Templeton just announced a new study on the effects of prayer on those who do the praying . Above is part of the blurb. But, as you can see, they also suggest testing for the effects of intercessory prayer on those prayed for , on the other hand, is a scientific and theological 'dead end'. In fact, the effects of prayer on others can be scientifically investigated. Indeed, it has been. In a huge Templeton funded study! In 2006 Harvard professor He rbert Benson performed a "Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP)" It used 1,802 coronary artery bypass surgery patients at six hospitals. Using double-blind protocols, patients were randomized into three groups. The members of the experimental and control Groups 1 and 2 were informed they might or might not receive prayers, and only Group 1 received prayers. Group 3, which served as a test for possible psychosomatic effects, was informed they would receive prayers
Stephen Law is a philosopher and author. Currently Director of Philosophy and Cert HE at Oxford University Department of Continuing Education. Stephen has also published many popular books including The Philosophy Gym, The Complete Philosophy Files, and Believing Bullshit. For school talks/ media: stephenlaw4schools.blogspot.co.uk Email: think-AT-royalinstitutephilosophy.org