I stopped imagining I UNDERSTOOD who or what "god" actually might be.
I went from absolute faith to a no-man's-land of ignorance called agnosticism. i.e. I don't actually "know" anything I'd call real or true about god.
Hope is different from Faith and leads to better mental health.
Why?
Hope has built in understanding that the best outcome might NOT happen--but, it chooses to remain optimistic.
What makes Faith different?
Faith is rooting for the best outcome and denying the possiblity of failure!
Who is more likely to experience trauma, depression and cognitive dissonace?
The person who at least acknowledges failure is prepared to move on.
But, the person of Faith cannot and will not!
Hope brushes off errors, defeats and setbacks and tries again with a positive outlook.
Faith digs in and doubles down and goes into stubborn denial.....even to the point of self harm and martyrdom.
I don't think Faith in God is healthy.
I think Hope there is a god of some sort is not harmful.
Evidence and reason should not be the enemy.