Ethan Allen

In those parts of the world where learning and science have prevailed, miracles have ceased; but in those parts of it as are barbarous and ignorant, miracles are still in vogue. -Ethan Allen, revolutionary (1738-1789)

This is presented as a statement of fact, the kind of judgment that is based on empirical evidence, but it is rather an expression of prejudice typical of the Enlightenment. Allen no doubt expected his readers, children of the Enlightenment like himself, to accept it without even thinking about it, but I would like to see some data.

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