Welcome to Doubter’s Parish!
Before my recent retirement, I spent four decades in church work, mostly as a parish pastor. During those years, I always held a special place in my heart for doubters. I loved interacting with people who could relate to the words of Mark 9, “Lord I believe; help my unbelief!” If you resonate with that text, this website is for you.
The sole purpose of Doubter’s Parish is to help thinking people navigate faith in the twenty-first century. In short, it serves as a “digital parish” for people grappling with traditional beliefs and institutional religion in the modern era. Not all the materials on this site focus on faith struggles. However, everything posted here respects doubters, both within and outside the church.
The books, articles, and posts on this website are all free, including my new downloadable novel, An Inconvenient Loss of Faith. The site also provides resources for pastors, including more than one hundred sermons. My compensation is being allowed to serve a parish of doubters, and I find great joy in that service.
~ Martin Thielen
Posts
About once a month, you will find a new post in this section focusing on the intersection between faith and modern life. The three newest posts are featured on this page, but the older posts are always accessible. If you want email notifications about future posts, stories, articles and books, please go to the contact page and sign up.
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Martin Thielen2024-04-02 03:06:242024-03-27 15:24:51The Antidote to Mean Christianity
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Martin Thielen2024-03-05 03:39:452024-02-24 18:30:01My Last Visit to a Southern Baptist Church
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Martin Thielen2024-02-01 03:31:242024-02-02 12:47:00How the Religious Right Gets It Wrong and What to Do About It“Parishes like yours will become home to all sorts of people, so I’m wishing you all the best in your new ministry.”
~ Barbara Brown Taylor, author of Leaving Church
“Imagine being sick and feeling the last place you’d want to go is a hospital, or being robbed and feeling the last organization you want to call is the police. That’s how many people feel about the church, especially if they have honest doubts. That’s why I’m so glad Doubter’s Parish exists online … it’s there for people who have few other places to turn.”
~ Brian D. McLaren, author of Faith After Doubt
“I feel as if I were on a desert island sending off notes in bottles and one of them just came back with an answer.”
~ Dr. Jim Vickrey, Montgomery, AL, Doubter’s Parish reader
“Thank you for Doubter’s Parish! My entire congregation is composed of doubters. It’s the only honest option.”
~ United Church of Christ Pastor