Doesn't this strike you as slightly blasphemous?

No.

But I question the methodology of the study.


They randomly assigned them to one of three groups: about 600 were told that they might be prayed for but were not; 600 were told that they might be prayed for and were; and another 600 were prayed for and knew about it.

Where is the reference sample, i.e., the people for whom no prayer nor mention of prayer was made?

Where is the group that was prayed for but no mention of prayer was made?

Prayer is highly valued by many people, says Sloan, and there is no need for scientists to empirically prove whether or not it works. "It's demeaning of the religious experience."

In other words, "My mind is made up, don't confuse me with facts."

tanstaafl.