Comment: Playing God With Religion

I am not a religious person, indeed most of my friends, including my church going fiancée, would describe me as a sort of Unorthodox Agnostic.

I remember the stories, the Biblical picture books from my childhood - and that's about all. However, I have always respected the beliefs of others.

As a 12 year old wannabe rebel, I was caned in school for daring to ask the Religious Instruction teacher why, in a non denominational, multi-cultural school, it was called "Religious Instruction."

I thought it a valid question as all that was taught was the Christian platform. Bad luck about the religion of the rest of my classmates. What you get here lad is Christian, like it or lump it.

I knew what would happen; old Mr Cox had that sort of reputation. Always ready with his metal tipped cane to chasten any unbeliever with the self righteous vindictiveness so often associated with individuals or organisations that use the word, "Christian" to promote their own inflexible agendas. Perhaps "flexible" isn't a good word, as our RI class sure did a lot of bending!

The experience did not turn me against religion, nor did it harden me. I knew that he, like certain types of individuals from other religions, did not represent those who truly believe. The ones who believe with their hearts. The ones who feel the need for comfort, guidance and solace but who do not feel the need to shout their belief from every pulpit, soap box and lectern they can find.

There are times in our lives, when we all need something. Something that can not be defined, purchased, begged, stolen or borrowed. A belief in something, even if we do not know what it is, or how to find it.

Not everyone feels that way apparently.

The British medical weekly The Lancet, reports that U.S.doctors claim that praying for people who are facing heart surgery does not raise their chances of a cure or of avoiding death.

The study involved 748 patients with coronary artery disease who were about to undergo cardiac or arterial treatment, being split into two groups.The first group had prayers said for them at a distance by Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others; the second one had no prayers said for them.

At a six-month follow-up check, there was no significant difference in the outcome between the prayer and no prayer groups, in terms of mortality, the number of heart attacks or readmissions to hospital.

In other words, the doctors have effectively taken it upon themselves to say, "sorry mate, your prayers mean bugger all."

Back in 1991 I underwent chemotherapy and a number of people prayed for me - even though they knew I was not religious. I was touched by their prayers, their kindness. Their willingness to use their beliefs to help me, a man largely without belief.

A few months ago I was in hospital with a life threatening condition. My fiancée and friends prayed again - and with the doctors I had, I needed all the help I could get!

I do not know if it helped. I do not know if it made any difference. I do know however, that people loved and cared enough to put in a good word for me with their God, whoever or whatever that God may have been. I beat two serious illnesses, knowing and feeling the love of those people.

What right do white coated Demi-Gods have, to say that praying makes no difference? Who are they to try to clinically and coldly dismiss what is in the hearts and souls of people who love and care - things they can not see, feel, touch or apparently, even understand.

Perhaps more to the point is why? No doubt a great deal of money was spent on this study, yet I fail to see any potential benefit.

No doubt many "boffins" would laugh at the question I find myself asking. Wouldn't it have been better to put that time and money into a study that had the potential to achieve a more tangible and practical outcome?

I know this sounds silly, but something like saving lives or easing suffering perhaps. I know, a simplistic question from a layman who fails to see the obvious benefit in telling us that prayers mean very little.

Beating and recovering from a serious illness is not just a matter of a few needles stuck in your arm or bum, a few things taken out here or there, and a whole bunch of pills popped. You have to believe in your ability to beat the damn thing as well. So too, do your loved ones.

The study was led by Mitchell Krucoff of the Duke University Medical Centre in North Carolina.

Kruckoff is Director of the MANTRA Study Project examining the impact of noetic therapies—including intercessory prayer, music, imagery and touch therapy—on patients with heart disease. He is lead author of the MANTRA pilot study, published in the American Heart Journal in 2001, and of the phase II MANTRA study, the first multicenter study of prayer ever reported.

The Guv'nor