Re: [asa] The God hypothesis- a test

Hi Bernie,

"Test: Take two groups. One group has self-identified born-again
Christians, the other are self-described atheists. Both groups
write-down their goals (career, medical needs, etc.) The Christian prays
for their needs, while the atheist doesn't. Then see if there is a
statistical difference. (This is a broad outline; a real test would
have much tighter rules and controls.)"

One of the things I have learned about prayer as I have matured is this:
prayer is not about getting God to do your will. It's about finding peace
and solace in God's will. It's not what you get; it's whether you grow.

-Mike Gene

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dehler, Bernie" <bernie.dehler@intel.com>
To: <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 1:24 AM
Subject: [asa] The God hypothesis- a test

> Hi all-
>
> A scientific question about God. Is it possible to test for the
> existence of the Christian God? Here's a scenario.
>
> Hypothesis: Those who are born-again Christians are born of the Spirit
> and have a new relationship with God. They can pray to God, and God
> will sometimes answer their prayers.
>
> Test: Take two groups. One group has self-identified born-again
> Christians, the other are self-described atheists. Both groups
> write-down their goals (career, medical needs, etc.) The Christian prays
> for their needs, while the atheist doesn't. Then see if there is a
> statistical difference. (This is a broad outline; a real test would
> have much tighter rules and controls.)
>
> If God exists, wouldn't this "catch Him in the act?" Is this a valid
> test and hypothesis? I'm vaguely aware that some have actually tried
> such a hypothesis/test (similar) and saw no statistical difference. If
> there's no difference between the groups, does that mean that either God
> doesn't exist, or God doesn't care (as Jesus taught that God our father
> cares for us)?
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
> "unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG.
> Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1432 - Release Date:
> 5/14/2008 7:49 AM
>

To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
"unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
Received on Fri May 16 11:42:08 2008