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Why Compare Religions?
Fear of Death
The greatest fear we all have is of death. Who would disagree?
In fact all fear is based on some kind of loss. We lose our security, our loved ones, our job, our lives. They all seem to be related.
And another part of our fear of death relates to what will happen to us. Is there something else after this life is over? Are we off to heaven? Are we off to hell? These thoughts certainly are present, especially as we get older.
And the more we are attached to our bodies, the more we fear losing it. It is our primary identity after all. It's who we are.
Or is it?
Attachment To Our Bodies
Deep down our fear of death is based on the fact that we think we are a body having a human experience. If we lose our bodies we lose ourselves. We lose our very essence — who we are. At least that is what many of us think.
But what if we weren't really our bodies? What if we were spirits and souls merely having a tempo ray human experience? What if our spirits did not die and we went on forever in some other form?
What if we were much more than just a body?
I guess those thoughts are the basis for many religions. The possibility of an "after life," and something good happening after we die is very appealing. We can't help but be attracted to this possibility, and any religion that offers this option is bound to be appealing.
Heaven and Hell
The possibility of a "heaven" can be very attractive. We see heaven as that place where all fear and worry is replaced by... well we are not sure what, but it's bound to be better than fear, worry, doubt, insecurity, and all the other emotions that make this life difficult.
But there's often a catch with many religions. In order to qualify for heaven, we must follow certain rules. And even worse... if we don't follow the rules we could end up in a place that is very undesirable. Most religious views of hell don't paint a very pretty picture. It sounds like it could be worse than life.
So for our religion to help us with our fear of death, we have to roll the dice, and take on a new possibility... hell. Now our fear of death is replaced with a "fear of hell." What have we gained?
So often we continue looking for another solution... another belief system that can help us overcome our fear.
Our search continues, and the path seems longer. Our fear of death pushes us on. Just like doubt it forces us to seek the truth, and explore other religions and ourselves.
But still the questions go on, so we keep looking.
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Near Death Experiences
No one has actually died, and come back to tell us about it... or have they?
There are many near-death experiences that have been recorded, and any conversation about death has to take a look at some of the amazing stories you can find about folks who have been so close to death that they have a story to tell. Let's hear from some of them. One common thread from many of these folks is... they no longer fear death.
"I knew with total certainty that everything was evolving exactly the way it should and that the ultimate destiny for every living being is to return to the Source, The Light, Pure Love.."
- Juliett Nightengale, near-death experience
"As each second passed there was more to learn, answers to questions, meanings and definitions, philosophies and reasons, histories, mysteries and so much more, all pouring into my mind. I remember thinking, 'I knew that, I know I did, where has it all been?'"
- Virginia Rivers describing her near-death experience
"I now feel that my life is totally guided by God ... To me it was a case of total surrender and total freedom."
- Janet, near-death experience
"The "hell" that I experienced was the pain, anguish, hurt and anger that I had caused others, or that I suffered as a result of my actions/words to others. "Hell" was what I had created for myself and my own soul through turning my back on unconditional love, compassion and peace."
- Tina, a near-death experience
"Hell is a state of being we create by being away from God until we choose to return to him. It is a state totally devoid of love."
- Sandra Rogers, near-death experience
Hell: an eternal abode of the spiritual dead; a place where sinners and unbelievers go after death for torment, and eternal punishment.
Fr. Brooks Keith explains Hell with these words: "Perhaps the most chilling and accurate description of Hell is 'the place where God is absent.' "
So, Hell has two purposes:
1. A place where evil is contained.
2. A place of confinement for those who do not want a relationship with God.
From the book MAJOR RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD ....REVISITED
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