Wednesday, July 13, 2005

My Favorite Apostle

My avatar is Doubting Thomas after my favorite apostle, but also after Thomas Paine, one of my favorite writers. Here's what Paine had to say about his namesake:

But it appears that Thomas did not believe the resurrection, and, as they say, would not believe without having ocular and manual demonstration himself. So neither will I, and the reason is equally as good for me, and for every other person, as for Thomas.

from The Age of Reason, Part One

In America, to be a 'doubting thomas' isn't generally considered a good thing. The term is usually applied with contempt. I'd like to improve the reputation of poor old Thomas. Faith has a great reputation; doubt has a lousy one. And why not? Faith is warm and pleasant; doubt is frightening and cold. Maybe I'm seeking to find a way to reverse those perceptions. Perhaps doubt is a bitter but healthful medicine and faith, well, maybe there's poison mixed in with the sweet taste.

3 comments:

pebblepie said...

Loved your comment at Fay's

Doubting Thomas 65 said...

thanks, but perhaps I shouldn't have left it there. I like Fay and don't want to insult her beliefs.

Doubting Thomas 65 said...

Ha, ha, Zan, I'm not religious so I don't offend easily. So don't be sorry; I know exactly the kind of person you thought I was. I know better than to post that sort of skeptical comment at Fay's because she considers it an 'attack.' Which is okay, it's her space. Oh, pebblepie thanks for sticking up for me.

I dislike ideologues so I know exactly the kind of right-wing religious political nut you're talking about: I got myself banned at both iraq the model and healing iraq telling those fuckers off. And I was a war supporter! I also used to tell off the left-wing antiwar nuts as well.

Anyway Zan I know exactly where 'you're coming from' bc I teach in a huge high school here in AZ where more than half the kids are diehard Mormon--whenever Darwin is taught in biology they all troop out bc their parents gave them notes so they could be excused from hearing that they're related to Bonzo the chimp. I can't post under my real name because they have enormous political power here. Not that they could fire me but my life would be more difficult, they'd be afraid I was polluted their poor kids minds with my agnosticism.

So, now that Fay thinks I'm a racist, I guess I'll blog about why racism is a stupid pseudoscience...

pebblepie if your bible classes can't explain the behavior of Moses which is so much like Muhammad's then I'm sorry, you're about to experience some tough things...good luck to you