Robert,Robert Tulip wrote:Prayer is a way to focus collective intentions. It depends what you pray for. I would be happy to pray in church for people to abandon their delusions and accept a scientific account of reality. But this would not reflect the earnest wishes of most Christians, and might get me kicked out the door. Often prayer is just a way of reinforcing collective psychosis, as in petitions for intervention of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Miracles are not possible, so prayers that God will act contrary to the laws of physics only reinforce a very delusory mindset.
Love the reference to "collective psychosis." Very apropos. I spend some time each day with a "spiritual practice" called A Course in Miracles. Some people call it New Age, some call it crazy. Anyway, my point here is that "miracle" is redefined. Instead of it being something extraordinary, a miracle is when things are as it should be. I read an interview with Stephen Hawking today in which he referred to "God" as "the embodiment of the laws of nature." I like that.
As always, thank you for an insightful post.