Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 146
As in all legal matters, the author advises her readers to seek the advice of an attorney
before attempting to ―obtain[...] any rights through the court system‖ (p 119).
Nevertheless, for those who cannot afford an attorney, she suggests appearing without one
– ―pro se‖ – if your state permits. The author describes in the appendix of the book the
procedures in Florida for obtaining visitation. She also provides tips in the final chapter
called, ―Twelve Ways to Win.‖
Acknowledgement
The reviewer thanks law student Teri Ann Puliafico for her research assistance.
Robin Boyle, Esq.
Spiritual Intelligence, the Behavioral Sciences, and the Humanities
Frank MacHovec, Ph. D. Published by: The Edwin Mellen Press: Lewiston, Maine,
Queenston, Ontario, &Lampeter, Wales, 2002, 291 pages
Frank MacHovec is a clinical psychologist who has taught at Rappahannock Community
College and Christopher Newport University, both in Virginia. His main thesis is the belief
that a ―Spiritual Intelligence Quotient‖ (SIQ) is a constant in human history that frequently
transcends organized religion.
The author illustrates this thesis with many examples from the realms of art, music, poetry,
religion, and even politics. MacHovec‘s book ranges far and wide, including references from
the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, Abraham Maslow, B.F. Skinner, William
Shakespeare, Eric Fromm, Abraham Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi and many other sources.
MacHovec devotes a large section of his book to Asian religions, but surprisingly scant
attention is given to the Koran and Islamic teachings.
There are many charts that compare and contrast traditional organized religion with SIQ.
There is a test for readers to determine one‘s SIQ rating. MacHovec is not anti-religious, but
the book‘s constant refrain is his repeated declaration about a spiritual quality that exists
outside of churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques.
This is certainly not news to any student of religion, but MacHovec goes to great, even
excessive length to anchor SIQ in a scientific way that draws on sociology and psychology.
Few readers will question the author‘s assertion that compassion, self-esteem, love of
others, reconciliation, and self-exploration are commendable goals. Nor will most readers
challenge MacHovec‘s belief that one can gain spiritual satisfaction outside the confines of
organized religion.
After extensive quotes from MacHovec‘s many spiritual mentors and lengthy descriptions of
various religious beliefs, the author concludes with his eight cardinal principles of SIQ: there
is a higher power outside ourselves that is positive and good, there is goodness in everyone,
it is better to love than to hate, it is better to do good and give than to receive, all life is
sacred, all men and women are brothers and sisters, truth is sacred whatever its source,
and life is a mission as much as it is a career.
Perhaps MacHovec did not intend it, but the themes of his book are, in fact, not that
different from sermons frequently preached in traditional religions‘ many houses of worship.
Rabbi A. James Rudin
As in all legal matters, the author advises her readers to seek the advice of an attorney
before attempting to ―obtain[...] any rights through the court system‖ (p 119).
Nevertheless, for those who cannot afford an attorney, she suggests appearing without one
– ―pro se‖ – if your state permits. The author describes in the appendix of the book the
procedures in Florida for obtaining visitation. She also provides tips in the final chapter
called, ―Twelve Ways to Win.‖
Acknowledgement
The reviewer thanks law student Teri Ann Puliafico for her research assistance.
Robin Boyle, Esq.
Spiritual Intelligence, the Behavioral Sciences, and the Humanities
Frank MacHovec, Ph. D. Published by: The Edwin Mellen Press: Lewiston, Maine,
Queenston, Ontario, &Lampeter, Wales, 2002, 291 pages
Frank MacHovec is a clinical psychologist who has taught at Rappahannock Community
College and Christopher Newport University, both in Virginia. His main thesis is the belief
that a ―Spiritual Intelligence Quotient‖ (SIQ) is a constant in human history that frequently
transcends organized religion.
The author illustrates this thesis with many examples from the realms of art, music, poetry,
religion, and even politics. MacHovec‘s book ranges far and wide, including references from
the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, Abraham Maslow, B.F. Skinner, William
Shakespeare, Eric Fromm, Abraham Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi and many other sources.
MacHovec devotes a large section of his book to Asian religions, but surprisingly scant
attention is given to the Koran and Islamic teachings.
There are many charts that compare and contrast traditional organized religion with SIQ.
There is a test for readers to determine one‘s SIQ rating. MacHovec is not anti-religious, but
the book‘s constant refrain is his repeated declaration about a spiritual quality that exists
outside of churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques.
This is certainly not news to any student of religion, but MacHovec goes to great, even
excessive length to anchor SIQ in a scientific way that draws on sociology and psychology.
Few readers will question the author‘s assertion that compassion, self-esteem, love of
others, reconciliation, and self-exploration are commendable goals. Nor will most readers
challenge MacHovec‘s belief that one can gain spiritual satisfaction outside the confines of
organized religion.
After extensive quotes from MacHovec‘s many spiritual mentors and lengthy descriptions of
various religious beliefs, the author concludes with his eight cardinal principles of SIQ: there
is a higher power outside ourselves that is positive and good, there is goodness in everyone,
it is better to love than to hate, it is better to do good and give than to receive, all life is
sacred, all men and women are brothers and sisters, truth is sacred whatever its source,
and life is a mission as much as it is a career.
Perhaps MacHovec did not intend it, but the themes of his book are, in fact, not that
different from sermons frequently preached in traditional religions‘ many houses of worship.
Rabbi A. James Rudin
