How Do People Who Don’t Believe in a God Find Peace?
Every once in a while, we all need a break from our daily stresses—sometimes something as simple as Ex-Lax can release the build-up, just like a can of Bubble Bubble popping provides a refreshing fizz. However, amidst all this, some parts of religious history can be quite unsettling, especially when they suggest one of two outcomes—either utter destruction or eternal suffering.
Take, for example, the Bible which commands believers to utterly destroy certain peoples and kill those who do not follow their version of God or worship in their designated way. Commands like plucking out the eyes of unbelievers, killing converts, and burning atheists in hell are not rare. Even the idea of stoning anyone who dares to worship another God or work on the Sabbath is deeply rooted in certain religious texts.
Yet, there is an unconditional love in this world and an acceptance of our reality. As someone who does not believe in a higher deity, I find solace in the logical and evidence-based beliefs that guide my life. Unlike religious beliefs which are often filled with mythological fiction, my beliefs in natural phenomena and human understanding have always been grounded in reason and fact. The belief in a deity lacks both logic and evidence, which brings a remarkable sense of peace to my life.
A Question of Inner Peace
Peace, in essence, is the acceptance of reality and the rejection of illogical religious fiction. When one does not hold onto a belief in a deity, it indeed becomes irrelevant. Since I came out as an atheist 50 years ago, I have lived a very fulfilling and happy life. It only took me some time to recover from the indoctrination I endured, but that was a long time ago.
Inner Peace Through Mindfulness and Self-Control
The peace that I and others who don't hold a belief in a deity enjoy arises from our lack of a voice telling us to harm others, even if they believe differently. If a god commanded such acts, the idea of killing everyone in a city or using any excuse to commit such atrocities would seem justifiable, but thankfully, such voices do not exist in my mind.
I find peace by sitting in stillness, observing my own thoughts and emotions. This practice allows me to control my responses and maintain a peaceful state even during times of chaos or negativity around me. I study the chemical reactions that create emotions, helping me to manage my reactions more effectively. By understanding how fear, ignorance, and hate are created, I can combat them with knowledge and acceptance.
God, according to certain religious texts, said to fear him; however, the source of fear, ignorance, and pain lies in humanity’s own hands. Ignorance breeds fear, and fear leads to hate. By embracing knowledge and understanding, we can overcome these negative emotions. If religious people can find peace with a god, it is because they have learned to accept and embrace the teachings of that god, even if they do not hold the traditional belief in a deity.