The Notion of an Afterlife Preceded Christianity

The fear of death has been around maybe since the beginning of humans. Centuries before the idea of Judaism or Christianity was invented Egyptians invented a way of believing they could defeat death. Bodies were entombed with food and items the living believed would be needed in the afterlife.

The technique of playing with the minds of others to make them believe they need not die in order to get their money or allegiance has been going on forever. We've had the Egyptians, the Jews, and Christians and in recent years a group called Heaven's Gate. When you think about it, it's a no lose idea. No one knows you have made a phony promise.

The only reason I would want to live for hundreds of more years is to see what the next religion will promise. Right now we have traditional Christians offering life after death. Then, to one up them, prosperity gospel Christians are offering both life after death plus big money while on earth. It will take some creative thinking to offer something better than that.

If you already do believe in an afterlife or do not, it may seem like a stretch to think someone could come along and persuade people of something better than we is offered today. Humans have taught us it is not a stretch.

Heaven's Gate offered a really exciting afterlife of trailing a comet around the sky. After the first wave of suicides, I saw an interview with a man who was disappointed he had not gotten onto the space vehicle that was following the comet. A week or two later he committed suicide.

Today there are people looking for some new way to find an afterlife and probably there is someone making up a tale of how to promise it.