From An Invisible Sun by W. Keith Tims

(The end of episode 18)

“What is faith? The belief that something is real without evidence for it. It is choosing a truth. It is belief despite contradiction or uncertainty. And that is a powerful thing.

… Our symbol, a circle of triangles styled like the rays of the sun, but there is no circle. There are only eight triangles arranged in such a way that you think you see a circle. The sun that is not there, and yet it is.”

“It's a fine optical illusion sister, but with respect, there isn't a sun there. You could have faith in something that isn't real at all. I'm sort of surprised that you'd take that position honestly.”

“Because I am a nun.”

“Yes. I imagine that the church would prefer if you didn't introduce doubt into the whole faith thing.”

“There are a lot of people in the church who would disapprove of my choices and my point of view…But there is always doubt in faith. Faith without doubt is not faith at all. It is a kind of willing blindness. A refusal to take responsibility for ones own beliefs.”

“And now Evan and the others have found evidence?…”

“That is what we hope.”

“Wait, if faith needs doubt, what does that mean if you have evidence? What happens to faith when you have proof?”

But she didn't hear me. She touched a panel next to the door and hurried through as it opened. Excitement in her eyes.

No. Fervour.