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March 30, 2006Study: Praying won't affect heart patientsGet out!
In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that having people pray for heart bypass surgery patients had no effect on their recovery. In fact, patients who knew they were being prayed for had a slightly higher rate of complications.
I've always loved Ambrose Bierce's definition of the word "pray" in the Devil's Dictionary:Researchers emphasized that their work can't address whether God exists or answers prayers made on another's behalf. The study can only look for an effect from prayers offered as part of the research, they said. They also said they had no explanation for the higher complication rate in patients who knew they were being prayed for, in comparison to patients who only knew it was possible prayers were being said for them. Critics said the question of God's reaction to prayers simply can't be explored by scientific study. PRAY, v. To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy. (via J-Walk) |
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