Cynicism Alley (not far from Irony Corner)

I've often wondered what would happen if incontrovertible evidence could be provided that not only does prayer work but also that it works in ways contrary to the desires of those doing the praying. How would scientists respond to and interpret such proof, and what would theologists make of God's malevolence other than to reiterate that He/She moves in mysterious ways?

The thought was prompted again by a colleague reminding me of the case of Elisabeth Targ, a psychiatrist who conducted research into distant healing by prayer. In one of her studies, the rare and aggressive brain tumour known as glioblastoma was chosen as the control illness. Either by pure coincidence or because of the negative power of prayer, you choose, Targ herself was diagnosed during the course of the research with glioblastoma, the rare (I emphasize) disease being utilized.

She was interviewed for O: The Oprah Magazine on the power of distant healing. The interview appeared in the September 2002 issue.

Targ died on July 18, 2002.