The Catholic Message Board

I read this article when it came out and just thought of it today.

In 2014 Michael Shermer was set to marry his German girlfriend, Jennifer Graf. The ceremony was to be held in the States. Jennifer had her wanted belongings sent to Shermer's house. One item in particular, her grandfather's transistor radio.

Raised by her mother, her grandfather Walter was her closest father figure. She loved the man deeply. Shermer tried unsuccessfully to fix the transistor radio and left it in a drawer.

Thousands of miles away from her home and other bits of familiarity, she felt alone on her wedding day and wished her grandfather was there with her.
Vows were exchanged in front of friends and family and Jennifer asked Michael for a moment aside to talk with him.

Separated from the rest of wedding party Jennifer and Michael heard music coming from somewhere. They looked around the house and eventually found that it was coming from the transistor radio. A "romantic love song" was playing. Jennifer looked at Michael with wonder and claimed that her grandfather was there with them. During that evening the radio played classical music... but when the morning came it fell silent and never played a sound again.

Michael, a skeptic, has a very thought view on it:

I have to admit, it rocked me back on my heels and shook my skepticism to its core as well. I savored the experience more than the explanation.

It didn't serve to convert him... not yet, at least.

Here's the full article:

https://michaelshermer.com/sciam-columns/infrequencies/

"If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they listen if a man should rise from the dead."

This is why miracles are rare; most people do not actually believe them or change their lives as a result of one.

Obi-Wan Kenobi wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2026 9:35 pm https://www.ncregister.com/blog/zola-and-lourdes

This is wild. I have never heard this one before. Thanks for sharing.