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Fear of Death Fuels Religion

Trip Bapho

Member
Within my experience it has seemed that fear of death absolutely fuels religion.

When we love someone so much and they die it's unacceptable to a lot of people to think they will never see them again. Death is so horrible for so many people. Instead of seeing the life it creates it is perceived as purely a loss.

A significant member of my family died this year. Watching my family (Christians) was heart breaking more so even than the event itself. Their lives seemed to be over and the only comforting recycled noise was that he is in a better place or we will see him again one day.

So many people are weak and cant handle anymore. Its easy to see why say a heaven is a comforting idea but we can't dismiss all the false and immoral claims within.

Life cant exist without death. Two sides of the same coin. We need to embrace it and be ok with it. Making childish stories to serve up as comfort food isn't beneficial for anyone.
 

Earthling

David Henson
I wouldn't argue that for some this is exactly true, but I personally have known more people who have abandoned their religious beliefs due to the deaths of loved ones than those who have been drawn to religion due to fear of death or the hope of seeing loved ones in heaven. That may be due to the fact that most everyone I personally know are unbelievers.

It's an old and dying cultural thing, though, because fewer and fewer people are naive enough to buy into those phony religious customs.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Within my experience it has seemed that fear of death absolutely fuels religion.

When we love someone so much and they die it's unacceptable to a lot of people to think they will never see them again. Death is so horrible for so many people. Instead of seeing the life it creates it is perceived as purely a loss.

A significant member of my family died this year. Watching my family (Christians) was heart breaking more so even than the event itself. Their lives seemed to be over and the only comforting recycled noise was that he is in a better place or we will see him again one day.

So many people are weak and cant handle anymore. Its easy to see why say a heaven is a comforting idea but we can't dismiss all the false and immoral claims within.

Life cant exist without death. Two sides of the same coin. We need to embrace it and be ok with it. Making childish stories to serve up as comfort food isn't beneficial for anyone.

I lost my aunt last year January. My grandmother in 2013. I knew my aunt longest and we were best friends. I had the most grief with my grandmother (my other passed away in 96) because I was prevented from talking with her.

Anyway,it is true that death causes a lot of people to go to religion. I live in a senior and disability catholic owned complex; and, every other person I know is religious. It keeps people alive. People 80 or 90 years old praising and playing the piano down the hall would die if they can't express themselves spiritually. One lady, I don't know if she passed away, cried while I was working behind the desk. She is catholic; and, she said, after Mass, that she didn't know how many people hated her religion. (aka hated christ and her relationship with christ). If I wasn't working, I would have consoled her. It made me mad.[/quote]

Religion does help people release fear of death; that's not a bad thing. It's a blessing.

For me, after my loved ones passing and brain surgeries, I realize there is no heaven. I never believed in one and never will. I wouldn't call their belief stories, though. It works for some people but not as a whole.

My question would be the nature of their belief rather than the morality of it since we can't judge another person's beliefs to our own. (I wish they felt the same, but, well...)
 

Trip Bapho

Member
I lost my aunt last year January. My grandmother in 2013. I knew my aunt longest and we were best friends. I had the most grief with my grandmother (my other passed away in 96) because I was prevented from talking with her.

Anyway,it is true that death causes a lot of people to go to religion. I live in a senior and disability catholic owned complex; and, every other person I know is religious. It keeps people alive. People 80 or 90 years old praising and playing the piano down the hall would die if they can't express themselves spiritually. One lady, I don't know if she passed away, cried while I was working behind the desk. She is catholic; and, she said, after Mass, that she didn't know how many people hated her religion. (aka hated christ and her relationship with christ). If I wasn't working, I would have consoled her. It made me mad.


Thank you for the response. I genuinely enjoyed reading.
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
Within my experience it has seemed that fear of death absolutely fuels religion.

When we love someone so much and they die it's unacceptable to a lot of people to think they will never see them again. Death is so horrible for so many people. Instead of seeing the life it creates it is perceived as purely a loss.

A significant member of my family died this year. Watching my family (Christians) was heart breaking more so even than the event itself. Their lives seemed to be over and the only comforting recycled noise was that he is in a better place or we will see him again one day.

So many people are weak and cant handle anymore. Its easy to see why say a heaven is a comforting idea but we can't dismiss all the false and immoral claims within.

Life cant exist without death. Two sides of the same coin. We need to embrace it and be ok with it. Making childish stories to serve up as comfort food isn't beneficial for anyone.
It is not clear what we are debating but as for me, my belief in the afterlife comes from the paranormal evidence and not from a 'fear of death' as the OP seems to be saying. Evidence for the Afterlife

Although I somewhat also agree with your point that the fear of death fuels religion. It is more pleasant for most people to believe in an afterlife and for many people that goes hand-in-hand with religious beliefs. I disagree with your last sentence however that these beliefs are just 'childish stories'.
 

Trip Bapho

Member
It is not clear what we are debating but as for me, my belief in the afterlife comes from the paranormal evidence and not from a 'fear of death' as the OP seems to be saying. Evidence for the Afterlife

Although I somewhat also agree with your point that the fear of death fuels religion. It is more pleasant for most people to believe in an afterlife and for many people that goes hand-in-hand with religious beliefs. I disagree with your last sentence however that these beliefs are just 'childish stories'.
Why does paranormal activity prove an afterlife?
 

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
Precisely speaking, I believe what people are afraid of is the death or end of their psychological selves -- what they think of as "me" or "I". The distinction might seem moot, but in practice it has somewhat different consequences from being afraid of the death of their body, mind, etc. Some people are indeed afraid of both those things, though.
 

Trip Bapho

Member
Precisely speaking, I believe what people are afraid of is the death or end of their psychological selves -- what they think of as "me" or "I". The distinction might seem moot, but in practice it has somewhat different consequences from being afraid of the death of their body, mind, etc. Some people are indeed afraid of both those things, though.

Yes, that is the #1 fear & motivation. I was just making another valid point.
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
Why does paranormal activity prove an afterlife?
Near Death Experiences seem to show a greater expansion of consciousness without higher brain functioning. Psychic communication with the deceased shows their continued functioning. Etcetera.

The word ‘proof’ is not my word choice but I would at least say ‘strongly suggestive’.
 

Trip Bapho

Member
Near Death Experiences seem to show a greater expansion of consciousness without higher brain functioning. Psychic communication with the deceased shows their continued functioning. Etcetera.

The word ‘proof’ is not my word choice but I would at least say ‘strongly suggestive’.
Why couldn't that be self created? Just because you see it doesn't mean its real. However, I do believe in interdimensional existence its far from a so called afterlife. When near death experiences occur our bodies produce large quantities of dmt.. As a person who has smoked dmt I assure you experiences are insane. I have no proof if what I experienced is me creating it or if it has outside influence. The kicker is that its both.
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
Why couldn't that be self created? Just because you see it doesn't mean its real. However, I do believe in interdimensional existence its far from a so called afterlife. When near death experiences occur our bodies produce large quantities of dmt.. As a person who has smoked dmt I assure you experiences are insane. I have no proof if what I experienced is me creating it or if it has outside influence. The kicker is that its both.
Well these things are topics for their own threads. I believe a genuine afterlife is the best explanation for all the evidence in my provided link.

For example, I think dmt stimulates true spiritual expansion even in the non-dying.
 

Trip Bapho

Member
Well these things are topics for their own threads. I believe a genuine afterlife is the best explanation for all the evidence in my provided link.

For example, I think dmt stimulates true spiritual expansion even in the non-dying.
But true and false are the same thing so what do you mean?
 

Cooky

Veteran Member
Precisely speaking, I believe what people are afraid of is the death or end of their psychological selves -- what they think of as "me" or "I". The distinction might seem moot, but in practice it has somewhat different consequences from being afraid of the death of their body, mind, etc. Some people are indeed afraid of both those things, though.

I'm too used to being alive... So much so, that death seems like an uncomfortable change.
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Within my experience it has seemed that fear of death absolutely fuels religion.

Within my experience the fear of death in no way fuels a strong Faith.

The longing for death, to die to this world is strong Faith.

"O SON OF THE SUPREME! I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? I made the light to shed on thee its splendor. Why dost thou veil thyself therefrom?"

Regards Tony
 
Within my experience it has seemed that fear of death absolutely fuels religion.

How do you then explain religion that believes in a hell?

When we love someone so much and they die it's unacceptable to a lot of people to think they will never see them again. Death is so horrible for so many people. Instead of seeing the life it creates it is perceived as purely a loss.

A significant member of my family died this year. Watching my family (Christians) was heart breaking more so even than the event itself. Their lives seemed to be over and the only comforting recycled noise was that he is in a better place or we will see him again one day.

So many people are weak and cant handle anymore. Its easy to see why say a heaven is a comforting idea but we can't dismiss all the false and immoral claims within.

How do you explain those that believe a hell? Thats not "comforting". In fact hell is more terrifying then death by a long shot.

Life cant exist without death. Two sides of the same coin. We need to embrace it and be ok with it. Making childish stories to serve up as comfort food isn't beneficial for anyone.

1 its not childish stories, as george stated there is evidence for a afterlife.

2: belief in a hell is not comforting, explain that?

3: even if it was childish, how does it not benefit to just believe it? Does it hurt?
 

Trip Bapho

Member
How do you then explain religion that believes in a hell?



How do you explain those that believe a hell? Thats not "comforting". In fact hell is more terrifying then death by a long shot.



1 its not childish stories, as george stated there is evidence for a afterlife.

2: belief in a hell is not comforting, explain that?

3: even if it was childish, how does it not benefit to just believe it? Does it hurt?

Because no matter what the bible speaks against people live against it and still think its ok. With a process that all sins can immediately be forgiven why ever fear of hell? Whether your wearing forbidden clothes or participating in homosexual activity.. People do that then think their god will be cool with it.

1). There is no evidence absolutely what so ever of an afterlife.
2). Just did.
3). Bc instead of living my life feeling inadequate or to be judged by someone else I can now live free and expand consciousness.
 
Because no matter what the bible speaks against people live against it and still think its ok. With a process that all sins can immediately be forgiven why ever fear of hell? Whether your wearing forbidden clothes or participating in homosexual activity.. People do that then think their god will be cool with it.

That explanation does not take into account those people who believe hell is real and some people will go there unforgiven.

How is THAT "comforting?"

1). There is no evidence absolutely what so ever of an afterlife.

Oh no, of course not, theres just millions of NDEs for nothing and we got no evidence? Lol. Also dont forget about the VERIDICAL NDEs. Those are the ones that rule out halucinations.

But, ya, youl just wave all the evidence away. .

2). Just did.
3). Bc instead of living my life feeling inadequate or to be judged by someone else I can now live free and expand consciousness.

So its about how you feel vs whats real?

Looks like its about YOUR comfort, isnt it?
 
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Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
Near Death Experiences seem to show a greater expansion of consciousness without higher brain functioning. Psychic communication with the deceased shows their continued functioning. Etcetera.

The word ‘proof’ is not my word choice but I would at least say ‘strongly suggestive’.
Near Death Experiences appear to be a natural result of the brain shutting down. No longer can they be claimed of evidence. Nor has anyone ever reliably communicated with the dead. There have been countless people taken in by frauds. But when those people were put to the test they have failed.
 
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