The Quiet Strength of Belief

There is something about people of faith, regardless of religion, that gives them an unshakeable strength. A steadiness. A grounding that is deeply admirable. Not all, but many atheists I have spoken to view religious or spiritual people as delusional, and I must admit that in my younger years, I was one of them. I thought that being religious often meant clinging out of fear, guilt, or an inability to face life and one’s own flaws. Sometimes, in certain individuals, this is true. Faith can become a desperate crutch rather than something genuinely embodied.

It didn’t help that some of the worst atrocities in history were committed in the name of religion, or that some of the most hypocritical people I’ve met were also the most outwardly devout; quoting scripture with one hand while talking down to the poor with the other. It felt contradictory in the most frustrating way.

Over time I realised the problem wasn’t religion itself. It was people. Us. Humans misuse everything: power, politics, money, and religion is no exception. The flaws belong to us. And as I noted in a previous post here, humans are flawed by default. No matter a person’s stance on religion, whether they believe or not, I think we can all agree on the fundamental purpose and benefit: that it can serve as a guide.

A good guide to a good and meaningful life. Self help books, ancient philosophy, and countless teachings all emphasise the importance of finding a good guide in life. In Seneca’s letters, he writes:

“Choose someone whose way of life as well as words, and whose very face as a mirror of the character that lies behind it have won your approval. Be always pointing him out to yourself, either as your guardian or as your role model. There is a need, in my view, for someone as a standard against which our character can measure ourselves.”

Some of us find guidance in parents, siblings, friends, or mentors. For many, the most gracious ultimate guide is God.

We all need a good guide in life. None of us are all knowing; we are the sum of our experiences and the wisdom we absorb along the way. My personal belief is that there is something bigger than us, and that is something that humbles me and gives me patience and trust. I don’t think belief automatically makes someone good, but I do believe it can, when lived thoughtfully and with the right attitude. It offers a kind of strength and perspective you can’t find anywhere else.

I don’t claim to understand every religion or sacred text, because I absolutely don’t, and nor do I want to. I simply believe there is something far beyond human comprehension, and that belief brings a quiet, strong acceptance. It reminds us that we are not the all knowing creatures we often imagine ourselves to be.

And that is the irony of modern life: we have endless access to information, yet everyone becomes, or thinks they are, an expert. Doctors without medical training, lawyers without law school, philosophers after a few TikTok videos. I’m guilty of it too. But information is not wisdom, and data is not understanding. Sometimes we must accept our place in the world, which is not at the top of the hierarchy of supremacy.

Just as I have seen religious people act with cruelty, I have also seen non religious people demonstrate profound kindness. Morality isn’t tied to a label; it’s tied to actions and the heart behind them.

We are all flawed by design, capable of both good and harm. We aren’t black or white; we are shades of grey. What matters is whether we can own our mistakes, choose better, and put others before ourselves. Perhaps that is what religion has always tried to teach imperfectly, through imperfect people.

When it comes to faith, I almost prefer not to overanalyse. Keeping things simple feels truer. People say ignorance is bliss, but I don’t think it’s ignorance; it’s a form of spiritual trust. A willingness to leave some things to whatever lies beyond us.

There are times when we need a lot of information and expertise: how to perform a medical operation, or how to fly a plane. And then there are times when less is more. Where less can allow us to live richer, more meaningful lives.

A quiet understanding that we don’t need to know everything to live meaningfully. That the pursuit of knowledge is not always the pursuit of peace. And anyone convinced they know everything is usually the one who knows the least.

I will end this with some of my favorite verses from the first chapter I turned to in the Bible. Bearing in mind these are from the New Living Translation (NLT). These are fairly self explanatory and I think everyone can agree that, no matter where you stand on the religious spectrum, these are useful guides for life:

Matthew 23:25

“You are so careful to clean the outside of your cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy: full of greed and self indulgence. First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean… Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy.”

Matthew 6:22

“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole heart is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness.”

Matthew 7:15

“Beware of false prophets… just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you identify people by their actions.”

Matthew 9:9

“Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other sinners. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked Jesus why he eats with such scum. Jesus heard this and said, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor; sick people do. I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’”

Matthew 20:26

“Rulers in this world lord it over their people, officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. Whoever wants to be first must become a slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.”

Matthew 3:8 

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins” 

Matthew 7:1 

“Do not judge others and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging others is the standard by which you will be judged”