sansahansan Wrote:
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> As several of the studies above note, the primary
> suspect in the statistical impact is the greater
> willingness of the religiously influenced to seek
> more intensive treatments - ie, to fight the
> illness more diligently and accept any or all
> medical aid.
>

So prayer had nothing to do with it. Just following directions and doing what you're told is all you need.

> In the majority of the case studies I've read
> through (what few dozen or so I could get) I never
> saw a *single* case of faith healing.

Okay.
>
> Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 'rodeo' you've
> been through was mostly centered on the same
> concept of faith healing? IE, 'the power is within
> you, illness is an illusion, etc.' ?

Sort of/kinda/not really here's a wikipedia article that gives an extremely superficial appraisal of the cult. [en.wikipedia.org] and then there's my novel which borrows major elements from my grandfather's life, along with various members recollections of it. [www.lulu.com]
>
> As for your putative science experiment,

What's putative about it? Nothing it's a rigorous experiment to find out the efficacy of prayer.

you would
> indeed be completely canceling out the psychology
> involved (which is the success behind the placebo
> effect) by removing the person and replacing them
> with just cells.

That's the idea to cancel out the placebo effect. Right now you don't know what's placebo and what's biochemistry. This will tell you.
>
> Unless you acknowledge psi-like powers of
> micro-psycho-kinesis, I don't see how that
> experiment would turn out well

If prayer is efficacious it should kill or reverse the cancer cells, they are after all living beings, on the other hand if prayer has no power to heal then the cells well continue to reproduce. Or you can move up the ladder and try it on mice, cats, dogs, and any people that are stupid enough to go off their chemotherapy, and radiation treatments.
>