Is the basis of all religion a deep seeded fear of death?

Answer 1

Yes. All religions were created because of the great unknown, what happens after death. People tend to fear things that they do not know anything about.

Answer 2

Not entirely, although that plats a role in it. I woul dsay that "the basis" is more just the fact that we don't know everything. Just think, whether there's a God or not, if we KNEW, there wouldn't be religion. So, religion is an attempt to explain/organize the chaotic world we live in. Death is a large part of the chaos, all kinds of people dying for all kinds of reasons.

I would recommend "How We Believe" by Michael Shermer, a great book about why people believe in God without really being condescending.

Answer 3

My short answer is--no.

First, I would say that the basis of all religion (to some extent) is that we look around the world, and we see order and patterns and structures in nature, and we see right and wrong and something "intangible" in people, and in seeing these things, most people come to the conclusion that there is a Creator. From that conclusion, we yearn to know our Creator, and our purpose for being here, and religion results as a means of expressing how we come to understand those conclusions and how we come to know God and how God reveals Himself to us.

From a Christian-specific point of view...I would say first of all, that our religion did not stem from a deep seeded fear of death--rather, death forms the very basis of our faith, because Jesus Himself died on the cross for us. Through this act of sacrifice for our sins, we believe that He overcomes (rather than rejects or avoids) death and brings us eternal life. If the early followers of Christ were going to start a religion on the basis of the fear of death, why in the world did they follow someone who was crucified (from which the word "excruciating" originates, FYI), and then get themselves killed on top of it for the sake of His message? Seems to me that avoiding death or being afraid of death was not a part of their pyschology .

More broadly, Christianity (and Judaism before it, if I may speak to that too), is a testimony to the our interactions with God throughout the course of human history. Stretching back to the dawn of civilization, the Bible reflects (in various forms--poetry, history, songs, letters, etc.) God's revelation to us, and our understanding of God's actions and will in the world.

Anyway, I could write more, but you probably get the gist. Hope it helps!

In Christ,
Christine

Answer 4

Actually a new study shows that deeply religious people have overly sensitive temporal lobes. The basis of most religions is to impose order upon a civilization and of course to aid the leaders/government financially.

Answer 5

I dont fear death, never have. I have been at deaths door a few times in my life, there is nothing to fear.

Answer 6

I don't think so... I think generally Christianity is all about life. We see death as another beginning and so we do not fear it. I feel like those without faith are the ones truly afraid of dying.

Answer 7

well that is too simplified. religion is based on fear, on a zeal to discover the unknown and what man has used to legitimize themselves and their causes. Many ancient leaders like darius and constantine used religion to legitimize their right to the throne and to increase their popularity

Answer 8

Nope I'm a Christian and hospice nurse I deal with death everyday. There is no fear of death in me, it just a fact of life you're born and you die.

Answer 9

I feel that is 50%

the other 50% was men in power, wanting to remain in power and become wealthy.

Works pretty well on all fronts.

Answer 10

Historically speaking? No. Aristotle's theology, for example, derives from his moral philosophy, and not from contemplation of death or dying.

HTH

Charles