Mystery Meat Posted June 3, 2015 Posted June 3, 2015 The scriptures are pretty dogmatic when it comes to doubt. But I find many passages that praise the notion of individual exploration, questioning, learning from struggle and dissatisfaction. I don't think it's bad to embrace doubt, in that we ought to let things run the course with us. We shouldn't suppress our thoughts and feelings, so much as, let them grow. In my mind, doing so can bring us great benefit.The problem isn't, as I see it, that we doubt. But that we let other things drive our doubt--things like resentment, pride, etc. stem, Been thinking about this some more. I really like your last line, quite a bit actually. In my mind I have come up with a distinction: healthy doubt vs. toxic doubt. Healthy doubt would seem to be natural questions that arise as one studies, practices and grows within the gospel. Toxic doubt, however, arises from outside circumstances, or as you say, resentment, pride, etc. I might add, from watching those around me (however limited the application might be) things like unrealized expectations, taking offense (an offshoot of pride?) and/or anger (tip of the hat to the other thread). Or, maybe, the difference between healthy doubt and toxic doubt isn't so much a question of the source or circumstances leading to the doubt, but a difference in attitude and humility. Questions and doubt will naturally creep in as we journey here in life. But doubt can quickly become toxic if we allow it fester. 2
stemelbow Posted June 3, 2015 Posted June 3, 2015 stem, Been thinking about this some more. I really like your last line, quite a bit actually. In my mind I have come up with a distinction: healthy doubt vs. toxic doubt. Healthy doubt would seem to be natural questions that arise as one studies, practices and grows within the gospel. Toxic doubt, however, arises from outside circumstances, or as you say, resentment, pride, etc. I might add, from watching those around me (however limited the application might be) things like unrealized expectations, taking offense (an offshoot of pride?) and/or anger (tip of the hat to the other thread). Or, maybe, the difference between healthy doubt and toxic doubt isn't so much a question of the source or circumstances leading to the doubt, but a difference in attitude and humility. Questions and doubt will naturally creep in as we journey here in life. But doubt can quickly become toxic if we allow it fester. I very much appreciate your thoughts: "Or, maybe, the difference between healthy doubt and toxic doubt isn't so much a question of the source or circumstances leading to the doubt, but a difference in attitude and humility." This is an important learning coming from me as I've made my journey. The state of my attitude is the key-est of factors when it comes to whether I dabble in the toxic or not as I'm confronted with doubts. 1
Mystery Meat Posted June 3, 2015 Posted June 3, 2015 I very much appreciate your thoughts:"Or, maybe, the difference between healthy doubt and toxic doubt isn't so much a question of the source or circumstances leading to the doubt, but a difference in attitude and humility."This is an important learning coming from me as I've made my journey. The state of my attitude is the key-est of factors when it comes to whether I dabble in the toxic or not as I'm confronted with doubts. Thanks for sharing. Although there is still much we disagree on, I think in a round about way we have found common ground in the thread. I think that is helpful.
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