Why Do We Fear Death?

Question

The fear of death, for most of the people, is not a matter which requires any evidence because it is totally obvious and we also see that a lot of people manifest extra-ordinary sensitivity with respect to the term 'death' and its reality. Thus the actual matter is self-evident. That which requires proof and an answer is the reason for this fear and alarm as to why we fear death?

Answer 1

Honestly, because there is no escaping it. My life is in someone elses hands and it's frightening sometimes. It's not up to me to decide when, where, how, or even if I should, die. I have faith, I really do, but its a little scary. I also don't know where i'll end up. I'm more afraid of the possible pain of death and maybe ending up in hell than I am of actually dying.

Oh, and then theres no coming back from it. That sucks too.

Hopefully, in the end, all will be well.

Answer 2

It is natural for the unknown to produce fear. Death is often portrayed as being painful and that which produces pain is also viewed with fear. Even those persons who are convinced of an afterlife more glorious than this life will fear death because there is always a small measure of doubt in the backs of their minds as to whether what they belief to be true is what actually is. The fear of death is a natural defensive mechanism that we have been given by God to insure the survival of the species----all animals have this on a conscious level, and plants also have this on a non-conscious level. Proliferation in the animal and plant kingdoms is one such defense against death on the species level. God has given us this fear of death in order that we restrain ourselves from reckless and overly sinful behavior. A fear of death can retard spiritual growth if taken to the extreme, but without it there would not be a human being on the planet, that is to say that we would have become extinct long ago.

Answer 3

Mainly I think we fear death because we are taught to. Conditioning of a kind. My grandmother died when i was 3, she was my primary carer. I have had a life-long fascination with death thanks to my mother's denial at the time. Death is natural.
Secondly, a lot of humans see themselves as 'better' than Nature. Medical science in general reinforces this. If we can devise the technology to cure than we are automatically assumed to be better than it all else on this planet.
Fear is a basic instinct. With the fight/flight mechanism (psychology) there is no free will. Only willpower. Many have never had to apply their willpower in a true life/death situation (wether on the spot or long-term). You might find the ones that have been in those situations will have less fear of death on the whole. Or that is in my experience.

Answer 4

We fear death because we have a sneaking suspicion there is something afterwards, but we're not sure what it contains.

I'm pretty clear in my belief that God is just- which is another reason to fear- when we die there is judgement- but thankfully my faith is in the life, death and resurrection of Christ so God won't judge me according to my own sinfulness but according to his perfect substitution.

So actually I don't fear death, because I trust that God is not only just but he is also loving and has provided a way that I might be saved.

Answer 5

I think alot of people fear death because they do not know what is going to happen after life on earth. When people are at deaths door, even atheists, they think that "maybe there really is a God.

Answer 6

Because its death. The unknown. Usually we fear the severe pain that may come with death. Believers in the afterlife may fear death alot more because they may believe in the possibility of some kind of eternal punishment and they are not absolutely certain that they wont be getting that punishment.
I dont fear sleeping so why should I fear the state of dead? I didn't fear being born (as far as I know), so why fear what ever else nature/'god' decides with these things? To fear the absolute certainty is to live a life of hell.

Answer 7

Because we haven't died. We dont know how it is going to be. When we dont know we are always afraid. Because we have lived so long we are used to it. Death ends all our hopes and desires and we hate it for that. We do not know that after death we will live again in a different body. We think that we simply disappear after death. We hate to lose and death takes away everything that we have. So we hate to die. When there is hate there is fear.

Answer 8

Hey "Mad" how do you know there is not Life after death? can you not think that we humans have a soul? if not then you will continue to think this way until the time of your death when you will see what I saw, in my experience in a terriable crash....no-one could live through it....but, I came through it with the help of angels....you can read about similar people by googleing near death experiences....no I can't spell, but know there is life after death....it's just in a different form

Answer 9

Do we not fear all uncertainty? Death is just the biggest uncertainty of them all.

I do believe that death is good for life. If we were not going to die, we would lie around all day, or behave very badly.

It pays to work to a deadline.
I just think that some people never want to get their work in on time.

PS: It is a shame that people like "Eds" (above) makes life for most of us a little less bearable despite its brevity.

Answer 10

We have a fear of death because we know there isn't life after death so live life to the full