If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you

Host: The early morning mist hung in the air, a soft fog rolling over the distant hills. The sun had just begun to break through the haze, casting gentle rays that kissed the surface of the lake below. Jack stood at the edge of the dock, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the still waters. Jeeny sat on a nearby rock, her bare feet dipping into the cool water, her eyes closed, feeling the peace that only nature could bring. The world was still, as if it too were waiting for something to shift, to awaken.

Jack: “You really believe that, Jeeny? Faith—religion—it’s not just some comfort. People need it. It gives them purpose, meaning in this absurd world. You can’t just dismiss it. It’s what keeps society from falling apart.”

Jeeny: “It doesn’t fall apart without it, Jack. I think the Dalai Lama is right. Faith can be beautiful, yes, but it’s not a requirement for survival. There’s strength in belief, but there’s also strength in living without it. We survive, we find meaning, whether we believe in a higher power or not.”

Jack: “But isn’t that just empty? Meaning without purpose? People need something to believe in, something bigger than themselves. God, spirituality, something to guide them. Without it, what’s left? Pure survival? That doesn’t seem worth living for.”

Jeeny: “You’re confusing meaning with religion, Jack. They’re not the same thing. You can find meaning in life through your actions, through connection with others, through the beauty of the world around you. Religion is just one way of seeing it, but not the only one. We have the capacity to find purpose within ourselves, without needing an external guide.”

Jack: “But what about when it gets tough? When the world seems like it’s crumbling, when everything falls apart? People cling to their faith because it gives them hope when nothing else does. Faith isn’t just about surviving, it’s about living with some sense of meaning, some sense of direction.”

Jeeny: “What if that hope could come from within, Jack? From our own resilience, our ability to adapt, to connect with others? People can survive without faith in a deity. It’s not about needing a God to give life meaning. It’s about finding that meaning within the life you have, the relationships you build, the things you create.”

Host: The water ripples gently as a bird flaps its wings overhead, its shadow crossing over the two of them, momentarily obscuring the light. Jack watches, his expression conflicted. He turns toward Jeeny, the edge of doubt in his eyes, but something within him stirs.

Jack: “But how do you explain the comfort people find in faith? Religions give them answers, they give them a sense of belonging. Without that, there’s this emptiness, this fear that maybe nothing really matters.”

Jeeny: “That emptiness is just part of being human, Jack. We all feel it, whether we believe in God or not. The difference is how we respond to it. Some people turn to religion, others turn to art, to love, to purpose in their own lives. The truth is, you can survive it all. It’s not the lack of religion that makes life meaningless—it’s how we choose to live it. You can still be good, still be kind, still have purpose—with or without a deity.”

Jack: “I get that, but the world is so chaotic, so dark at times. Faith gives people something to hold on to. It’s not about the answers—it’s the comfort of knowing there’s something bigger than themselves. Religion offers a framework for understanding the world.”

Jeeny: “But sometimes, that framework can become a crutch, Jack. People cling to it because they’re too afraid to face the uncertainty of life without it. But there’s strength in embracing that uncertainty, in knowing that we are the ones who give our lives meaning. We are the creators, not some invisible force. And that, in itself, is powerful.”

Host: The wind picks up, sweeping the mist away, revealing a bright, wide sky. The light grows brighter, stronger, the shadows receding into the horizon. Jack takes a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing, as if the conversation itself is shifting something inside him.

Jack: “Maybe you’re right, Jeeny. Maybe I’ve been holding on to the idea of faith as something I need to depend on. Maybe it’s not about the answers. Maybe it’s about the questions we ask, the way we live through them.”

Jeeny: “Exactly, Jack. Faith can be beautiful, but life doesn’t need it to be meaningful. We give life its meaning. We are the ones who choose how to survive, how to find joy in the journey, no matter what we believe in.”

Host: The light spreads across the water, turning it from a dull gray to a brilliant blue, shimmering under the growing sun. For a moment, everything is still. Jack and Jeeny sit in silence, the conversation resting in their minds, like the gentle ripples on the surface of the lake.

As the morning continues to unfold, their shared moment settles between them—a quiet understanding that no matter the faith, no matter the belief, the power to live lies in their hands.