(L,M,C)B...
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(L,M,C)
I have always maintained that if I were ever appointed to a church that was building, I would do everything I could to get the church named St. Thomas. I have great admiration for Thomas. I believe he had been unduly maligned in the taunting phrase, "doubting Thomas." We use this term to designate the hopeless skeptic. But Thomas was merely honest. I find it absolutely impossible to believe that none of the other disciples ever had the kinds of fears and doubts that Thomas had. But they were afraid to admit them. And, let us never forget, having aired his doubts and received the proof he sought, Thomas gave absolute loyalty -- "My Lord and my God."
Unfortunately, we seem to have convinced most "good, church-going Christians" that it is somehow un-Christian to admit to any doubts about their faith. What pure nonsense. Everyone at times has fears and doubts about those things which are so important to them that they have invested large portions of their lives in them. It is natural to wonder sometimes if we have invested ourselves wisely. It seems to me that the need to look at our doubts and resolve them is a clear indication of how important our faith is to us. Those who are afraid to examine their doubts are probably afraid their faith isn't strong enough to withstand it.
-- Shearburn
I have always maintained that if I were ever appointed to a church that was building, I would do everything I could to get the church named St. Thomas. I have great admiration for Thomas. I believe he had been unduly maligned in the taunting phrase, "doubting Thomas." We use this term to designate the hopeless skeptic. But Thomas was merely honest. I find it absolutely impossible to believe that none of the other disciples ever had the kinds of fears and doubts that Thomas had. But they were afraid to admit them. And, let us never forget, having aired his doubts and received the proof he sought, Thomas gave absolute loyalty -- "My Lord and my God."
Unfortunately, we seem to have convinced most "good, church-going Christians" that it is somehow un-Christian to admit to any doubts about their faith. What pure nonsense. Everyone at times has fears and doubts about those things which are so important to them that they have invested large portions of their lives in them. It is natural to wonder sometimes if we have invested ourselves wisely. It seems to me that the need to look at our doubts and resolve them is a clear indication of how important our faith is to us. Those who are afraid to examine their doubts are probably afraid their faith isn't strong enough to withstand it.
-- Shearburn
