We need more awkward interfaith, the kind that makes people a little bit uncomfortable. That could be people of faith engaging with the non-religious. Or those who’ve left a religion. Acknowledging, rather than dismissing, others’ negative faith experiences. Creating opportunities for those of minority faiths or none to lead. Giving interfaith families and LGBT people... The post Awkward Interfaith appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.

The afterlife is AT LEAST the persistence of our physical matter in the ongoing life cycle on Earth, the memes we pass on to others and our unique neurological signature in the brains of those who knew us. EVEN IF this is all the afterlife is, the consequences of our actions persist beyond our death... The post The Afterlife appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.

Sin is AT LEAST volitional action or inaction that violates human consent or produces human suffering. Sin comes from the divergent impulses between our lower and higher brain functions and our evolution-driven tendency to do things that serve ourselves and our tribe. EVEN IF this is all sin is, it is destructive and threatens human... The post Sin appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.

Prayer is AT LEAST a form of meditation that encourages the development of healthy brain tissue, that reduces stress, and that can connect us to God. EVEN IF that is a comprehensive definition of prayer, the health and psychological benefits of prayer justify the discipline. What role does prayer play in your life? Why do... The post Prayer appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.

God is AT LEAST the natural forces that created and sustain the Universe as experienced via a psychosocial model in human brains that naturally emerges from innate biases. EVEN IF that is a comprehensive definition for God, the pursuit of this personal, subjective experience can provide meaning, peace, and empathy for others. How do you... The post God appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.

Faith is AT LEAST a way to contextualize the human need for spirituality and to find meaning in the face of mortality. EVEN IF this is all faith is, spiritual practices can be beneficial to human cognition, emotions, and culture. How do you find meaning in the face of mortality? In your own words, what... The post Faith appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.

In my new book, The Great Spiritual Migration, I suggest that many people in my religion are driving down their highway with a gun in the glove compartment and a license to kill. That license is the Bible, interpreted and applied uncritically. Something similarly scary is going on in many other religions. That’s why we... The post A Bias Towards Peace appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.

Judaism teaches that Aaron was worthy of becoming the high priest because he loved peace and he pursued peace. Now the word for “pursue” here in Hebrew isn’t just to try to attain something but it’s to run after something the way that a bear might be chasing after you. It’s not enough to try... The post You Must Be Here With Us appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.

So the path to peace really begins with self awareness. When I understand that separation is actually an illusion—that when I look at you I am looking at myself—I gain a deep knowing that we are in this together, bound by a greater consciousness. So I actually have to start with any barriers that live... The post The Path To Peace appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.

I landed in JFK last Friday evening. The driver took my bags and put them in the trunk and opened the door for me to get in the car. I looked at the dashboard and the driver’s name is, wait for it, Muhammad Islam. And I thought to myself, this is going to be an... The post More About My Faith appeared first on Thirty Seconds or Less.