Power of Prayer Moments
The so-called "power of prayer" is a rather large and important construct in a number of Theist circles. It is such an important construct, that quite a number of studies have been conducted to "prove" that the "power of prayer" really works, however, a True-believing Theist would never need any study to "prove" that prayer works, because they already Know that prayer works. They Know because their own personal experience demonstrates that such is the case.
Thus, by definition, ALL studies attempt to "prove" or "disprove" to other non-True-believering Theists or maybe even Atheists or Agnostics - that "prayer works."
So here we have a situation that really involves two distinct groups with solid boundaries and two distinct groups with rather fuzzy boundaries.
One group is the True-believing Theist who Knows (Epistemologically) that prayer works. They need no studies to demonstrate this, and may actually become offended that anyone could even propose to conduct such a study, because such a study would imply that there is even a possible question as to payer working. This is a solid boundary group.
One group is the True-believing (Atheist, or Agnostic) who Knows (Epistemologically) that prayer does not work. End of story. No study could ever be constructed that would be able to control all the variables needed for a study to "prove" or "disprove" the question. This is a solid boundary group
One group is the not-so-sure-True-believing Theist who is a wanna-be True-believing Theist who wants to Know (Epistemologically) that prayer works - so that they may move from a wanna-be not-so-sure-True-believer into a True True-believing Theist. This group wants to believe that prayer works so that they may be assured that their prayers will work. Their personal experience is such that sometimes they believe that prayer works and sometimes prayer doesn't seem to work, no matter how hard they work at it. This is a fuzzy boundary group.
One group is the not-so-sure-True-believing (Atheist or Agnostic) who is a wanna-be-True-believing (Atheist or Agnostic) who wants "proof or disproof that prayer works" so that they may then become a True True-believing (Theist, Atheist, or Agnostic). This group would tend to want more than one study - and then want all studies to concur with an outcome of all of the studies collectively. This is a fuzzy boundary group.
Thus we see that only fuzzy boundary groups would or could be influenced by a study of the issue of prayer working or prayer not working.
So what makes up a fuzzy boundary group? Clearly the most striking feature is the wanna-be feature, which easily translates into a personality having weak, wishy-washy boundaries in their personal definition of Self. By definition, a fuzzy boundary group is made up of persons having a wishy-washy definition of Self-hood. This collection of wishy-washy individuals is a key feature of a fuzzy boundary group.
Assertive Atheism only works for individuals having a strong definition of Self-hood. When it comes to the question of - Does prayer work? - an Assertive Atheist is a member of the solid boundary group of True-believing Atheists who Know (Epistemologically) that pray does not work.
So let's see if there are any possible studies on the question of payer working or prayer not working that would appeal to fuzzy boundary groups.
The Power of Prayer Moments in Action (for fuzzy boundary groups)
Of primary importance in designing a study for a wanna-be audience - is the issue of Authority. Only the Highest Authority recognized by all wanna-be True-believing (Theists, Atheists, or Agnostics) would ever do - because all other authority would be either second rate or not be able to gather a consensus of opinion as to being the Highest Authority. As we note from history, fuzzy boundary groups appear to have a great need for an Authority figure that contributes a sense of Self-hood to individual members of a fuzzy boundary group.
Another criteria is that of Objectivity. Only an Objective study would have any credence with any audience (fuzzy boundary or solid boundary) - because of the fear that someone, somewhere, could/would prove that the study has Bias.
A third criteria would be that of Impartiality - from the initial design of the study through the completion of the study. Impartiality, by definition, implies that the outcome of the study could not be known prior to the completion of the analysis of the study.
Another criteria would be that of Unambiguousness of the results of the study. By definition, the study needs to be designed in such a way that the outcome of the study is not ambiguous.
There are probably a number of criteria that we have missed in the above list of four, however, these four criteria are sufficient for the remainder of our discussion in designing a study that would address the issue of the Power of Prayer for fuzzy boundary groups.
Now, let's give a brief look at any and all designers involved in designing a study on the issue of the Power of Prayer for Fuzzy Boundary Groups. Remember, that we noted earlier that only Fuzzy Boundary Groups could or would be influenced by any Power of Prayer study.
We also noted earlier that a True-believing Theist who Knows (Epistemologically) that prayer works (being a member of a solid boundary group), would most likely be offended by the vary idea of a study about the question of the Power of Prayer working. It would be rather unlikely that such a person would take part in designing such a study.
Likewise, we noted earlier that a True-believing Atheist who Knows (Epistemologically) that prayer does not work (being a member of a of a solid boundary group), would most would also not want to take part in a fruitless study directed at examining the question of the Power of Prayer working.
Thus, the ONLY designers left to design a study of the Power of Prayer - intended to influence wishy-washy individuals of fuzzy boundary groups - are themselves wishy-washy individuals who are members of fuzzy boundary groups. Truly, the blind leading the blind!
This is Important
Throughout history, there have been a number of studies conducted in the area of proving/disproving the Power of Prayer. We do not believe that ANY of these various studies meet the minimum four criteria for a study indicated in the section above.
We also believe that ALL of the studies to date have been designed by wishy-washy individuals who are members of fuzzy boundary groups - dedicated to influencing other wishy-washy individuals of fuzzy boundary groups.
There is no problem with any of this if the funding for the studies conducted within the boundaries of the United States of America is 100% private money.
However, when government, tax-payer money is involved in the funding of wishy-washy studies dealing with the Power of Prayer, designed by wishy-washy designers - to influence wishy-washy consumers - THERE IS A PROBLEM. Clearly, there is a violation of the separation of Church and State - and the misappropriation of tax-payers' money.
Assertive Atheist Moments is dedicated to rooting out all misappropriation of tax-payer money that fund Bogus Power of Prayer studies. Please let us know of any and all studies that you are aware of - so that collectively - we can make America the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Yes We Can.