The Benefits of Faith for Skeptics | Daryl Goldberg | TEDxSan Diego Studio

Key Concepts

Prayer, Gratitude, Forgiveness, Surrender/Acceptance, Purpose, Love, Happiness, Faith, Atheism, Placebo Effect, Stoicism, Unconditional Positive Regard, Hedonic Happiness.

Happiness and Faith

The video begins with the speaker's confession of being a former atheist who observed that religious people seem happier. Pew Research Center data is cited, stating that actively religious US adults report a 44% higher rate of being "very happy" compared to religiously inactive or unaffiliated individuals. The speaker emphasizes that the video isn't about proving any belief system right or wrong, but rather exploring whether non-believers can access the benefits associated with faith.

Six Benefits of Faith Accessible to All

The core of the video explores six specific benefits commonly associated with faith that the speaker argues can be adopted by anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs.

1. Prayer

The speaker argues that the act of prayer, even without believing in a divine recipient, can be beneficial. The act of voicing intentions and desires helps clarify what we want and who we want to be. The speaker uses the example of praying for patience or kindness leading to becoming kinder and more patient. The "placebo effect" is acknowledged, but the speaker points out that placebos still work, implying that the mechanism of action is less important than the positive outcome. The quote "what you think you become" attributed to the Buddha, reinforces the power of intention.

2. Gratitude

All faiths encourage prayers of thanks. Actively practicing gratitude trains the mind to focus on positives rather than negatives. The speaker contrasts someone lamenting what's missing with someone savoring small joys, highlighting the difference between a life of scarcity and abundance, without any change in net worth.

3. Forgiveness

Forgiveness is presented as a cornerstone of major religions. It encompasses both being more forgiving of others and receiving forgiveness. Holding onto anger is likened to "drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." Receiving forgiveness, regardless of the source, frees individuals from guilt, shame, and blame.

4. Surrender and Acceptance

This is presented as a challenging concept, especially for skeptics. Surrender doesn't mean passivity, but rather focusing on what we can control and releasing our grip on what we can't. This echoes Stoic philosophy. Trying to control the uncontrollable leads to madness, while letting go brings peace. The example given is that we can't control other people, but we can control how we respond to them. The speaker emphasizes that there's no requirement to believe in a higher power to let go of trying to play one.

5. Purpose

All faiths provide a sense of purpose, even if they disagree on what that purpose is. Victor Frankl's perspective is introduced: "ultimately we should not ask what the meaning of life is but rather we should remember that it is we who are asked." Meaning is created through actions, choices, and a willingness to create meaning. A purposeful life is a responsibility we choose to embrace. The speaker contrasts fleeting joys ("hedonic happiness") like sex and money with the deeper, more lasting contentment derived from a sense of purpose and meaningful connections.

6. Love

Modern religions and spiritual traditions often speak of a higher power with unconditional positive regard. This means being completely loving, supportive, and accepting without judgment. Existence alone is proof of worthiness. The speaker suggests that striving for unconditional love, even if never fully achieved, is a compelling model. This includes loving friends, family, strangers, enemies, and, most importantly, oneself.

Conclusion

The video concludes with a resounding "yes" to the question of whether everyone can partake in the benefits of faith. The speaker encourages viewers to be more mindful of their self-talk, cultivate gratitude, be more forgiving, focus on what they can control, release their grip on what they can't, live lives of purpose, be more compassionate, and love more. The final statement is "beyond belief, I love you."