Does all religion just stem from a fear of death?

Question

Religion, God, A divine power, lets face it it's all the same thing but in all honesty it really only stems from a fear of death. People just can't handle or accept that when you die that's it, no heaven, no hell, not even blackness. Nothing at all. F ucking scary idea really is'nt it, it's that fear that all religions prey (excuse the pun) on.
This debate can go on for thousands of years (and will), but at the end of the day NO PROOF has EVER been produced.
It all started with sun worshiping and will probably end up back there.
Sorry about this question, it's my first and brobably last serious one, still think of it as a small way of pissing off EVERY religion at once. After all they are all equally bollocks.
And PLEASE don't any of you sad lonely bastards prey for me.

I leave you with this one TRUE fact.
ALL religions base themselves on peace and love, yet religion has caused more pain, suffering and death than anything else on this planet!

Answer 1

Yes. It is stem from fear of death. But also the desire of humanity to find more powerful figure allied with them where they can look up for help and grievances. We are like children seeking and find comfort to the sight of their parents.

Your last observation is quite true. I agree with you.

Answer 2

That's part of what influenced some beliefs found in some religions, but it's not the only thing, much less the reason for all of the world's religions. Some religions for example don't address the concept of an afterlife at all, and thus obviously aren't born purely out of fear of death. As for the notion of unbreakable religious zealotry, again, it's hardly just a fear of death which can drive people to such things. You can see the same behavior with some people and nationalism, or political views, etc. Some of these people come to believe in a deep conviction for reasons that are emotional rather than intellectual, but then use all intellectual efforts to rationalize and keep the belief.

Answer 3

I think religion first came about because early man did not have the understanding of teh elements in the way we do now. He could see the power of nature all around and had to live with it in some harmony.....which may at times have been a batle. So because of teh feeling of something so much bigger tahn themselves they would worship and find favour with the things they felt controlled the elements....ie the sun, the moon, the stars. You are right that man has a fear of death....so to imagine a place where all will be calm and serene and no more toils and worries where we all meet up again is a conforting thought and grew and grew throughout the world.

Answer 4

Well, you spilled a bib-full there!

Well said!

But...(and don't you just hate that there's always a but?)...I don't think you can say that ALL religion stems from a fear of death...what about those religions who believe in reincarnation? They believe that death is just the way of moving to your next life! So it is something they rejoice in.

I do agree that religion has caused more pain and suffering in the world than anything else...but then again I don't watch 'Eastenders'...

My religion?

I am a Pratchettist.

What you believe is what you get.

If you believe it's nothingness - then you get nothingness...if you believe you'll come back as Aunt Betsies rampant hound, then Aunt Betsie had better watch out, and if you believe that you'll be forever chained to a computer answering questions...

OMG AM I DEAD?

Answer 5

I'LL answer only the last part, because once you are convinced that you are right in your way of thinking, no one can make you change your mind, no matter what.

Agreed on your last statement, but with all the things that man has invented or made, there must be the real truth, the original.
Like money, we have counterfeit, all kind of object, they have replicas or like it.

So expand your brain wave and reason: Could there be a true religion in all of this mess?

Just a thought.

Answer 6

Im sorry I disagree. Fear of death? Im not afraid of death, yet I believe in God wholeheartedly. Religion is crap. I agree. Total crap. But having a relationship with the God who created man? Thats not utter crap.
I know people scream about solid visible proof. There is proof. No matter how much people try and show them, they're blind to it. Besides, faith is an important part too

Answer 7

Many religions stem for the idea that there is a power greater than us that can make the world (in the here and now) better... not fear. However, it is certainly true that far too many kill in the name of God (usually after they decide they have the one and only true solution to suffering). Sigh.

Answer 8

Only partly and indirectly. I think organised religion is the creation predominantly of people who want to control other people; and the common modus operandi, particularly in the monotheistic cults, is to biphasically alternate irrational promises of immortality on the one hand, with fear of eternal punishment on the other. You have to say the techinque is highly effective, especially when reinforced up to 5 times a day. Hence you have people in certain religions defending completely indefensible positions, such as wife beating gay murder, polygamy, etc etc.

Answer 9

Religion is based on someone imposing their belief system of why things are the way they are on people as an institution.

An individuals belief in a supreme being is spirituality, they need no one else's permission to believe and worship because it is a one on one personal relationship.

Answer 10

From what I've seen so far. Life is mor frightful than Non-Life
Why fear death?(unless you are a capitalist piggie of course)
All religions CLAIM peace and love.
Yet if they really were bout that, No one religious would fear death!