Doubts and questions: youth need friendly places to raise them (BJRE041)
Doubts and questions: youth need friendly places to raise them
(By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2021)
“He has so many questions. Some are a bit too much for me. Could you spare some time?” Suma had been accompanying this youth for a few months and now needed further help. But my worry was, ‘Will he be open and comfortable with me?’ Fortunately, she arranged a Zoom call among the three of us.
Doubts are a sure sign of growing up.
Our faith journey is a winding path of joys, troubles, assurance, and doubt. Many young people are confused, especially during the initial phase of their interior pilgrimage. Remaining insensitive to them and, worse still, reacting to their questions with ridicule is truly heartless. On the other hand, it is important to ask where we have welcoming places for our youth to raise their questions and doubts.
In his encyclical ‘Faith and Reason’, St. John Paul II explains the importance of doubts and questioning. We receive traditions and beliefs from very early ages, but there comes a point when we take a fresh look at them and question them to make them our own. He adds, “Personal growth and maturity imply that these same truths can be cast into doubt and evaluated through a process of critical inquiry” (# 31). So, when a young person asks me, ‘Most of my friends don’t go to Church, and they are okay; then why should I?’ there, I would note a strong desire to grow as a mature Christian. And my little contribution could be to respond with empathy and offer my little help.
I often recall my own restless and questioning days soon after high school. Fortunately, a handful were ready to listen to me, especially a senior seminarian from my parish. He would give me books to read, listen patiently to my questions, and try to answer. Finally, he introduced me to his Rector, a kind, scholarly priest. I tried to argue with him during my first meeting, raising my confusion. But, after listening to my questioning, Fr Dominic gently took out his Rosary from his pocket, saying, “Eddy, when I am troubled and confused, I pray the Rosary.” Somehow, the sincerity and clarity of this great man moved me deeply and gave me a transforming touch. Later, this Spanish Carmelite priest introduced me to the Charismatic Renewal that accelerated my faith journey.
What I like most when I go to youth sessions is the time for questions. A few months ago, at Jyothirbhavan, after some input, I opened up to ask questions. And it was a flood of queries, counterpoints, and arguments. After that session, there was a tea break. But many of them surrounded me for more. “We never get opportunities to ask such questions,” one of them remarked.
Pope Francis indicates how tragic it can be if youth lack chances to raise questions. “A Church always on the defensive, which loses her humility and stops listening to others, leaves no room for questions, loses her youth and turns into a museum. How, then, will she be able to respond to the dreams of young people? Even if she possesses the truth of the Gospel, this does not mean that she has completely understood it; rather, she is called to keep growing in her grasp of that inexhaustible treasure.” (Christus Vivit, 41)
How true! As a bonus, their questions help me reexamine my faith life, and if asked in a community, they build up the whole group as well.
Not from fear nor anger but with love
Unfortunately, in many groups, young people never raise questions; instead, they wear the mask of ‘the pious sheep.’ It takes some effort to create an ambiance of openness and confidence, helping them to opt to be different, to raise hands to indicate ‘I think differently.’ Of course, ‘authorities’ and experts often frighten them away, and if that happens, many will gradually leave the premises.
In Jesus Youth, a discussion group or team meeting is the most comfortable setting for raising questions. Fortunately, many youth programs have group sessions that follow input. But when a person raises a point in a group, how should we respond to it?
“Don’t speak out of fear or anger!” I found this a good instruction for group sharing. Often, young people raise questions for fun or distraction, and I would take it positively. However, two other very strong responses are fear and anger. This can be true of those who raise questions or face questions. Love and understanding build up any conversation, which must be kept in mind by the one who faces questions. Sometimes, even the questioner may not understand what she or he is asking, but with some sympathetic queries, the deep thirst of the person can show up. Then, further faith accompaniment would be so much easier.
Jesus, the best model
The Gospels repeatedly indicate that our Lord welcomed queries and even triggered further questioning. Some disciples questioned Jesus privately, in intimate circles, and others publicly. He, in turn, sometimes replied directly or asked counterquestions but always responded eagerly.
In the Jesus Youth movement, various groups became the natural setting for young people to open up, raise questions, and even argue. An ambiance of warmth and acceptance in these places helps one search for clarity of faith and experience ‘the deep calling to deep.’ But what if we don’t have experts in these groups? Maybe there, in all humility, we depend on the Lord’s help and the guidance of his Spirit.
In a way, such a question-friendly setting is not merely a precondition for faith upbuilding and growth in inner freedom but also an important support for developing distinct personal charisms and resultant missionary initiatives. As Pope Francis puts it, if the Church “sets aside narrow preconceptions and listens carefully to the young, this empathy enriches her, for it allows young people to make their own contribution to the community” (CV, 65).
I started this discussion by mentioning the Zoom call and hinting at sessions like the one at Jyothirbhavan. I often began such faith dialogues with an informal chit-chat and friendly interaction. Of course, this leads to a time of opening confusion and questions. And what is my role there? Gently allowing the indwelling Spirit in me to reach out and awaken the presence of the Lord in my friend. Then the light dawns, and the right solution is in sight. This works as “the Wind blows where it wills.” And our abundant harvest is the heart full of gladness that the Spirit brings forth in my friend and me.
Topics:
Questions and doubts
Accompaniment
Faith Formation
Journey of maturity
1. Share a positive or negative experience about doubt clarification during a session.
2. What are some typical doubts that the youth around you want to discuss?
3. What are some of the negative approaches you found to clarify doubt?
4. How can we create helpful places, persons, or programs to help young people clarify their faith-related doubts?
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