Prayer or medicine?

> I suspect it stems from the assumption that prayer is not as effective and reliable as medical science.

Not assumption, conclusion based on multiple published studies showing that prayer has no effect on healing. Even if a measurable effect could be shown, it would pale in comparison to taking insulin, which is highly safe and effective.

Quinine is somewhat effective in preventing malaria. Quinine is much, much more effective at preventing malaria prayer is at curing diabetes. Yet no responsible physician today would recommend quinine to prevent malaria because Malarone is much, much more effective.

So, it matters precious little if some study somewhere showed that praying gives you a 1% advantage over not praying. No one is saying don't pray. Pray all you want. It's the withholding of insulin that is based on irresponsible delusion.

Prayer + insulin is better than prayer alone.

"I suspect that if metaphysical healing where proven objectively to be effective and reliable as medical science, most people would not see it as ridiculous or delusionary.."

Right, because that's the definition of "not a ridiculous delusion." If evidence shows that this medical intervention is safe and/or more effective than the standard intervention, then it should be utilized and researched.

But flat out it is not. You have a child there dying of diabetes. You are withholding insulin. You know that insulin will help. You do not know that prayer will help. You have an affirmative responsibility to administer insulin and failing to do to indulge your private fantasies about the universe in the face of substantial contradicting evidence is spiritual narcissism at best and psychopathy at worst.

This is one of the problems I have with religion. It puts "serving God" and "following your spiritual path" ahead of "relying on evidence" and "respecting the rights of others."

What responsibility could possibly compete with the mandates of a perfect God? How could anyone possibly invoke silly things like statistics and medical studies in the face of a faith so strong it would rather, ahem, WATCH ITS OWN CHILD DIE than admit its own error?

Faith may strengthen you when reason fails or is absent. But in the presence of reason, it is a poor guide to truth.

One of the valid function of government is to advocate for those who need an advocate in matters of life, limb and property.

The right of a parent to espouse a particular belief does not exceed the right of the child to survive and children cannot advocate for themselves. Government intervention may be a inelegant solution, but it is the best one we have at the moment.

I will preface by saying that I am no longer a Christian, but grew up as one, so I know a thing or two about Christianity.

Jake, you state "Prayer alone has CURED NOTHING!" Does this mean that you don't think Jesus healed the sick or his followers as written in the bible?