Allow me to pose the question one more time.....?

Question

Earlier, I posted a question regarding the scientific study of prayer. Lo and behold, the only responses I received were ones telling me that God cannot be tested and various other nonsensical points that DID NOT address the underlying question. See it here: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AplUnaGtD_7ZQYVh3sfygh3sy6IX?qid=20061122132116AA3HalV

So, I shall ask again, this time hoping that some Christian out there will respond to the QUESTION:

The Templeton Foundation paid to perform the experiment on Prayer. THEY seemed to think that science could prove God's existence - but it gave them the opposite result. What I am curious to know is this: IF (and a BIG IF at that) the Templton Study had indeed proved without a doubt that prayer works miracles, would Christians still be saying that God cannot be tested using science??

My point is why are you willing to accept bunk science (Creationism) that supports your beleifs, but then deny science that shatters your them?

Answer 1

you will be needing a shot of whiskey and a tylenol when you look at your answers.

Answer 2

Duh. Because it doesn't suppory their beliefes. A similar experiement was carried out to try and explain that strange sensation people sometimes get, whereby they feel they are being watched in a empty room, or they get a sense of something bigger and beyond...

The experiment showed that the brain can be manipulated into having this feeling (known as the Numinos.)

Basically if an experiment proved that God did exist, then I'm sure Christians would be all for it and would probably use it on this sight to answer questions about their faith.
But science tends to disprove, or to question the existance of God. So of course they are going to stick to their 'God can't be proven' line...It works doesn't it? You can't come back to that by saying, 'Ah but this says it can...' Cause then they'd just say 'No he can't.' and the age old argument would ring on until judgement day and we finally see who's right and who's wrong.

Either that, or people actually realise that it doesn't really matter what you beleive in, so long as you have an open mind and are not cruel to others...

Answer 3

I looked at the report. I think it said the results were mixed so prayer could not be proved or disproved to work. I don't think this test disproved the existence of God. It is very hard to prove or disprove the existence of a being who is superior to us by definition. God would know we were testing him/her and skew the test results right? If the tests prove that people get worse if we pray for them what does that mean? Personally I think the Big bang is impossible yet it happened. This makes the Big Bang a miracle and evidence of a higher force in nature. Atheists accept the Big bang theory but can't explain it. Atheists believed in black holes before there was any evidence to support them. So the universe is a pretty weird place and it's not so hard to imagine a supreme creative force is it?

Answer 4

I might not understand about your study. There have been many studies on prayer and there is over whelming evidence for it. It calms people down , prayer helps speed up healing, prayer was even noted to lower blood pressure. It is also used in pain management. Your information is wrong. I would look at allot more than one study and look at the over all results and all of the variables. Using one study to make a decision isn't scientific it is bias.

Answer 5

Here's a description of the study, from an article I found:

"[t]he patients . . . were split into three groups of about 600 apiece: those who knew they were being prayed for, those who were prayed for but only knew it was a possibility, and those who weren’t prayed for but were told it was a possibility.” Arrangements were made for 3 different Christian groups to pray starting the night before surgery and continuing for two weeks.

The volunteers prayed for “a successful surgery with a quick, healthy recovery and no complications” for specific patients, for whom they were given the first name and first initial of the last name.”

Here's the fatal flaw of this study: it hinges on the false premise that God will grant all of our prayers. This is not the case. God uses sickness for various purposes; it's simply not His will at this time that ALL sick people be healed. It's undoubtedly His will that SOME be healed, but again, not ALL.

Such prayers violate the first rule given to us by Jesus in the "model prayer:" We are to pray "THY will be done, not MY will be done."

Peace.

Answer 6

This question is based on the assumption that everyone who is a Christan has actually read the Bible. In the Bible it clearly states that Jesus said ask for and you shall receive, it does not say, ask for and you will receive every once in a while or when I feel like it. No, the responses you will get will be more like addressing God's will and not the fact that Jesus told a flat out lie in the Bible.

Answer 7

Don't you know that if a fact goes against the bible, it does not matter what kind of proof you may have to prove it.

If you want to have fun, write "the sky is orange" in the margin of a christian's bible and then try to convince them the sky is, in fact, blue. Can't be done. They will accuse you of working for the devil and claim that god would not allow someone to write something untrue in the holy word of god.

Answer 8

There have been many "scientific" studies on prayer. I remember one that "proved" that people who prayed had better health. Then another that "proves" the opposite. Then another that "proves" it makes no different.
For me, prayer is simply having fellowship with God. I don't "say prayers", I talk with my God, and He speaks to my heart.
I never paid much attention to the studies that "proved" praying people were healthier, why should I pay attention to those that say the opposite?
EDIT:
By the way, in response to at least one of the answerers: What would be an acceptable answer that wouldn't be "avoiding the issue"? To say "okay, I don't believe in God any more, thanks for enlightening me?" The trouble is, I would be lying.
If you could do a scientific study that proved my wife did not exist, I would still continue to live with her and talk with her... Would I be crazy to do that?
Edit again:
I can see, however, that the subject is really really important to you and to a lot of atheists. It really disturbs you. Would happen if you were in a majority? - makes me shiver!
I've always wondered why people fight so hard against someone they believe doesn't exist.

Answer 9

This seems pretty good however i can't click the link but... i had an epiphany playing ball today and i am researching it. Cold Hard evidence that God exists. WIth numbers facts and probability rates. If your interested I'll post it in about 2 weeks when i get all the information striaght and in order.

Answer 10

Non-Christians tend to pray only when they are in trouble. Christians pray whether they are in trouble or not. Non-Christians tend to pray for material things or miracles. Christians pray for endurance and strength and mercy. Christians pray for specific things and are repetitive in their prayers. Christians know the answer will come in time and are prepared to wait. Christians accept the answer when it comes, whether it is negative or positive.

Answer 11

The sort of question that scares answerers away like Raid. I've found that a taunt like this gets them coming back all defensive. Now I've said that, who knows. You REALLY deserve some answers. We don't always get what we deserve ('cos there's no god).