A reader writes:
I also think Andrew Sullivan (pictured) was right to remind us that Catholics do doubt. And I think your dissent for the day commenter was right to remind us that fundamentalists do too. I have never met a doubt-free Christian.
I thought it was interesting that Pope Benedict XVI, while speaking in Freiburg, Germany this past Sunday, said, “Agnostics, who are constantly exercised by the question of God … are closer to the Kingdom of God than believers whose life of faith is ‘routine’ and who regard the church merely as an institution, without letting it touch their hearts, or letting the faith touch their hearts."
I would have said Agnostics and all Christians who are constantly exercised by the question of God.
Yes. But Sullivan is also saying that practicing the tenets of one’s faith is a bridge across doubt. And might we say Jews and Muslims have doubts, as well. And should we perhaps wonder about Atheist who are “exercised by the question of God” or are they doubt free. Of course not. And what do they practice?
I have avoided explaining what I meant about taking this into consideration when talking about the Shroud of Turin because I need to think about it some more.