An Internet encyclopedia, Wikipedia, indicates that "Doubt is uncertainty in the context of trust (where it takes the form of distrust), action, decision or belief.

It implies challenging some notion of reality in effect, and may involve hesitating to take a relevant action due to concern that one might be mistaken or at fault.

The term 'to doubt' can also mean 'to question' one's circumstances and life experience."

I imagine we can never escape periods of doubt - wondering if we have made a right decision. There are times when it takes a rather long period of time before we have verified that we made the right or wrong decision. Sometimes it is too late to recover from the decision if it turns out to be wrong, at other times, it can be easily overturned; or we can find that the decision was correct and that our life has been better because of it. I think of that in terms of religious faith.

This week the Jewish community celebrates t h e P a s s o v e r ; and the C h r i s t i a n community o b s e r v e s M a u n d y Thursday, G o o d Friday, and the celebration of Easter. There are those who see religion as irrelevant, and often, the actions of the followers make it so. But, to the very serious minded and thoughtful persons, religious beliefs can make the difference between hopelessness and life that is meaningful and rich. Religious beliefs, at their best, give us a basis for trying to live life at our best.

Those who understand religion, know it is not designed for those who think they are perfect, but for those who are struggling to make sense of what is happening all around them. It's proof is in the manner in which so many live unselfish lives and give themselves with abandon to actions that enhance the lives of others as well as their own.

It is called "religious faith," not "religious proof," and many of us stake our whole lives in the "faith" that gives us reasons for getting up every morning and helping to make our world a better place to live.