Position of doubt in christianity

Yossie

I’d like to get the christian perspective on something. THIS IS NOT A “DOES GOD EXIST?” DEBATE btw! I as an atheist (=naturalism) have an answer to that question already, which I’m happy with. However, I can accept the possibility (although I think it small) that I might be wrong in my atheism. I could also sketch out a set of circumstances, which would have me change my mind. Is it possible to do likewise as a christian?

My thinking is that it is not possible. Doubt appears to get a bad press in christian circles (consider poor old Thomas), where “faith”, in spite of material evidence, is revered (“blessed are those who have not seen, yet still believe”).

In short, can someone have some unresolved doubt about god’s existence or genuinely entertain the possibility of his non-existence and still be a full christian?

Thanks.

BrianCalgary

There have been times where I have doubted. Especially when it comes time to attend a funeral, and I sit there and wonder 'where is that person now and what are they doing?'.

Also when thinking of my own death and where am I going to go, all possibilities run through my mind. When I look at Thomas, sure he doubted, but he was not afraid to test his senses and explore the truth of what his eyes saw. His actions could have led him to speak authoritatively on the subject of Christ's resurrection as he was able to say that he put his fingers in the wounds.

In my past the doubts have led to further exploration and the conclusion then drawn as to who Jesus is? And then my desire to live according to His will instead of my own, it is amazing to see how close they are now.

Illuvatar

Those who have not seen and yet believe is called having FAITH.
I've doubted God many times about TIME itself. Our human minds can't comprehend having no time at all. It just all blew my mind and I started thinking why/how do I believe in this? It all comes back and something you have to rely on FAITH. I don't doubt God any more.
Death on the other hand is a gift. I'm not afriad of dieing and I try to help people with the fact that were going to die and be happy with that fact.

Excelsior

I am unusual as a Christian because I don't have ontological objections to God. I was an atheist with a set of criteria for truth that were matched by an ongoing experience of God that I had about 7 years ago. I don't doubt that the triune God exists.

But I doubt constantly about the doctrinal assertions of me and my fellow Christians. I am moved to apostasy when I see how other Christians behave. I doubt the edifice that we used to call Christendom and I resent the culture of nice, self righteous, pompous goodness that pervades Jesusland.

In my work with Christian students I encourage doubt wherever I can find it. It is in the faith of the nominal Christian that doubt is doubted. Amongst people who are passionately seeking after God and truth and love with all their hearts, minds and lives, doubt is the catalyst for growth. I know what you mean about doubt getting a bad press in the Christian world because it does. But when it does a great dis-service is being done to the story of Christianity. The Old Testament begins with a story of Jacob "wrestling" with God and being rewarded for not letting him go without an answer. It continues with all the major characters spending time in "the wilderness". On into the New Testament we see John the Baptist doubting Jesus, his family doubting Jesus and his apostles fighting Jesus. Ultimately in the Garden we see Jesus doubting himself.

Every honest and treasured relationship exists on a diet of doubts dealt with. As it is with my wife, my parents, my friends, and myself, so it is with my God. Doubt is one of the things we are called to embrace.

DinoBot

Its a very good question Yossie but from what Ive seen in my little experience of people is that when faced with doubt two things happen. People face up to it and really try to find answers OR they come up with an "explanation" which can reinforce their world view and return to the happy place

But on a serious note, this is a condition called "COGNITIVE DISSONANCE" (now that is a big word) Doubt is a healthly response, it keeps us all in check.

[ I stole this from a discussion ongoing in the martial arts pages but I think it fits in quite well here as well ]

John Doe

I doubt everything, all the time. My self-doubt is very important to me, but I regularly let it get out of control/forget to doubt myself. I don't think I'd ever be able to believe in something without doubting. I wrote an English paper about self-doubt actually. I was quite pleased with it, because I managed to write about something that's important to me.

I'm so miserable and confused at the moment because I think I'm doubting too much. I ought to keep it in check! I don't believe in God, in love, in the decency of humans or even the decency of myself at the moment. In response to this horrible doubt, I've decided to become horribly shallow to avoid thinking about things too much.

samb

John Doe wrote:

I'm so miserable and confused at the moment because I think I'm doubting too much. I ought to keep it in check! I don't believe in God, in love, in the decency of humans or even the decency of myself at the moment. In response to this horrible doubt, I've decided to become horribly shallow to avoid thinking about things too much.

Cheer Up!!!!! Doubt is great. Your thinking and questioning, that is the most important thing in a avoiding amoral behavour. So I think your fairly decent. No need to avoid thinking, just don't let your thoughts consume you, don't take them or yourself too seriously. Always look on the bright side of life, du, du , du , du ,du, du.

Asiaprod

John Doe wrote:

I doubt everything, all the time. My self-doubt is very important to me, but I regularly let it get out of control/forget to doubt myself.

Doubt is a prerequisite for knowledge, is a prerequisite for growth.
Or to de-Buddize it: Doubt is to learn, is to grow.
As samb says <all together now >Always look on the bright side of life, du, du , du , du ,du, du.

John Doe

Thanks y'all, I'll try. Du du, du du du du du du...

Asiaprod

John Doe wrote:

Thanks y'all, I'll try. Du du, du du du du du du...

You can do it! I knew you could do it.:)

Thank all Gods, and no Gods, for Monty Python:eek:

Yossie

From the posts here, I'm thinking that my OP has been answered in the negative; as I suspected it would be. There seems to be a difference in the doubt that I may have about my atheism and the doubt a "proper" christian can have about the existence of god. For me the doubt is one of logic, intellect and reason; for the christian it appears to be more a subjective "crisis in faith" given the short-hand name of doubt. The doubt I talk about is an inbuilt part of the scientific method, as Dinobot says "it keeps us all in check". The christian on the other hand struggles with the acceptance of faith, normally against the tide of logic, intellect and reason, at least in that first great leap anyway. With successive defeats over these, faith can only but grow.

Ironically, BrianCalgary, for me funerals and death (both my own and others) are when I find "faith" at it's most emotionally attractive; with its promise of a future reunion with those I love.

What about John Doe his self-doubt? Thinking too much on things can be bad alright. I'm of the belief that whatever you feed - grows, whether that be porn, love, an interest in chess, or dark navel-gazing thoughts. Sometimes our position in life, like in school/college where one has a lot of time and with a predisposition for it, we can easily spiral into depression. The greatest struggle for us all, atheist and christian alike is to give our lives meaning, which only we can really do despite what the christians say. I would suggest John not to portion too much of yourself out to grand narratives like theism, philosophy, etc. Try find some meaning closer to home. And as Asiaprod and samb suggest, try enjoy, if you can, the absurdity in life. Of course though, the only person round here who is you is you.

John Doe

Thanks again. Incidentally though, it was actually the 'issues closer to home' that had kicked me in the metaphorical testicles on this occasion, thus causing me to doubt more grand and abstract concepts.