Faith & Film

Easter 2A

Doubt (2008)

Doubt as an essential component of the human experience of truth, morality and spirituality

Easter 2A

Both the biblical story of Thomas’ doubt in John 20:19-31, and the 2008 drama film “Doubt” by John Patrick Shanley, explore the theme of doubt and its effects on the human experience.

Thomas was a disciple of Jesus, but when Jesus appeared to the other disciples after his resurrection, Thomas was not present. The disciples then went and told Thomas about their experience, but he replied that unless he saw the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and feet and put his fingers in the wounds, he would not believe. When Jesus later appeared to Thomas, he invited him to touch his wounds, and Thomas responded with a declaration of faith, stating, “My Lord and my God.”

Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the protagonist of “Doubt,” is a strict and uncompromising nun who runs a Catholic school in the Bronx in the 1960s. When she becomes suspicious of Father Flynn, a priest new to the school, she begins to investigate his behavior and motives, suspecting him of improper conduct with a student. As the investigation progresses, Sister Aloysius becomes more and more certain that Father Flynn is guilty, despite his repeated denials.

Although the settings and characters in these two stories are vastly different, the common thread is doubt. Both Thomas and Sister Aloysius are skeptical of what others claim to be true and struggle with their own beliefs and values in the face of uncertainty.

In the case of Thomas, his doubt is a natural response to an extraordinary event. He wants to see the evidence with his own eyes before making a judgment. His doubts stem not from a lack of faith but from a need for confirmation. By presenting himself to Thomas, Jesus invites him to seek evidence and then witness the truth.

In contrast, Sister Aloysius’ doubts arise from a deep distrust of the motivations of others. She is convinced of Father Flynn’s guilt despite the absence of any concrete evidence. Her doubts aren’t so much about the facts of the case but rather about her perceptions of the person in question. She believes that certain behaviors and attitudes are indicative of wrongdoing, and she interprets them as evidence of guilt even though she cannot prove it.

While Thomas’ doubt ultimately leads to a deepening of his faith, Sister Aloysius’ doubt leads to a crisis of faith. She questions the very foundations of her belief system, wondering if the church in which she has placed so much trust and faith could be capable of covering up such grievous sins.

Both Thomas and Sister Aloysius experience doubt within a community of believers. Thomas’ doubt was shared by the other disciples, who had also seen the risen Christ. Sister Aloysius’ doubt, however, is in conflict with the very institution she dedicates her life to promoting and protecting. The fact that she is a nun and responsible for the spiritual well-being of children only magnifies the stakes of her investigation.

Thomas’ doubt ultimately strengthens his faith by leading him to a direct confrontation with the risen Christ. He experiences the evidence for himself and is able to affirm his belief through his own direct perception. In a similar way, Sister Aloysius’ doubts challenge her to assess the values and principles she has taken for granted. While her investigation ultimately raises more questions than answers, the process of questioning helps her to clarify her own beliefs and values.

However, unlike Thomas, Sister Aloysius is left with uncertainty and is forced to confront the limitations of her own understanding. In the end, she is left with a deep sense of unease about the Catholic Church and its role in society.

The stories of Thomas and Sister Aloysius demonstrate the complexity of doubt, which can serve as a valuable tool for epistemology just as much as it can raise difficult issues for faith. In some sense, doubt, as a process of questioning and seeking truth, is necessary for both areas, both leading into questions about belief, knowledge or morality. When overcome, that is when real faith is acquired.

But when doubt is utilized for wrong reasons or when it is obstructed by other factors, it can provoke invalid belief formation, such as blind faith. Ultimately, though, whether through Thomas’ doubt leading to faith, or through Sister Aloysius’ doubt leading to a higher understanding of her personal faith system, we realize as the watchers of this dual argument that doubt is an essential component of the human experience of truth, morality and spirituality.