LogFAQs > #876893797

I don't think prayer changes anything at all because I don't believe there is anything to pray to. However, I think the placebo effect is in full effect and praying can give people hope and encouragement, so it doesn't really matter who or what people are praying to, just the fact that they feel that something out there is looking out for them can really change things around.

It makes me sad that many of my fellow atheists instantly dismiss anything with any sort of religious association as 'stupid sky magic' or something, when the cultural, psychological and societal effects of those practices and institutions can give such a deep insight into the world around us.