isnt the root of ALL religions the yearning for certainty and the fear of death?

Question

and all the various formulations of religion are futile attempts to destroy or banish these inevitables of life: uncertainty and death- with dogmatic [false] certainties and [spurious] survival after death mirages.

seth r: sounds like you want your cake and eat it!
"some element moves on but the body dies..."youre still clinging to some continuation arent you?
and what may i ask do you know about this something that "moves on"?....ill tell you: absolutely nothing! its all just conceptual tosh!
it just sounds like the blind leading the blind in wishful thinking.

also if you really "dont care if its true or not" ...why are you a subscriber?
dont you people ever examine your inner motives for what you believe? arent you even slightly self aware? are you running thru life on autopilot?

Answer 1

root of all religions is power and control
money from the masses keep a few in grandeur





may your god go with you
mine cannot stand me because I will not bow down and believe

Answer 2

It's possible that religion may exist as a way to handle impending and inevitable death. Even in sacrificing yourself for religion you often gain immortality in some way.

Personally I don't subscribe to the theory for all religions. I'm an agnostic Buddhist and I meditate on this body's death and decay at least once a week. It's the inevitable price that I pay for living. It's almost like dreading each exhale that follows the inhale when I breathe. I don't dread it nor do I think that there's a paradise waiting for me afterwards. In Buddhism the essence of what I am (which is NOT "me") will move on but I will be dead. I really don't care if it's true or not. I'll keep on breathing until I stop and that's that.

Most people believe what they believe because they've been taught to by the society in which they live. Most people don't explore the depths of their beliefs in detail. They only know what they've been taught that they should believe.

Others experience a type of awakening beyond absolution of fear. It just clicks with something in there psyche more complex than fear alone.

Answer 3

It is likely that the root of many religions is the yearning for certaintly or the fear of death. However you might want to throw in the problem of suffering andalso the positive motivation of natural curiousity. Life tends to be less cut and dried than some religous people make it but religion is less cut and dried than some skeptics make it.
From the spiritual perspective, the starting point of many religions is one or more individuals having a genuine revelation and then others seeking to follow suit. How successful they are in their attempt to emulate the original visionary varies from person to person and the message is usually diluted over the years until you end up with legalism, brainwashing and religion motivated by the fear consciousness which you described.
The key to a spiritual life is to study the knowledge of the great ones but to look within for revelation and not fall into the trap of trying to replace your own mind and heart with somebody elses or with a simplistic idea.

Answer 4

Could be, but I don't think it's the reason why people believe, it's not my reason anyway. Most religions have a downside on that issue as well, if you believe in heaven, you believe in hell(in most religions anyways) so I'm not sure this is a reason to believe in the first place, we are just simple people trying to figure out something much bigger than us. EDIT - I agree but religious people fear hell if they don't behave(that's not fun), that's why they follow their religion, because they believe there is an afterlife and only 2 options, the fear of the afterlife is a result of their faith not the other way around. People with no faith don't fear the afterlife simply because they don't believe there is one. What people fear is death itself and that's where religion comes in but religion does not promise you that you won't die in harsh way, so how does religion comfort you on this issue? The only thing I can think of is the fear of never seeing your loved ones again but I don't see a reason to build a whole religion around this idea. I think a lot of people who fall into religion because of fear do it for this life, a better future, protection etc'.. I think you need to need to base your faith on logic (I'm a Theist).

Answer 5

That might be possible and some people might claim that as their motivation. But consider this question:

What is the DEEPEST desire of any human being? To be loved and appreciated.

Many people look for it in relationships or cover up the void with pleasure to feel good about themselves.
In that case, isn't it also possible that there are people who use religion as a way to feel good about themselves? Either because of the community, the beliefs or otherwise?


To me, being a Christian (*sigh* if you like, you can start the flaming now), I've found that reason to be the reason most really follow Father God. The relationship with a creator that loves us is primary.

Certainty? Yes, we would love to believe in the certainty of God's goodness etc. but honestly, I sometimes find that difficult. But like you're certain about certain things about your friend, I'm enjoying learning certain things about my relationship.

Fear of death? Possibly, but to me, being young and all, it's not primarily my concern. You'll notice that many young people aren't THAT bothered with that because they think they'll live forever, and that they're still religious.
What's interesting to me is that eternal life is here, not the living forever type, but the kind of life energy that sustains my heart in ways no human could.

I don't expect you to fall on your knees and pray (though that would be nice) because it's your life. But at least consider this. Thanks and God bless.

Answer 6

I would disagree. To me religion is a way someone wants to live their life within boundaries of consistency. A way to gain a belief in an immortal power or a power that flows through all mankind to give a perspective on our lifes. That makes anything possible in this world. Religion is a means of belief, faith & strength. Many celebrate life as a gift & help those who get up to help themselves. Not all are dogmatic because their rules are based on logical wisdom or celebration of something that has it's own certainties proven, such as nature. I think if your religion fears death then you will never know what life truly is worth or actually seen death face to face (he is nothing to fear truly), to fear death is a sad place to be, he will come one day so why fear it? because you miss the beauty in everyday opportunities to live.

Answer 7

Sometimes I think religion is just simply an expression of mankind's inability to accept the fact that we have a beginning and an end, in particular when a religion espouses the belief that we will live in heaven or hell once we die. Perhaps when we die, it is just all over for us. Religion can be a coping mechanism as well. It has all the do's and don'ts worked out so you don't have to go through all the mental gymnastics to figure out how to live.

Answer 8

No, most certainly not!!!

If u think that the big three are all religions,u r sadly mistaken.

Religion is as much about a need to belong and to understand life in a deeper perspective as it is about fear.

There is an inate spiritual aspect of the humanity that expresses itself in many ways in different people.

Answer 9

Maybe god is the barganing stage, lol
Or could god be the Denial stage ?

1. Denial 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance

Answer 10

If that's what you want to think. Sounds kind of pointless to me. I know the Truth. Wish you the very best of luck finding it for yourself. God Bless.