First we choose, at random, three groups of 1000 people about to go into surgery.
The first group are instructed to pray.
The second group have prayers said for them.
The third group neither pray nor have prayers said for them.
The three groups are identical in every other way.
Will any group fare better in surgery? If so, which group?
Should this experiment provide evidence for or against prayer?
2006-08-10 22:10:43 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You'll find research that suggests group one and you'll find research that suggests group three. I think the problem is two-fold:
1) By the nature of the experiment, it cannot be double-blind. Someone being asked to pray will _know_ his role in the experiment, and thus his knowledge of the experiment will effect the outcome.
2) The point actually is that exactly. I don't believe in God, but I would be happy to see a believer enter surgery (or therapy) praying or being prayed for, because if it increases his willpower and his belief that he will survive and get better, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that he will. Effectively, God may just be a placebo - but placebos _do_ have positive effects that need consideration.
Of course God is not answering prayers. You'd need to believe in God to believe in that being possible. But that doesn't mean that prayer is meaningless - it's just possibly meaningful in a manner different to its intent.
2006-08-10 22:18:13 · answer #1 · answered by XYZ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I dont know..but I have a chronic disorder and have experienced uncontrollable pain at the base of my skull all the way down to the toes on my left foot..just over the past 72 hours
I would appriciate some fast prayers , I will let you all know if it works..
Im up for any relief right now...
2006-08-11 05:15:55 · answer #2 · answered by The Chesire Cat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
None.
1. Praying is not praying if you are "instructed" to do it.
2. Other people who say prayers for you, may not be well-wishers.
3. I personally believe that you can't get through anything if you don't have God's grace
2006-08-11 05:19:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You will fail miserably. What makes you think God would respond to your little test? Why should He? You are provoking and not sincere. You are trying to make the Lord work for you rather than you work for Him. God will NOT be told what to do and your experiment will go down like all of man's little science experiments where he thinks he can prove anything and everything. Man will say yet again he has "proven" something and all the little sheeple will be so proud of him.
http://planttel.net/~meharris1/mikescorner.html
2006-08-11 05:29:53 · answer #4 · answered by green93lx 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It will provide evidence against prayer. Who is to pray? John 9.-31 Clearify us wheather tose people are God fearing or not then a very clear answer will be given to you.
God bless you.
2006-08-11 05:25:29 · answer #5 · answered by patrick w 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
-James 5:16.
So perhaps that means we need to be the best person we can. (It sure motivates me to try to "do the next right thing for the next right reason.")
2006-08-11 05:41:52 · answer #6 · answered by woman of faith 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Something like that has been done already, and prayer was found not to help with surgery.
2006-08-11 05:14:41 · answer #7 · answered by MetaKnight 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you forgot to pray for the surgeon......
2006-08-11 05:17:20 · answer #8 · answered by Equinox 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Variety is the spice of life.
2006-08-11 05:14:10 · answer #9 · answered by eugene65ca 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hey i may be athiest and all but i've heard somewhere that you shouldn't Test the lord
BUT hey I could really ******* CARE LESS
LOL VAGINA
2006-08-11 05:14:17 · answer #10 · answered by billy s 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋