A conversation with a friend earlier today inspired me to write this post. We were talking about religion.
In the religious world, it's bad to be a doubting Thomas. Thomas was an apostle of Jesus who, according to the Bible, could not believe that Jesus had resurrected until he actually saw Jesus. What ever you do, don't be a doubter!
But is it really that bad to be a doubter? What is faith? It is a belief in something that has no evidence. That's just stupid!
It's okay to doubt. In fact, if you don't doubt, then you are stupid. Doubt is a normal human cognative function. If 'god' didn't want you to doubt, then he wouldn't have given you the ability to do so.
If 'god' didn't want you to think and reason, then he wouldn't have given you the ability to do so.
By not doubting, you are giving up your right as a human being to use your rational brain. By believing whatever 'they' tell you to believe, in spite of the lack of any evidence, you are betraying your own humanity. It is human nature to ask the question, "Why?" Don't give up your right to ask.
The non-doubter is viewed as a hero, a noble soul. A doubter is shameful. But in all reality, the exact opposite is true. Find your own truth. Don't let someone else dictate it for you.
Doubt is what leads to questioning. Questioning leads to searching. Searching leads to enlightenment.
6 comments:
Even Mother Theresa had her moments of doubt, yet she continued to serve the people in India till she passed away. Jesus, himself, prayed to be released from the burdens placed upon him by his Father. He, too, had to go through that very human moment. We are not perfect here on earth-hence my wholehearted rejection of the mormon faith or any faith that expects perfection and a strict adherence to man made, humanly interpreted rules to demonstrate one's faith in God.
I believe the real message found in the bible is lost in too many people trying to figure out a specific map to the truth conveyed--and it is so simple. Love one another, judge not lest you are judged, and use your talents to be a blessing to others.
Be a light.
You've got it exactly.
There is nothing wrong with doubting. Thomas got to see the risen Lord as a result of doubting and saying he 'would not beleive until he had seen fore himself'.
He wasn't frowned upon or punished. Instead he was privilage to a personal visit from Jesus.
Cults claim doubt comes from some kind of satan figure as they are preoccupied with trying to keep people 'in' rather than being honest about themselves.
The LDS church is not concerned about doubts about Christ, they are concerned that one should doubt their claims and their leader and his claims,Joseph Smith.
You reveal yourself with you words, and your need to defend your position. If you felt completely at peace with your decision to let go of God, you would simply "be." No need to justify yourself.
Your voice would be far more valid if you focused on "being a light," as the previous anonymous post suggested, than defending yourself.
Being a light...
I am simply "being". I am not "defending" my position, but simply blogging about it. Does that threaten you?
We each have our own opinion about what being a light means. By stating that I don't believe in God, I believe I am bringing a light into a country that believes in nonsense.
It doesn't mean that I am anti-believers. I am just anti-god. My message of light is to just use your brain. Focus on the facts, not the fiction. Tell me why that's a bad thing.
Unfortunately, most people who were raised in any religion were indoctrinated (read: brainwashed) as children, and so it takes a substantial amount of "Deprogramming" in order to successfully heal. This healing process can take years, depending on how devoted you were indoctrinated to be in your family, but the writing and logical thinking is an important part of recovery.
I found a few quotes by LDS leaders along these lines, and thought they would be of interest especially as they apply to this topic:
"If a faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak."
--Apostle George A. Smith, Journal of Discourses, Volume 14, Page 216
"I think a full, free talk is frequently of great use; we want nothing secret nor underhanded, and for one I want no association with things that cannot be talked about and will not bear investigation."
--President John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, Volume 20, Page 264
"Convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by reason, by logical arguments, or by the word of God, and we will be ever grateful for the information, and you will ever have the pleasing reflection that you have been instruments in the hands of God of redeeming your fellow beings from the darkness which you may see enveloping their minds."
--Apostle Orson Pratt, The Seer, Page 15
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