Exploring Doubt and Belief: A Journey Through Europe's Religious History
A recent journey through Europe has sparked reflections on doubt, belief, and the intersection of religion and atheism. From the statue of Thomas the Apostle in Milan's Duomo to the story of Menocchio, a sixteenth-century Italian miller, this four-part series, 'Trains of (Free)Thought', explores these themes.
Thomas's doubt, as recounted in the Gospel of John, is a fascinating aspect of religious history. It shows that even within traditions, uncertainty and questioning exist. This resonates with the idea that religion does not prevent ordinary people from thinking for themselves. Non-believers should engage with religious ideas and arguments, not dismiss them out of hand.
Caravaggio's 'The Incredulity of Saint Thomas' captures this moment of doubt and subsequent faith. It serves as a reminder that the religious impulse to question and create meaning can be a powerful force. Non-believers can learn from this, harnessing doubt in their own lives.
Historian Carlo Ginzburg's 'The Cheese and the Worms' challenges the notion that pre-modern people were incapable of sophisticated unbelief. It shows that even in the face of religious authority, individuals could hold heterodox beliefs, as seen in Menocchio's case. This serves as a historical parable about resisting authority and thinking independently.
Engaging with religious insights and mysteries can benefit both believers and non-believers. By understanding the power of doubt and the impulse to create meaning, we can foster a richer, more nuanced dialogue. This series encourages such engagement, drawing on historical examples and artistic representations to illuminate the complex relationship between religion and atheism.
