General Discussion

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)

116. While I agree that vibes are useless

Mon Apr 27, 2015, 02:13 PM

Apr 2015

I would offer to you that some studies in evidence based medicine have found prayer to have an actual placebo effect

https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2007/186/10/prayer-medicine-how-much-have-we-learned

Some have found it to have none.

In the environment of a quake on the other side of the world, if the OP gives money to a charity actually doing work on the ground, a prayer will not be wasted effort. Why? Unless you are getting on an actual plane to go help... physically.

It takes just as long as donating money though.

And for religious folks, mind you, I know exactly where I lost mine. it is something else they do.

So vibes, jury is out as to the placebo effect, but money, just make sure you donate to a charity that will actually use money in the field.

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This message was self-deleted by its author [View all] G_j Apr 2015 OP

Praying for them. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #1

Vibes applegrove Apr 2015 #2

. and setup a gofundme account or something Liberal_in_LA Apr 2015 #3

... shenmue Apr 2015 #4

... Mnemosyne Apr 2015 #5

... scarletwoman Apr 2015 #6

God works in mysterious ways. It is not for us to know, or question. blkmusclmachine Apr 2015 #7

Yep, so mysterious that EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #14

On this thread you wrote that? Wow! yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #201

How is that incorrect? Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #208

Well I don't know and I am not sure if their is a God or not yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #210

It seems weird to tell people to pray for Nepal, Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #213

believers have to put up with constant attacks on believers in GD el_bryanto Apr 2015 #214

Well I don't disagree but there is a religion group yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #216

The whole "God works in mysterious ways" is incredibly insulting EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #221

You forgot the Sarcasm smiley. At least I hope you did. mr blur Apr 2015 #15

If this is how he works, he is a malevolent bastard. alarimer Apr 2015 #51

Seriously? phil89 Apr 2015 #61

So he just got bored, hey Moses, watch this... snooper2 Apr 2015 #99

That is just fucking creepy... Oktober Apr 2015 #105

We are only sure that if there is a god, it is not moral. Or it is not all powerful. PassingFair Apr 2015 #183

Question HassleCat Apr 2015 #186

... MissDeeds Apr 2015 #8

k&r, twitter hashtag link bananas Apr 2015 #9

thank you nt G_j Apr 2015 #10

#PrayForNepal erroltiozon Apr 2015 #11

And what do you think that's going to do for them, exactly? Ron Obvious Apr 2015 #12

But a hashtag and a gofundme or a shirt would make ME feel better NightWatcher Apr 2015 #13

You are not alone. A "friend" on FB (yes, I proudly use FB) ScreamingMeemie Apr 2015 #16

Springsteen's life built on foundation of giving -- quietly G_j Apr 2015 #18

I have no beef with what Bruce gives quietly... I have a beef with star-studded "caring..." ScreamingMeemie Apr 2015 #19

I get what you are saying G_j Apr 2015 #24

I believe I brought up "Bono/Bruce Springsteen/Heidi Klum/insert name of other celebrity looking to" ScreamingMeemie Apr 2015 #26

It is a pound sign damn it! Kudos to your dad! (nt) LostOne4Ever Apr 2015 #33

I admit, I was at a gaming convention all weekend nadinbrzezinski Apr 2015 #79

I don't think the one denies the other. LanternWaste Apr 2015 #96

Your welcome to skip this thread but you purposely yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #204

It's a simple enough question and I'd appreciate an answer to it. Ron Obvious Apr 2015 #224

Continued prayers for the victims and the dead. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #17

Instead of praying, why not write a check and do something that actually helps? EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #20

We can do both. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #21

The OP didn't ask for both EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #22

True but my statement is also true. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #23

I didn't reply to you EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #25

ok. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #27

Yep EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #28

But i am allowed to respond to you. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #29

Didn't say you couldn't EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #31

Shitting in the thread is very helpful. pintobean Apr 2015 #36

If you notice, I posted links to groups that would actually help EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #37

Yes, you're so helpful. pintobean Apr 2015 #38

It's ironic that you have such disdain for my post EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #39

The OP is a person of faith pintobean Apr 2015 #41

I think it does do harm, thus my post EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #43

Pffft pintobean Apr 2015 #44

I didn't say that religious organizations weren't going to assist EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #46

Oh bullshit. Document the harm, other than to your sensibilities. rug Apr 2015 #67

I like to pretend I have absolute knowledge of all relevant actions taken by other people too. LanternWaste Apr 2015 #98

Not for you to dictate or decide. yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #206

actually, I wouldn't call myself that. G_j Apr 2015 #70

There is a special place here on DU were the sensitive faithful can brag Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #122

The forum hosts seem to say otherwise. pintobean Apr 2015 #128

The "please help us pray" people are, mr. beano. Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #129

The thread has been up since Saturday. pintobean Apr 2015 #131

Interestingly it is precisely as effective as prayer... truebrit71 Apr 2015 #112

Without material works, like donations of time or money, the thread wasn't helpful anyway. AtheistCrusader Apr 2015 #119

And you didn't start an OP at all on Nepal. rug Apr 2015 #66

That link came 4 hours after pintobean Apr 2015 #69

No tragedy too small to advance an agenda. rug Apr 2015 #72

Hello pot, meet kettle... truebrit71 Apr 2015 #77

You know all about that. Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #88

If you mean I've read yours and others's responses, yeah, I've seen plenty. rug Apr 2015 #89

The one doesn't deny the other. LanternWaste Apr 2015 #97

here is a thread with link to many reliable and reputable place to donate uppityperson Apr 2015 #189

Done EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #223

K & R !!! WillyT Apr 2015 #30

Or, do something that actually makes a difference... SidDithers Apr 2015 #32

Absolutely. Yorktown Apr 2015 #35

+1 octoberlib Apr 2015 #58

'And". rug Apr 2015 #68

"Or"...nt SidDithers Apr 2015 #75

bimary thinking leads to awkward positions. rug Apr 2015 #76

Who is "Mary"? A HERETIC I AM Apr 2015 #94

My typing teacher. rug Apr 2015 #95

How sad. A HERETIC I AM Apr 2015 #106

You have a low bar for sadness, if a typo puts you over the edge. rug Apr 2015 #107

LOL A HERETIC I AM Apr 2015 #110

Oh my perceptive abilities are just fine. rug Apr 2015 #118

I like Mercy Corps myself, but their local assets were directly impacted, so others might be AtheistCrusader Apr 2015 #120

holy shit, I agree with sid. PowerToThePeople Apr 2015 #197

Two hands working do more than ten thousand clasped in prayer. n/t A HERETIC I AM Apr 2015 #34

#wasteoffuckingtime Codeine Apr 2015 #40

^^^This^^^ truebrit71 Apr 2015 #45

Funny thing MFrohike Apr 2015 #42

And if the OP had posted links to orgs setup to help Nepal, then you'd have a point EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #48

Comedy MFrohike Apr 2015 #53

You didn't do a thing until halfway into the thread. rug Apr 2015 #71

I'm anti-religious and I donated.... truebrit71 Apr 2015 #141

Who gives a shit, even assuming the unverifiable to be true. rug Apr 2015 #143

Post removed Post removed Apr 2015 #144

Yeah, "alleged donatiom". rug Apr 2015 #145

Oh you're simple alright.... truebrit71 Apr 2015 #146

I see. A demand for evidence reduces you to Pee Wee Herman retorts. rug Apr 2015 #147

Just following your lead.... truebrit71 Apr 2015 #148

If I were stirring shit, I wouldn't be able to post any more in this thread. rug Apr 2015 #149

How do you know? Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #83

Correct MFrohike Apr 2015 #86

Actually, before I even stopped in at DU yesterday, I sent in my donation to World Vision. ScreamingMeemie Apr 2015 #108

To you, I'm sorry MFrohike Apr 2015 #135

Prayers for this heartbreaking tragedy... MoonRiver Apr 2015 #47

The hypocrisy of some criticizing the OP is mind boggling! MoonRiver Apr 2015 #49

The self anointed thought police say no. pintobean Apr 2015 #50

One of my friends has family in Kathmandu BuddhaGirl Apr 2015 #56

The hypocrisy of some criticizing the criticism of the OP is mind boggling EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #52

why should it matter to you? G_j Apr 2015 #54

Why should it matter to you? Lordquinton Apr 2015 #55

A couple of reasons EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #57

obviously you have issues about people praying G_j Apr 2015 #62

In other words, your fee-fees were hurt. rug Apr 2015 #74

+1000 smirkymonkey Apr 2015 #80

I don't pray nadinbrzezinski Apr 2015 #85

I agree with you EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2015 #222

(Except upthread you said prayer is harmful.) rug Apr 2015 #73

But ask yourself which of those two actions actually helps? truebrit71 Apr 2015 #64

When you pray you should ask your god why it caused or didn't prevent the quake in the first place. Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #87

Perhaps they were praying to the "wrong" god? truebrit71 Apr 2015 #133

I saw that! Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #150

I donated instead. Iggo Apr 2015 #59

All this over a simple call to prayer. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #60

Or you could do something useful and donate... truebrit71 Apr 2015 #63

I am not going to argue over prayer with you but yes donate. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #65

And why would a supernatural being that didn't prevent this earthquake listen to prayers? Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #82

I pray for strength to get through trials and tribulations. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #84

Is your life on the line, in this tragedy? AtheistCrusader Apr 2015 #121

How the flying fuck does that help people in nepal devastated by an earthquake? Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #123

Checked off the earthquake... Oktober Apr 2015 #103

Indeed. Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #113

Is a Prayer Circle more or less effective than individual prayer? brooklynite Apr 2015 #90

More. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #91

I see - so if I'm not lucky enough to have a GROUP pray for me, I'm more likely to suffer? brooklynite Apr 2015 #92

No. I do pray that only good things will happen. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #93

Yeah, but we can only pray to your approved list of gods/goddesses snooper2 Apr 2015 #100

Whio said that? I know I sure as hell did not! hrmjustin Apr 2015 #101

My posts and OP to the FSM God were locked and attacked snooper2 Apr 2015 #111

Because it is a parody of religion and mocking religion is not allowed in that room. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #114

Who are you to say that? truebrit71 Apr 2015 #132

Look at its origins. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #134

The very same could be said about scientology.... truebrit71 Apr 2015 #136

People can make whatever argument they like. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #137

Except for when you lock the threads, right? truebrit71 Apr 2015 #138

Well when one is in a safe haven one should remember the rules. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #139

That is pretty rich.... truebrit71 Apr 2015 #140

Oh how so? hrmjustin Apr 2015 #142

Difficult to follow the rules when you are the one interpreting them for everyone else, based cleanhippie Apr 2015 #152

I am sorry? hrmjustin Apr 2015 #153

Keep making Jesus proud. cleanhippie Apr 2015 #154

Flying spaghetti monster is a paradoy of religion. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #155

To you, perhaps. But not to those that believe in it. cleanhippie Apr 2015 #158

If you have an issue with my hosting decision you can put your complaint here; hrmjustin Apr 2015 #159

It's not your hosting decisions, it's your blatant hypocrisy and intolerance. cleanhippie Apr 2015 #160

Bye buddy! hrmjustin Apr 2015 #161

Sorry, I cannot be buddies with you, Justin. cleanhippie Apr 2015 #162

You know if you feel that I am a hypocrite and intolerant you should inform the admins. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #163

It's apparent you can't take me seriously. cleanhippie Apr 2015 #164

Show the courage of your convictions and tell skinner about your concerns about me. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #165

Have you seen the backlog in ATA? cleanhippie Apr 2015 #167

That is just making excuses Cleanhippie. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #170

lol. I see your childish taunt with one of my own. cleanhippie Apr 2015 #172

No I am challenging you to put up. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #174

! cleanhippie Apr 2015 #176

You just comfirmed what I thought. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #179

! cleanhippie Apr 2015 #181

Exactly as legitimate and ridiculous as Christianity, Islam or Judaism... Oktober Apr 2015 #175

I don't think you should presume to speak for me. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #177

They're not speaking for you, they're interpteting your actions. cleanhippie Apr 2015 #178

No one is speaking for you... Oktober Apr 2015 #185

You do realize how insulting your post is? hrmjustin Apr 2015 #187

But Justin, don't you realise that NOBODY takes you seriously? mr blur Apr 2015 #190

Why is that? Oktober Apr 2015 #191

Really? There is hope for me doesn't sound insulting? hrmjustin Apr 2015 #192

Like I said... Oktober Apr 2015 #193

Like I said... hrmjustin Apr 2015 #194

I'm OK with that... Oktober Apr 2015 #195

I have hope you will treat me with respect one day. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #196

It's part of the shtick. cleanhippie Apr 2015 #180

Perhaps it's just a part of being a tyrant or dictator? cleanhippie Apr 2015 #151

Post removed Post removed Apr 2015 #124

Do not pray nadinbrzezinski Apr 2015 #78

I would never pray to the sociopath of a deity that would cause/allow this. Arugula Latte Apr 2015 #81

... or you could do something useful Oktober Apr 2015 #102

So if someone asked for good vibes for their grandmother G_j Apr 2015 #109

They may or may not be religious... Oktober Apr 2015 #115

While I agree that vibes are useless nadinbrzezinski Apr 2015 #116

If you still insist on the absurdity of making it G_j Apr 2015 #117

The nepalese people are not requesting our prayers. Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #125

they could use is clean water, medical supplies, rescue equipment of all sorts? G_j Apr 2015 #126

How can they use your prayers? Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #127

you know someone could say a simple prayer while they are taking a dump, G_j Apr 2015 #130

Prayers are delicious Capt. Obvious Apr 2015 #104

It's interesting that the mention of prayer is so offensive to so many. nt el_bryanto Apr 2015 #156

Sad but true. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #157

It's interesting that the mention that prayer is ineffective is so offensive to many... PoutrageFatigue Apr 2015 #166

The religion group does not have atheist bashing in its sop. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #168

Are you denying that atheist-bashing occurs on a DAILY basis in that group? PoutrageFatigue Apr 2015 #169

I am not a host of the religion room. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #171

My mistake. PoutrageFatigue Apr 2015 #173

It's interesting that you didn't notice the description of some DUers as 'vermin' in a reply to you muriel_volestrangler Apr 2015 #198

No I didn't notice it. i skimmed through his post last night. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #199

It wasn't just that word, though, was it? muriel_volestrangler Apr 2015 #202

And i asked him note to do that again. hrmjustin Apr 2015 #203

Hey - it's a call out el_bryanto Apr 2015 #205

Calling DUers 'vermin' goes beyond a call out muriel_volestrangler Apr 2015 #207

Ah - I mean you are calling out HRMJustin el_bryanto Apr 2015 #209

A reply is not a 'call out' muriel_volestrangler Apr 2015 #211

So you are fine with broadbrush attacks el_bryanto Apr 2015 #212

You're assuming a lot there muriel_volestrangler Apr 2015 #215

I've been in the religion group el_bryanto Apr 2015 #182

I think you have that precisely backwards... PoutrageFatigue Apr 2015 #184

Atheists and Anti-Theists are two overlapping groups el_bryanto Apr 2015 #188

Why not slaughter a chicken? Drink its blood? Same result! nt Logical Apr 2015 #218

Or I could just religiously attack believers as a knee jerk reaction el_bryanto Apr 2015 #219

You are insulting religions that kill animals? Do you know much about different religions? nt Logical Apr 2015 #220

Recommend. nt Zorra Apr 2015 #200

If god needs prayers to help Nepal then god can fuck off..... Logical Apr 2015 #217