[loser]

I choose not to believe and I am concerned that those who do, want to change our Constitution to fit something that cannot be proved.

Very few who do (believe in God) want to change our Constitution. In fact, they are fighting hard to resist change to the Constitution.

Bring back the Separation of Church and State and we may get back to business.

What does that mean? In just about every other religion in the world, no separation exists; instead, religion dictates their every move. Only in Christian nations is there a separation of church and state.

My next door neighbor years ago lost his 17 year old son to Liver Cancer.

I often wonder how many people actually die from a disease (like cancer) or from the ineffectual or improper treatment by the medical profession.

This whole load of crap about the damned going to hell and burn for their sins is only a problem for a painter or writer trying to display or describe the wrath of hell.

Actually, it is a problem for those who believe that painter or writer's depiction of hell. The biblical hell is nothing like the one portrayed (or envisioned) by the common man. The one you envision IS a load of crap!

I see, so faith is your placebo.

Indeed! The (documented) healing effects of placebos have been attributed to the power of suggestion. Scripture words this "as you believe so shall it be". Jesus often said, "Your faith has made you well". The power of positive thinking (and, inversely, the destructive power of negative thinking) has been well established for millennia.

Based on the fact of an accellerating expansion of the Universe...

It's not a fact, it's an ASSUMPTION.

That's really interesting, Loser.. but a new leg growing on an amputee would be VERY startling, whether due to prayer or medical practice. Which explains why we haven't seen it.... yet.

Well, you know how this goes but I did see a program on television where a man refused to have his leg amputated after a serious injury (I believe it was in a fire). All of the tendons and muscles were destroyed and gangrene had set in into a putrid mess. Although it took some time, his body eventually restored his leg intact and he was able to walk again. I remember how it was impressed upon me the amazing regenerative ability of the human body. I have seen this same ability (to a lesser degree) work on my very own body...a severe burn healed completely with no medicinal help (allowed to heal on its own) and absolutely no scar whatsoever.

Still, an amputee would have a better chance of regrowing his leg if he didn't let the butchers cut it off in the first place.

If god does get involved and answers prayers, that involvement would appear to be somewhat arbitrary. If he answers some prayers why does he ignore others and by refusing to help those who ask for his help, is he blameless?

According to scripture, it's not really arbitrary. It depends on conditional factors; i.e., motive, faith, spiritual condition, etc.

Sonart posted:

Long-Awaited Medical Study Questions the Power of Prayer - Mar. 31, 2006

Simonius replied:

Oh well scratch that then!

Don't be so easily convinced. There is little reason to accept this 'study' as being objective or valid. There is no doubt that another study would come to the exact opposite conclusion. Better to do your own study.