1 in 2 Americans believes prayer can fix all health problems

[tnf]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26272687/

I thought it was bad enough that a study had to be conducted to demonstrate that prayer had no effect on patients (although I think the study showed that the group receiving prayer actually did slightly worse - but just due to random variance.)

But apparently nobody really took that study to heart.

Frustrating to discuss this with people who believe it because they always can use the following logic - "if the person is healed, God was involved and the prayer worked. If they did not get better, this was God's will and our prayers helped them spiritually." It's a completely unwinnable debate/discussion (I've had the argument with family members who asked us to pray for someone and I replied "why - do you really think it will do a damn thing other than make the people praying feel better about themselves?")

I was channel surfing this morning and happened across a televangelist on the BET network offering free 'mircale mana' bread to people - bread he made with a recipe from the bible and blessed. the program showed this guy (peter pofoff) at several different gatherings of people (almost exclusively black crowds, looked like they all came to see him at various convention centers at hotels). They were saying how they touched/ate/slept with/rubbed/fucked the miracle mana and the next day got shit like checks for 1,000,000 dollars in the mail or suddenly sprouted new legs or grew a second dick or whatever. This show was followed up with another guy who called himself the man of god and would randomly break into jibberish (tongues) while speaking and was offering a "miracle golden key" that he woudl send to you to pray over. This golden key was supposed to unlock riches for you. Another guy was offering a miracle green napkin or something that people were to cover their afflictions with while they prayed. Don't know why I watched this long, I think it was morbid curiousity and outright amazement that there are people in the world this fucking dumb.
here the guy is offering his miracle water:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCbADp9Xh4A

here's a youtube about the miracle mana:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfFsdZlM ... re=related

Order some for free and see if it helps you!

[GONNAFISTYA]

Yeah...I read that earlier and thought of posting it in the "coming out" thread but I figured you guys were sick of me shitting on Muricuh.

[Fender]

http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/

[mrd]

They were saying how they touched/ate/slept with/rubbed/fucked the miracle mana and the next day got shit like checks for 1,000,000 dollars in the mail or suddenly sprouted new legs or grew a second dick or whatever.

Fuck, sign me up!

[andyman]

I like how Sarah Silverman said "1 out of every 3 people have aids. So look at the people to your left and right.. if they don't have it, then you do."

[newtoquake3]

lol

[DooMer]

Prayer causes health problems, for my god is a god of vengeance.

[LawL]

Oh my lulz.

[mrd]

http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/

Interesting site. I read a few chapters, guy makes some interesting points. It's interesting to note how much he stresses the same point over and over again, is this because religious people are blind to anything that isn't God and you have to say the same shit 50 times in a row for them to even realize you're talking at all?

[andyman]

http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/

Once when i was a kid I couldn't find something and I remembered my mom saying that if you pray to st. such-and-such he will guide you to what you are looking for. At this point I was already tired of looking every more than once and said 'what the hell i'll try it'.
Of course, I couldn't remember the name of the guy which made me wonder why i was even going to do this in the first place, but 'prayed' (by imagining someone in a brown robe hearing me and knowing what i was even talking about) to a bunch of st. "insert name here" type people, then sat down and waited for guidance.

I don't remember if I ever found what I was looking for but I do remember giving up after sitting for a long time

[GONNAFISTYA]

Prayer causes health problems, for my god is a god of vengeance.

Crom!!!

[Therac-25]

That's not all prayer is good for.

[andyman]

LOL $4 to $3.80... yeah way to go god, is that the best you can do?

[ForM]

I got one thing to say about God.....


I fucked him. Cause thats how I roll.

Best peace O' ass I 'eva had.

[tnf]

pics or it didn't happen.

[Peenyuh]

Yeah...I read that earlier and thought of posting it in the "coming out" thread but I figured you guys were sick of me shitting on Muricuh.

Not at all. Proceed.

[Ryoki]

Is there someting like relicide? If not, it should be invented, quick quick.

[werldhed]

My favorite argument people make is when you point out studies like the one tnf mentioned, and they reply, "god didn't heal those people because he is angry that you were testing him."

Also, andyman, that would be St. Anthony. I know some folks who use that prayer, too.

[Tsakali]

hmm, the st. we call upon for lost stuff in greece is completely different, I guess st. Anthony's jurisdiction is only the western hemisphere.

[Grudge]

Greece is orthodox, right? Western hemisphere is mostly catholic (shitload of saints) or protestant (no saints).

[Tsakali]

correct. but you still have to wonder when the split happened between the two churches and the comic value of how they have a St. for the exact same thing with diff. background story to him as well I bet.

For instance our St. has a 3 day guaranty else you get a free ipod.

[seremtan]

hmm, the st. we call upon for lost stuff in greece is completely different, I guess st. Anthony's jurisdiction is only the western hemisphere.

do you live on the mainland or one of the islands? (or neither)

[andyman]

perhaps this st. anthony is a victim of identity theft...

[Tsakali]

hmm, the st. we call upon for lost stuff in greece is completely different, I guess st. Anthony's jurisdiction is only the western hemisphere.

do you live on the mainland or one of the islands? (or neither)

been living in New Orleans for 17 years now