In a world where information travels at lightning speed and science has unraveled so many of life's mysteries, it would seem there's little room for miracles. When an electrical surge on a defibrillator can restart a heart, and when tiny light-emitting diodes can illuminate a Christmas tree or even a village for decades, is there any place left for the power of prayer? It depends on your perspective. University of Calgary professor of philosophy John Baker suggests miracles run counter to the laws of nature -- requiring a complete suspension of knowledge to believe them. He points to the works of 18th-century Scottish philosopher David Hume, whose words on miracles still stand nearly 300 years later -- all can be explained by science or by hoax. "Anyone who has taken first-year philosophy knows Hume's argument and will have a hard time believing in miracles," said Baker. But Calgary Catholic Bishop Fred Henry compares his faith to the pair of glasses that help him see properly and said miracles absolutely happen in the present day. "People of faith tend to read these (events) with corrected vision," he said, while preparing for this weekend's celebration of the biggest miracle of all for Christians -- the Resurrection of Christ. He said miracles have happened to members of his congregation, to his friends and even to his family. "My father was on chemotherapy and they had to stop it, because it was killing him," Henry said. "Now, the doctors can't find any indication of the cancer. My dad said to me, 'Prayer is pretty powerful.' " That doesn't mean miracles can be ordered up, he said, but that the meaning should be sought when they happen. Baker said believing there are no miracles doesn't make life's mysteries any less awe-inspiring. "It doesn't matter if you've got an amaryllis flower blooming or spring unfolding, it's fascinating and interesting," he said.
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