Summary

The article "Faith Advice From a Nonbeliever" argues that embracing hope, akin to a secular interpretation of faith, can improve mental health and outlook during challenging times like a pandemic.

Abstract

In "Faith Advice From a Nonbeliever," the author addresses the importance of hope for those who rely on scientific facts and probability, suggesting that a belief in a better future is crucial for maintaining mental health, especially during a second global lockdown. The article discusses the historical and cultural significance of belief systems, highlighting that the concept of hope is ingrained in human nature and has been represented in various forms across different societies. It posits that striving for perfection is a futile endeavor and that accepting human limitations can lead to a reconnection with the concept of a "higher power," which in this context is hope. The author emphasizes that hope can lead to positive changes in life, such as reduced stress, acceptance of what cannot be controlled, learning from diverse cultural stories, and personal growth through understanding one's role in the larger scheme of things.

Opinions

The author, a self-proclaimed nonbeliever, suggests that hope can serve a practical utility similar to the belief in a higher power, without the need for religious conversion or deity worship.
The article opines that the Western portrayal of good and evil as strictly binary overlooks the complexity and imperfection inherent in many non-Western religious traditions.
It is expressed that the pursuit of perfection is a source of frustration and that accepting human fallibility is key to emotional well-being.
The author believes that hope, rather than pessimism or the illusion of control, can lead to better health outcomes and a more fulfilling life.
The piece advocates for the value of intercultural understanding, suggesting that one can learn from the stories and metaphors of different belief systems without necessarily adopting them.
It is argued that hope facilitates personal growth and self-awareness by allowing individuals to recognize their limited control over life and to appreciate their experiences and relationships.
The author concludes that hope and love are powerful agents for change, advocating for their practice during difficult times.

Faith Advice From a Nonbeliever

Especially now, we all need to trust in a better future.

Typically, people who based their lives and decisions on scientific facts and probabilities don’t give too much space to hope in their lives. This article is for them.

The facts:

Yes, we are about to enter a second worldwide lockdown. So, if we want to maintain our mental health intact, there are some changes we all need to make.

We all need to embrace the possibility that things will get better over time.

Hey! Don’t jump to conclusions that fast. I don’t even go to church, and I’m not here to ask you to convert to any particular religion. I’m not even going to tell you that you should believe in any deity.

It’s a fact that western civilization is undergoing a very peculiar process over the past decades: a crisis of beliefs. I have no intention of trying to change that. Being a nonbeliever myself, I concluded that there is a practical utility in believing in a higher power that can benefit us heathens. I call that higher power HOPE!

This article will show you why a God-Goddess-Gods idea has been present since the beginning of time… But most importantly: why.

In a way, It’s part of who we are:

You are born, you grow up, and you find out that life is hard. The struggle of getting everything done, earning money to pay the bills while maintaining the patience necessary to work for your dreams shows how hard life can be. Many agree that life’s so hard that no one gets out of it alive, wink.

The certainty of death is one of the leading human experiences that equalizes us all in the face of uncertainty. When is it going to be my time? How can I stretch that unknown amount of time I have left? And, the most popular of all, is there life after death?

We rarely know what’s going to happen tomorrow. Or the next day, week, month, or year. It is said that nothing is certain except death and taxes. We can only expect everything is going to go according to plan… We can only hope.

Hope and time for more questions:

So what does the concept of a God have to do with this?

Well, the concept of good and evil is somewhat inscribed in our DNA. In Western cultures, we shaped our beliefs into two antagonistic frames: either purely perfect or devilishly imperfect. On either side, there is no room for combinations, permutations, or transformations.

Yet, Lucifer is a fallen angel, and we also have a lot to learn from that concept. Some societies have managed to accept that their gods can also be destructive, envious, and vain. Depending on their circumstances and appetites, they will even make bad decisions, just like us!

African, Latin American Indian, and Hindu religious traditions are full of fantastic examples and stories that recreate that “imperfection.” This ability to make mistakes also makes the gods, in some ways, closer to us and our vision of humankind.

Do I have to be perfect?

Perfection is one of the main things that differentiate us from the western concept of an all-knowing, all-powerful God. Striving to become perfect is one of the main reasons for us to become frustrated with our lives. Achieving perfection is a race against ourselves that no one ever wins.

So, why am I writing about God if it’s an elusive concept that does not exist in the realm of scientific knowledge? Reconciling with our finitude and fallibility helps us reconnect with the “higher power” concept.

Why? Because understanding that things are out of our control, not obeying any logic or reason is devastating. The only thing we have left is the hope that things will be better if we work for it.

And that concept is known to many as Faith.

Hope, a concept that can transform your life:

Being a believer can take many forms. For some, it means lighting candles; for others, it means praying or volunteering. The crucial aspect is that hope can help you get different, more positive results.

In what way? Don’t get mystical with me. Candles won’t change the world, you say.

I know, I know! If the world is ruled by chaos, how can my actions make things better or worse? I’ll give you four proofs that having hope can change the world:

Being pessimistic takes a toll on you:

Stress causes us to change our habits, typically for the worse. Smoking, unhealthy eating habits, substance abuse… All these factors increase the probability of developing cancer at some point in your life. Moreover, having a pessimistic mindset can also impact your chances of getting better.

2. You’re not a magical being:

If you can accept that controlling things is impossible, your life will improve. Especially if you’re a nonbeliever, you shouldn’t fall for the idea of having magical powers and the ability to control things. Freeing yourself of that godly role will make your life easier, no doubt.

3.Stories are Stories, and you can learn a lot from them:

All the believers in the world agree on one thing “the deity they worship is the right one.” Another thing believers usually can be inclined to agree upon is that other religions have great metaphors and stories too, and they are correct.

Getting in contact with other belief systems can help you understand the world from a fresher new perspective. Yes, churches and religions have been institutions of social control for thousands of years. But that doesn’t imply you should automatically reject EVERYTHING about them.

On the contrary, you can learn many things about other societies by understanding their approaches to the concept of hope and their visions regarding life and death.

4. Hope will help you grow:

As counterintuitive as it may sound, accepting the small role we all play in the grand scheme of things will get you closer to greatness. Greatness being self-awareness and appreciating the opportunities you’ve had so you can share them with others.

You don’t have to be alone, nor prove anything to anyone. Life’s only worth living when there’s a purpose. That’s one of the main things that makes us humans.

There’s no need to be the smart ass who only formulates their decisions on observable facts. We can’t see or touch so many things, yet they have transformed our lives, haven’t they?

Life’s only worth living when there’s a purpose.

Hoping for things to get better by understanding that our actions can affect others is the first step. The second step is accepting a very reasonable and logical probability: relationships are mirrors. If you treat others well, they will also treat you better in return.

Finally, I’ll let this idea sinking in: Isn’t this the ideal time to practice love?

That and HOPE will change the world.