In my life recently, I have learned that I am very often much less sure about my position and convictions on things I thought were unquestionable months ago. My life seemed so much more stable and it seemed so much more set. Now I do not think of things in that way so much anymore. I have considered myself agnostic religiously for many years, but never has that great leap of ultimate human understanding made it to the other areas of my mind more clearly than recently. I find that I question a lot of things a lot more thoroughly now than ever before. This was always a habit of mine, but now it seems to be a predominant thought. It is my belief that not only is this a good way to think in general, it is the best way to conceive the world more often than not.
You see, if people are less sure in their convictions not only are they more likely to see all of the world for what it is in actuality, but also they are less likely to get hurt for their beliefs, as they have less beliefs to be hurt by. I know there are those who would argue that those without certainty are merely stupid or cowards because they can not find a principle and stick to it. Well, there are a few responses I can offer to this, the first being that what is wrong with being a coward? I find cowardice is often a noble trait in many respects, maybe simply because it tempers foolhardiness. Also, I think cowardice helps to relieve many unnecessary conflicts, we own our fears for a reason, and I think they help us at least as often as the hinder us.
The second response I have to these criticisms is that if one is uncertain upon a position, the chances are great that there is really too little evidence to be in support of that cause or feeling in the first place. Also, uncertainty has many degrees, and while one may be uncertain of something momentarily, ultimately the uncertainty is truly what reinforces his beliefs to start with. When one asks, why do I think this, or why do I like that, the debate that he has with himself makes him constantly reestablish what is good about something. To never question the tenets of ones interests or favour is ridiculous. For example, Why should we blindly believe in God constantly without question. Without the questioning, not only is it obvious that you lack any true sentience about something, and seem therefore stupid, but also you never truly know why you hold your convictions and only hold them on the basis of tradition and fear to know that perhaps there is less merit to what you think than you knew.
In speaking to some friends lately who questioned if they had the desire to remain in a relationship, I learned to my astonishment that the questioning was offensive to one of the parties involved. This is not to say it is unexpected that someone would want the stability of blind obedience in their relations, but it is surprising that such behaviour is highly frowned upon, though it is the nature of man to constantly reassert his place in the world. It seems to me, that if the questioning is forbidden in the first place and uninformed tolerance, is the ultimate sign of fear, insecurity and ultimately that bad things are actually occurring. If you are secure enough in your relationship to think that things are well, then there is no fear that the correct conclusion will be arrived at by your partner. I am not saying that there is no reason to worry once this sort of questioning begins, but if it is good enough to work, then the questioning can only truly serve to strengthen your partner's feelings of the relationship as well.
By arriving at the conclusion that all is as good or better than you thought, would it not serve to make you want to invest your affectations all the more? If the uncertainty does lead to the loss of your belief in something, or in the end of a relationship, is it not better to know that and to ultimately find that which truly makes you happy, not only what seemingly makes you secure? This is only my belief, but I think until my dying day, I shall ever remain agnostic in all matters if I am to be wise. Nothing is ever certain, nor should it be. I of all people like change least, but I do realise the ultimate necessity for it, and I encourage you to discover the benefits of uncertainty for yourselves. Also I ask that you do not judge those harshly when they come to uncertain mindsets themselves, for in my mind it is the true way to mental and philosophical salvation.