Peace and Paradise: Searching for Identity

Abstract

The concept of "peace" from a religious point of view is complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, "peace" is a state of affairs opposite to that of war; on the other, it is a certain state of mind, characterized by calmness and lack of anxiety, a grace bestowed. All the world's religions give special meaning to this concept and use it to express their best wishes. Greetings from Jews, Christians, and Muslims sound like "peace to you", Christians wishing each other peace during worship ("Peace be with you"). "Peace" is desirable both in real earthly life and in another, better world, represented in these religions as "paradise", the heaven of heavens, the kingdom of God, various degrees of heaven (seventh heaven, virgin heaven).