Devoted to God Everything is done with the utmost, precise ritual. The gospel cannot be read unless the reader is first blessed. The reader does not begin before pausing in deep contemplation and kissing the page. The bread and wine are not brought to the altar without it being wafted with incense from all sides.Continue reading “Devoted to God”
Author Archives: denisvernon24
A note to readers about Pluscarden Abbey
A note to readers about Pluscarden Abbey The other week I had one of the most unusual and interesting weeks of my life, when I visited Pluscarden Abbey in the Highlands of Scotland. I thought I should mention it in case anyone starts to wonder about the sudden increase in the number of references toContinue reading “A note to readers about Pluscarden Abbey”
The importance of believing in God. Part 5
The importance of believing in God Part 5: We are free to choose to believe in God I am keen to give all due respect to the inner life of secular minded people. Although I’m tempted to, I must not deride the quality of the inner, spiritual life, which is a facility we seem toContinue reading “The importance of believing in God. Part 5”
The importance of believing in God. Part 4
The importance of believing in God Part 4: It’s not an easy call, but our human nature tips us towards our need of God On a more positive note for secularists, we must be fair and say that they are able to marvel at the wonder of life just as religious people do. As weContinue reading “The importance of believing in God. Part 4”
The importance of believing in God. Part 3
The importance of believing in God Part 3: Dawkins’ vision is a popped balloon We may feel that “the Dawkins’ approach” wins out on the issue of not being troubled by the, “But is it true?” question. IF religious people are right in believing in God, then I think it’s clear that their approach isContinue reading “The importance of believing in God. Part 3”
The importance of believing in God. Part 2
The importance of believing in God Part 2: Maybe secularism can give a decent account of itself after all. It’s difficult to see how secularism can give me anything like as satisfying a psychological package as belief in God can. But we will try. Richard Dawkins, among others, has given us an inspiring vision thatContinue reading “The importance of believing in God. Part 2”
The importance of believing in God. Part 1
The importance of believing in God A review of what belief in God gives, compared with the alternative that secularism can offer. If God is not real, how do we manage without what God has offered? Can we compare the two offers? (In 5 parts) The importance of believing in God Part 1: God givesContinue reading “The importance of believing in God. Part 1”
The importance of religious experience. Part 6
The importance of religious experience Part 6: Whatever they are, we should cherish our religious experiences – and be willing to act on them! I am conscious that – having laid out an explanation that rests just on natural, physical explanations – why should we bother introducing the supernatural, metaphysical explanation of God? Partly, thisContinue reading “The importance of religious experience. Part 6”
The importance of religious experience. Part 5
The importance of religious experience Part 5: What if religious experiences do indicate that we are having an encounter with God? So, we seem to affirm once again that religious experiences are definitely real. They exist as a capability of the human mind. They are supremely wonderful experiences – so wonderful that we might wantContinue reading “The importance of religious experience. Part 5”
The importance of religious experience. Part 4
The importance of religious experience Part 4: Whatever they are, religious experiences are certainly mysterious and wonderful This leaves unanswered at the moment as to why anyone had the concept of God in the first place, not unless the idea of God was invented in order to try and explain what this strange religious experienceContinue reading “The importance of religious experience. Part 4”
Spiritual Devotion 