Reply #10: The power of mind

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

is really great. Have you ever read of studies of new drugs, where a certain number of people are given placebos? In some cases, the number of people who get better using the placebos is almost as great as the number getting better using the actual drugs. I have heard doctors who are specialists meeting patients who have been told they have only X amount of time to live by their GP. Despite the fact that the specialists found the cancer wasn't nearly as bad as the GP diagnosed, with a 70% pronosis of remission, the patient died to the day of when their GP told them they would. On the other hand, my grandfather suffered a massive heart attack in 1950 and was given 6 months to live. He was determined to survive as he was the only living son of his mother; he lived until 1959-when they did the autopsy, the doctors were amazed he'd stayed alive.

I bring up these instances because I believe they reinforce your statements about religious people-since they strongly believe in something, their very mindset can help shape their perceptions and alter their reality.

BTW, many atheists here are offended if you say they "believe" in anything-perhaps a more diplomatic way to approach this would be to discuss their world views or perceptions.

Thanks for a very fascinating post.