View from Chapel Window, Pizzaonian Monasteries, Pizzaonia - image
courtesy of the Pizzaonian Art Institute, Abe Straction, curator
Disclaimer: The Pizzaonian Council of Monks (PCM) and pizza conglomerate, Pizza digogo DiVinci are concerned when a prominent and respected figure in Pizzaonian politics like Brother Giovanni engages in an activity many Pizzaonians consider weird at best and psychotic at worst.
However, in the interests of full disclosure, we support The Pizzaonian’s decision to publish these letters and conversations between Brother Giovanni and the man he calls “Jesus.” Sister Veronica, Supreme Pizzaonian
"Doubt is not a virtue." John Eldredge
Dear Jesus,
It has been a while since I last heard from you. I know it is hard to write during busy times and from what I have been reading you have been quite active these past few weeks.
Usually you and I just talk about stuff. I know some of our subjects are more serious than others, but it is still stuff. I need to break that rule today and talk to you about something more significant.
I am having a very productive week. For me that usually means having a lot of time to think about things – it is very satisfying to have time like this. It has also given me more time to raise more questions about beliefs that are very important to me.
As you well know, since you have spent some time here in Pizzaonia hanging out in the Monastery, we are very open to all types of different ideas, including differences in religious beliefs. Some would call us a very tolerant society.
I have a question for you. Can you be so tolerant it begins to affect how strongly you feel about your most important and sacred beliefs? I am asking this because it seems to me that is what eventually happens to the belief systems of open-minded people. The one doctrine they are left with is the doctrine of tolerance and little else.
I need you to weigh in on this and help me resolve some basic conflicts. Conflicts I might add that our more conservative (reactionary?) Christian brethren don’t seem to have.
Our fundamental brothers and sisters continue to believe in you without the slightest doubt in their belief. This is so even though they have no more proof that you are who you say you are then I do. When you believe to this degree of certainty is this still faith?
This comes to my central question. Here is where it gets serious. How about those of us who still believe in you but have to do it through a curtain of darkness that always breeds doubt? I am not going to suggest that we necessarily believe less than they do, but we always have to deal with the cloud of uncertainty.
Brother Franco tells me in his infinite wisdom that he believes this is more indicative of real faith than those who cloak themselves in certainty. I, for one am not sure he is right. To make my point: It is easier to die for your beliefs when you believe them to an unquestioned certainty.
I guess my question is what do you expect from us? ( I think I know the answer to my own question, but it always frightens me.) Because we have to believe through doubt, that doubt does not compromise what we believe. I need you to address this when you get time to answer me.
There is one more thing I need to talk to you more about. You spend a lot of time in the New Testament talking about the “Way.” This always intrigued me the most, particularly after I portalized to Pizzaonia and had to deal with a completely open and tolerant society.
I think I know what you meant by the word, but I not going to be presumptuous and answer the question for you.
I think I have taken as much of your time as I can. Let me know what you think. I am looking forward to some quality time with you here in Pizzaonia.
Your friend,
Brother Giovanni
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