Religion and death

[Le Chat]

Would there be such a thing as religion if we didn't die? Is it the fear of 'after death' that causes the masses to need to believe in 'something' just in case there is a heaven and we need to go there rather than risk going to hell?
My personal opinion is that there would be no religion if we were immortal, as it wouldn't be necessary. It is the fear of death which shackles people to religion, whatever that religion may be!

[jno]

that's such a big 'if' that it's hard to answer. But a lot of early religion was concerned not so much with the afterlife as with the apparently inexplicable and uncontrollable events here on earth, mainly the weather. So people prayed for sunshine, a big harvest, a safe voyage etc.

[beryllium]

People, human behaviour. Perhaps there is a need to feel a part of something. A group. Who all believe the same thing. Some will give comfort.(to those seeking it) Some will take life through mass suicide. (Waco) Some will have marriage in their hundreds all at the same time. (Moon)
Some will encourage that it's alright to kill for heaven will be waiting with virgins lol....

I have no fear of death myself.

B. xxx

[Llamatron]

I'm with jno on this one.

People didn't understand how things worked so they invented someone who did. The same someone they'd ask to make their crops succeed this year.

Religion was born out of ignorance and superstition.

But then if were all so smart why does it still exist?

[beryllium]

Hi Tony, and Le Chat and All.
I'm old enough Tony :-) why do you ask?

[Le Chat]

Hi beryllium! xxx

[eleanswers]

Agree with the above but also I think that we 'humans' think we are so superior that we are worth a life beyond this. We think we are so great that we can't ever cease. If it wasn't religion we'd have created something other to project us after death.

[jake-the-peg]

How many churches do you know that believe and worship a god but do not believe in some sort of immortal soul and afterlife or reincarnation?

I think the answer is in there.

[eleanswers]

The question was 'religion' not necessarily 'churches'. Buddhist for example do not believe in one god, but believe in reincarnation. There are many other religions (not churches) who believe in an afterlife. Some 'cults' believe an alien life awaits them.
Egyptions believed long before the 'church' arrived that they were going to another place. People can not accept they are mortal.

[Theland]

The difference is between hope, and no hope.
If you believe there is nothing afterwards, well, nuff said I guess.

[feist]

Its not all about death, it's just as difficult to deal with various situations in life sometimes and religion helps greatly in that. Death in comparison is short and quick.

If we were immortal and without religion, I suspect a lot more people would be committing suicide, because living forever is not easy (and for those who say life is too short, that's only if you live in the 3rd world. Everywhere else, you'll know its the longest thing anyone has experienced ever).

[dragon4]

I think it was the Roman Emperor Constantine who chose to go with Christianity as the one true faith. I think that all types of religious belief was man made, whatever the faith and as jno says - it stemmed from inexplicable events/the weather etc. You can see examples of man made interpretations taken from whatever book or writings they believe in - usually involving the subjugation of women. I believe that the human race (all religions) is an arrogant one and feels that there must be more to life than just "born - live - die." Religion is useful in guiding the majority of people towards a reasonably good moral life - without a hint of belief, there would be anarchy. I also believe that a belief in god helps people accept death - the person themself and the relatives and friends who go to the funeral. Religion, unfortunately, has been one of the greatest causes of conflict and death since history began. Look at the middle east, northern ireland and now the islamic terrorist threat. Religious belief is used as a tool by the ruthless (usually powerful and relatively rich) to influence poor unfortunate loner types (who would do anything to belong) to carry out acts of violence with the totally unfounded promise of a wonderful afterlife. I believe that people simply need to value life itself as sacred and do everything they can to protect and prolong it.