Atheists & Agnostics

skepticscott

(13,029 posts)

52. If it were voiced with the explicit acknowledgement

Sun Apr 26, 2015, 01:47 PM

Apr 2015

by the person saying it, that they know it doesn't REALLY work, then it would make sense (though still being an attaboy for self-delusion). But if it is used as apologetics and to deflect criticism of the obvious ineffectiveness of prayer in getting what you pray for, as it pretty much always is, then it's just vapid nonsense.

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I figured it was safer to reply here in A&A [View all] Binkie The Clown Apr 2015 OP

I bit my tongue on that, too. PeaceNikki Apr 2015 #1

The whole concept of prayer bvf Apr 2015 #2

Useless feel good-ism Rob H. Apr 2015 #3

+1,000,000 Auggie Apr 2015 #4

And rec bait Doctor_J Apr 2015 #41

#takeadeepbreath Lordquinton Apr 2015 #5

God works in mysterious ways. AlbertCat Apr 2015 #55

I am hoping that was sarcasm.. truebrit71 Apr 2015 #70

It's hard to tell sometimes Lordquinton Apr 2015 #80

I had the same thought. beam me up scottie Apr 2015 #6

They believe they have magical powers ... PassingFair Apr 2015 #7

The fact that really amazes me is... Binkie The Clown Apr 2015 #14

Hoo boy, I'm glad to find this group Novara Apr 2015 #8

Not a problem here... Thespian2 Apr 2015 #9

Welcome welcome welcome Novara! beam me up scottie Apr 2015 #10

Welcome to A&A. Curmudgeoness Apr 2015 #27

Welcome. That's why we're all here. mountain grammy Apr 2015 #64

You guys are the cool kids. Novara Apr 2015 #65

I tend to agree. mountain grammy Apr 2015 #66

One presumes the people praying are also helping wryter2000 Apr 2015 #11

You know the op came in here to get away from people like you. beam me up scottie Apr 2015 #15

"rational discourse" about Binkie The Clown Apr 2015 #16

"One presumes the people praying are also helping" bvf Apr 2015 #17

Oh, you have wandered down the wrong dark alley, my friend. AtheistCrusader Apr 2015 #20

Are also helping FOR REAL, you mean? Iggo Apr 2015 #24

Obviously it makes one feel as if one bvf Apr 2015 #31

This is a safe haven for atheists and agnostics. Curmudgeoness Apr 2015 #30

Well one is wrong. mr blur Apr 2015 #35

Only in a believer's world EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #39

In other words, god only causes good shit skepticscott Apr 2015 #46

I don't expect any rational discoursse LostOne4Ever Apr 2015 #59

Thanks for the welcomes Novara Apr 2015 #12

I'm an agnostic atheist. beam me up scottie Apr 2015 #18

Well, remember that the Blessed Hillary's favourite book mr blur Apr 2015 #36

They all have to say that. beam me up scottie Apr 2015 #56

The seperation of church and state? Stryst Apr 2015 #25

Welcome aboard... NeoGreen Apr 2015 #37

That IS helpful, thanks! Novara Apr 2015 #38

'Pray' or not, elleng Apr 2015 #13

Prayer doesnt do shit. AtheistCrusader Apr 2015 #19

It is "uplifting", in the case of an earthquake, and a "warm embrace" for volcanoes. Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #21

"Prayer: your little way of telling God His plan is wrong." riqster Apr 2015 #22

Prayer: The next worst thing to doing nothing Major Nikon Apr 2015 #23

In a study of the effectiveness of prayer there was a slight negative outcome correlation Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #26

I suppose there's something to be said about the negative impact of false hope Major Nikon Apr 2015 #28

The Templeton Foundation, not liking the results from their study, Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #29

I'm sure they weren't. Novara Apr 2015 #33

Oh, but we'll always have the usual suspects over in Religion skepticscott Apr 2015 #47

"Sending good thoughts and vibes" has the same psychological benefit, I'll bet Novara Apr 2015 #49

Yeah, I never understood the "good vibes" request skepticscott Apr 2015 #51

It's no different than praying Novara Apr 2015 #53

Certainly if the person being "vibed" to skepticscott Apr 2015 #54

"prayer is as much for the one praying as the one being prayed for" Major Nikon Apr 2015 #50

If it were voiced with the explicit acknowledgement skepticscott Apr 2015 #52

I'm certainly hoping that the US sends aid, experts and equipment Rhiannon12866 Apr 2015 #32

WTF!? mr blur Apr 2015 #34

Couldn't help myself... EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #40

How come this overtly-religious OP was allowed in GD? mr blur Apr 2015 #42

Maybe all 30 hosts have been offline the entire time Rob H. Apr 2015 #43

No no no, you have it wrong. Posts CRITICAL of religion aren't allowed in GD. Positive Religion Heddi Apr 2015 #44

Oh, right. Sorry. I forgot about religious privilege, mr blur Apr 2015 #45

ALso, if you DO pray, bvar22 Apr 2015 #48

I get that they mean it as a platitude of sympathy LostOne4Ever Apr 2015 #57

So what have you done? Leontius Apr 2015 #58

What have YOU done? EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #60

Oh, look, it's the compassionate christian who called atheists "childish pricks" beam me up scottie Apr 2015 #61

Yes, why the fuck he's still here is a mystery skepticscott Apr 2015 #62

It's just a layover on his way to Heaven. beam me up scottie Apr 2015 #63

Yup...some get blocked after one post.. truebrit71 Apr 2015 #69

They'll even threaten to block people based at least in part Rob H. Apr 2015 #73

I'm baited by his mere presence. nt. Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #77

I interrupted a long-anticipated family vacation AtheistCrusader Apr 2015 #67

sent money to nil desperandum Apr 2015 #68

Better yet, don't wait for a media-highlighted disaster skepticscott Apr 2015 #71

Excellent Point nil desperandum Apr 2015 #74

I certainly didn't mean that there's anything WRONG skepticscott Apr 2015 #75

No worries nil desperandum Apr 2015 #76

Are you here for legitimate dicussion? Goblinmonger Apr 2015 #72

I'm guessing, based on the sentiment expressed Rob H. Apr 2015 #79

Wasn't there some discussion that atheists donate differently to charity than christians? Novara Apr 2015 #78