Courageous

Both atheists and believers bank their faith in unknowns. 

Both may loathe conceding key points of rational challenge. My last three essays examined the legitimacy of doubt, and wise counsel of ambient uncertainty. The integrity of not believing with no proof of evidence. So, it's only right that the inherent positives of believing are also reviewed.

An atheist hates to admit the very obvious benefits of faith. Or, he or she will question that any benefit still results from magical thinking, or, "facts not in evidence".

First and foremost, faith and praying are intrinsically selfless. Thru focus on God, we defuse from ourselves, and our selfies. This shift of consciousness away from the 'me-ego' naturally encourages wonder, awe, and appropriate gratitude in kind.

Next, faith is sustainably healing, redemptive, and nurturing. We are simply and humbly comforted by faith, held fast in the secure heart of God's universal love for all Creation. That's a Big Club! Who wouldn't be a work-in-progress member? Faith connects us to life itself.

Then, believing in a certain faith regardless of facts, or any other worldly criteria, becomes an act of courageous trust-- a beautiful confidence in the order of this existence, and its significant relation to faithful followers of their own spiritual instincts.