Although it might seem odd to say it, I believe that faith and doubt are not the opposites that they may seem – and, in fact, that being certain about something can stop us from having true faith.

St Augustine is reported as having said ‘if you understand [it], it is not God’. The truths of faith are spiritual. They are often matters of personal and shared conviction, of a different character and dimension to the ‘certainties’ of science and history. They are beyond the range of repeatable experimental research which underpins science and history.

However, just as scientists and historians must be ready to re-evaluate their certainties in the case of demonstrable new evidence, faith and personal conviction must also be open to the challenge of new thinking and knowledge. We need to be willing to contemplate change, which means incorporating an element of doubt into the fabric of our convictions. 

If we confuse our spiritual convictions with the kinds of ‘certainties’ of science and history, we risk becoming intolerant and arrogant, bullying and sectarian - something all too evident in the history of the world religions.

Since faith and conviction cannot be ‘proved’ by external methods, it is not surprising that there is great variety in the beliefs and practices of believers, both within and between denominations and world religions. The essence of ‘God’ is mystery, so how could it be otherwise? My personal faith and another’s personal disbelief are each unique points contributing to a rich spectrum of faith and disbelief.

Martin Dodds, Western Dales Mission Community

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