Jordan Peterson's Incredible Journey To God | Heartbreaking Moments On His Faith

"Belief in God" – that's a question that has made its rounds throughout history. People from various walks of life, from the most renowned thinkers to the average person on the street, have pondered this fundamental query. But you know what? I don't like that question. Nope, I don't like it at all. I've been asked, time and time again, whether or not I believe in God, and my response has varied over the years. The truth is, it's not a simple yes or no.

The Bonds of Tradition and Community

Traditions, my friends, they have a peculiar way of binding a community together. It's like a thread that weaves through the fabric of our lives. Now, don't get me wrong; I don't frequent Church services. Frankly, they drive me up the wall. I can't remember the last time I willingly sat through one. But I don't think that's necessarily a good thing. You see, I do believe in the importance of a communal return to the source of a community's ethics. It's like a homecoming, a reconnection to what matters.

You might be wondering, "What's with the biblical lectures then?" Well, let me tell you, there's something powerful about gathering with others, sharing a common purpose, reaffirming our commitment to the greater good. I believe it's a mistake to discard that tradition. Even if you're a bit cynical about organized religion – and I'll raise my hand to that – you can't deny that communal gatherings, like those in the 1950s, offered people at least an hour each week to contemplate the purpose of ethics and the idea of a higher meaning in life. Wouldn't you agree that dedicating an hour a week to ponder these questions is better than not doing it at all? The loss of that ethical center is contributing to our community's fragmentation, and that's a real catastrophe.

The Power of Love and Morality

Now, here's a thought for you: if you truly love someone, it's your duty to treat them as if they're invaluable. And the more you embrace this perspective, the better a person you become. It's simple, really. Love leads to treating others as valuable, and that, in turn, raises the moral bar. Here's another twist – it's why being truthful and good is so crucial. You see, it's not just about moral authority; it's about guiding those you care about away from harm, steering them clear of the fire. Love is the beacon that helps us navigate through life's storms.

The Evolution of Belief

Let me introduce you to Tammy, my wife. She's always taken the concept of truth quite seriously. Recently, a brush with mortality pushed her towards a more consciously religious life, driven by a profound sense of duty to serve not just her family but others as well. Now, at this stage in life, as a grandmother with grown children, she can expand her care to those beyond her immediate family. I'm genuinely fascinated by her actions, the tangible application of her faith, and how it's impacting others.

I've been taking the idea of God seriously for quite some time. My definition of belief? Well, it's not about mere words; it's about action. I've tried to live as if God exists, and yes, I'm far from perfect in that endeavor. But Tammy, she's making her beliefs more explicit, embracing traditional religious notions even though she doesn't attend Church. She's connecting with others who are formally religious, and it's transforming the way she lives her life. Watching her has shone a light on a missing piece in Western Christianity.

The Challenge of Belief

The challenge of belief is not to merely state it but to live it, to be fully transformed. You see, belief is not a casual thing. It demands that you accept the structure of existence with all its suffering, disappointment, and betrayal, yet act properly. It calls for the wholehearted pursuit of the good, a rejection of malevolence, and a courageous confrontation with life's truths. It's about speaking and living the truth.

But what if you're only running at 60%, 70%, or even 20% capacity, working at cross purposes with yourself? We often fail to teach our young ones about this, and we need a different tone – not the sanctimonious authority but a guiding hand out of love and a desire to prevent others from burning in the fires of life.

The Transfiguring Figure of Christ

Let's shift our gaze towards Christ. Now, you can approach him from a psychological perspective. Some critics claim he's no different from a host of mythological gods who die and resurrect. Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung ventured down that path, but there's a distinction. Christ not only embodies a myth but also has a historical representation, a life lived, irrespective of debates about its authenticity. It's this union of history and myth that sets Christ apart.

But here's the kicker. Belief in Christ isn't just a matter of saying, "I believe." It's about living it out fully, an audacious task indeed. To believe means to embrace the suffering and disappointment in life, yet act properly and pursue the good with unwavering commitment. It's not about claiming belief; it's about embodying it.

So, when someone asks, "Do you believe in God?" – well, belief isn't something you declare with words. It's something you live, something you act out. I've been trying to act like I believe, but I won't pretend to have mastered it. It's a journey, and it's a profound one. The world is not just a realm of matter; it's a realm of meaning. What we unconsciously orient towards is meaning, and that's where the heart of belief lies.

The audacious path of belief is a transfiguring one, a journey to becoming the best version of oneself. It's not easy, and the limit of its possibility is unknown. But one thing is clear: belief is not a simple "yes" or "no" – it's a transformation, a journey of becoming.