Most people in the ancient world did not believe in eternal life. But they were more religious than today....

Question

This proves that people are not just religious because they fear nothingness after death.

What are the reasons that you think they may have been more religious in the ancient world?

There's no right or wrong answer really, I'm just curious to see what kinds of opinions you all have.

Early Egyptian religion did not have an afterlife for anyone but the Pharaohs. Later, the afterlife was opened to all.

Jews did not have a strong belief in heaven until quite late in the development of their religion. They believed in Sheol, which was a shadowy, and not positive, existence under the earth.

The evidence is........just read books about the ancient religions. I've read plenty.

Geesh, I thought this question would be interesting, but no one even believes me, even though I've read on and on about this subject. Sometimes this website irritates me to death.

Answer 1

because their lives and livelihoods depended heavily on the hand of fate, the other world bled over into this one constantly and a religious mistake could cost the life of your new baby or destroy the feilds upon which your family would be dependant on for food during the upcoming winter--the gods had to be appeased as man could not live without their favor

Answer 2

The Egyptians strongly believed in an afterlife and so did the Jews.

Many ancient peoples did believe in life after death, not just the 2 mentioned above.

Answer 3

All cultures created their stories (that helped form religion) to help explain a world they could not understand. These people couldn't even know what stars were, or the sun, or anything... It's human nature to need answers and feel like we understand this place and feel secure in believing that we know the answers. Same back then as it is today, they just had less understanding and more stories to explain things.

Answer 4

People in the ancient world most certainly did believe.The entire
Egyptian population devoted there whole life preparing for the after life.As did too many cultures to write about.I personally have faith because Jesus and Holy angels have come to Me,It
has nothing to do with fear.

Answer 5

As far as Hinduism is concerned, eternal life was believed from the very beginning on a different aspect, it is that when you complete your cycle of birth-death-birth-death...youe soul or atma unites with the eternal soul or "paramatma".

There is no judgement day in Hinduism because on the cycle of birth and death you complete all your punishments by being re-born again and again in various forms, until you complete this cycle and is gifted with the unification with "Brahma" or the "Paratma" or supreme soul..

Answer 6

I'm not sure I buy into your first premise... How do you know most people in the ancient world did not believe in eternal life? Where's your evidence? I would have guessed just the opposite

Answer 7

Sure they did.The Romans believed they'd go to the Elysian Fields,the Norse to Valhalla etc etc.The American Indians to the Happy Hunting grounds and on...The Jews knew they'd be gathered to their fathers.etc.

Answer 8

You can do most anything in a religious manner. I for one am quite religious about having sex. Being religious about something does not mean that it has omnipotent power such as a deity.

Answer 9

Lack of knowledge, I would say. Not that they were idiots or anything, but, the less facts you have about the world, the more you have to make up. Education is my answer.

Answer 10

Not just for that reason, only partially. They are also religious because they are ignorant and want easy answers.