The question of whether to pray to a deity in whom you have no belief can provoke deep contemplation. One approach might be to simply call out, “Is anyone there? If you exist, wise figure, please respond!” This instinct seems quite rational, even if your belief in such a figure is minimal. The existence of this wise being poses a significant question—one worth exploring. If there is any possibility at all that this being exists, it seems unwise not to reach out, especially since there is little to lose in doing so.
Praying for Belief
The analogy here is clear. You may not hold a belief in God, yet if you entertain the notion that He might exist and recognize the importance of that possibility, it seems reasonable to pray for assistance in believing. Tim Anderson, a philosophy professor at a university, argues this point effectively in his paper “Praying to Cultivate Belief,” published in a journal focused on philosophical discussions about religion. He posits that if you acknowledge a non-negligible chance of God’s existence and consider the implications of that existence significant, then you should pray for divine assistance.
This argument is compelling. The existence of God can fundamentally shape your worldview, influence your lifestyle, and even affect your thoughts on mortality. Taking a moment to pray—perhaps just one or two minutes before sleep—carries minimal cost. If there exists even a slight chance that this act could illuminate a crucial question, why not engage in it?
What About Fairies?
You likely hold a strong conviction that fairies do not inhabit your garden. However, you cannot be entirely certain; a tiny chance remains that such creatures exist. It wouldn’t take much time or effort to call out, “Hello, fairies! If you’re there, please show yourselves!”
If Anderson’s argument holds, should we not also reach out to these fairies? Should we leave notes for hypothetical aliens or write letters to Santa Claus? Not necessarily. The critical factor is the significance of the question and the cost of pursuing more information. While discovering fairies might be intriguing, it doesn’t carry the same weight or implications for your life as the existence of God does. Additionally, regularly shouting to the fairies could disturb your neighbors and perplex your family.
Concerns of Delusion
Another concern may arise regarding the potential for delusion: the fear that engaging in prayer could lead you to mistakenly believe in God’s existence. However, Anderson argues that the possibility of a false positive doesn’t negate the value of the inquiry. In scientific practice, experiments often carry a risk of misleading results, yet this does not prevent researchers from pursuing them. If we were to avoid all tests with potential false outcomes, it would hinder advancements in critical areas, including medical treatments. The purpose of the proposed prayer experiment is not to alter your belief in a straightforward manner but to explore whether your confidence in atheism might shift.
Anderson acknowledges that this experimentation can yield varying results for both believers and non-believers. If a believer prays without receiving a reply, their confidence in God’s existence might diminish. This openness to diverse outcomes suggests that individuals, regardless of their beliefs, should consider engaging in such prayer.
Should You Pray?
Anderson recognizes that the notion of praying to cease being an atheist might not resonate with everyone. You must believe that the question of God’s existence is important, consider there’s a reasonable chance of His existence, find that praying requires minimal effort, and not be overly concerned about developing delusional beliefs. For many atheists, these criteria hold true. Thus, for this group, it stands to reason that they should indeed pray for belief.
Ultimately, prayer may offer insights into your reflections on atheism. If you’re grappling with the foundations of your beliefs, engaging in prayer could serve as a productive exercise.
Conclusion
While I am still uncertain if I will begin praying, I recognize that I meet the criteria for considering it. The question of God’s existence seems increasingly significant, making it feel odd that I have not delved into this topic more. Admittedly, I find it challenging to pray to a God I do not believe in without feeling somewhat ridiculous. Yet, since “feeling silly” is rarely a valid reason to refrain from action, I am inclined to give it a try.
For more insights into the relationship between atheism and prayer, check out this informative podcast featuring Anderson. Additionally, an intriguing “atheist prayer experiment” conducted by Premier Radio involved 70 atheists praying daily for 40 days; the results are certainly worth exploring.
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