I believe that every emotion has a reason for existing even anger which in controlled doses has the ability to drive us to action against evil. So if we follow this line of reasoning then that means doubt has a purpose as well. So the question stands does doubt exist to strengthen Faith and allow us to differentiate blind dogma from the will of God?

I already have my opinion on this subject. I want to know yours.

What exactly do you mean by "blind dogma and the will of God"? I'm a bit confused to what blind dogma is...

And I have another question. Do you believe we will have negative emotions in heaven?

Blind Dogma is the added, the things people add onto the bible in order to manipulate its message. I can't say what that is, its kind of up to your interpretation as everyone has different beliefs.

It depends on what you view as a negative emotion. Or even an emotion in the first place.

I believe there will no longer be any fear or pain. Beyond that I do not pretend understand the full scope of the divine, I am merely speaking of our early emotions and their purpose here on earth. I don't think we will have Anger, Fear, Doubt, or Sorrow in heaven though as we will no longer have need of them. To everything there is a season?

Ok, I get what you mean by that term then.

Stepping back to the original question, I'm trying to muddle my way through it, as it seems to lead into a very deep debate, but I think that doubt isn't so much something as it is the absence of something. It's not a 'X'--it's a 'Not-X.' Kind of like cold isn't actually a something, but cold is merely the absence of heat.

In the same way, doubt is the absence of faith to a varying degree. And so I think we should treat it similarly to faith in that doubt isn't good or bad per se, but that it all depends on what we put our faith in. In a sinful world with many false worldviews, we need doubt because we can't put our faith in everything.

And like anything else, you more appreciate things once you've lost them. If you spent the past five years in the desert where every day you were hunting for water, you'd have a much greater appreciation for living in a modern house with sinks where you can get water whenever you want. And so I think competing worldviews and doubt make faith and Christianity more important to us when we see what life without faith in God is like.

Anyways, I'm not sure if I completely answered your question, but there's my thoughts on this issue.

Well, what is confusing me though, is the definition of doubt as an emotion...rather than a state of being, or a mind-set.

First off Dawnbringer you have a cool name. I'm actually dealing with doubt in my own book, and to me doubt is the foe of trust. for example my MC had a lot of self doubt but when he encounters moments when trusts himself and the Divine (I'm still working on religion in my world and that's God's presence in it) he is capable of great feats that he wouldn't be able to do otherwise. I hope that helps

Cool, I have developed a number of pretty well thought out religions with real world analogies. I am particularly fond of my christian analogy however I feel discomfort as I ultimately portray polytheists kind-of badly. As one polytheist religion is basically worshiping sticks and stones while the others is out and out demon worship. I just hope I don't offend anyone, then again it works well with the story, and honestly as a christian my very existence basically offends everyone on the planet, and as I kind-of like breathing they can get over it.

Jesus asked, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31) and "Why do doubts arise in your hearts?" (Luke 24:38). Doubting Him was shown as wrong and foolish.

James 1:6 says, "Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

So one thing is clear: God does not want us to ever doubt Him.

This is a very good question, and I like the discussion thus far.

I agree with Jonathan that doubt is a negative thing, as a whole, but I can also see how doubt can be a tool.

For example, doubt is often used by our conscience to help ward off wrong doing....

I think it depends on what function doubt is playing. Because most of the time I would say it is bad. And I don't think we will have doubt in heaven, but in certain circumstances..... I think it can be a tool to keep us from making wrong choices....

And I like the example given of the x vrs not x. That makes sense to me.

Maybe doubt is the wrong word for what i was talking about in the first place. I wouldn't know what the right word is though.

Yes, I can see what you mean, but I can't think of a word to describe the difference between the two kinds of "doubt".....

Logic VS. Doubt? Common Sense maybe?

Do you mean sort of like how evil, while being the opposite of good, seems to give goodness its strength, and being? The way a pinprick of light wouldn't be noticed next to the sun, but only in a night sky...but with doubt surrounding faith?

No.

I love this example, Laothain.

Both good scriptures, Jon! This one comes to mind as well:



I understand what Airi is saying about doubt stopping us from making the wrong choices, but I also think it could stop one from making the right choice or from doing the right thing because of doubting either in our abilities and training, or doubting in the moment what God could actually do.

I don't believe there will be doubt in heaven, because there will not be place for it anymore. Everything will be perfect.