Voluntary doubt of the faith

[simpleas]

What does that mean?

Thanks.

 

[fred_conty]

It means that a person deliberately gives in to doubt a truth of faith/morals that is a necessary part of the faith. For example, a Catholic person doubting the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist when it is known that it must be believed.

In another case where a person doesn’t know it must be believed, then it is not a deliberate(voluntary) doubt. The ignorance, if they are not responsible for it, exonerates them.

 

[Bonnie]

It means that a person deliberately gives in to doubt a truth of faith/morals that is a necessary part of the faith. For example, a Catholic person doubting the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist when it is known that it must be believed.

I dunno. Doubt isn’t something we court, but just happens. I can’t make myself believe something, even if the Church says I should. Before I became a Catholic, I told the priest I had some reservations about certain doctrines & non-necessary beliefs (like apparitions). He asked me if I could trust the Church - I said yes. He said that was enough, that the doubts and reservations would be resolved eventually. I’m still waiting on that, but I’m at peace with it.

And somewhere I read that faith is a gift. Not much we can do if God hasn’t given us the gift.

 

[AttendeDomine]

Here is Fr. Hardon’s definition of voluntary doubt:

An uncertainty of mind totally induced by the will, when a person withholds assent even in the presence of sufficient or prudentially adequate evidence.

In other words: having voluntary doubt is kind of like being in a state of denial, and, IMO, probably involves all of the same type of weird, emotional baggage.

 

[fred_conty]

I dunno. Doubt isn’t something we court, but just happens. I can’t make myself believe something, even if the Church says I should. Before I became a Catholic, I told the priest I had some reservations about certain doctrines & non-necessary beliefs (like apparitions). He asked me if I could trust the Church - I said yes. He said that was enough, that the doubts and reservations would be resolved eventually. I’m still waiting on that, but I’m at peace with it.

And somewhere I read that faith is a gift. Not much we can do if God hasn’t given us the gift.

Ephesians 4

The different graces in the one body I plead with you, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, with perfect humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another lovingly.

Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and works through all, and is in all.

Bonnie, as St. Paul said … it is about unity, or not rending the body of Jesus. Just try to reflect on his words.

If we hold back, it will hurt us spiritually. And it may become so much a part of our thinking that we don’t even realize it. So He will patiently await our awakening to our error, which has caused some interference with the closeness to Jesus. And we wonder why He does not seem to be near. He waits for us to say ok, I give. Then the darkness clears up.

 

[Bonnie]

Ephesians 4

Bonnie, as St. Paul said … it is about unity, or not rending the body of Jesus. Just try to reflect on his words.

I don’t think you understood what I was trying to say - the fault may be mine. But I have no problem agreeing with St. Paul.

Most people who talk about faith seem to be talking about a feeling. I can’t manufacture feelings just to please others.

 

[fred_conty]

Bonne,
a feeling is not the same as ascenting. An act of faith can be this … “although I do not understand it or comprehend it or like it, I do accept it as true on your word O Lord.”

As a matter of fact, when our feelings go contrary to our faith, and yet we accept it as true anyway, that is a much stronger act of faith.