Religion: Are They All Really Death Cults?

[birdie1971]

When all said and done, aren't the 'big three' religions just glorified death cults? Disregarding all the flim-flam about rituals, sacraments other miscellaneous guff, aren't Judaism, Christianity and Islam all built from the ground up with the notion that death is the true beginning and that the real and tangible life we are all currently experiencing is simply a transient, fleeting moment in our ultimately eternal lives?

If this is the case, doesn't a belief in a 'life-after-death' religion devalue and diminish the value of life in the reality that we all inhabit?

[beso]

vulcan //you obviously think telling them a good story is better than the truth.//

That is one of the fundamental tenets of religion.

[Octavius]

Religion: Are They All Really Death Cults?

Yes, I suppose in some ways they can be seen that way, but the focus is not always on the moribund. I like to think the essence of ritual and 'other miscellaneous stuff' is as much about the journey as it is the destination. I live for the now, and not the here-after so personally I see a lifelong spritual enrichment.

[jno]

bonjour, Octavius... yes, the focus in religions is about 95% on how we live now, and very little on what happens after death; drop in at any service and see.

[naomi24]

//drop in at any service and see. //

If these religions weren't founded on what allegedly happens after death, there would be no services. The religions wouldn't exist.

[Octavius]

True, but then neither would the pyramids. Perhaps.

[naomi24]

Octavius, that's, as you indicate, debateable - but we won't go into that.

[Zeuhl]

A desire for immortality seems a powerful motivator

A rather egocentric idea - but it combines well with the self-aggrandising 'made in god's image' idea

Combine that with human's exceptional creative ability and what do you get?
Religions

[naomi24]

//A desire for immortality seems a powerful motivator //

It's the only motivator. Why else would any human being be tempted to abandon their intellect to something that is nothing more than an idea?

[Octavius]

Well I don’t think I have abandoned my intellect, although this is of course subjective and open to opinion. I enjoy the spirituality of being in the world and finding my place in the cosmos - that sense of awe derived from science and nature. We all place half an eye on death whether we admit it or not, because it is the time of leaving, moving on, or regenerating (depending on your view) and in some way financially, mentally or spiritually we generally aim to plan for its inevitability at some point. But much like the generic human condition, most people I know – religious and not – have a tendency to enjoy the life they have, with the occasional reflection of death. Not many, at least in my circles, hone in and fixate themselves on the angst of demise throughout their happy clappy lives.

[naomi24]

Octavius, //Well I don’t think I have abandoned my intellect//

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I am under the impression that you don't adhere to any religion, so therefore my reference to the abandonment of the intellect doesn't apply to you.

//I enjoy the spirituality of being in the world and finding my place in the cosmos - that sense of awe derived from science and nature. //

I think a lot of non-religious people would agree with you.

[Octavius]

I am Roman Catholic. Still practising, never quite mastered it. So you may choose to retract that statement!

[naomi24]

I stand corrected - and yes, since you do adhere to a religion, I will certainly retract my statement.