Quotable & Notable

“There is no way to put God to the test, and that’s exactly what you’re doing when you design a study to see if God answers your prayers.”

-- The Rev. Raymond J. Lawrence, director of pastoral care at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center. Since 2000, at least 10 studies of intercessory prayer have been carried out by researchers at respected institutions such as Columbia, Duke and Washington universities.

“None.”

-- Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Chapman answering the riddle: How many members of the Bush administration does it take to change a light bulb. The answer continues: “There’s nothing wrong with that light bulb. It has served us honorably. When you say it’s burned out, you’re giving encouragement to the forces of darkness.”

“I’m just waiting for my Tony nominations now.”

-- Retired Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of Cape Town, South Africa, on his acting role in a New York play about the detention of alleged terrorists at an American base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Tutu played a British judge.

“A lot of musicians bash the current administration rather than forwarding a specific agenda. I find it slightly offensive that they’re going out of their way to influence young people’s politics.”

-- Shawn Wilson, a University of North Carolina English major, criticizing the 40-city “Vote for Change” tour, which features Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks among other acts

National Catholic Reporter, October 22, 2004