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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > October > 29 > Entry
Do you believe in a higher power?
A new book just landed on my desk. “Good Without God - What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe” (Morrow) was written by Greg M. Epstein, the Humanist chaplain at Harvard University.
This book has made me take a closer look at what I believe in. I’m not a person who thinks it is proper to foist my own personal beliefs on others. Even so, I do have some beliefs.
I’m a product of the parochial schools. The nuns (and a few priests) tried to teach me how to be a good Catholic. It didn’t take. I read the Bible when I was in grade school. That, and the dictionary. I wanted to be well informed. Most of my teachers didn’t seem to appreciate the value of my freelance studies. But I was able to respond to their teachings with additional information that broadened the learning experience for me and a few of my classmates. I asked questions - I’m still asking them.
Here’s my question for you today; do you believe in a higher power? A simple yes or no answer will suffice. If you wish to offer more details feel free to do so.
Whenever I wonder about the existence of a higher power I observe evidence that indicates to my mortal senses that there must be one.
I looked out my window this morning and saw a magnificent white tailed deer browsing just outside my door. (I know, some of you might consider this to be evidence of the devil’s work). She is so beautiful!
I’m sitting here enjoying my coffee. My dear friend, a cat, is snoozing in my lap.
The autumn foliage.
When I have some doubts I usually receive a resounding thump which reveals to me that some higher power is making certain that things are OK in the universe.
Did you see what the Phillies did to the Yankees last night?
I believe…
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: what do you think?
Comments
By Mark from St Paul
November 2, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
A little late to this thread, but this sunny Monday morning I believe. I believe that the Yankees will prevail over the Phillies, and that the Timberwolves will suck less this year.
By Insider
October 30, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this
This whole topic is giving me flashbacks of something and I don’t know if another 6 pak will work today. You have a nice Halloween, Vick!
By Rachelle
October 30, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this
Yes, I believe in a Higher Power.
By UFOodyssey
October 30, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this
When we talk to God it’s called prayer, but if God talks to us it’s…well, take your pick but they give people meds for that. If the Catholics think it’s ok for God to say something in response once in a while I’d consider converting.
By edo
October 30, 2009 8:29 AM | Link to this
Watt?… a higher power?… like 220 volts of Ohm’s Law?.. Sister Mary Discipline tried to beat the devil out and the Lord in… she was unsuccessful… the real answers are found in the imagination of young children… did you see Mazeroski’s homer in the bottom of the ninth?… oh, that was 49 years ago, sorry…
By TRS
October 29, 2009 11:53 PM | Link to this
Yes, I do. In those things you mentioned and the many other things that come to mind I’ve asked myself are these things which simply have randomly evolved or is their a God behind them? As I crossed Huffman Dam the other day and looked at the magnificance of this autumn, I could only conclude that such beauty required a creator and in that beauty one could get a glimpse of the face of God.
By Insider
October 29, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
Billy Graham was a big influence on me. Met his steely gaze in TN at Vanderbilt and never forgot it. Of course, Johnny Cash helped a lot, too!
By Insider
October 29, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
Oh, it was ‘Buck’ Creek…just in case you were wondering :)
By Insider
October 29, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
I had to laugh at first glance of the topic…yesterday’s pot…today’s ‘higher’ power! touched my funny bone.
By Insider
October 29, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this
Just to clarify, I am not Catholic (never have been) but I do enjoy rosaries. Was baptised in a creek as a Baptist and later in an Apostolic church. Don’t know all the names of the fish… yet, but I do consider myself ‘connected’ to something outside of myself…maybe I’m an ‘Outsider’. lol
By Insider
October 29, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
I sleep clutching an over-sized green glow-in-the-dark rosary… & cats…(need I say more?) :-)
By irishguy
October 29, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
Sister Mary Patrick had her sister in Ireland ship her some shamrocks one March. Then on St. Patrick’s she’d had her own little “show and tell” taking her little square of sod around to each class. I can still hear her charming brogue “These aren’t clovers children, they’re shamrocks straight from Ireland”
By vick
October 29, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this
In 7th grade we had our fiercest nun, Sister Eleanore Therese. She was diminutive, about 4 feet six inches tall. She probably weighed about 75 pounds. What she lacked in size she made up for in temper though. Almost all the kids were terrified of her. They called her “The Mighty Midget.” That was shortened to “Mighty Mo.” I saw through her act though. I adored her. And I was the teacher’s pet in that class. She took me bird watching. She knew all the bird calls. And she respected scholarship. She turned me on to some fabulous books, and poetry I never would have read otherwise. She was probably in her sixties then so I doubt she is still striking terror in this realm. If there is a heaven I’m guessing that she is there and that she is keeping things interesting…
By irishguy
October 29, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
The one we kids dubbed “Sister Mary Adolph” was a pretty deadly aim with the erasers. It was quite entertaining to watch the chalk dust fly as the eraser hit some kid’s head. Well, as long as it wasn’t your head. Oh, and Go Phillies!
By vick
October 29, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this
Our nuns were Dominican order and most of them were really wonderful. I loved those nuns. Now the priests, they were a different story in our parish. The monsignor had a drinking problem. We altar boys were usually sent back to the rectory in the middle of the mass to retrieve more wine for him. He would do the chug-a-lug at the altar every hour on the hour on Sunday mornings. His second in command was a priest with some anger management issues. Father used lots of profanity. I learned some new words. And he was deadly accurate with chalk. The slightest thing would set him off and he could nail you with Cliff Lee like accuracy and power even if you were clear across the classroom…
By lmj
October 29, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
A lot to think about there, Vick. I was raised Catholic and have remained so most of my life. (I had detours through a couple of main-stream Protestant churches, but found my way “home”). Secondly, I was raised a Tiger fan and subsequently an anti-Yankee fan. So there is joy in Mudville this morning. My faith is very important to me and has supported me through many trials. My faith is private. I’m not an evangelist, unless I can be considered one through example rather than preaching. I do differentiate between my faith and my religion. My religion isn’t necessarily the same as the pope’s (or the priest at my local church). I question, but I believe.
By irishguy
October 29, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
Yes I do. Vick, were the good sisters rough on you? Other than Sister Mary Patrick, the Irish nun who loved my Irish name, the Sisters had no problem using their rulers, pointers and erasers on various parts of my little body.