Current Events > Do any of you here believe in the power of prayer?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Sure. Like meditation and mindfulness, there is a noted psychological benefit.

Sure. Like meditation and mindfulness, there is a noted psychological benefit.

those aren't prayer

you don't believe it does anything more than a psychological benefit? possibly most people believe it does more than, that

Take the god element out of prayer and it just sounds like a form of psychosis.

Yes I do.

I can't count the number of times I have prayed for something for it to happen very soon. I'm very fortunate as far as that goes.

Also, like someone else said it's good for you.

No. People only think it works when, well, it "works", but conveniently disregard all the instances where it doesn't.

"My father was sick and I prayed for him to be better and God answered my prayer!"

vs.

"My father was sick and I prayed for him but he died anyways" (which then gets rationalized into "it was part of God's plan")

People who believe in it are going to do the mental gymnastics to make it work out in their minds

People don't just pray when they want something. But im sure you knew that?

Some pray the gay away and whadya know it, it actually works for them!

Disclaimer: results may vary

The energy somebody spends on praying could be better used in trying to reason and rationalize the world around them.

Use your critical thinking skills and you will never need prayer.

I'm sure prayers work, the problem is that whenever you pray for something, two assholes are out there praying for you to not get it, and apparently it's a "majority rules" system.

I pray no one will think I'm being serious

No, prayer doesn't influence [INSERT NAME OF DEITY HERE] to get off their cloud and help you out.

If you are a person of faith, it may lead to a more positive outlook, which may in turn be beneficial.

No, prayer doesn't influence [INSERT NAME OF DEITY HERE] to get off their cloud and help you out.

If you are a person of faith, it may lead to a more positive outlook, which may in turn be beneficial.

Exactly. Its a placebo. Placebos have their place, as long as we recognise them for what they are.

Doesn't recognising them for what they are reduce the efficacy?

Everyone's an atheist until the plane starts going down

I can remember praying that my dad would stop beating my mom and I all the time. I used to pray so hard that it would stop, and I could just feel love sometimes. I prayed with all my little heart and soul for years. "God" never answered, no relief ever came. I left when I was 16 and my mom got into crack and heroin to escape. My dad however ended up with all of our savings, the trailer we lived in and my mom's nice car. There was no retribution, no smiting. He was a monster, and so is "god" if he exists (he doesn't).

Im not religious, but I do believe in the power of having a strong faith. Like really wanting something to happen that it somehow does. Ive had it happen my whole life.

I like the metaphysical explanations some people use through quantum physics for this. Even if its real or not.

Where was your god on my darkest days? Where was your god when I needed him the most? Where was your god when I prayed for relief to come?
If prayer helps you, good for you. In my experience, it has turned out to be less than worthless.

Everyone's an atheist until the plane starts going down

as long as we recognise them for what they are.

It's a pointless layer to a person's life when normal coping mechanisms would be more appropriate.

Reminds me of Space Star Ordering.

https://youtu.be/38hiqW2E88A

I wished really hard for a helicopter . . . couple of days later, bought myself a helicopter.

Explain that one if you can!

Everyone's an atheist until the plane starts going down