Posted by Helen on: 09.13.2006 /
This is the title the newspaper editor gave my latest response to Rev. Lueking, in today’s edition:
Is dialog possible between people of faith and people of doubt?
I definitely hope the answer to the question is ‘yes’! Nevertheless, in the letter I did my best to explain what makes me hesitant to pursue dialog through a) attending church services b) attending Bible studies c) one on one.
On the other hand, I realize the irony that this letter about my problems pursuing dialog is part of a (written) dialog between a person of faith and a person of doubt.
By the way, I have news for those of you who suggested I should meet Rev. Lueking. I had been thinking that too and that’s why I decided to call him last week (for the first time). He was just as kind and friendly on the phone as he has been to me in the newspaper. It turns out that he’s interested in meeting me too, so we arranged that I’ll have coffee with him and his wife this afternoon. I’m looking forward to it!
Comment by: Marty
1I have great hope and expectations for your meeting with Rev. Lueking. My sense is that if there is a way for a person of faith and a person of doubt to have a respectful dialogue - the two of you will find that. In many ways the two of you have achieved that. Even if finding ways to respectfully dialogue with one another and then sharing what the two of you have learned in how to do that - that would be a great contribution to the dialogue that goes on here and maybe can become a model for us and others to learn from.
Comment by: Helen
2Thanks Marty.
Comment by: Paul
3It is an interesting Q - I’d say yes of course if people want to listen to each other than you can have dialogue - if I’m just interested in getting my point across and that’s it, well that’s a monologue…
I also wonder whether or not we are all people of faith, frame the question as do you believe in God etc and there you have one belief in a divine deity and one belief in no divine deity - each position requires faith to maintain… so heh as people of faith in something i guess we’ve got a lot in common already ;)
Comment by: NCxian
4There has certainly been a long period of dialogue here and at the Discussion Board between people of faith and people of doubt. I find people who are interested in spirituality and truth and goodness and such to have something in common with me that we can discuss. It doesn’t particularly matter where exactly they land on those topics.
Comment by: Eliza
5Helen - how neat that you two have carried on this dialogue through the paper - the editor must be really interested in it, & I wonder how many readers are following each week to see the next development! How neat, too, that you will be meeting with the reverend and his wife for coffee (and to talk) today. I’m sure others are waiting, as am I, to hear how that meeting goes! Good luck - though he sounds nice, and open-minded :)
Comment by: Helen
6Eliza, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that our meeting was interesting and enjoyable. I’ll write a little more about it soon.