Is it possible to find peace or am I just being silly?

Question

Ok- I may get a lot of jeers after posting this, but I'll expect that. Maybe I'm naive, but even if there are religious differences, isn't it possible to find some kind of peace? Am I ignorant for even thinking of it?

As a former Christian myself, I fully understand the love and the hope for salvation that religion brings. But I now understand the loss of hope, as well, that Atheists feel. In my eyes, we're all human who happen to believe different things. It doesn't have to be such a hateful debate, does it? (at least that's my take on it)

Christians- Didn't the Bible teach to "love thy neighbor"? Wasn't Jesus a patient and loving man? Not once has he thought, "Wait till my disciples see how I slam them, THIS time"? Did he give anyone a high five when a non believer backed down? Did he teach resentment, mochary or competition? Did he teach us to pass judgement? Does he permit us to determine the outcome of everyone's souls? Yes, I understand that he died on the cross for us- the ultimate gift. And that he wanted us to follow in his footsteps. But not once did he show the negative behaviors that have been shown on this site. Yes, some Atheists have gotten rude. Is it anywhere in your hearts to forget any ignorance that others might show, instead of trying to feed it back to them?

Atheists- I know how annoying it is to have something "crammed down your throat" at every turn. But I feel like some of the things posted have been a little uncalled for.

Like I said, we all have different beliefs. I know it's been like that for centuries and always will be. So what? We all have the same survival instinct here on earth- to stay alive and try to lead a decent life. So why try to make it more difficult for people who are a little different? That's how I feel, anyway.

Does anyone else here feel like there should be some kind of peace in R&S or am I completely wrong in this? Am I just being naive, like I usually am or are there others who might feel the same way as I do?

(and this is an actual question because I know that I can have naive thoughts sometimes)

*prepares to get slammed*

Answer 1

I agree with you, there should be a way for all of us to find the peace that we are searching for. You are right about all the different opinions we have and the lashing out that results from their expression. What I found was that it had less to do with our own personal beliefs and perhaps more to do with our own desire to be right. Each one feels the need to be correct in their views and often we are not so comfortable when someone comes up against them.

In order for us to find a possible solution as to why we can not only not agree to what it right or true, but we can not even agree do disagree for that matter. If this thing that we struggle with, is maybe not so much our beliefs but more our own desire for validation regardless of what they are, then why is that and how do we have to find a way to deal with the real problem as opposed to the outcropping of such.

Here is a really great video that explains our actual inability to get along and why we must see the reason for it before we can move on to finding this peace that is so passionately sought after. I hope it helps in answering your question. Best wishes.

Answer 2

Only the Holy Spirit can give the peace that surpasses all understanding.  I have never intentionally tried to cram anything down anyone's throat.  I do share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I do love everyone and I do not want any to perish without Christ.

I do understand that when people reject the Lord that even to hear His gospel offends them.  I also realize that some on here are just as much children of the devil as I am a child of God.  Baby Christians are very vulnerable to the children of the devil blaspheming the name of the Lord and these people are stumbling blocks to the Word of God.  The devil's way is always to confuse God's Word.  

In luke 8, Jesus Christ tells the parable of the sower, verses 11, 12 read, "Now the parable is this:  The SEED is the word of God . . . then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word . . .".  Satan knows - if he can supplant even a small seed of doubt in God's word that mankind will look elsewhere.  

Satan works hard at planting just a SEED of doubt so man will deny Christ.  As long as Satan is in this world, there will be no peace for mankind.  Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.  And if he can put a seed of a doubt into the mind of mankind he has won the battle and they have lost their soul.  This is Satan's job, but the Christian's job is to overcome.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  What does light have to do with darkness?  They cannot agree and they cannot walk together.

Answer 3

If you believe in Jesus, peace will not be found.  He said there will be wars and rumors of wars up until the end.  Jesus did not encourage peace except that peace which is found under oppression, and the bliss of ignorance.  You can't live your life by a book that encourages, promotes, and commands war, and complain there  isn't enough peace in the world.  It makes no sense.

Answer 4

You said it.... Nobody needs to feel like you or believe like you so what's your problem?

Answer 5

it can be found if your heart is willing to accept Jesus....pray for it..

Answer 6

Well not if you feel a loss of hope, like atheists feel. Then no, that is not really justified. That is however Christian guilt and most of us have that, it is hard to shake.

But yes, you can find peace. But if may not be where you think it is to be. I feel like my life has a great amount of peace in it. I am thankful and thoughtful daily.

It really rests on a balance. Balance is so key. Religious or not, you need to live a life with a proper and moral balance to it.

Answer 7

Keep in mind that even Christ reminded us "Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."   This forum is one example of what you ask.  Peace here? Yes pretty silly to expect. Peace must be something we seek and attain within each of us NOT externally.  Christ promises us HIS kind of peace as we seek Him, seek to know Him, seek to become more like Him and follow His precepts.  If we are looking for peace elsewhere - we have no promise that I see!

His promise for peace is for PEACE inspite of the world - but not in the world.  

Answer 8

The only power that can create or perpetuate true peace is the grace of Christ. When the Holy Spirit is in the heart and life of the individual, out will go the passions that cause strife and dissensions, and peace will reign.

Answer 9

Well, I won't jeer or slam you for what is otherwise a noble thought. It would be nice if humanity could find peace on this issue.

But, as world events show, thats not gonna happen any time soon, and it has nothing to do with atheists or atheism.

9/11 was a RELIGIOUS attack on the partly secularised western culture.

Western religious zealots are constantly trying to force their religious views into such places as courts and public schools.

As long as all such religionists continue to use violence and other means to OVERTHROW the secular public society that makes freedom for ALL possible, well, those of us who SUPPORT such freedom for ALL cannot sit by and let it happen.

The last time we got that kind of peace has a name: The Dark Ages. No thanks, that kind of peace is unthinkable for a repeat.

Why did Heaven sound like h**l?

Eternal penance. You can never stop—like North Korea. In North Korea, they have compulsory worship from dawn until dusk. That's all there is, everything is praise. So now I know what it would be like. I know it must be the most proximate place we have on Earth to being in h**l. But at least you can die and get out of North Korea. Kim Jong-Il does not promise you he'll follow you into the grave. But you can't die and get away from f—-ing Jesus. Christopher Hitchens.

Answer 10

The Bible is a huge collection of “human” writings, 38 ( 9 disputed) books comprising the Old Testament and 20 ( 7 disputed) books of the New Testament. The Old Testament assortment includes books of history, proverbs, myths, legislation …etc, representing the popular literature of the Israelites. They were composed by many scribes, several centuries after the Prophet Moses, peace be upon him.

Similarly, the New Testament embodies the Gospels, four different biographies of the Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him, written by Matthews, Mark, Luke and John, whose identities are widely disputed. In addition, the New Testament contains the epistles of Paul, Peter and John. This is as well as the Acts - also due to Paul or Luke - and the Visions of

Bible has the words of God, but it also has the words of Jesus,

disciples, Narrators, Historians. And also have predictions and interpretations, descriptions, translations  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€Â¦and if the words of other then God it has -….then definitely it has chance of error

Everyone has common-sense and it always keeps arguing  with your faith and if your faith is blind it would not be able to answer  and then as a result you get confused .no peace of mind…..why the bible doesn't make any sense?.     because Islam rightly says that  The Bible was badly corrupted by its people.

Christianity can not give you peace,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,try another way may be others have truth

Answer 11

"The loss of hope, as well, that Atheists feel"???

My thoughts are that if you felt that way while being an atheist - you were not an atheist at all.

Do you feel a loss of hope over the fact that you do not believe in Zeus? Or Allah? Or that you know that Santa Claus isn't real? It is the same thing.

Peace comes from within you, not from outside of you. You do not need any religion to find that.

And to those that say "You need Jesus - he's not a religion!" - perhaps you need to review the definition of religion.

Answer 12

peace comes with acceptance. you fist have to accept what life has given you so far, dont attempt to understand everything because some things cant be explained. just be thankful for the good things and let go of the bad....thats the only way to get inner peace.

Answer 13

I have plenty of peace here.  My peace is not contingent on  circumstances.  I've had to grow as a Christian to come to this realization, but it's a great one.  

I am just here to answer questions.  On rare occasion to ask one.  Peace between opposing ideologies is often best brought about by free speech.  Words are not blood and we need to appreciate this about the US.

Answer 14

Sure, it's possible, but the bitter repartee is part of the appeal for a lot of folks, and, all things considered, this is a pretty harmless place to vent.  I'd much rather people rant and let a little viciousness show here on good ol' R&S, if it lets them be more peaceable in real life.  And, I'm not entirely certain that JC didn't occasionally share a high five or two with apostles (and in the painting of the last supper, you can see one them played the old "unscrew the salt shaker gag").  Hey, believers gotta believe that God created everything, that includes humor and sarcasm, right?

Answer 15

yes it is easy to find peace. Finding common ground is the hard part.