"Pizzaonia Emerging" courtesy
of the Pizzaonian Art Institute, Abe Straction, Curator
Today we begin the conversations between Brother Giovanni and Brother Franco. The opinions expressed here will be those of the speakers and are not necessarily the opinions of “The Pizzaonian” or its editorial staff.
Sister Veronica, Supreme Pizzaonian
Conversations of Brother Giovanni and Brother Franco
G: Amazing, it seemed so easy to have something to talk about when what I am saying was not being recorded.
F: Just pretend you are an intellectual. They always think they have something to say.
G: Not a bad idea, the other benefit is that if I do that I don’t have to worry about anyone taking me seriously.
F: You have come a long way from the kitchen bakeries.
G: It seems to me if we are going to have anyone read this, we should make clear our context and how being a Pizzaonian shapes our perspective.
F: I am not sure we can do that, or for that matter, do we want to do that. The minute we make our ideas somehow different from everyone else’s, why should they take us seriously?
G: You don’t think being from an alternate universe is different?
F: Of course we are different, at least I would like to think so – that was the reason for portalizing here in the first place. But I think that is our business, and it should stay that way.
G: So be it. Let me get on with it. Here is something I need to run by you. After our seminar, this morning we talked about faith and the subject of doubt came up. The question was, is doubt a virtue or a weakness, maybe even a character flaw when it comes to faith.
F: You have been talking to Evangelicals again. This always comes up when you meet with these people.
G: These people? Aren’t they part of the faithful too? Besides I have been having serious reservations about the quality of a faith that is always hounded by the shadow of doubt.
F: Are we talking about you or in general?
G: Does it make any difference?
F: Probably not but we always seem to get hung up on definitions. The fact is I am not sure it makes any difference whether you have doubted or not. I think this is true for most thoughts and feelings. What counts is how we act, not how we feel or think.
G: That seems naïve to me. Isn’t it reasonable to believe we become what we think? God knows we read this often on writings on the subject. You know the old adage “change how you think and how you act soon follows.”
F: I prefer the other old adage “change how you act and how you think soon follows.”
G: I suppose in a perfect world what you think and what you do always agree.
F: This works as long as you are not talking about sociopaths since they have no trouble with agreement and actions – again we always have to define our terms. I suspect most people go through their entire lives and never completely reconciling thoughts and actions. And when in doubt noble actions always trump less noble thoughts and feelings.
G: Like most things, easier said than done. We are back to the basic question: Is doubt a virtue or weakness?
F: Let’s close with this – doubt is a virtue if it keeps you from doing the wrong thing – doubt is not a virtue if it keeps you from doing the right thing.
G: As always a great non answer.
F: Isn’t that what you pay me for?
G: Till next time,
Brother Giovanni and Brother Franco
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