Lecture XXXIX (Nr. 0515)

[510] LECTURE XXXIX, March 22, 1956 QN: Since a child's feelings are more important than actions or abstractions in his personality development, should we not be extremely careful in replacing meaningful symbols with something which are ONLY signs, such as attempting to distinguish between literalism and mythology? Would not the first step to . . . . the child, in accepting and appreciating his feelings of doubt? PT: Can you explain the last word, "feelings of doubt"? QN: Whether he expresses the doubt or asks the question, actually whether it is an intellectual abstraction, includes FEELINGS of doubt rather than an intellectual doubt---feeling of doubt in authority, or what he has been instructed in, or his sense of security.

PT: The word "feelings of doubt"---doubt in itself is an intellectual act. But you meant it now in terms of doubt about the trustworthiness of the parents, or something like that? QN: The symbol of God in Christ---whether doubts are always to be accepted as intellectual (PT: Oh, no.) abstractions, or whether it may be expressions of feelings, insecurity, or--- PT: Yes, but the content is always a CONTENT, and that means logical content, which means expressing itself in SOME way conceptually. You can feel doubt about a theological---or let us say about the bodily resurrection of Christ (let us make it as cleear [sic.] as possible). What does that mean? You are not certain that this fact has ever happened in the way in which it is reported. That's doubt. Now this can be connected with great anxieties, and usually is, if somebody is educated in an orthodox tradition. You accept that also as a description. Well, then, if this is the case, what is the question? QN: The question is: could not we aid him in accepting and appreciating feelings of doubt instead of immediately starting in to tear apart or do away with literal interpretation? PT: First of all, the word "cautious" comes from me, and you repeat it, so that is not the question, and you agree with me anyhow. And the other question is "immediately"; nothing shall be done IMMEDIATELY,