What should you do when faced with uncertainty? One instinctive reaction might be to shout into the void, “Is anyone out there? If you are, wise old sage, please respond!” It seems quite logical to reach out, even if you doubt the existence of such a sage. The question of whether this wise being exists is certainly significant—so significant that it’s worth exploring. In fact, unless you’re absolutely convinced that he doesn’t exist, it seems a bit irrational not to call out. After all, what do you have to lose?
The Case for Prayer
You might not hold a belief in God, but if there’s even a flicker of doubt about His existence, and if you consider that question vital, then it makes sense to pray for help in your disbelief. Tim Jennings, a philosophy professor at a prestigious university, argues this point in his paper, “Praying for Faith,” published in a renowned journal on religious philosophy. Jennings asserts that if you think there’s a reasonable chance that God is real and that this has immense implications for your life, then it’s worth your time to pray for guidance. Just a minute or two before bed isn’t too much to ask if it could illuminate such a crucial question.
What About Those Garden Fairies?
You probably don’t believe in fairies hiding in your garden (if you do, it might be time for a chat with someone). Yet, there’s still a tiny chance they could be flitting around in your flowerbeds. Would it take much to yell down to your garden while you make breakfast, “Hello, fairies! If you’re around, please show yourselves!”?
If Jennings’ point holds, should we also call out to any fairies? Perhaps we should write letters to Santa Claus or leave a tooth under our pillows for the tooth fairy too? Well, not exactly. The crux of the matter lies in the importance of the question and the effort involved in seeking answers. While discovering fairies might be whimsical, the existence of God carries weighty implications for your worldview and life choices. Plus, shouting at your garden every morning could annoy your neighbors and perplex your family.
The Risk of Self-Deception
Another concern you might ponder is whether the habit of praying might lead you to falsely believe God is responding. However, Jennings counters this notion by stating that the risk of a false positive should not deter you from exploring your beliefs. In science, we frequently conduct experiments knowing they might yield misleading results. If we avoided every possible misstep, we would never make any breakthroughs—like developing life-saving treatments. The goal of Jennings’ suggested “prayer experiment” isn’t about black-and-white belief changes, but rather about reassessing your confidence in atheism.
Jennings acknowledges that this concept of prayer as an experiment applies to everyone. If a believer prays and receives no answer, it should lower their confidence in God’s existence. This openness to outcomes is why people of all belief systems can benefit from such exploration.
So, Should You Pray to a God You Don’t Believe In?
Jennings admits that not everyone will find value in praying to shift their atheism. You need to consider whether the existence of God is vital to you, believe there’s a plausible chance He exists, and not mind the effort involved—all while keeping concerns about self-deception at bay. For many atheists, these criteria can align, suggesting that they indeed should engage in prayer to examine their disbelief.
Ultimately, you can’t dismiss the potential benefits of prayer. If you’re contemplating whether your atheism is well-founded, prayer might provide a platform to challenge your assumptions.
Am I going to give it a try? I’m uncertain. I meet the criteria Jennings mentions, and the question of God’s existence feels so pivotal that it seems odd I haven’t pondered it more deeply. Honestly, I find it hard to imagine praying to a deity I don’t believe in without feeling a bit ridiculous. But since “feeling silly” isn’t a solid reason to refrain from exploring possibilities, I’ll probably take the plunge.
For those interested in further insights from Tim Jennings on why atheists should pray, check out this engaging podcast interview. Additionally, there’s an intriguing “atheist prayer experiment” conducted by Premier Radio that had 70 atheists praying daily for forty days; the findings are worth a look.
Summary
In essence, questioning the existence of God can lead to a healthy exploration of beliefs, even for atheists. Engaging in prayer could serve as a fascinating experiment in assessing one’s convictions. While the act may feel odd, it opens avenues for reflection and understanding.