I sometimes think about what "prayer" really is. If it is petitioning a higher power to intercede on our behalf, then of course that is delusional. And often self-centered and silly. But I sometimes find myself in a state where I am not consciously thinking about anything. Some may call it meditation or self hypnosis or whatever. But in those times, unclouded by by any expectation, I feel a sense of well being. Is that something that can be called prayer? I also think our bodies have a natural ability to heal if we don't interfere. Of course not for severe injury or illness, but for common ailments just letting your immune system do its thing is sufficient. And if "prayer" helps you do that, fine. But the line is crossed when prayer is a substitute for genuine caring, or action. Or when the sick are told that they deserve their illness as part of a supreme being's plan or as punishment.

Well .

I love LOVE this quote from George Carlin:

“I've begun worshipping the sun for a number of reasons. First of all, unlike some other gods I could mention, I can see the sun. It's there for me every day. And the things it brings me are quite apparent all the time: heat, light, food, and a lovely day. There's no mystery, no one asks for money, I don't have to dress up, and there's no boring pageantry. And interestingly enough, I have found that the prayers I offer to the sun and the prayers I formerly offered to 'God' are all answered at about the same 50% rate.”

Nothing fails like prayer. However, maybe you were not holding your tongue right inside your mouth or not holding your breath correctly. Perhaps you should try to fart but not fully. Beware of trying too hard.

Tots and pears for all!

Do they feel the same way about voo doo? I bet they don't.

As Annie Laurie Gaylor of FFRF says, "Nothing fails like prayer". This has been my experience with "prayer" and have to say I agree with Ms. Gaylor.

There is no evidence that prayer changes anything. There is plenty of evidence that prayer changes nothing. You cannot prove that unicorns do not exist. This person does not understand the scientific method.

So far Ricky's observation has worked for me. No vampires yet!

Or perhaps people making an effort to be better would make this world a bit better.

Clearly their god has had a tremendous amount of time to make the world a bit better and has not seen fit to do so. Perhaps he's asleep or on the shitter? (I'm just using the same argument Elijah taunted the priests of Ba'al with when Ba'al didn't answer their petitions).

I find it sad that people resort to prayer to try to make the world a bit better. Surely it would be more effective for them to roll up their sleeves and dedicate time and effort to helping the homeless.

It is just another "god of the gaps" argument. We don't know why, therefore "god did it". Since we don't know why, it would be just a logical to say "fairies with pixie dust did it" or "the agent who coded the simulation that we live in decided to change the code did it". People will believe what they believe.