Article August 23, 2004 Issue

GROUP PRAYER OVERRULES 'GROUPTHINK'

By Bea Roegge

"Groupthink" is one of the main causes of misinformation regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. This is one conclusion drawn from the year-long investigation of the Central Intelligence Agency by the Senate Intelligence Committee. The report states that there was allegedly a collective presumption that Iraq had an active and growing program to develop weapons of mass destruction. As a result of this presumption, the committee asserts, contradictory information was ignored.

It's not always easy when one has a strong opinion about something to accept or even to be aware of contradictory information. This is why opinions, especially strong ones, need to be frequently examined and reevaluated. There is great strength in a group that's united in its thinking and course of action. But it's essential that this unity is based on something more than an assumption.

The perils of groupthink motivated me to take a fresh look at what is behind united prayer. I believe that there's an advantage at times to engaging in group prayer, and l've asked myself how it differs from groupthink. This statement by Jesus provided some insight: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).

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