January 6, 2007

I believe that if people are truly taught to take genuine responsibility for their relationhsip with Jesus Christ
A) they can independently have a mote than excellent relationship with God

B) It is wrong to first place dependencey responsbility for your faith with another human being

C) Buddhists have scientifically proven the Kingdom of Heaven is within each and every human being when they are meditating in the name of Jesus Christ

1. It goes like this:
Jesus Christ be my heart, my soul, my mind, my body, my soul
my muscles and my voice; cause me to be non abusive in all I say and do.

2. Jesus Christ I wish your angels of great strength gather up all the lost souls spirits and take them to where they must go in your Name Jesus Christ and heal the hearts souls minds of inhabitants of earth.

3. Jesus Christ please forgive me my sins and thank you for all the blessings you have given me.

Fraser, Alberta, Canada

I loved Mother Teresa to me she was a Saint to do all the work helping the poor and sicxk, I read her book "mother teresa Simple faith" excellent book. I can only praise that woman for all the suffering she went through. In our life we all have doubt, because God doesn't answer our prayers,
in my book I consider her to be a Saint. thank you
Terry, P.L. Alabama

Terry Anderson, Pell City, Alabama

From any psycho-therapeutic perspective, it's very obvious that Mother Theresa DID suffer clinical depression as do many volunteers who conscientiously work in palliative care. It must have taken tremendous spiritual fortitude to offer such faith, hope, and unconditional positive regard, to those rejected in a "caste" system, and dying in poverty from the most perverse results of immorality and economic oppression. She did that through a lifetime - with only her faith in God, and such charitable support as she could raise - without government-sponsored "psycho" therapists, nor pharmaceuticals to help ease the anxiety or pain in her patients. Such mercies are only the luxury of the rich. The words she spoke to the living, and demonstrated to the dying, should inspire a "cure" for the irrational thought-processes of “self-seeking” men and women who try to defy God and their own physical mortality, so far as to procreate with abandon, and then abort or abandon their own children.

Alison, Stony Plain, AB, Canada

So Mother Teresa has expressed honest doubts, and immediately the enemies of faith rush to the conclusion that theism is all a load of eyewash. I wish they would try to understand what believers are talking about rather than rubbishing it without understanding. Honest doubts are no enemies of genuine faith.

Mike, Surrey, UK

Wake up! Another prove that religion was invented by the Sumerian 13k years ago in order to create slavery. Anyhow, all my respect goes to Mother Teresa for her terrific mission.

Clint, New York, NY

Aaah! The essense of our existence. Religion is the creation of our minds and our fear of the unknown. Thus, I see no contradiction in Mother Theresa's inquiry. What we believe as different religions today are nothing but mere ideas of persons from generations that preceeded us. In their attempt to make sense of the world, the human mind conducts a discourse with itself and that is what we are still grappling with and future generations will continue with that discourse.

To make matters more complicate, enter the relm of superiority and inferior complexes of race, gender, rich and poor, etc. As an African, I refuse to subject myself to the inferiority complex of believing that the Gods of the Arabas, Hebrews, or Europe speak for me. Religion is the last form of slavery that Africans must free themselves from. Mother Theresa is honest to herself to question the existence of this God that someone dreamt many moons ago, in the face of wasting of human beings right in front of he

Joe , Chicago, USA

A very interesting and enlightening discussion on this matter can be found at http://www.agelesswisdom.com/archives_of_radio_shows.htm , show dated 8/24/07 and entitled "Difficulties of Advanced Humans, Sages, and Saints—Mother's Teresa's Issues."

Marie, Tempe, Az , USA

I don't see the problem or point for debate here, the second testament says Jesus was tempted in all things just as we are, all things yeah!! OK!! So who exactly, or what exactly do you think MT was?
She was one of us, just the same. Nonetheless, how many of us do what she did for our fellow? Leave the lass be, she was well cool.

Ian , London,

Mother Teresa reveals the paradoxical truth that as we move nearer to awareness of God, we are more aware of the gap between Him and ourselves. That's the consequence of the great evangelical truth that we find ourselves in forgetting ourselves. Mother Teresa is a provocative tonic.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

If Mother Theresa had such a crisis of faith, she should have left the religious life. Or, she should have preached that the poor of Calcutta practice birth control instead of continuously having such large families that could not be fed but were sent out into the streets to beg. How could she justify that?
Having been taught by Roman Catholic nuns throughout elementary school (back in the day when nuns wore full habit and corporal punishment was commonplace) I feel that some women might go into the religious life because it's an escape for them. They don't have to face family and peer pressure to marry and have children. They don't have to "work" (unless they're in a teaching or nursing order); they have a roof over their heads for the rest of their lives and, depending on the order they join, can escape from society and all it's trials and tribulations into a convent where they can spend all of their time praying.

Mary B, New York, New York, U. S. A.

Mother Theresa had every reason to doubt the existence of God,and Jesus. She realized they were just creatures of the imagination,and had no existence in reality.
I admire her for being smart enough to grapple with this reality,
despite years of indoctrination.
I wish that other religious people had the courage to reflect on the gibberish of religious belief.

colin, Vernon BC, Canada

Mother Teresa epitomises the long history of the "suffering servant" within Christianity. Some say that only the truly holy are close to this barren loss which must reflect Christ's cry on the cross "Eli Eli ...." . It is wonderful to me as a sinner to see so great a saint have the same doubts and test of faith. If she is not a saint, hell, we are in trouble.

Peter, Brisbane, Australia

These letters show that even the best of us have moments of weakness, longing to know more, and a desire to be closer to God.

Although, encouraging these letters are to believers who struggle with faith, they are easily twisted in today's societies of media bits and surface-thinking. Much like the Bible is twisted and taken out of context by the non-believing public that have no idea what they are talking about because they can't see the forest through the trees.

yippery, New York, NY

I truly marvel at atheists, agnostics and such as these. If they truly knew the power of God in Christ in their own lives they would realize what they speak is nonsense. I am Christian and although I realize Christians are not perfect, like ANYONE ELSE, Christ is. The intent of true Christianity is attaining Christ-likeness, and leave this world as a spirit of light. If this was easy then, everyone would do it, but it is not. Many try but only few attain. The cross is not for the weak. But if you have to carry one you better hope and pray the power of Christ is operating in you. Mother Teresa chose to serve. The power of Christ kept her serving although she could not feel its presence. How many in this world will just leave their comfortable lives to go do what she did. Not many. That is proof enough that the Spirit of Christ in her was leading her, to will to do, what she did for 46 years. Actions speak louder than words. Many speak but few truly labor.

Magdalin , Los Angeles, CA

Mother Teresa is the selfless example of Jesus touching HIS world. Lord, make me your tool.

James, Gresham, OR

Two points: 1) M. Theresa has gone up considerably in my estimation. It seems she actually did her good word with the sick and the poor for their sake in order to help them, and not because she thought her good works would guarantee her a cosy place in an eternal paradise. - 2) Typical: M. Theresa said "I feel just that terrible pain of loss, of God not wanting me, of God not being God, of God not really existing." And how does the Rev. advocator of her sainthood interpret that.? Well, he maintains she did not suffer "a real doubt of faith". As I said, typical!

alan, cologne,

Meeting Mother Theresa was really something to think about while she was living, and is even more so now upon finding out about her inner struggle. When the small Group I was traveling with visited her convent in Calcutta in 1987, she came to meet us and talk for a while. As soon as she came in the room and with no one yet speaking, the whole aura in the room shifted to a much higher spiritual vibration and became clairvoyantly brighter. That noticeably was not a projection due to our response upon seeing her. It was the aura she had herself. It was obvious to every one of us in one way or another that we were in the presence of a "mahatma" -- a truly great Soul. Even now, I distinctly remember the feeling of her objective Presence being greater than her words.

Howard Ziegler, San Diego, California / USA

I think we all have these doubts at one time or another. When my grandmother died, I was angry with God and left my Catholic faith. I stayed away for a year before I felt the pull to return. Over the years, with assorted crisis going on in my life, I have felt, at times, that my prayers were useless and that God had turned a deaf ear to my supplications. When depression hit me like an unending tidal wave, I felt there was no connection between me and God; even when I did good things like raising my sister's kids, I doubted God took note of what I was trying to do. I am a caregiver for my Dad who is very ill with renal failure and there are many occasions when I feel like I am in a dark cave and no one to give me the light of hope. But I did meet a wonderful priest, Fr. Patrick Dooling, and through his guidance, his talks, I am trying to keep a better attitude that God does know me and what I am going through and for every doubt I have, God erases them with His love for me.

Martha Dolciamore, Soquel, CA

She was aware of her unworthiness and trusted in the Great One. That helps us all.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK

Those with no faith cannot understand that to doubt is to have faith. Often times our children think we don't love them when we do things they cannot understand. Those very things are the vehicle by which they can learn to trust us as parents. God in his infinate wisdom works the same way. He at times chooses to remain silent so that we might evaluate the source of our faith and use our history with Him to know that he is real and alive otherwise our faith would be circumstancial. Should our faith be based on how much we feel God then it would be subject to Him putting a show for our sake instead of us relaying on his power regardless of our feelings at the time.

Danny A., Sugar Land, Texas, USA

In society a promiscuous woman is often shunned in society as prostitute and her activities are usually seen with a scorn.
She gets money and the man gets her body. Both at the end are happy man walks free but woman gets a bad name.

What will you call her work?
A poor person gets the relief and teresa got their souls, she converted them to Christianity. If not a smart business woman what else? She could have helped without converting them too.

Conversion destroys social fabrics and people lives. It may have worked in Europe but it is tough in India. It’s a confluence of many religions, religious identity is very important.

She lead a life promoting Barter system, how then can she have peace of mind, yes, she was doing such a profitable business but it eventually took its toll . No need to audit her account. No regulation.

Her organization only cares about poverty not the poor, that’s her business strategy. How come, small charity groups in Calcutta are building many housing complex for poor people, while her super rich organization still runs an outdated medical center which lacks modern convenience. She was a successful business women and she indeed worked hard to keep the propaganda machine going. People in the west just pump money for her organization, without asking the question, where is the all the money?
Her organization should disclose their account for the world to witness the greatness.

Cobra, calcutta, India

I believe that any true spiritual walk will have its time of trials, tests, and challenges all purposed to lead to an internal heart change towards personal maturity, wisdom, compassion, and a deeper understanding, revelation and knowledge of all that is God and who we are as spiritual beings abiding in this world. Mother Teresa's "dark night" (if that is what it was) resembles the challenge of holding on to faith while dying to self, and sacrificing for the purpose of becoming Christ-like. However, the "dark night" is supposed to end or, at least, faith must be renewed as one overcomes. With the highest respect towards Mother Teresa and her living sacrifice to a God, who she said she doubted, it is truly sad that she died without having come to that place of revived faith and revelation of God while still living. The reasons for that however, are unknown and only spiritually discerned. It is however, certain that her labor of love whether in faith or not, will be rewarded.

Magdalin , Los Angeles, CA

The most christians are really weak in their believe in god. Other religions who are more orthodox like juidaism and islam are much more convinced and steadfast.
Perhaps the Christians must return to their roots and get rid of that pigeon-like rituals like celebrating christmas at the wrong time...

giz, antwerp, Belgium

Ir-respective of Mother Theresa's 'periods in darkness', what she did, inspired and achieved for humanity is more 'saintly' and superior than anything or any saint in human history. I am a Hindu but respect and honor her faith and for the caring embrace she offered to the 'un-wanted' and 'un-cared' for Indians of all religions and faiths. She would have been the 'elder' and wiser and kinder sister of Mahatma Gandhi. All the 'staunch' Hindus and Muslims and Buddhists and Christians and Jains and agnostics and atheists in India are nothing but selfish, short sighted politicians compared to this fountain of eternal goodness, love and mercy....Mother Theresa. 'India Shining'..sure ..only if Theresa's 'ignored -neglected Indians' are taken care of as she tried to do. Her honest 'doubts' and yet pursuit of caring for the 'Daridri Narayan' ( God re-incarnated as the down trodden) has -re-inspired all of us. I will happily 'worship' Mother Theresa and the God she 'embodied'. Thanks MT.

A. Patel , London, UK

It is so sad that white and black people spend so much time worrying about God, they fight each other about whether there is or is not one. Those who believe say the others are going to hell. Those who don't believe laugh and point their fingers at believers, labelling them stupid. White and black people have ruined a belief in something bigger with all their faith mumbo jumbo. Indians and natives know better that God is in nature and there is something bigger than each of us. Science is really no better as it is constantly proved and disproved. How sad that the two human colors in either end of the spectrum ruin it for the rest of the world who has it right and is moderate in all things.

libby, draper, Utah

I believe it is fundamental to the human condition and experience to have doubt. For how could any of us understand love and the courage of faith without doubt and fear? Mother Teresa's doubts and fears do something wonderful in my eyes - they show every one of us that "saintliness" is not about denying or even overcoming our humanity, but embracing it. To take the raw material of God's creation, combine it with our own passions and gifts and create something out of our existence that enriches others and sustains ourselves. Mother Teresa overcame her doubts with her commitment to her own heart and cause - she retained her humanity by validating those same doubts and fears. It's a blessing we have her letters to reflect on.

Kirk Anderson, Redmond, WA

Mother Theresa has finally understood and recognised God! To do so we have to live every day, every minute ,in every way, trying to personify the ways of God - purity, goodness, boundless love. We cannot look inside ourselves and say 'Ah!,there's God because until the last minute of life, there is a terrible ugliness, a blackness, a coldness facing us and enveloping us, because it wants to kill our faith, stop our search for God, force us to deny God until we lose to despair, and surrender to it's emptiness.
No! in our darkest moments we must try to potray the great beauty that is God, in totality and keep trying more and more - to let him shine through us until the end. At that point God will reveal himself to us and welcome us into his kingdom which is himself!

R Fryer, Seattle, WA

Some have observed that if there was no "God" that mankind would invent one. So mankind has invented thousands and tens of thousands....and has righteously proclaimed Him to be the One and Only True God! Go figure!

Jim, Oklahoma, USA

Jim Green, Stigler, Oklahoma, USA

God is sympathetic to the doubt induced by the sight of limitless suffering..we are saved by placing our hope in Jesus..the evidence for His life and Resurrection is strong, even compelling..miracles still do occur in answer to prayer to Him.

Michael MacKenzie, Bolton, Lancs

I believe that Mother Teresa's "trail" was interwoven with the brokenness of the world, that, in a sense, she was allowed to share in Jesus' own desolation when he uttered, "Father, why have you forsaken me?" In the end, faith does not depend on feelings or even miracles; it is what one does and how they do it. In this age of the rule of feelings it is hard to comprehend this, but history is replete with many who have experienced this dark night of the soul.

Tom Doran, Plymouth, USA

Sounds to me like she suffered from clinical depression. Anyone who endures that while serving mankind the way she did is a Saint, whether they're Catholic or not.

MK, SLC, UT USA

It is not surprising, she was true to her experiences and feelings. Actually not only Mother Teresa but 95% people in this world are doubtful about their faith, but only out of fear and want of physological support people believe in the exitance of God. Secondly, the Holy Bible is full of miracles and no prudent person would like to accept those miracles. Some times bible appears to be a collection of thoughts and blind beliefs of early tribes, how educated person be expected to believe this.

shiv, London, UK