(October 14, 2013 at 3:19 pm)freedomfromfallacy Wrote: There is real psychology at work in 'prayer'. While I do not endorse all of the views expressed in this article, I will say that the 'psychology of prayer' is at work in nearly all cases of prayer 'working' for an individual in gaining a particular cognitive construct.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/enli...ics-prayer
Oh, I don't dispute there are physiological changes that come to those who engage in prayer. As has been pointed out, I can garner the same results with mediation or general relaxation techniques.
It's the bit where they entreat the deity for a particular outcome, then excuse said deity when he doesn't come through -- "Everything happens for a reason, and we're not privy to <insert name of deity here>'s plan," -- or praise the hell out of him when things go their way. "I knew <insert name of deity here> was watching out for me!" It's fully delusional. And that makes me nervous.
