natural still seems to be the stronger.
THE ARGUMENT
Keep in mind that all miracles - direct acts of God such as Jesus rising from the dead - are merely claimed miracles. Nobody can prove that God did them. Religion agrees and holds that it is a matter of faith and trust. There is room for doubt that any particular example of the supernatural really is one.
Now let us proceed.
Do we think that our powers of free will and our power to be aware—our consciousness are strange — but are not like miracles or magic? We may not want to use the word supernatural, but we approach them as something that doesn't fit very well into the physical natural world. It is like they are above or superior. That is part of us, what we take as our experience.
A miracle within, supposing that is what free will and being aware are, should be more intimate and convincing than any miracle outside of that. If we see our freedom and consciousness as a miracle, then no other miracle can have the same force.
You may say that if you experience that inner miracle of awareness and freedom, then it is possible that there are others. Maybe, but they cannot be as important as those miracle experiences. Miracles, if they are true, would not mean you should consider the resurrection important enough to be the focus of a religious community or standard of doctrine. A miracle that claims importance would have to be dismissed. This is not bias. You know that random people claiming to be the most important people ever should not get any attention. Same principle.
Something not fitting well into something does not mean it cannot fit or does not fit enough. Only nature can tell you if a claimed miracle does not fit in. But nature cannot speak to you. It is man that decides if it is or is not a miracle, which is no good. Science tries to avoid opinion and let the evidence and facts do the talking.
If miracles have a point—which would be to give a message, otherwise you end up saying God gets it wrong and has to fix things with a miracle—then they do not happen simply because that point cannot be made.
Whatever the relationship between mind and matter is, the important thing is that mind cannot and does not live apart from physical processes - brain states. Something physical is able to produce consciousness. That physical is the real producer, and consciousness is the instrument that feels like it is the producer.
You feel you are the boss when the boss is not around. That feeling is just a feeling and so is the one that you are some kind of ghost in your body.
Some see the uncanny link between body and consciousness as a miracle. Others see it as near-magic - but just a strange tweak of nature. There are people who just see it as magic - full stop.
Suppose the near-magic or magic interpretation is accepted. It is so mysterious. Why not hold then that religious miracle claims arise not from real miracles but this near-magic or magic? Why embrace one mystery and not another?
A claimed miracle would have to be assumed by believers, to be a magic deed done by nature, not on nature! Or something effectively magic if not quite. Thus it would be an occult anomaly mistaken for a miracle, an act of God.
See a miracle? There is no need to assume something other than nature is doing it. Nobody wants to think it is a natural magical or near-magical event. Seeing Jesus' return from the dead that way is too boring for them.
All would agree with, "Consciousness is a mystery - almost paranormal or super-normal. Some say it is actually supernatural." If so, then why seek miracles such as Jesus rising when you have a "miracle" inside you? Nothing else can match it or matter as much.