Atheists & Agnostics
Related: About this forumThe Atheist Prayer Experiment
To take part email unbelievable@premier.org.uk
You will receive further info and be sent a copy of the academic paper on which the experiment is based.
What's involved?
We are asking each atheist who wishes to take part to pray for 2 to 3 minutes a day for 40 days for God to reveal Himself to them.
We would like any reflections, reactions, or revelations (positive or negative) experienced during the experiment to be recorded by participants. This may be video/audio Journal, blog, on a dedicated Facebook page, sent in by email etc.
Any participants need to be willing to record a radio interview about their experience of the experiment, though not everyone who takes part will necessarily be asked to do this.
When?
The period of the experiment runs from Mon 17 Sep to Fri 26 Oct 2012.
Why?
The experiment is based on the paper by Oxford philosopher Tim Mawson titled Praying to Stop Being an Atheist. In it Mawson argues that, on balance, it is in the interests of those atheists who don't think it's absolutely impossible that there's a God to investigate the issue of whether or not he exists by 'the experimental method' - trying to ask him. Those interested in participating will be sent a copy of the paper.
In a recording of Unbelievable? in the autumn Justin Brierley will be joined by Tim Mawson and an atheist philosopher to discuss the Atheist Prayer Experiment and to hear the reactions from atheists who took part.
The show webpage is www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable
How/What should I pray?
The question of how an atheist should pray is an interesting one.
Tim Mawson has some suggestions in his paper: the prayer should be kept as open as possible, e.g., rather than 'God of Christianity; if you're out there, turn this water into wine for me', 'God, if you're out there, reveal yourself to me' would be better.
We only ask that anyone taking part commits themselves to finding a quiet meditative 'space' and praying there for two to three minutes each day as earnestly as they can for any God that there might be to reveal himself/herself/itself to him or her, and that he or she remains as open as possible to ways in which that prayer could be answered.
Any other Questions?
You may find they are answered in the paper you are emailed but if not feel free to email unbelievable@premier.org.uk or tim.mawson@philosophy.ox.ac.uk
http://www.premier.org.uk/atheistprayerexperiment
Umm, if God is omniscient, wouldn't he know I was interested in finding out if he exists and just let me know right now? And why 2-3 minutes of prayer a day? Am I being put on hold until he gets around to me, so only 10 seconds of prayer would be like hangin up?
(FWIW, "Unbelievable" is a rather good podcast that generally matches up well-prepared atheists and religious figures for discussions, and treats the subject matter fairly seriously. This however is kooky).
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)I've tried it several times and it doesn't seem to make any difference.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatures_of_Light_and_Darkness#The_Agnostic.27s_Prayer
brooklynite
(94,348 posts)Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)onager
(9,356 posts)Which I first heard on a History Channel show about the invasion of Sicily during WWII.
The show interviewed an elderly veteran of the (British) 1st Airborne Division who went thru some seriously dangerous combat.
He said that when things were at their worst, he prayed "the prayer of the unknown soldier:"
Oh God...if there be a god...save my soul...if I have a soul.
Despite all the crap about "no atheists in foxholes," apparently non-believing veterans do pop up now and then.
On "Great Tank Battles," I saw another British veteran of El Alamein. As he was helping sort out the dead bodies of his friends, a Chaplain came over and invited him to sing in the choir at a special Xmas service.
IIRC, the soldier told the Chaplain he was not in the mood to sing any "lies about peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)Tried it 30+ years ago as a teenager. I would expect the same (non) result now.
mr blur
(7,753 posts)Words fail me.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)to pray? I thought that we were supposed to make great shows of our prayers, preferably in school, at our political functions, and in big stadiums with Billy Graham. WTF.
brooklynite
(94,348 posts)Stiff upper lip and all that.
onager
(9,356 posts)RebelOne
(30,947 posts)brooklynite
(94,348 posts)Exultant Democracy
(6,594 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)is two hours of your life you will never get back. No thanks.
mr blur
(7,753 posts)to stick used postage stamps in an album for just three minutes a day for 40 days.
Let's see if there really is anything to this Stamp Collecting business!
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)It doesn't work. If there are gods they don't give a shit.
Iggo
(47,534 posts)dmallind
(10,437 posts)While we may wish it were not so, there is nothing about atheism per se that necessarily makes you less gullible and less prone to seeing false patterns. No doubt some people trying this will come across some fortunate event in their lives in the same period - a new job or girlfriend, a pay increase or gambling win. Some of them will buy into the mysterious ways shell game and see some "revelation". None will assume it was Cthulu or Zeus or Quetzalcoatl who helped them out however, as the organizers know full well.
frogmarch
(12,153 posts)when I was a kid. Every time she fried liver, I gagged and ran out of the house. The stench of liver frying was overwhelming to me, but Mom continued to try to convince me I'd like the taste of it if I just ignored the smell.
Same thing.
ShadowLiberal
(2,237 posts)Plus, what if Islam is the correct religion? Islam says that Muhammad was the final prophet, meaning if Islam is the correct religion then Allah/God won't answer you anyway.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)My husband called me tonight and said he got a deal to up our speed.
Coincidence? I think not.
Seriously, though, a load of unmitigated crap.
Heddi
(18,312 posts)Well, I'm sure ya'll are aware of the fun that happened this weekend in META. I asked for that to happen. And now I'm being ignored by two, count 'em TWO star members. SO there's that, too.
I have asked to grow a 2nd thumb, so I'll let you know how that's going
michael811
(67 posts)If you can't feel the presence of god its because you weren't sincere or worthy enough or whatever.
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)Unitarians pray to "Whom it may concern".
Yep, that's my bunch of heathens, agnostics, pagans, atheists and the generally baffled.