Beliefs about Life After Death

Survival after death

Throughout the world there are many religions and with each one comes a different belief about life after death. Buddhists, for example, believe that life is a cycle and that those who die are reborn at different levels of life, depending on how they lived their first life. Someone born into poverty could actually be reborn into royalty, provided that they lived their life in a good manner, was kind and was generally a good person.

The Hindu religion believes in reincarnation. Since the body is typically not needed for life after death, Hinduism elects for cremating the body and the ashes are committed to water for purification. The deceased is then reborn into another body and will begin the life cycle completely over again. This is the belief that has led many people to experience past lives or déjà vu, as some would explain it.

The Christian religion believes that by following the teachings of Jesus Christ, those who die will earn a reward in Heaven. Heaven is a place with mansions, golden streets and plentiful feasts. There is no suffering or pain and all are made whole. In order to reach Heaven, Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross and paid the ultimate sacrifice for those who believe in him. This religion also teaches that those who do not follow the teachings of Christ will not be rewarded in Heaven but will instead be sent to a pit of fire and torture, otherwise known as Hell.
Muslims believe that death is merely a departure from this world but it is not the end of the person’s actual existence. They pray for mercy from God and hope to find peace and happiness in the life after death. There are also Muslim beliefs that those who enter martyrdom are granted immediate salvation. They will be rewarded for sacrificing their lives by receiving 72 virgins and everlasting happiness in paradise.

Atheists do not believe in life after death. Their belief is that once a body is dead the soul does not live on. We simply cease to exist. Spiritualists on the other hand, believe that there is ultimate survival after death. They base their beliefs on scientific proof as well as communication with the surviving personalities of the deceased through mediums. The belief is that the personality continues after death through a new birth into a spiritual, but not physical body. The south remains near the realm of the earth for a short period of time and then advances in both knowledge and moral qualities to higher realms. It will eventually reach the sphere of pure spirit by practicing moral acts during life on earth.

There are thousands of religious beliefs throughout the world. All have specific views on life after death and while some are similar, such as Christianity and Catholicism, there are those which are completely different such as the Christian belief of Heaven and Hell and the Buddhist belief of life cycles. The religious beliefs of the world about life after death are an ongoing study in many areas.