Why are religious people so afraid of living and so obsessed with death?

Answer 1

Typical fear response. People, generally have two ways of dealing with fear, they either ignore it what is causing it, or they focus on it. And the fear of death, is a universal motivator.

The ‘religious obsession’ with death, is, in my opinion, comes in two parts. The first, it is the most basic question of religious philosophy, Buddha said (according to certain sects) ‘without an immortal soul there could be no salvation’ (referring to breaking the birth/rebirth chain). Humans are generally self centered, that is, it is our natural tendency to think of ourselves first (how is this going to affect me) and then others second, obviously to different degrees as we mature. There for, the question is typically what happens when I die, MY soul. As this is a, the most basic question and deals directly with the fear of death, people will either ignore it or dwell on it, (obsess on it) until they derive an answer which either puts the fear to rest or allows them to ignore it.

Second, and again my opinion, religion, and let us be honest, modern Christianity is focused to a great deal on salvation, or the ‘soul after death’. Some of my fellow Christians may not agree but the Church is as much a part of the ‘culture of death’, as anyone else. That is, there is so much focus given to judgment and the ‘end of the age’ that it keep their/ our attention of theirs/ours own death (instead of God).

Putting the two together, you will find the two styles or attitudes that you encounter with us (Christians that is). You will find some which has not found Hope in the Resurrected Christ which puts to rest the fear of their own death, so they must convince you in order to reaffirm their own beliefs. That is, they are still struggling with their fear of death. And others, who have found Hope, and that peace, is not bothered by the fact that you do not agree with them/me. While in all honesty it would be nice if you came to know God, they/I am free to leave it up to you, as they/I do not need you/others to confirm that what I believe is real.


(ok…ok…I know got a bit preachy there, sorry, it is what I do)

Answer 2

I think they are more obsessed with living, and afraid of death (which is normal because who doesn't fear death anyway?) When you are into religion, you are constantly reminded that life is fleeting and, that anytime, everything that you have and you hold dearly can be taken away from you by one stroke of fate. (like a thief in the night)
So this partly explains why religious people try to do many things in so short a time, and accomplish their goals, and do good things to other people as much as they can knowing that they may not have a second chance to make up for missed opportunities.
Also, there might be some truth to the saying that the good die young since in their effort to please and serve, they neglect their own needs and sacrifice their own happiness. But we should not feel sorry for them, because they die happy anyway or at least they die meaningful deaths.
I don't begrudge religious people for being religious but in reality I admire them for standing up for their faith and dedicating their lives to it, which is not the easiest thing to do.

Answer 3

I think what you're trying to ask is why religious people aren't LIVING their lives. They seem so fixated on 'sinning' that they're forever not Being?... is that right?

And the obsession with death is there. They're always trying to preach that if you don't follow their rules and believe as they do, that you're going to hell.

I know what you mean, bro.

Answer 4

Gosh, I'm not obsessed with death. I enjoy my life and live it to the fullest. I have a wonderful family and would hate to leave them any sooner than I have to. Death, my friend, is just another part of life. You begin dying the minute you are born and that's just how it is. You don't have to obsess over something to know it will happen.

Answer 5

that's from an answer to a 2012 question that i think is appropriate to your question. you could stay your existence thoroughly the image of wellbeing and characteristic some thing decrease it short besides. i do no longer think of 2012 would be the tip of the international yet i think of the Rapture ought to o.k. take place in 2012, besides the undeniable fact that it merely isn't the tip yet for seven years (the tribulation era) after the Rapture, so in the journey that your no longer saved you could now get saved for the time of the residing hell it is coming. besides the undeniable fact that if the international leads to 8 a million/2yrs. from now or no longer that still does no longer assure that we are going to no longer have a heart attack this evening, get meningitis the next day, have some loon on the mall sniper our heads off at present, get our heads pinched off by employing 2 slabs of cement throughout an earthquake, get killed while our automobile explodes after touchdown the different way up in a sink hollow that shaped merely as we've been employing over that spot, Or anybody of a zillion different issues that merely have not exceeded off yet. So: Jos:24:15: And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you on the present time whom ye will serve; in spite of if the gods which your fathers served that have been on the different area of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye stay: yet as for me and my abode, we can serve the LORD.

Answer 6

you know it depends on the religion and their beliefs, i dont have a religion and i dont see any reason to obsess over death because if you spend you life planning for death and trying to understand death instead of living a rich anf fufilled life then you wont really be prepared for death, i know each religion has their beliefs but people should focus on the life we are living now

Answer 7

Ever visit a hospital or a old-age home and see people of both, "stripes" fear of death ?
There is an old saying; "Heaven is the place that most talk about - but no one wants to go there" !

Answer 8

I am not afraid of living and most religion aren't the living is were you have your hell, and dieing no one want to but if you believe in God you know you were not put her forever and everyone has to leave here on day and when my day comes i will be ready.

Answer 9

They want to go to heaven soon.My lovely sister is a Christian she has lupus every time she starts doing good she gets sick again.All she talks about is the fact that shes not afraid to die.I am glad of that ,but why don't she fight it and want to live? There is so much to learn and do I can't understand it.


(Many blessings)

Answer 10

that would depend on which religion you are referring to. I'm a pagan, not afraid of death, but obsessed with living the life I have!