Why do Christians insist that prayer works when empirical evidence states otherwise?

Question

I mean, come on folks, read the evidence:

http://www.lava.net/~hcssc/prayer.html

http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/ap_060330_prayer.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12082681/

http://englishatheist.org/zprayer.shtml

In fact, those in these studies who KNEW they were being prayed for, did WORSE in the long run. What other evidence do you need?
How many times do you need to be bitten by a wild dog before you decide not to pet it anymore?
How many times does a snake have to bite you before you decide not to pick it up anymore?

The evidence is right there, in the links above. All you have to do is read them and find absolute proof that prayer does not work. Period.
Will you do it, or will you throw silly quotes at me like, "Its not for us the question the mind of god" or "I don't know about all that, but prayer DID work for me!" (Did prayer really help you, or did you really just elp yourself?)

I'd like some solid, TANGIBLE answers here folks.

Answer 1

They are masters at self-delusion and ignoring reality. Thats why.

In reality, you and I know that this was nothing more than the subconcious "answering" that prayer. But, if some one wants to give credit to an non-existent being instead of taking credit for turning themselves around, what harm does that bring you?

Let em pray. Let them waste their time. You and I - we've got better things to do.

Answer 2

your gonna get, it didn't work because you where testing god, the truth is, by christian logic a prayer is always answered how ever we could get the same results from my snake, called squirm. god answers, yes, no or wait and then yes

there is no lose part

say you pray for food your hungry

some guy selling hot dogs may come along, god or the snake could create this

no, well you go hungry

wait

get it later but the snake could give you anyone of these 3 outcomes on of them has to happen anyway

so bellamai that actually changes the arguement medical science isn't always 100% successful you gotta die of something anyway but we could all just pray for mircles instead rather than deal with what we have, oh but then we woudlnt' know what a germ is

Answer 3

Hello, Lost Soul! The short answer to your question is no. Empirical evidence suggests proof that is tangible or at least out in the open, but prayer is based on belief and belief is not a tangible substance. Of course, the hoped-for result of prayer is for something that is tangible, but there is no time stamp on when it will occur or in what form it will take. The Jehovah's Witnesses in your post may have evinced surprise, during their coffee repast with you, that this so-called miracle of transformation did not occur but don't be fooled into thinking that they were discouraged by the apparent failure of their prayers. Jehovah's Witnesses, like other "theists," as you call them, see prayer as fundamentally a work-in-progress; they have no doubt that prayer works but realize that prayer doesn't necessarily manifest itself like a toggle switch. But they know that it will happen, sooner or later; the notion of a failed prayer does not exist in their lexicon, let alone their lives. The proof that you were looking for--that prayer doesn't work--has no basis in their reality.

Answer 4

Are you sure that prayer doesn't work, or was God's answer just "NO"? I would also like information in how those people who were praying did spiritually. I mean whether you believe or not, I think God is a little more concerned about the spiritual side of life, rather than our physical side of life. Maybe those people felt inner peace, joy, and understanding. Have your atheistic websites do a study on that, and then I'll think about clicking on the website links.

Answer 5

Garbage in, garbage out. I'm aware of those studies, and they will yield results about as accurately as any other study that doesn't have the proper variables figured into it. And one more thing; prayer doesn't always get you what you want. Even Jesus prayed that He might not have to suffer the beatings and crucifixion that He did. We saw the result; enormous personal suffering-followed by unfathomable triumph. So-was Jesus prayer unsuccessful? If He got what He wanted, the door to forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation would have been shut to millions. Prayer isn't about always getting what you want, and believe me, I wish it was! Perhaps that's why understanding Christs prayer-or "the Lords prayer", as its known, is so important. Read it. Break it down. It doesn't go "GIMMEE GIMMEE GIMMEEEE GIMMMEEEEEE-----Amen". Its more like "Hallowed be Your name." "May Your will always be done." "May your kingdom be established on the earth". "Provide for our physical needs". "Protect us from the evil one." Prayer is a grand mystery in that we CANT know what the outcome will be-for one thing, we're not doing the answering. A prayer may well be answered-5,10 years later, and I think most studies would miss that.

Answer 6

The retarted in most cases tend to have much more of a knack for compasion. There is a special group of retarted people who can pick out a face out of 1000 they are hardwired for love. UNfortunatly they cant tie there own shoes.

Then there are realy smart people Like Ted Kasinsky the uni bomber. All those Sceintist who inveted the a bomb and how to make napalm stick to kids.

Empirical evidence. Here is some evidence The mom who has a baby with a severe birth defect. She feels better when she prays. It gets her through it.

THe smart Guy like you well YOU turn around and Poop on her.
I would rather be dumb, then an A hole.

Answer 7

Faith well it could be that?Placebo effect could be that to,but as humans we need something to pray to.Time and again most if not all humans have had a "god" to pray to Someone Superior to us ya know something that could control the uncontrollable gives the people hope a new light of day so to speak but you know what i believe even if i don't get what i need or see any proof that he exists i am taught to believe that and i don't question it i just believe and have faith that he'll help or answer me

Answer 8

I'll make sure to tell this to the doctors who were ready to pull the plug on a very close family friend who went into coma after suffering six-that's six- aneuryisms during open-heart surgery. Fifteen minutes prior to the techs actually turning off the life-support system, and after intense prayer the night before, she woke up from a coma that the doctors said she's never wakw-up from, as there was no alpha-wave activity in her brain at all. She was brain-dead--completely. Now, she's sitting on her back-porch reading the evening news paper and grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for her and her husband and their neighbors. Stick that in your "skeptical" pipe and smoke it, pal.

Btw- this happened six years ago, and her doctors are still at a complete loss for explanation as to how she's alive and well. However, as the cardiologist told us, there has to be someone "like a god" responsible for this "miracle'. And it truly was a miracle. You read it here first.

Answer 9

O-kay I only read the very beginning of your question. But here is what I think. Prayer does not work for you, because you are not a believer. I Pray, it helps me, I am a believer. God Bless, it sounds like you need it.

Answer 10

You'd like a scientific answer to a spiritual question. It's impossible. It's like mathematically answering a philosophical question. "What's the meaning of life? Seven."

Why do Believers believe in prayer? isn't a question someone else can answer for you, dude. Believe and you will know.