The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the federal government has spent almost a billion and a half dollars to explore politically popular but scientifically dubious claims such as $666,000 to determine if distant prayer could heal AIDS. It didn’t. I would be interested in how this was tested. I cannot get the image of Lyn Cassady praying at a goat in a secret military lab.
We have followed tragic cases where prayer was advocated as a better avenue than medication for AIDS and other ailments. However, that did not stop the funding of research into the question by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health. NCCAM also spent $374,000 to determine whether inhaling lemon and lavender scents can heal wounds. It couldn’t.
From coffee enemas to massages as a cancer treatment, the NCCAM pursued an array of dubious projects. One billion dollars could go a lot further in pursuing real science. I understand that many believe many citizens believe that prayer and laying of hands can heal the sick. However, such beliefs remain personal and should not be funded as a public project.
Now, “Men Who Stare At Goats” . . . that is worth an investment.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Gene, in my mind the prayer cannot be objectively a correlation or causation with the outcome.
(I do not know if you read my click, no prayer, not religious,not a hypnotherapist at the time, and to date, they do not do hypnosis the way it happened for me – just an anecdote though. That being said I do believe that Miracles, big and little happen every single day. We just do not look at them as that but coincidences – not all coincidences are Miracles, not all Miracles, coincidental, I see I could try to explain my thought process on this for too long a time so I’ll stop here. ((*_*))
I agree with you as to positive attitude and prayer falling into that category.
carol,
Correlation is not causation. Unlike hypnotherapy – which has some science behind its mechanics – the idea of “prayer” helping a disease or physical injury would require (assuming it could/would work) some highly improbable quantum entanglements. Highly improbable to the verge of impossible. All the studies I’ve seen on the matter show that prayer can have a positive effect on the “pray-or” themselves, but no more so than any other method by which a patient keeps a positive mental attitude about their situation.
Supposedly other studies have shown distant prayer can help, even when the person for whom prayers being said was unaware of it. Too many intervening factors to determine it helped. I am a certified hypnotherapist so I do believe in some of the alternate complemenatry, not all, and not even a lot of it) but this is such a colossal waste of our taxpayer dollars. Makes the toilet seat fiasco seem cheap by comparison.
(Angryman you might want to read about my experience
http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Believe-In-Miracles/222139
I was given a Miracle and my doctors call it such. )
Frankly —
The long ending of Mark, which you quoted, is not found in the oldest and the more reliable manuscripts. Many scholars believe that the last page of of Mark’s gospel was lost and a later copyist added his own ending to tidy things up.
It would be remarkably bad form to base any theological precept solely on these verses
However, having written the above certainly marks me for damnation in some believers’ estimation.
– John Maynard Keynes
Are there objections to Keynesian stimulus spending now? Even if it’s stimulative to scientists in the health care sector?
What part of Keynes theory don’t people understand?
AMS — “I don’t believe that prayer will heal the sick or the crippled. i don’t believe that God takes a hand in our lives like that.”
I pretty much agree with AMS. In some instances, however, good morale and determined attitude by the patient contributes to recovery. In such cases, personal contact of an encouraging nature may be beneficial. Visitation helps, and where the sick already has a faith system, THE ACT OF PRAYING in that person’s presence is but another form of encouragement.
The long distance stuff is pretty much hooey
Mark 16
15 He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
So its not people demanding He act as they want him to, it appears as if He said he would do this. The total lack of verifiable evidence could be taken as a sign there are no believers.
I’m curious if they followed good procedures and had a control group where they asked the families not to pray for divine intercession.
>angrymanspeaks
Very well said.
If the Iranians block the Strait of Hormuz as they say, there will be a time of more prayer than usual, on both sides of the disaster that will ensue.
I feel like i have stepped into some sort of fantasy world where…ooooh look! A piece of candy.
i believe in the power of prayer to bring one into a closer relationship with God.
I believe it has the power to help us make decisions based on right and wrong if we allow it to.
I don’t believe that prayer will heal the sick or the crippled. i don’t believe that God takes a hand in our lives like that.
This world is a test of our faith. Just as God allowed Job to be tested and did not come to his rescue he will not come to ours.
We shouldn’t want him to. if God tests you and then has to save you so that you don’t have to finish the test; of what value is the test?
That would be an admission of your lack of faith. Faith that God will reward your long-suffering with eternal life. Faith that he knows what is best for us even if that means we suffer.
God isn’t some sort of Genie who grants wishes when you rub his bottle.
People are forever trying to make God do what they think they need him to.
Or convince us that he might.
Interesting view of God. That he should obey us rather than the other way around.
Can anyone say pork.
I will pray for the cure for AIDS and charge the taxpayers a couple of thousand less! 🙂
AY,
I’ve looked up several words and tried to research some of the different translations of passages, even looking into the apocryphal texts of the old testament like giants found in the dead sea scrolls . But whether its the meaning of Satan, the name Lucifer, or however the story is used to describe the beast, the story remains the same. Jesus was saying not to try and tempt God to see what he’s capable of for the sake of it. While not the same as throwing yourself off a mountain, paying over half a million for something that can be done for free is in the same vein. Its somewhat illogical to test prayer while doing something that would likely displease the one you’re praying to.
CP7,
Point taken… But have you ever looked up the definition of words that are commonly used such as Satan? If you take this one all the way back to its roots, you’ll find it means adverse…opposing is one word for it as well…
$666K? are they trying to counteract their own prayer? http://jonathanturley.org/2011/11/21/the-devil-came-down-to-georgia-christian-challenges-termination-after-refusing-to-wear-sticker-with re-number-666/
At any rate theyd be wise to remember Jesus quote to Satan, thy shalt not tempt the lord they God, and stop wasting taxpayer money. People will pray for the victims of Aids regardless. I dont know what this is a front for but the govt research grants going to random contractors with hair brained schemes is what really needs oversight. You have the entire GOP screaming for reduction of spending but as soon as its pulled from the biggest spender, the military they go Michelle Batshit Crazy. Lol
Calling Michelle Batshit Crazy… The government needs your prayers…
There is not a man nor woman in Congress who would flinch at spending hard earned tax dollars for laxatives such as prayer, whether in school, or otherwise.
Senator Grassley was just whining before Congress the other day that NCCAM was not approving enough alternative treatments. The fact that when tested the treatments failed to show any actual value never entered into his thinking. The loonies are taking over the government.
allow me to answer a more in depth question. Can remote or localised prayer or contact prayer heal any predominantly physical malady? No. Please make your cheque for $666,000 payable to D Fox CEO of the Real Answers to Stupid Questions Institute.
Have you read “We Meant Well”?
This is about par.