religion "nothing-but" a commentary on fear of death?

[k-onmmunist]

but, and this is admittedly based out of my possibly faulty understanding of theology, isn't heaven supposed to be this place where you worship god and bask in his love and glory etc. forever? maybe this is just me, but being forced to do the same thing eternally with no possibility of death releasing me sounds like my idea of hell, and i doubt i'm alone.

More or less. Although, I think the sort of people who view worshipping God eternally as hell wind up in real hell anyways

heaven is slightly preferable since it doesn't entail constant agony, but both of them seem like they'd be torturous in the extreme.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

No because looking at the Ancient Mythologies they viewed death as a natural thing where todays religions view death as evil.

The ghost of Achilles did say that it was better to be a slave and alive than a king and dead, which doesn't strike me as a very death-positive view.

Unfortunately, Christian theology to all intents and purposes subjects you to being a slave when you die.

How?

It's to do with the destination of the soul; it doesn't get reborn, or dissipate or simply drift and wander. Christian theology gives power over a persons soul to a supreme being who either subjects it to eternal praise or eternal suffering. What is that but spiritual slavery?

Doesn't sound like slavery to me. No work involved.

Is it not ownership?

Not always.

Not always ownership, not always slavery.  But obviously no choice. 

This is why many not only don't believe, but don't wish for it either.  I don't want there to be a God as described by the major monotheistic religions.  I was given no choice in my existence, I'd much prefer to live it on my terms as long as I am not hurting others.  If I live according to this principle, as a good person, my reward is an eternity of praise?  Whether this is good or bad depends on how you look at it.  You might say that God gave me my life and I'm obligated to be grateful.  I simply do not see it in this way.  I say I'm plopped here on Earth... did well with the free will I was given, and if there is an afterlife I want to keep enjoying that free will; free from being forced into adulation of another, be it a deity or a mortal.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

You have no choice in your existence no matter what.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

You have no choice in your existence no matter what.

Obviously, hence my last line.  I don't think anybody should be living mainly to praise anyone else. 

[DC Al Fine]

You have no choice in your existence no matter what.

Obviously, hence my last line.  I don't think anybody should be living mainly to praise anyone else. 

Again, the sort of people who hate the idea of worshipping God eternally will never have that problem

[John Dibble]

You have no choice in your existence no matter what.

Obviously, hence my last line.  I don't think anybody should be living mainly to praise anyone else. 

Again, the sort of people who hate the idea of worshipping God eternally will never have that problem

Let's be honest - there's no real indication that anyone will ever have that problem regardless of which side of the fence they sit on.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

You have no choice in your existence no matter what.

Obviously, hence my last line.  I don't think anybody should be living mainly to praise anyone else.  

Again, the sort of people who hate the idea of worshipping God eternally will never have that problem

And if you are correct in your beliefs, and God needs me to praise him in order to be considered righteous, I'd rather be in Hell.  Funny how it just works out for everyone : )

[DC Al Fine]

You have no choice in your existence no matter what.

Obviously, hence my last line.  I don't think anybody should be living mainly to praise anyone else.  

Again, the sort of people who hate the idea of worshipping God eternally will never have that problem

And if you are correct in your beliefs, and God needs me to praise him in order to be considered righteous, I'd rather be in Hell.  Funny how it just works out for everyone : )

BDSM much?

[John Dibble]

You have no choice in your existence no matter what.

Obviously, hence my last line.  I don't think anybody should be living mainly to praise anyone else.  

Again, the sort of people who hate the idea of worshipping God eternally will never have that problem

And if you are correct in your beliefs, and God needs me to praise him in order to be considered righteous, I'd rather be in Hell.  Funny how it just works out for everyone : )

BDSM much?

Hmm, that might explain why God has a torture basement.