It can be a placebo, there was a relatively huge study into placebo and prayer that essentially split people into 4 mixed faith groups, group 1 was prayed for by religious figures such as priests, imams etc, group 2 way prayed for by lay people, group 3 was not prayed for at all though they were told they were and group 4 was told they were not being prayed for.
Relative to their illness, I believe it was Asthma, all groups saw an equal rate of recovery with the 4th group, no prayer and no placebo, fearing slightly worse.
Relative to their illness, I believe it was Asthma, all groups saw an equal rate of recovery with the 4th group, no prayer and no placebo, fearing slightly worse.
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