The danger of religion. .

[Cyberman]

Stimbo- good day to you my friend..

Ave! It die bene, Deciple?

Yes it appears that the side that was prayed over in that particuliar study didnt fare to well indeed.

One possible reason for that, or at least a putative explanation, is that there might have been a form of 'performance anxiety' at play. Essentially, a person recovering from heart surgery learns that they're being prayed for, then starts to wonder what could be so wrong with them that prayers are being said... resulting in their condition getting worse. It's like a fledgling actor knowing his parents are in the audience; it could tend to throw him off-balance.

Regardless, the point of the study was to analyse the effect, if any, of prayer. Whatever god or gods were being invoked either didn't want these patients to do as well as others in the study, didn't want to play (or was too scared to play), or didn't exist. Note that the Templeton Foundation who ran the study was hoping (and praying?) for a positive result.

We also have to take into consideration that person or persons that were doing the praying and the people that were prayed for. God will not hear the prayers of the non believer.

This is known as a rationalisation, putting a positive spin on what is usually an uncomfortable position. It's also an assertion that attracts that old nemesis of the theist, the burden of proof. Why would the belief status of the person praying make a difference? Does 'God' have a "naughty and nice" list? And does 'he' check it twice? It puts me in mind of the early days of fire insurance we used to have over here; basically, your house caught fire and the firemen would turn up, but if you didn't have a plaque on the wall indicating you'd got insurance, they'd simply stand around and watch your house burn down.

And before that sets of a firestorm let me explain a wee bit. He will in fact hear a prayer of repentence then the person is "born again" then all prayers are heard. I dont know if thats the deal in that specific case

Remember that the Templeton Foundation isn't just your average bunch of research scientists with nothing better to spend their grant money on. They are actively seeking to legitimise religion by riding the coattails of science. Their annual $1.5 million Templeton Prize is given, to quote Richard Dawkins, "usually to a scientist who is prepared to say something nice about religion." Now the ball's back in your court; "God" should have no excuse not to hear their prayers. See, it's all very well making these claims but then you have to bite the bullet and back them up.

I wont pretend to know why God does all the things he does. Im ok with that.

What things does 'God' do?