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Re: kermit1941
Hello Bill.

What do you think about this comment inside the web page that reported the scientific test of prayer?

Of course, there is a question whether a true test of prayer is even possible. As Eric Stockton pointed out in a letter to the editor of Skeptical Inquirer(July/August 2000), if prayer works because of God's intervention, and God is the omniscient deity of Christianity (or most any major religion), then He knows He is being tested. As such, He could accept or reject whatever prayer is offered, and either choose to give or not give evidence that it works. It would be impossible to properly blind such an experiment if it's the deity we're talking about. If it is supposed to be the prayer itself that heals, rather than God intervening, then we don't have that issue, but we instead have to wonder how it might be that such prayer might work--if we ever get a decent study that shows it does, that is.


Kermit




posted by Kermit1941 on September 4, 2011 at 8:24 AM | link to this | reply

kermit1941
 Results can be considered for a conclusion. BC-A, Bill’s R®st

posted by BC-A on September 4, 2011 at 6:28 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Scientifically testing the effectiveness of prayer

Matthew 8:5-10

King James Version (KJV)

 5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

 6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

 7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

 8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

 9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

******************************************

There is not any argument about what is in the Bible.

The report only said that scientists who tested the hypothesis that prayer could heal found it effective only if the person being healed knew they were being prayed for.

Personally, I'm putting my faith in the analysis by the scientists.

Kermit

 10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

posted by Kermit1941 on September 3, 2011 at 7:11 PM | link to this | reply

IF I REMEMBER RIGHT IN THE BIBLE THERE WERE MANY WHO WERE HEALED THAT DIDN'T KNOW THAT SOMEONE HAD ASK JESUS TO HELP THEM, I DOUBT THAT THOSE THAT ROSE FROM THE DEAD KNEW THEY WERE BEING PRAYED FOR, WHEN PEOPLE PRAY TO JESUS AND HE IN RETURN PRAYS TO THE FATHER, GREAT THINGS HAPPEN WHETHER THE PERSON KNOWS OR NOT.

posted by Riversidepoet on September 3, 2011 at 6:58 PM | link to this | reply