2007-05-21 20:24:52 · 16 answers · asked by theone 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Great question....STAR!!
In my view prayer is a psychological tool that can help through an illusory feeling of security which nevertheless has the power to boost our self confidence... more often than not this self confidence regained through a prayer, does manage to get us the requisite results.
2007-05-21 20:36:42 · answer #1 · answered by small 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps prayer is both a psychological escape and self-delusion. Perhaps it is neither, but rather a way of conversing with something greater than ourselves.
It really all depends on your perspective and beliefs, and from the way the question is formed, I would venture a guess that the asker does not believe in something greater. Therefore, I would say that if ones perspective is that prayer can not be a real entity, then what difference does it make whether it is a psychological escape or self-delusion?
Furthermore, what is the difference between self-delusion and psychological escape anyway? Are they not really the same thing?
2007-05-22 04:39:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anne B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is an external practice of life that indicates an inner set of convictions about the ultimate meaning of human existence. The association of religious practices, such as prayer, with escapism or self delusion was one of the common practices of modern totalitarianism to quell the possibility of religious dissent to modern ideology. One might just as well ask if the calculating rationalism and reductive materialism of modernity is a psychological escape or an exercise in self delusion.
2007-05-22 08:17:28 · answer #3 · answered by Timaeus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can be both... although it's not meant to be either one of them. Actually prayer is result of our deepest part of our spirits, which always long for relationship with adored Great Master, our Wonderful Creator. But people tend to misuse prayer for their own benefit. We often pray to get what we want, to escape from stressful world, as a lifeboat when our great Titanic hit the iceberg and get sunk to the bottom of the sea. It's very human, but if we pray that way, what a pity! We should seek full life in God our Master and Creator rather than seek mere stress relief or a new house. It's too bad....
2007-05-22 04:53:29 · answer #4 · answered by Sandy R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aren't those the same things? When one feels overwhelmed and helpless one wants to believe that some more powerful person or being will save one, or make things better; people like that seem to find some comfort in prayer, and in that way, I guess it does no harm, although more people have probably been killed for the way they pray or to what god they pray than for any other reason.
I think the lengths to which such people go to justify the response or nonresponse to their supplications is indicative of their fear and of their ignorance and of their refusal to become educated about how all religions derive from others that preceded them, which were created by men, and which have no validity as "divine inspiration".
To me prayer is just another attempt to cast a spell and about as useful, right along with lighting candles, reading tea leaves, and consulting psychics.
To paraphrase Omar Kayam, because I can't remember the exact wording; Lift not your hands to the thing that moves in the sky, for it moves as impotently as you and I.
2007-05-22 03:44:37 · answer #5 · answered by LodiTX 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who pray are voicing their thoughts in a conversational way. You could call it a delusion, but in a way they really believe that they are telling someone who cares, about all of their concerns and expressing their joys.
It helps people cope with harsh reality.
I would call it a placebo.... which technically is a psychological escape. But this escape is only brought about through the first step - self-delusion.
The two work hand-in-hand.
2007-05-22 06:24:16 · answer #6 · answered by Feta Smurf 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me is neither.Prayer is expression of your psychological need, fear or feeling for comfort and hope.
Driver of prayer is faith. Faith is more complicated in interpretation.According to book of Joseph Murphy, faith is subconscious power. For religion, faith is the communication power with God.I believe faith is component of psychologyical effects, whilst i believe to God too, His universal power and Holy spirit,
Prayer is the time to be honest to your heart, escape your psychological prision by express it out. If you are the believer of God, but have doubt that prayer is self delusion or illusion, let the humility (admit human's weakness) overcome the rationality. Just be humble, have faith and pray.
Peach be with you.
2007-05-22 05:06:56 · answer #7 · answered by Karen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
prayer has many uses. Personal growth is a good one. Self delusion would depend on if your prayers get answers or not. Mine do.
2007-05-22 03:30:16 · answer #8 · answered by Dr weasel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's both. People all want to believe in a higher power. That if God wants it so be it. When in reality more is in our control than we know. But, if we put our faith and fate in someone else it allows us a escape when our lives take a sudden turn.
I believe in a God , but I believe also that it's our choice to be as we choose. Nothings wrong with praying, if it give you strength and peace of mind. I don't believe God is sitting some place saying yes to this and no to that. But, if it gives comfort to someone thinking that God is controlling their lives, more power to them.
I think it absolves them of responsibility.
2007-05-22 10:05:19 · answer #9 · answered by MARK S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither. Prayer is a spiritual connection to your soul.
2007-05-22 04:55:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋