I totally agree. In fact, what I would like to say to someone who might want to say a prayer for me is "Please don't".........

Similarly, in a recent British TV program called "The Root of all Evil," host Richard Dawkins discussed Lourdes, home of the largest Catholic pilgrimage location in France. It was here in 1858 that the Virgin Mary is claimed to have appeared to a 14 year-old girl, and a shrine subsequently established.

Of the estimated 200 million people who have visited the shrine since its inception, the Church has "recognized" 67 miracle healings. Dawkins points out that these cases are statistically equivalent to what is expected by chance alone. He further notes that in none of the recognized cures did missing limbs regenerate, or damaged organs reform.

Perhaps this would be a good time to mention a misunderstood thing: cause and effect.

Many people think that "chance" rules their life - and it doesn't.

A car running through a red light is the cause and hitting you is the effect. The fact that it happened to you instead of someone else or nobody at all? That's pure chance. There's no way to completely eliminate risk in your life, so you do the best you can and quit worrying about it, which is harder for some people than others. I was thinking of the kids who are obese from sitting in front of the TV all the time, eating junk food. There is a park right across the street, but their parents won't let them go play there with the neighborhood kids, because they think their kid will get hit by a car when they cross the street, or a pedophile might be lurking by the park, waiting to kidnap them. Never mind that the kid's risk of health problems stemming from obesity are much greater!

Another act to think about: When Popes are on their death-beds, literally millions of devout people pray for them. And yet, folks, 100% of Popes die anyway.

Pirate Jo speaks the truth. So much of our existence is dictated by blind, random, stupid luck. The most important moments in life depend on pinpoint timing -- where you are, and precisely when. A tenth of a second can be the difference between a life-ending car crash and an angry swerve, or between meeting and missing a potential soulmate. Or, as we saw in the "Miracle Lane" article, between having good enough oxygen for a chance at survival, and not having it.

But sadly, most people would rather ascribe this to the influence of some almighty being.

The power of prayer HAS indeed been proven over the centuries. By leading prayers for the flock every Sunday, con men in suits and robes (sometimes with funny hats, too!) can become flush with mucho cash that is also tax free! Jesus Christ! What a scam!

Well, Amy, obviously you've never watched the 700 Club! Pat Robertson heals sick people all the time. He and some friends will close their eyes and start saying stuff like, "There's a woman in California who's just been healed of lung cancer... a man in Maine has just been healed of pneumonia..."

What do you mean, you don't believe him???? That's a man of God talking, sinner! Repent now or face eternal wrath!

> When people say their prayers are
> with you, they mean well

Hey, that ought to count for something. seriously.

Be nice to people.

Ah, but I bet this study didn't control for the "naughty and nice factor." If you pray for someone evil and they drop dead, well, that just doesn't count...