Watch Science & Prayer

Rituals are prayers in action, which have been practiced by many religions throughout history. These actions, varying from dancing to motionless meditation, are claimed to have healed human ailments. Prayer rituals seem to involve a fundamental contradiction, or paradox, that finite human action can affect an infinite God. Some people have wanted scientific proof of prayer's effectiveness, and some studies suggest that prayer and ritual may positively impact humans. But other scientists say that science and religion are different ways of knowing that should not be confused.