on why i'm happy being considered a heretic.

I've been called a heretic on more than one occasion - mostly as a joke between friends, sometimes as a bit of a jab from church leaders and church members.  The more years that go by and the more doubting moments (that always seem to grow into "teachable moments") the happier I am being considered a heretic.  Here's a quote I stumbled upon last week.

"Some say that the open-minded leave room for doubt. But I believe we should doubt some of the things we hear. Doubt has a place if it can stir in one an interest to go out and find the truth for one’s self. I should like to awaken in everyone a desire to investigate, to make an independent study of religion, and to know for themselves whether or not the teachings of the church are true... There are altogether too many people in the world who are willing to accept as true whatever is printed in a book or delivered from a pulpit. Their faith never goes below the surface soil of authority. I plead with everyone I meet that they may drive their faith down through that soil and get hold of the solid truth... Then, and only then, will we be able to defend our religion successfully. When I speak of defending our religion, I do not mean such defense as an army makes on the battlefield but the defense of clean and upright and virtuous life lived in harmony with an intelligent belief and understanding of the gospel."

Hugh B. Brown.