I read in an article written by a neuroscientist that our brains are constantly planning ahead for the future, consciously and not (e.g. our bodies sense when it’s about to get hungry). It’s a survival mechanism that allows all living things to try to exist for as long as possible.
Because of this programming, we can’t fully comprehend death. Intellectually we understand that life ends, but our minds cannot perceive what it would be like to stop working. Even the thought of it brings dread.
Hence the invention of religion and the concept of the afterlife— to cope with our imminent deaths.
Believing in heaven or reincarnation is a comfort, and religion provides answers to a lot of our big existential questions; without religion, a lot of people’s mental states would be destabilized, even though there are plenty of other ways to find spiritual purpose in life (As an atheist, art and writing is a big one for me).
I say all this as a reminder: if your beliefs impede on other people’s basic human rights, then you’ve lost sight of the entire function of religion (existential peace) and the entire purpose of life (to exist)
I read in an article written by a neuroscientist that the human brain is constantly planning ahead for the future, consciously and not (e.g. our bodies sense when it’s about to get hungry). It’s a survival mechanism that allows all living things to try to exist for as long as possible.
Because of this programming, we can’t fully comprehend death. Intellectually we understand that life ends, but our minds cannot perceive what it would be like to stop working. Even the thought of it brings dread.
Hence the invention of religion and the concept of the afterlife— to cope with our imminent deaths.
Believing in heaven or reincarnation is a comfort, and religion provides answers to a lot of our big existential questions; without religion, a lot of people’s mental states would be destabilized, even though there are plenty of other ways to find spiritual purpose in life. Art and writing is a big one for me (I’m an atheist if you couldn’t tell).
I say all this as a huge reminder: if you think your religion should impede on other people’s basic human rights, then you’ve lost sight of the entire purpose of religion (existential peace) and the entire purpose of life (to exist)