It’s a combination of irreverence (mocking religion by treating non-divine entities as gods), incongruity (you don’t expect a bunch of science-minded techno-nerds to sit around praying), and self-mockery (poking fun at our level of enthusiasm for Bayesian concepts).
Why is it humorous besides pointing out that the author is on our side?
It’s a combination of irreverence (mocking religion by treating non-divine entities as gods), incongruity (you don’t expect a bunch of science-minded techno-nerds to sit around praying), and self-mockery (poking fun at our level of enthusiasm for Bayesian concepts).
None of that resolves to anything more than “I’m on your team! Go team!”