Is fear of death the main reason people believe?

Question

wow: we have a researcher here!

Answer 1

yep
fear of death...and of course the fact that mommy and daddy believe
i mean the fact that people generally belong to the most popular religion of their country should say soemthing about independent thought and religious beliefs

Answer 2

It's not absurd, Jack. The basis for religion probably started much farther back than a lot of people would consider, but I believe in evolution. To me, it is the fear of what comes (or doesn't) after death. Yes. I have a hard time believing that early man did not understand that he would die. A man, watching his son die, might try to understand why the son is no longer there, although the body still is. Where did he go? This needs explanation. Imagine being one of only a few humans in the world, trying to keep your fire going, being hunted by everything, trying to survive the night? I would have come up with an imaginary friend to keep me company, to give hope, and to take me to a better place when my wits have failed to keep me alive much longer; being trapped and needing intervention. Then you come along, scare off my attacker, and I've been given another chance at life. Miracles occured then, too. What nobody knows though, even to this day, is what comes after death, and a "religion" that provides some explanation (not the right word) is a welcome thing. I believe that religion has been refined over the years to fit the needs of those who need to believe in something more than themselves. I must have a purpose; God put me here. What I'm talking about is something much older. Before gods, devils, bibles. Before language, even. Maybe it was then that religion started in the mind, giving us the serenity to face the night.

Answer 3

It may be for some people. For me, I had an inner desire to find out why we are here in this life and what it is all for, and that includes what will happen after it's over. So, that's what got me started on the journey of spiritual exploration, not fear of death. The beliefs themselves came as a consequence of what I learned and am still learning on that journey.

EDIT: Silas G deserves the 10 points, and quite possibly a master's degree for all that effort. WOW!

Answer 4

Honestly, for me anyways, it was the fear of life you could say.
I moved back in with my mother and she started watching the 700 club. I hated listening to those idiots but after a few weeks, I decided to prove there was no truth in what they said, and so I said the sinner's prayer, fully expecting to in a few days/weeks say, "See, doesn't work!" And that would be that.
Well turns out that wasn't the case. In less than 24 hours, I found myself thinking differently about things. Thinking about how I didn't have to have everyone approval in feel good about myself. That I may have screwed up, I was pregnant, without a job and baby's daddy was no where to be seen. But in spite of this...I now had HOPE!
Hope in a brighter future for my child, hope in a brighter life for myself, hope that maybe I had a purpose in life.
So, yes, Jesus does offer us a grand afterlife, oh but the joys of living here on earth knowing Him as my Lord and Savior are better than any riches, or fame.
Thank you for asking a very sincere question. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

I would say that for some, fear is a reason. It is taught in The Bible Old Testament and the Quran to fear God.
Some who have moved beyond fear by free will choice believe without fear. God is a Loving Father and should not be feared. The fear of not having God would be one conceive in justly.
Rev. TomCat

Answer 6

i think it's the desparation to know the answers, where do we come from, what is life, what happens when we die, what's the purpose, u know, all the complicated questions, and an easy solution is just to believe in what we are taught to believe, not question a believe, but have faith. fear of death is a part of it, i'd also say ignorance and lack of free thinking.

Answer 7

Not sure what you mean, exactly, by the word "believe," but suspect you're talking about religion. I am not an expert in other religions, but in Christianity, we who believe doe NOT fear death. We jsut think there is more to life than just our normal human existence.

Answer 8

Believe what?

Fear of death? Might as well fear Mondays -- because it will happen no matter what you do to prevent it.


I became a follower of Christ, because I responded to God's call. Eternal life, unknown joy and boundless satisfaction were bonuses I wasn't expecting.

Godspeed.

Answer 9

Probably - fear of the unknown in general. Though I have no doubt that many believe because religion offers easy answers, they don't have to think too hard - or at all, just ask a preacher/priest/pastor/imam/rabbi/etc. what to do.

Answer 10

Many people confess Jesus Christ their Lord because they are drawn by the love of God. They sense the love of God.

Though some are saved through fear. And this is the fear of hell.

Usually the first drawing to Jesus is the love of God. But sometimes then, with rebellion (I want to do my own thing) people get afraid of hell. So? God has more than one way to draw people into His Kingdom.

Jesus did overcome this 'fear of death' strong hold, when He raised from the dead. People were afraid of being killed if they loved the LORD God. So? Now, man can only kill our flesh. God is the one who has given us atonement for our sins, so we can go to heaven. God has given us spiritual life. To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. Our soul/spirit. And we look forward to resurrection day when we are whole & in an everlasting body, soul & spirit.

Answer 11

No believer fears death. We fear eternal separation from God.