Uncertain About Certainty

Maybe its not truth I am after but rather certainty. What's the difference? Truth is an object while certainty is a feeling. Of course it would seem obvious that as the veracity of a claim increases the certainty associated with believing that claim would also increase. However, I am not so sure that this is the case. Often the most fervent defenders of an ideology are those who fear that its weakness will be revealed the most. No one vehemently argues for obvious, it is only on issues where doubt may arise, that we find those using the offensive as their best method for defending their position which they fear could not stand on its own.

Now then, is it faith which is the opposite of doubt or is certainty the more appropriate antonym? It has been said that as faith increases so does certainty but this seems counterintuitive for if one is certain what need is there for faith? It seems more likely that certainty is the opposite of doubt and that faith is required in part because of the likelihood of doubt rather than the prevalence of certainty. If this is the case, and I am still not certain that it is, then how has certainty creep so insidiously into the community of faith? Why has certainty become the litmus test for faith? What possible place could hope have in an economy that trades in certainty exclusively? Could it be that certainty is a mask that hides deeply rooted doubt and with it immutable pride that prevents the wearer from crying out, 'help my unbelief'?

Those who struggle to believe are trampled on their way to the altar by those who rush ahead to proclaim their creeds in hopes that the sheer volume of their outbursts will silence the torrent of unbelief within them. I continue to give myself that litmus test, and each time I fail because the concept of God in His cosmic relationship with humanity becomes more complex and Christ's sacrifice although a simple act of sacrifice and love reveals the inner thoughts of the Almighty which my mind cannot hope to comprehend let alone have the audacity to be certain of in its finitude.