Conclave and Doubt

I enjoyed the movie Conclave. And as a new pope is being selected, it was a good time to watch. 

The film was well-acted with a bunch of star actors, including the conservative cardinal, a leading Italian actor whom I saw in the film Mostly Martha. 

One thing raised was the importance of some doubt. Being too sure you are correct was cited as a barrier to compromise and unity. Plus, humility. And to be fair to the context, faith. Also, only God knows all. It would be somewhat blasphemous to think you do. 

This theme also arose in a young adult novel entitled Converting Kate about a teenager leaving a conservative religious sect and dealing with other issues. She likes a verse from one of Trump's favorite biblical books though he had a trouble with the name.  Remember that? So much silliness. 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

The chapter also honors love (sometimes translated as "charity"):

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Paul is not a big one for doubt. He was often quite sure of himself and critical about opposing points of view. Not much modesty or williness to compromise, even when "the pillars" of the Church were involved.  

The book takes a somewhat revisionist take on the passage. Paul was not honoring doubt. He was noting that Christianity moves past confusion and "childish things." We can still go our own way. 

Christianity thrived partially because it suppressed opposition. Pagans were more open to various types of belief. Within certain limits. Christians saw one path to nirvana. It selectively honored free exercise of religion until it gained control. Then, it was less gung ho about that.  

Maybe it is telling that my middle name is "Paul." I have a firm opinion about many things.  

Still, I do try to leave some doubt. Also, other points of view are regularly treated as totally stupid. That is not often the case. There is usually some level of sanity there, even if the views are wrong. For instance, I have a generally libertarian view of free speech. In recent years, I have been more sympathetic to those who disagree.  

And, sometimes, "childish things" are not too bad either. Those little devils have some good qualities. 

We shall see who the next pope is. I don't think he will have the sort of secret involved in the film. The film is based on a book. I will eventually check it out.  

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The first Thursday of May is the National Day of Prayer. I have spoken up against this in the past.  

The day does not merely honor prayer, which itself would be sketchy. It directly requires the president to announce a day to encourage prayer to God. 

That's a bit ridiculous.