As a lifelong non-believer;

I find the whole concept of this article offensive. As to the results, all I can think of is a big; DUHHHHHHH!

Power of prayer flunks an unusual test
Large study had Christians pray for heart-surgery patients

NEW YORK - In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that having people pray for heart bypass surgery patients had no effect on their recovery. In fact, patients who knew they were being prayed for had a slightly higher rate of complications.

Researchers emphasized that their work can't address whether God exists or answers prayers made on another's behalf. The study can only look for an effect from prayers offered as part of the research, they said.

They also said they had no explanation for the higher complication rate in patients who knew they were being prayed for, in comparison to patients who only knew it was possible prayers were being said for them.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12082681/

The only worse thing I could think of is that some fool may try using tax dollars in the next test case. Hell, if it worked, I'd pray for hitler to be agent oranged!

control group that sacrificed chickens

It's foolishness at its most basic level. If this "God" fellow exists, then he's omnipotent, so he can foul up the results of the test however he likes. Therefore it's inherently non-falsifiable, so it's of zero scientific value.

What about the 12 miners who died at the beginning of the year in West Virginia? Wasn't the whole freaking country praying for them? Didn't do them any good.

thus spake morrison