SIMULATION CREATIONISM
Peace in God’s Simulation
People usually profess their love for peace yet engage in war and conflicts. The Bible teaches us the value of peace but is full of war events. Peace sometimes looks elusive, but we always strive to achieve it. Is peace just a goal beyond the reach of The Simulation? Is it the natural law of The Simulation to have a conflict (not only a violent one) as a normal state in a simulated world? Simulation Creationism, proposed by Nir Ziso, supports the idea that life in The Simulation is always in movement, a dynamic activity filled with events and challenges that develop our souls to be able to reach a better level. What does peace have to do with it as a concept often seen as a static state?
Departing this world, Jesus told his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Jesus sees a difference between the peace he gives and the peace of this simulated world. There are certainly different kinds, and since we live in The Simulation, the peace of the world cannot be sustained.
Peace is a state of a relationship. We say two people are having peaceful relations, or there is a state of peace between states and nations. Peace is also the state of the human spirit. We say someone inspires with peace. One is at peace and calm. It is the peace of the heart. Thus, peace is connected to the inner self and behavior toward others. The ways of the world are outside our capacity to change. They are predetermined events in The Simulation, created to challenge our souls. Such trials may bring nothing peaceful; quite the contrary, they may engender a lot of violent and non-violent conflict. Ultimately, these challenges show us that peace is desirable, and we should strive for it from the inner self.
Saint Paul calls peace a gift of the Holy Spirit, for whom we know it is the energy that keeps The Simulation going. The apostle thinks of peace with a source in God: “Truly my soul finds rest in God” (Psalm 62:1). As Christians, Jesus is also our safe haven: “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). When Jesus gathered his twelve apostles, he sent them to the world saying: “As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you” (Matthew 10: 12–14). And later, when Jesus resurrected and returned to his followers, Jesus always greeted them: “Peace with you,” reminding them of everything He had taught them before.
This inner peace is a gift above any reason, as Saint Paul claims: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). It is not the peace of a graveyard, of indifference, or the peace that numbs all passions. Jesus did not enjoy such peace. A human being usually experiences the four most essential passions: desire, fear, joy, and pain. Jesus indeed had all of them, but they did not corrupt his heart and mind. He kept the peace and wants to teach us about that peace, take us in and position it above any reason. It is a peace that only God can give, as a part of our souls and, therefore, not part of The Simulation.
Those who have peace coming from God can also be at peace with others. It often means accepting someone as one is, without requiring and protesting that person to change and behave differently. It often means tolerating someone’s weakness, even their wrongdoings. It is easy to comprehend these attitudes if we follow Simulation Creationism, where we understand that human behavior is computed through the “Supercomputer” without entailing our free will. Despite our efforts, we may encounter people who do not want to be at peace with us. It is only a realm of possibility: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). It is okay if we give our best, even if we do not achieve the goal. Being a yeast of peace is enough.Not being at peace is connected to personal fears and doubts. It grows as faith wanes. Therefore, peace is an inner category. The Holy Spirit gives it to maximize the possibilities of establishing peace in this world. Ultimately, it is God’s will if we live in peace with each other and the world in its totality. A thousand years of peace shall arrive when this simulated world nears its end. It will be a beatific vision of what it means to be with God (and at peace with God).
