When I think of prayer, I usually think of praising God, and asking for things.
I can't remember to chapter, but in The God Delusion Dawkins references a study done to test the effect of prayer on terminal hospital patients. Needless to say it had no effect.
It's actually pretty heartbreaking. My girlfriend is part of a Bible-study group, and there is one member with some ongoing life problems who prays extensively on a daily basis for God to fix her problems. She is having relationship problems and has 4 kids. She thinks having more will help things. She always talks about how it feels like God isn't helping her, and everyone in her group goes on about how patience is a virtue and God works in mysterious ways and whatnot.
This is the same person who will go on about how great and wonderful and loving God is. I just feel like slapping her in the face and telling her, "GOD ISN'T ANSWERING YOUR PRAYERS BECAUSE HE DOESN'T EXIST. DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS!"
I can't remember to chapter, but in The God Delusion Dawkins references a study done to test the effect of prayer on terminal hospital patients. Needless to say it had no effect.
It's actually pretty heartbreaking. My girlfriend is part of a Bible-study group, and there is one member with some ongoing life problems who prays extensively on a daily basis for God to fix her problems. She is having relationship problems and has 4 kids. She thinks having more will help things. She always talks about how it feels like God isn't helping her, and everyone in her group goes on about how patience is a virtue and God works in mysterious ways and whatnot.
This is the same person who will go on about how great and wonderful and loving God is. I just feel like slapping her in the face and telling her, "GOD ISN'T ANSWERING YOUR PRAYERS BECAUSE HE DOESN'T EXIST. DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS!"
