I always thought that was a reasonable connection, but I find folks get hot and bothered when you mention that...
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Benefits of Prayer
- Thread starter Kenny
- Start date
I always thought that was a reasonable connection, but I find folks get hot and bothered when you mention that...
stvdv
Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
Very true,
Those work miraculously well to relieve stress
As I mentioned before (and included in the study) - apparently prayers work with other faiths too.
Your quote reminded me of a class on the literary value of the KJV that I took in college. Being a Christian is not required to appreciate the literary value of the KJV.
I suppose you can have your definition... no problem with me. Not sure how that applies to the thread.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
Yes, but what are your thoughts on that?
that they help and are a benefit?
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
But shouldn't prayers from a true religion be more effective than prayers from a false religion?
Sand Dancer
Crazy Cat Lady
Anything that calms people is a positive. Prayer, meditation, yoga, chanting, etc calm the mind, increase focus and well being. Any opposition is probably due to some groups thinking the positive is a supernatural entity making things happen. I don't think giving those groups with that attitude an inch would be helpful. Then there are conservative Christians who are against kids doing yoga and meditation in schools because it's "evil," but prayer to their deity is just hunky-dory.
Sand Dancer
Crazy Cat Lady
There are also studies showing that people in the hospital being prayed for do worse because they think it must be serious if people are praying. Just depends on the source. But in general, those who are connected with any type of community do better. These folks are just healthier.
Spirit of Light
Be who ever you want
Prayer worked for me so yes it is has given me hope, happiness, calmness and less stress for sure
Magic and prayer are pretty much the same thing
Good I'm not the only one with this mindset.
Heyo
Veteran Member
First, I have said in the past that prayer "works" - just not in a way most believers believe it does. Prayers induce states of mind not unlike to meditation. I have no problem believing the results of the study.
Second, which study? You didn't link to one and neither did the article. It even mentions multiple studies and (cherry-)picks certain results. So, I can't even oppose the study(s) because there is none. But I question the journalistic practice of the article (and Huff Post in general). We don't even know the journal(s) in which the studies appeared.
The impetus for this critique is to show that one has to be vigilant even (and especially) when the source agrees with previous held beliefs.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Guitar's Cry
Disciple of Pan
Absolutely. I would say the same, though I tend to lump most creative endeavors here: playing guitar or painting has a similar effect to meditation/prayer/ritual.
What true or false religion? Many rivers lead to the ocean. If your goal is the ocean, some might be faster rivers, some might have more serious waterfalls but all lead to the ocean.
As far as prayer=magic goes, prayer is not necessarily about asking. "Allah hu Akbar", "Shema Yisrael, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad" and "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" is not asking but praising.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
Even the Jim Jones and Heaven's Gate rivers?
metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
I don't believe that God is going to change things for me just because I want God to, but one can find great solace through worship and meditation, which may help them spiritually, psychologically, and physically.
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I certainly believe this to be true. My curiosity pushes me to ask, "Why is this true?" What, exactly, is occurring? What in all that processes of worship and meditation are the efficacious elements? Do results vary between denominations/category of religion? Are there non-religious belief systems or activities that produce the same or similar results?
Do you think others will look at the headline of the story and, either consciously or subconsciously, automatically see it as a confirmation of the existence of their religious entity, or as an example of that religious entity's active participation in the lives of human beings? Is there an assumption that the same entity is involved in all such cases? Are such assumptions valid?