Atheists;Wanna try this experiment?

[Wellll... hello then!]

Justin Brierley the presenter of Premier's faith discussion show Unbelievable? is inviting atheists to take part in the Atheist Prayer Experiment.

To take part email unbelievable@premier.org.uk

You will receive further info and be sent a copy of the academic paper on which the experiment is based.

What's involved?

We are asking each atheist who wishes to take part to pray for 2 to 3 minutes a day for 40 days for God to reveal Himself to them.

We would like any reflections, reactions, or revelations (positive or negative) experienced during the experiment to be recorded by participants. This may be video/audio Journal, blog, on a dedicated Facebook page, sent in by email etc.

Any participants need to be willing to record a radio interview about their experience of the experiment, though not everyone who takes part will necessarily be asked to do this.

When?

The period of the experiment runs from Mon 17 Sep to Fri 26 Oct 2012.

Why?

The experiment is based on the paper by Oxford philosopher Tim Mawson titled Praying to Stop Being an Atheist. In it Mawson argues that, on balance, it is in the interests of those atheists who don't think it's absolutely impossible that there's a God to investigate the issue of whether or not he exists by 'the experimental method' - trying to ask him. Those interested in participating will be sent a copy of the paper.

In a recording of Unbelievable? in the autumn Justin Brierley will be joined by Tim Mawson and an atheist philosopher to discuss the Atheist Prayer Experiment and to hear the reactions from atheists who took part.

The show webpage is http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable

How/What should I pray?

The question of how an atheist should pray is an interesting one.

Tim Mawson has some suggestions in his paper: the prayer should be kept as open as possible, e.g., rather than 'God of Christianity; if you're out there, turn this water into wine for me', 'God, if you're out there, reveal yourself to me' would be better.

We only ask that anyone taking part commits themselves to finding a quiet meditative 'space' and praying there for two to three minutes each day as earnestly as they can for any God that there might be to reveal himself/herself/itself to him or her, and that he or she remains as open as possible to ways in which that prayer could be answered.

Any other Questions?

You may find they are answered in the paper you are emailed but if not feel free to email unbelievable@premier.org.uk or tim.mawson@philosophy.ox.ac.uk

Follow their progress

You can follow the reflections of some of the participants on the Facebook group.

[Shane Michael]

How about you stop pushing your religion on me? If I wanted to pray I'd pray, I don't need an experiment to 'convert' me, I've chosen not to be religious so leave me and other atheists well alone!

[Ceanny]

I'll pass, but thanks for the two points!

[1234]

Sounds like meditation. Chanting and prayer are similar, the words are repeated till they loose meaning, the mind wanders. A change in perspective isn't proof of a god.

[NiRO TEMP]

Why do Christians think everyone in the world must be Christian???

[Ashlie]

Yeah, I tried the whole praying thing when I was a little kid because my life sucked. It's bollocks. In fact, talking to things that can't be proven to exist is kind of harmful in terms of mental health. Instead of asking sky daddy to solve your problems, you should be thinking of ways to do it yourself.

[Nick]

Gay xD

[Jessie]

Religions are like a penis.
It's okay to have them.
It's okay to be proud of them.
It's okay to play with them
It's even okay to take them out and compare them with someone else's.

It's NEVER okay to shove them down someone else's throat.

Got it? You can believe what you want all you want, for as long as you want, but don't you ever dare try to tell me what to do.