''The saying was a response to a young rich man who had asked Jesus what he needed to do in order to inherit eternal life. Jesus replied that he should keep the commandments, to which the man stated he had done. Jesus responded, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The young man became sad and was unwilling to do this. Jesus then spoke this response, leaving his disciples astonished.''

You're meant to fight against your sin, believing that those sins are wrong and such is not enough. Although I know we all conciously sin still, but you know.

Anyway, religion is still offering a pathway to immortal life, that's the main point for the theory to work.

That's the natural assumpition of the human mind.

And hell, which non religious people don't need to worry about

We already discussed this.

Threat of death comes first.

And is less terror than the thought of hell

I didn't much worry about death even when I was an atheist.

For you and your loved ones

Threat of death -> make religion to cope -> raise the stakes to increase stakes and confidence -> increases need to convert and herd society into the religion

Death was just death to myself; I don't think a fear of death (in the modern world) is the issue. it's a need for support in a collasping society.

too one dimensional

>too one dimensional
How's that?

There's heaven so that means is nothing but a coping mechanism is what it sounds like

We fear death when we have strong families and close-knitted together communities. Not falling a part shit piles based upon bullshit values.

You make it sound like hell is just added later to scare the masses

Wait, Tim, you're a Christian?

Not sure tbh

Used to be an atheist

@Anglican This.

>Capitalist modernist

>become deist unsure

>leaning Christian

Oh I'm still a capitalist

**Oy**

You'll have to drop that eventually.

Never

Be gone DEMON

Free this young man!

This is just a secular theory, not intended to be used against theism. We'll end it there.

What?

**Okay**

@Anglican Me and Tim were discussing the theory that religion exists as a coping mechanism for the threat of death.

And I derailed it, ey?

I would be happy for you to continue your discussion of Christianity.

Sorry if I did.

The idea has actually gave me room to pause and reflect on my atheism. Because the thread of death has created in me lots of terror and anxiety. The toll of materialism has been great on my mental wellbeing.

Could it be that it's not how you're meant to be, dear Chopin? I don't want to sound emotionally abusive when I say this, but if something is completely tearing you up inside, You should work to either come to peace with it or get rid of it.

My rational mind fully accepts it, but the rest of my physiology revolts against it.

It's like a nightmare.