[Avodah] Maharal on Welcoming Questions

[Micha Berger]

In what I think was a subtle response to the "you are a kofer" bear video
that went viral -- and if not, let /me/ connect them -- RDE (CC-ed)
posted the following
<http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2010/11/maharal-silencing-questions-suppressing.html>
(a/k/a <http://bit.ly/gK1AAf>.)

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

    Friday, November 26, 2010
    Maharal: Silencing questions & suppressing dissent indicates a
    weak religion

    Daas Torah page 202

    Maharal (Be'er HaGolah #7): One should not reject something which
    is against one's views...especially if it is not presented as
    an attack on religion but is simply is an honest expression of
    the other person's understanding of faith. Even if it is against
    one's religious faith, he should not say, "Be quiet and shut your
    mouth." Because if one silences sincere questions there will not be
    a clarification of that person's religious understanding. In fact,
    such a person should be encouraged to speak and fully express how
    he feels. If sincere questions are silenced that is indicative that
    the religion is weak and needs to be protected from inquiry. This
    attitude is the opposite of what some people think. They mistakenly
    think that silencing questions strengthens religious faith. In
    fact however suppressing of dissent and questions indicates a weak
    religion. Thus, we find with our ancestors that even if they found
    something in books against religion they would not simply reject it...