United by Doubt

The quote comes from James A. Haught’s book 2000 Years of Disbelief. For more about Ustinov’s views on religion, see his interviews in the “This I Believe” series and with Mike Wallace.

There is certainly a sense in which beliefs – held dogmatically – divide people. And recognition of our shared uncertainty has the potential to unite us. But the belief that everyone is an inherently valuable human life can also unite us, and crippling doubt not only can fail to unite, but can inspire dogmatism, because dogmatic “faith” is really just doubt in disguise – “doubt in faith’s clothing.”