Why We Doubt

Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio

As far as we know, we are the only creatures that experience doubt. Doubt is one of the curses and blessings of having a neocortex. Which is why it is often lumped in with other mental maladies such as anxiety, worry, and angst. In this sense, doubt is a form of reflection and projection; where we scrutinize our past and squint at the future.

But that doesn’t really answer the question of why we doubt.

To answer this question we must first understand the different types of doubt…

Spiritual Doubt

This is the doubt that comes from questioning beliefs, doctrines, and dogmas. Let’s call it “critical believing”. It is this form of doubt that is encouraged by all true spiritual masters. It was this form of doubt that got the apostle Thomas the moniker of “Doubting Thomas” - which went on to be a label for anyone who questions their faith. As we know, the victors write history so it’s worth re-examining the story of Thomas and how his doubting was seen by Jesus as an essential form of spiritual curiosity.

“Doubt everything. Find your own light.”
― Buddha

It was spiritual doubt that caused me in my 30s and 40s to start asking questions of church leaders. Combined with intuition, it prompted me to leave behind any form of structured or institutional religious beliefs.