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Jan. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Oxford University researchers are to torture Christians in a U.S.-funded program to find out if belief in God can help to relieve the pain, the London-based Times reported, citing the scientists involved.
The team won't use traditional items of torture such as the rack used by the Spanish Inquisition, which started in the 13th century; rather, pain will be inflicted by simulated burns under strict supervision, the newspaper said, citing research chief
Toby Collins.
As the pain is induced, the volunteers will be shown Christian religious symbols such as a crucifix or images of the Virgin Mary, to measure neurological response, the Times said.
The scientists want to get a better idea of the way people with intense religious beliefs can withstand pain, the paper said, adding that the project is being paid for by $2 million from the U.S.-based John Templeton Foundation.

Whose idea was this?
Why does anyone want to know this?
How do you inflict a "simulated burn"?
Who would be stupid enough to volunteer?

And surely if they really want to know they could just go to Guantanamo Bay or Abu Ghraib prison and play religious lunatics there?