01 April 2006

Medical Science vs. Prayer

In six U.S. hospitals, researchers involved in the Study of Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) analyzed the healing effects of third-party prayer—in which individuals pray for a stranger whom they have never met.

Daily prayers by three Christian groups began on the eve of the patients’ surgeries and lasted for two weeks.

In the 30 days following bypass surgery, doctors found that prayer had no positive effect on rates of postoperative complications. In fact, complication rates in the first two groups—the ones that didn't know whether they were receiving prayer—were nearly identical.


[Time…]

There is nothing magic or supernatural about prayer. Prayer offers comfort. Some people pray, some meditate, some play sports, some paint, some drink. It’s all the same, whether one wants to believe it or not. Prayer is hot home-cooked meal for the psyche when it's cold outside.

If you want to feel better, prayer is an option. If you actually want to get better, medical science is the only option.

3 comments:

steve-o said...

Interesting thoughts. I offer an opposing view here.

WestEnder said...

Welcome Flat Earth Society members!

Ryan said...

I agree. More can be done with medical technology and science than wasting time praying that something will magically fix itself.