The journey of doubt
Part 4
As I say, I have now answered these questions to my satisfaction, but I am concerned to answer them to the satisfaction of anyone concerned with truth. There has been the age-old battle between believers and atheists, but they tend to argue at cross-purposes. Believers say, “Take the leap of faith; once you have made the commitment of faith, it all makes sense”. However, atheists say, “I don’t want my faith in God to rely on faith; it must rest on something more substantial than that – on verifiable, scientifically-proven knowledge”. That, of course, cannot be given. For atheists that is a sign that faith is not justified, but believers point out that, even if you could have that certain knowledge of God, faith would no longer exist, because it would be replaced by knowledge.
So, how does faith “touch the boundary” with ultimate reality in a way that satisfies not just believers, but also those who are not currently inclined to believe? My intention (as though it was possible!) is not to prove that God exists – as though, after so many people trying and failing to do this through the ages, I will now be the one to succeed.
What I do want to do is to show that those who are finding deep fulfilment in faith are justified in doing so. That their faith does not simply make sense while they are in the pool of faith, but it also makes sense if they get out of the pool, sit on the edge of it, or go into whatever other pool of ideas and values and commitments that there are. If we can do this, we can give believers confidence that they are free to live their life of faith. They don’t have to be afraid that at the edge of their consciousness are troubling questions that they can’t answer and which threaten to suck their pool dry of meaning. Likewise, if we can find this justification, then all those who are attracted by a life of faith, but feel they can’t make this leap of commitment, can gleefully jump in and also find life in all its fullness.
Spiritual Devotion 