Personally, I have never had an issue with the belief in a higher power. All seven of our Founding Fathers from John Adams to George Washington were Deists. The vital difference in their ideology—juxtaposed, to their religious countrparts was anthropomorphism:

"The attributing of human characteristics and purposes to inanimate objects, animals, plants, or other natural phenomena, or to a god (Dictionary.com)."

Possibly, because we see ourselves as the hallmark for intelligent life—an egotistical flaw of human nature. Below is an attribution to Deism:

Deism is the recognition of a universal creative force greater than that demonstrated by mankind, supported by personal observation of laws and designs in nature and the universe, perpetuated and validated by the innate ability of human reason coupled with the rejection of claims made by individuals and organized religions of having received special divine revelation. - World Union of Deism (WUD)

It is not the belief in a higher power that has caused calamities in our world—rather, it is the human creation of organized religion.

The anthropomorphic conjecture (god like us concept) reveals just how far, humanity will go to implement itself into non-human terms. Is it no wonder why the god of the Bible is so vengeful, murderous, jealous and sexist?

Human creations reflect human ideals.
Organized religion has a way out: it's called Deism. Happy Heathen Sunday!