How Can a Believer Doubt That God Exists?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2011

Department

Philosophy and Religion

School

Humanities

Abstract

How can someone confidently believe that God exists, but also have moments of serious doubt about whether the belief is true? A religiously significant belief that God exists is a by-product of adopting a perceptual framing narrative which presupposes God's existence. Using such a narrative is a type of skilled performance that results in an awareness of theistic significance which may at times be disrupted. At such times, doubts may arise about theistic meanings, which can exist in tension with confidence derived from using the theistic narrative as a practical guide. The relevant reflective question for believers with serious doubts is whether some alternative framing narrative is more believable and also capable of engaging them in a way of life. © 2011 The Author The Philosophical Quarterly © 2011 The Editors of The Philosophical Quarterly.

Publication Title

Philosophical Quarterly

Volume

61

Issue

245

First Page

746

Last Page

761

Link to Full Text

Find in your library

Share

COinS