Re: nice post Ed - thanks forem_gumbyJanuary 28 2011, 15:41:22 UTC
Thank you for your kind response! It is always nice to know that when I am shouting into the vast, echoing space of the internet someone actually hears me!
I have two ways of justifying prayer in this case:
1) some studies at least have shown that those who know they are being prayed for have a more optimistic outlook - and people with a more optimistic outlook tend to heal up better and faster. According to Martin Seligman, these effects occur even if the individual only believes that they are being prayed for so technically I bestow the benefit whether I actually pray or not as long as Chris believes I am praying for him - but since he is my friend I would prefer to be truthful.
2) If God exists, I cannot believe that He would let a minor thing like my belief or lack thereof interfere with an honest and heartfelt attempt to request His aid for another person. I, as an atheist who has not been redeemed by my belief in Christ, may not be worthy myself of being granted the benefits of God's love - but Chis and Ann certainly seem to qualify, and it is for them that I ask, not for myself.
That's interesting. I don't think I could pray for anyone, knowing that there is nothing to pray to. I think sending a get well gift and doing some real gesture is much better. But I'm glad you shared this. I agree with the rest of what you said except the actual praying part, which I personally think is more harmful than good, mainly because it IS so seductive and causes people to feel morally superior and then do nothing really helpful because they prayed. Also, one of the better studies on intercessory prayer was done last year, and it found that people who knew they were prayed for actually had more complications and problems and did worse.
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1) some studies at least have shown that those who know they are being prayed for have a more optimistic outlook - and people with a more optimistic outlook tend to heal up better and faster. According to Martin Seligman, these effects occur even if the individual only believes that they are being prayed for so technically I bestow the benefit whether I actually pray or not as long as Chris believes I am praying for him - but since he is my friend I would prefer to be truthful.
2) If God exists, I cannot believe that He would let a minor thing like my belief or lack thereof interfere with an honest and heartfelt attempt to request His aid for another person. I, as an atheist who has not been redeemed by my belief in Christ, may not be worthy myself of being granted the benefits of God's love - but Chis and Ann certainly seem to qualify, and it is for them that I ask, not for myself.
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But I'm glad you shared this. I agree with the rest of what you said except the actual praying part, which I personally think is more harmful than good, mainly because it IS so seductive and causes people to feel morally superior and then do nothing really helpful because they prayed.
Also, one of the better studies on intercessory prayer was done last year, and it found that people who knew they were prayed for actually had more complications and problems and did worse.
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