Is religion a man-made aversion to reality, made in order to deny our own mortality?

Question

I find a reoccurring theme in just about all religions is a belief that somehow our consciosness lives on. Is this because as humans we are ultimately afraid of dying into nothingness?

Answer 1

Yes. That and the caveman made it to worship the god of water, air, etc. This made them feel like they had some control over their lives/environment. They do the same today.

Answer 2

Reality is not the same tomorrow as it is today. Reality changes. Is it then a reoccuring theme in the non-religious belief that "man" is the highest of all highs, the ultimate intelligent being. That there is none other that could possibly know more or be more. Or perhaps there was no 'creation' at all, no God, no big boom, nothing that started anything and all of this is just a hologram in the minds of everyone and we are all crammed together in a little dark room somewhere, the only thing existing being thought - nothing that is material in any form what-so-ever. Or perhaps we are all the same mind arguing with itself about what it thinks

Answer 3

I find the afterlife to be a logical consequence of mankind's universal tendency to try to behave in a moral fashion. There would be no reason for mankind to behave morally if this life were all there is, as our good deeds do not guarantee good results, nor do our bad deeds guarantee bad results. The only place where any kind of justice can really be enforced is in an afterlife where a final reckoning can take place, and the continue efforts of mankind to behave morally in spite of the growing secular trend is, to me, further confirmation of the almost universal belief in an afterlife where just such a reckoning will occur.

Answer 4

All christian religions are made by men, only Christ came to give us a living life of eternity. There's a huge difference between what christ taught and what preachers teach. Religous preachers teach something that doesn't exist in that there is no way we can make ourselves perfect or fully sanctified, only christ can do that. And yes, there is an after life, there has always been an after life, and it's only through Christ that we can get that life. But since your question is obviously slanted against Christians, this whole answer is moot.

Answer 5

Yes, religion is a man-made safety blanket for the mind. It gives us hope and a reason. It lets us know there actually is a right and wrong, and that right will win out in the end. It removes our responsibility for the world. It kills mortality. It makes us right and them wrong.

This is because as human beings, we are ultimately afraid.

Answer 6

In part ... fear of the unknown, be it death (the greatest) or natural disasters ... and through religion we not only are told the cause(s), but offered the ability to control those forces.

There are also many social factors ... rituals that link generations ... community ... many religions also serves as the law. And social justice (most people are born and die in poverty) in the face of life's obvious inequities.

Answer 7

For many people religion answers all the questions for which they perceive no answer and they find that comforting. Many cannot come with grips that death is the end so they find a way in which to keep themselves alive.

Answer 8

I would think that is a fair estimate. I also think that they have no rational explanation for how the universe began and so they must create an answer for themselves because they can't let go of the question.

Answer 9

Could be! On the other hand, mediumship is real....proven through many tests and such over a long period of time. Just who would they be talking with if not passed consciousness?

Answer 10

If it was, then religion wouldn't exist this long wouldn't you think it would just vanish a long time ago like other myths do.

BUT THE Thing is, there is a God that is why it still is.