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I ran across an essay about the positive role of doubt as it relates to testimony. I think I like it, for it suggests that recognizing doubts may be a tool to greater understanding. I would be interested in hearing what other people think of this approach. Here’s the link.
http://outsidethebookofmormonbelt.com/2014/04/12/doubt-mormon-women-stand-and-traction/ I like the approach, and I’ve actually given this some thought over the past couple of weeks. I like what Shoshin said in his introduction, that his questions are believing ones, not doubting ones. In my latest epistle to my missionary son, I talked about the idea that doubt and questioning are necessary to faith because there needs to be opposition in all things. I have come to understand that we can not truly have faith unless we have questioned it. In full disclosure, this was part of a bigger topic regarding faith and knowledge. (If we have knowledge, we have no need for faith – but faith is apparently required for salvation, hence knowledge diminishes faith while doubts and questions bolster faith.*) *Disclaimer: this is the gospel according to me, and I do recognize that questioning and doubt do not always bolster faith in all people.
I’m not sure since the whole concept of testimonials(religious, business or otherwise) isn’t pertinent to most peers I know. But I do know a person can not grow unless they ask questions. Questions are rarely asked without doubt. When a person assumes they already have all pertinent answers they stop growing. When you stop growing you become more focused on security. So it’s no surprise as people stop asking asking questions(to themselves) that the growth necessary to become strong stops from happening as they focus more on security. Caught by surprise of the perceived security they felt they had it comes tumbling down. It’s a trade off, security for growth and knowledge. It’s almost like the law of mass into energy and into mass. The more you take away or add to one the more the other increases or decreases.
So which does a person prefer becomes the paramount question it seems.
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