Has religion something to do with the fact we are afraid of death?

Answer 1

Everything. Religion is an answer to mankind's survival instinct. To be afraid of death is, however, to be irrational. How can you be afraid of something you will never experience?

Answer 2

Religion doesn't have anything to do with a fear of death: it has to do with a fear of LIFE.

At times when life becomes overwhelming, we find comfort in the belief that we are not alone. We like to think that there is something or someone looking out for us, and that a reason exists for the bad things that happen to us that we don't understand.

So the fear is a fear of life's uncertaintly, which is why people pray A LOT when they're afraid, and not as much when things are going well. And when things go badly, people blame the Devil, but when things go well, people take the credit themselves.

Without religion, we would have to accept that we are all alone in this world, that things don't happen for a reason unless me make them happen, and that when we are alone and in trouble, there is no one strong, or loving, or almighty to turn to for help.

If you look at life that way, it seems pretty scary. That's why we have religion - so that we will not be afraid of life.

Answer 3

It depends on what religion you practice. Christians believe that there is a eternal resting place for your soul. Which is to say, they believe in heaven. If you're a Christian and you believe in heaven and you believe that you have been a good person then you wouldn't be afraid to die. Because... you're sure that you're going to heaven. And really, not everyone is afraid to die. Some people want to die. I mean... suicide is like the number 1 cause of teenage deaths. Or maybe it's not that one is afraid to die, but they don't want to die. Maybe this person still has something to do in life. And as long as he does, he probably wants to live so he can do it.

But fear of the unknown is without doubt, a human quality. It's something that we're born with and something that we all share until it is consciously banished from our minds. And I think that is where religion comes into play.

We all know that what is in the future, what is beyond this plane of reality, transcends our level of control. We have no control over it. And sometimes to feel so helpless; to feel so powerless, can scare us. That's why I think sometimes we, as humans, need to believe in something greater than us. A God that is watching over us and guiding us through the enigma.

~ARChen
Angus R. Chen

Answer 4

No. Religion is supposed to provide comfort in the face of death. The fact that people are afraid of death shows that they are not truly religious, and are, in fact agnostic. Only those who don't know what they're getting into are afraid of death.

Answer 5

Religion is the denial of the negatives of life - and death is foremost among those. It doesn't deny the death of the body, of course; it denies the death of the self.

Religion also denies ignorance (the Bible is knowledge for believers), injustice (we'll all get justice in the afterlife), and pain (Heaven is eternal bliss).

The problem for this denial is that it ultimately cannot be supported by reason and evidence - and so religion is ultimately also the denial of reason and evidence. But religion finds it hard to deny that reason and evidence are good things.

Religious belief is not based on reason, it is based on the will to believe. But willing things so doesn't make things so.

Answer 6

Yes the real HEAVEN and the real HELL if your life is found good or evil. The choice to live life to return to the creator GOD.
The choice of religion is ages of man made rules that you choose or got to follow by tradition. As you know there is no return to this life. The fact you do not know what is going to happen after death. The afterlife or after world where the dead can not make contact with the living and the living can not contact the dead, the great void. Physical pain if life is cut short in terms of illness or harm. You did not ask to come here but now that you are choose life, choose a religion of your choice as long as it is for living GOD and not idols that do not live or breath of life take in. Note that JESUS has conquered Death and has the keys to Hell and the Salvation of your Soul in His Control.
So by Jesus death and resurrection we do not fear death as being final. Jesus lives and we can too through HIM. We have hope in eternal life. Do NOT Fear Jesus! Jesus has it under control.

Answer 7

I think the previous answer from kimmie6887 (and others above) is a perfect example of the role religion plays in fooling people to not be afraid of death. Religion has many complex roots, but at its heart it is still just a set of man-made justifications. It is a fantasy belief system that assuages peoples' emotions, that is why so many choose to believe in it: not because there's proof (otherwise what's the use of faith?), but because they simply WANT to believe it.

Me, I can't say I particularly look forward to the oblivion of death, but I'm more afraid of all the religious zealots who think they're earning a place in paradise by committing acts in their god's name.

Answer 8

Perhaps it is not that we are afraid. We just don't like to know that we can't go on forever and ever. Maybe our egos are so big that the idea of death is an insult. Sometimes I think we just can't tolerate the fact that we all come to a common end. Or maybe it is fear. Good question.

Answer 9

No. Religion exists becos ppl are constantly searching for something, i.e. the meaning of life, or they feel an empty spot in their soul but don't know how to fill it. That spiritual void can be filled with a relationship with your Maker. You were created by a superior Being. You did not just happen.

Answer 10

I would say it depends on who you are. I am a very spiritual and religious person and I have no fear of death. I did at one time but that is not why I wanted to become "religious". If anything my fear is that I dont do what I am supposed to do in Gods eyes; because I am more afraid of the consequences of my life here on Earth by living an unrightous life , that I will bring upon myself in the next life (in Heaven or Hell be it where ever I go) .

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So no its not because I am afraid to die its because I am a believer of consequences after death, that I will have to pay for because of my actions now.