Have you longed to at least get some response from God, some small indication from him that he really listens, cares, or is just simply THERE?
The vast majority on this forum have likely struggled with many issues regarding God, Christ, the Bible, history, truth, religion, the foundations of Christianity, agnosticism, and atheism. Just have many have prayed in earnest for years for guidance, wisdom, help, mercy, compassion, and a real relationship with God.
Yet for all the years and tears, faithful service, guilt, pain, and suffering, we find ourselves empty handed and many here are also rejected by their lifelong JW Friends and family. We have few answers, and we learn to feel some contentment with fellow ex-JWs ... just accepting life as it is - yet, many likely still wonder if God will ever answer.
Some have turned to various churches, only to be told that God has answered their prayers, but the answer is really "No." And then they go on to say flippantly: What part of "No" do you not understand? This is supposed to be a plausible comfort - but honestly I find such reasoning silly and sick.
Is God really a "father" or not? And if so, does he give a rats rectum about me? I still don't know, but I do have an idea, or better yet, at least someone to point to as an example.
He was not so easily persuaded or convinced without evidence to support the claims. You may recall that when it was reported Jesus had risen, Thomas, or better stated "Saint Thomas" seriously doubted this, and demanded that he see Christ risen, and that he could place his hands in the nail holes to be convinced. He was a kind of Christian Agnostic - that is he was not convinced until he could see solid evidence from Jesus himself.
Did Jesus Christ ridicule St. Thomas? No. He did commend those in the future who would act out of pure faith, without proof, as being blessed. Just how they were blessed, or if their blessing was greater than that of St. Thomas is anyone's guess ... but Jesus did not elaborate, so it could not have been that great or important.
Jesus rewarded St. Thomas. His doubt did not cost him any really important blessing. No, he became a Saint ... got to go to heaven, and is among the co-rulers with Christ, however you define that lofty position. The important thing is this:
St. Thomas DOUBTED ... and DEMANDED PROOF! And by GAWD, he got it ... a damn sight more than what most of the rest of us ever got by faith alone. St. Thomas did not demand proof or reasoning or truth from any church organization or another human, or a Holy Book ... No, Thomas took the direct approach and demanded it of Christ himself, the Son of God ... and Jesus accommodated his demands and doubts.
Henceforth, I declare myself to be of the "Doubting Thomas Class " ... and demand some proof from the Lord Jesus Christ himself that he is still there, still cares, and is planning on doing something to help humanity through its serious struggles. Until I hear from Christ himself, I don't believe any of it. Thank goodness for Doubting Thomas, a true religious Hero - a person who was not a Brain-dead idiot. - Jim W.