“Questioning, doubt and dissent are discouraged, or even punished”
A friend of ours was married to a man in a cult and was constantly told she must believe in god; and to question or doubt was a sign of faithlessness. He also told her she couldn’t understand for she was too stupid and unable to comprehend the great things he could. After her divorce and some time, she eventually came to the RCIA because we had made a comment that appealed to her after her experience in “The Way”. We told her that “In Catholicism we have to have our brains plugged in and our thinking on”. When she replied, “I thought all Catholics think the same”, we only laughed and told her she didn’t know many Catholics then; for we’re a big family and like all families we sometimes disagree; but we still love each other and that what was really important. Whether or not we agree on every point, we do indeed agree on the essential ones. She came to the RCIA and saw this in action, yet the same Catholics arguing on Wednesday were hugging on Sunday and this opened for her the door that would one day lead to her Confirmation.It is true as many claim that questioning one’s faith or doubting certain teachings of the Blessed Church, or even disagreeing with a leader (lay leader or otherwise) is unkosher (not proper), and this can certainly be true. We cannot discount this possibility because some who question may do so with an agenda behind their words. Still others doubt because they have to stop sinning in order to believe, thus tough love may be necessary. Lastly, some just like to be disagreeable to get a “rise” out of people. Rav Shaul (St. Paul) is clear how we are to act with such as these:
“Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the L-rd’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. G-d may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and they escape from the snare of the devil after being captured by him to do his will.” 2Tim2.23-26
Our Church echoes this in her own teaching:
“An effective proclamation of the Gospel in contemporary Western society will need to confront directly the widespread spirit of agnosticism and relativism which has cast doubt on reason's ability to know the truth which alone satisfies the human heart's restless quest for meaning. At the same time, it must firmly defend the Church as being, in Christ, the authentic minister of the Gospel and the "pillar and bulwark" of its saving truth” (cf. 1 Timothy 3:15; "Lumen Gentium," 8).
1. We have to cast doubt on reason’s ability to know the truth, which alone satisfies the human heart’s restless quest for meaning” which can only be done by teaching them why this is so. By long suffering their doubt in our words and questions about them, as well as through this slow, careful work we can draw someone back to Yeshua, yet equally:
2. We must uphold the Church. This we do through our example and own testimony in her truth; and not by saying claiming titles or authorities. After all we are to uphold our Church, not ourselves. We add this because this is another attribute of a cult: people focusing on a leader over the teaching such that the teaching gets lost in the persona of a Charismatic personality.
We tried to do this with our friend by revealing a fact that our Jesuit upbringing brought deeply home to us, and then giving credence to our Church. Then we left her to discover the truth of our words for herself. This is the way we believe we are to approach those in doubt, with questions or in dissent, as a cry of hunger we can reach out to and heal. This is also affirmed in a homily by John Paul II when he stated to students and teachers from Europe:
“ Never stop in the face of doubts and difficulties. God ... is near you. His comforting company will make you aware of the mission which you are called to undertake in the university milieu.”
Questioning, doubting and/or dissident behavior can be sign of heresy, but it could more likely be a call for help, and that should never be discouraged or disavowed and certainly never scandalized. After all, Thomas the Apostle is famous for doubting the Resurrection of Christ when he stated, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” In response to this bold declaration, Thomas is told something we all could learn from: “Have you believed because you have seem Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Jn.20.24-29
Pope John Paul II, like Yeshua who upheld Thomas’ weak faith and understanding even though he spoke with foolish pride that week before, also upholds the weak faith, yet encourages believing. Further, not all who question, doubt or even labeled as dissidents are actually so. Sometimes they are thinkers ahead of their time, like Bishop Newman whose “confusing” and “rebellious” words actually became an inspiration for the future authoritative teaching. Not to mention possibly being the gentle shepherd to help lead the wounded and confused to fruitful pastures of faith.
