Testing Prayer

Reflections on religion and alternative medicine

Spirituality
Why “Christian” Yoga?

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on August 23, 2019

Attracted to yoga but fearful of idolatry, Christians can seek to “redeem” the practice. But what many Christian Yogis don’t anticipate is how practicing can change their beliefs.

Attracted to yoga but fearful of idolatry, Christians can seek to “redeem” the practice. But what many Christian Yogis don’t anticipate is how practicing can change their beliefs.

Mindfulness
School Sued for Banning Yoga

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on May 7, 2019

When parents argue that yoga is religious, schools could face a catch-22: risking a lawsuit if they ignore or respond to religious concerns.

When parents argue that yoga is religious, schools could face a catch-22: risking a lawsuit if they ignore or respond to religious concerns.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation in Public Schools

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on December 5, 2014

Mindfulness programs for public schools may not only help children relax before tests, but also promote Buddhist mindfulness meditation, a religious practice.

Mindfulness programs for public schools may not only help children relax before tests, but also promote Buddhist mindfulness meditation, a religious practice.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on November 30, 2014

Mindfulness may offer more than stress reduction. Key leaders in the secular mindfulness movement envision secular mindfulness as a stealth Buddhist strategy for mainstreaming meditation.

Mindfulness may offer more than stress reduction. Key leaders in the secular mindfulness movement envision secular mindfulness as a stealth Buddhist strategy for mainstreaming meditation.

Innate Intelligence is in every living thing.
Intelligence
Is Your Chiropractor “Religious”?

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on July 5, 2014

Chiropractic's major premise is that Innate Intelligence cares for human health. More than a medical service, chiropractic—like religion—helps explain life’s struggles, cope with present stress, and anticipate the future with hope.

Chiropractic's major premise is that Innate Intelligence cares for human health. More than a medical service, chiropractic—like religion—helps explain life’s struggles, cope with present stress, and anticipate the future with hope.

Spirituality
Spiritual, but Not Religious?

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on March 29, 2014

“Religion” has become a bad word for many Americans. And so, many people describe themselves as "spiritual, but not religious." But how different are religion and spirituality?

“Religion” has become a bad word for many Americans. And so, many people describe themselves as "spiritual, but not religious." But how different are religion and spirituality?

Religion
The Affordable Care Act, Alternative Medicine, and Religion

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on September 12, 2013

The Affordable Care Act may require insurers to cover complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Many Americans are unaware that some of the most popular CAM services are religious in nature. The law may in effect endorse religious practices, entangle government with religion, and coerce funding of religious activities--in violation of the First Amendment.

The Affordable Care Act may require insurers to cover complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Many Americans are unaware that some of the most popular CAM services are religious in nature. The law may in effect endorse religious practices, entangle government with religion, and coerce funding of religious activities--in violation of the First Amendment.

Meditating in lotus pose in public school yoga program
Religion
Why Encinitas Public School Yoga Promotes "Religion"

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on July 10, 2013

Many people assume that the Encinitas school yoga program was upheld in a recent trial decision because the school yoga program--like American yoga generally--was taught devoid of "religious" content. This is not the case.

Many people assume that the Encinitas school yoga program was upheld in a recent trial decision because the school yoga program--like American yoga generally--was taught devoid of "religious" content. This is not the case.

Religion
Yoga in Public Schools

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on July 1, 2013

A California judge ruled that yoga can be taught in public schools without violating the Constitution by establishing religion. As someone familiar with the case, having testified as an expert witness for the plaintiffs, I find the judge's decision perplexing.

A California judge ruled that yoga can be taught in public schools without violating the Constitution by establishing religion. As someone familiar with the case, having testified as an expert witness for the plaintiffs, I find the judge's decision perplexing.

Health
Follow-up

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on June 18, 2013

If you’ve ever watched a televised healing service, you’ve probably seen someone get up out of a wheelchair and begin walking—and you’ve probably wondered whether that person was still walking an hour, a week, or a year later.

If you’ve ever watched a televised healing service, you’ve probably seen someone get up out of a wheelchair and begin walking—and you’ve probably wondered whether that person was still walking an hour, a week, or a year later.

Health
Clinical Trials

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on March 18, 2013

When I began asking whether prayer for healing produces any empirical effects, I quickly ran into difficulties finding adequate data. I decided to collaborate with medical researchers to conduct a new clinical trial. Testing hearing and vision fit our criteria.

When I began asking whether prayer for healing produces any empirical effects, I quickly ran into difficulties finding adequate data. I decided to collaborate with medical researchers to conduct a new clinical trial. Testing hearing and vision fit our criteria.

Spirituality
Surveys

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on December 11, 2012

Many people seek prayer for healing at church services or Christian conferences. What motivates people to attend, and what do they experience before and after healing prayers?

Many people seek prayer for healing at church services or Christian conferences. What motivates people to attend, and what do they experience before and after healing prayers?

Health
Empirical Perspectives on Prayer for Healing

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on April 10, 2012

In previous posts, I’ve noted problems with how most research on prayer for healing has been conducted. Researchers have attempted to design double-blinded, controlled trials of distant intercessory prayer.

In previous posts, I’ve noted problems with how most research on prayer for healing has been conducted. Researchers have attempted to design double-blinded, controlled trials of distant intercessory prayer.

Health
How Should Prayer Be Studied?

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on March 1, 2012

A lot of studies on intercessory prayer have been published in recent years. This research has returned mixed results. Some studies conclude that prayer improves health, while others show no effect—or suggest that prayer may lead to worsening health.

A lot of studies on intercessory prayer have been published in recent years. This research has returned mixed results. Some studies conclude that prayer improves health, while others show no effect—or suggest that prayer may lead to worsening health.

Audiometer, hearing, testing prayer
Health
Should Scientists Test Prayer?

Candy Gunther Brown Ph.D. on February 16, 2012

I've spent the last eight years asking that question. Having satisfied myself—if not everyone I've met—that there's value in using empirical methods to study prayer, I've thought a lot about how to do it.

I've spent the last eight years asking that question. Having satisfied myself—if not everyone I've met—that there's value in using empirical methods to study prayer, I've thought a lot about how to do it.

Back
Back
Find a Therapist
Back
Get Help
Back
Magazine
July 2026 magazine cover
July 2026
26 Keys to Thriving

From the power of pausing to the ability to ignore, we’ve culled 26 simple, actionable measures for gaining a sense of control and living a meaningful life.

Subscribe Issue Archive
Back
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes