Is Religion Just Death Anxiety?

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@BandiGetOffTheRoof Жыл бұрын

I can still remember the moment I realized that my parents would die someday... I was about 5 years old, lying in bed, and just started to cry uncontrollably.

@hamster4618 Жыл бұрын

While I can’t remember it myself. I had something similar, but the reverse 😂. One day my mother pointed out where she, my dad and my sister had lived. So I asked (3, 4y old), “Why didn’t I live there? Where was I?” When my mother explained I hadn’t yet been born, I burst out crying because I thought it was so sad I didn’t exist (then).

@leod-sigefast Жыл бұрын

Same experience, at the same age! I cried most nights about it for weeks, probably on and off for months. It is the most profound shock to realise mortality.

@martifingers Жыл бұрын

@@leod-sigefast These are all great stories and I had a similar reaction which I think may have lasted to age 10 or so. How (and when) children acquire the defences against such anxiety is obviously a crucial question but it seems it hasn't received a great deal of attention.

@jesserochon3103 Жыл бұрын

You had an existential crises at 5. Damn that’s young to experience that.

@louieberg2942 Жыл бұрын

I have no explicit memory of the first time. However, it's a thought I actively avoid, because it fills me with dread.

@yoshigottagun Жыл бұрын

I can only speak to my own experience, but it was a cope for me. I had slipped away from Christianity after years of doubt and had been agnostic for ~a year before death anxiety started getting to me. I had a mental breakdown that ended with me converting back to Christianity. It was comforting at first but once I started diving deeper and deeper into the religion, I knew I had to be honest with myself and accept that I couldn't believe it. The fear of death doesn't go away, but I'm learning to face it on my own terms, not through some religious filter.

@BurnigLegionsBlade Жыл бұрын

Losing the attachment to the self can help a lot. I managed to lose a whole deal of it through eastern philosophy and to be honest, psilocybin. I hope you find the right tool for the job

@guestguest5555 Жыл бұрын

@@BurnigLegionsBlade Is that Max Stirner on your pp? Seems like you're a man of culture as well!

@yoshigottagun Жыл бұрын

@@BurnigLegionsBlade I've adopted some eastern philosophy since leaving the faith. In particular the focus on the impermanence of the self and even the non-existence of what we traditionally would call the 'self' has helped me immensely. I wouldn't be against trying psychedelics for the sake of deeper reflection but if I were to do it I'd need a controlled environment with a good trip-sitter, and I'd need to be in a better spot with my mental health.

@arze868 Жыл бұрын

@@yoshigottagun Schoppenhauer argued for asceticism (aka the denial of the self). He reminded me of Emil Cioran when I read him!

@BurnigLegionsBlade Жыл бұрын

@@guestguest5555 Haha yes, thank you

@photon4076 Жыл бұрын

Many religions aren't afterlife focussed. The ancient polytheist religions were much more about controlling things happening in this life: for a good harvest, for victory in battle, for protection against disease. But notice: starvation, war, and disease are things that can kill you. So it is still about dealing with death, just in the way of trying not to die instead of ensuring an afterlife. Also fits with the research about how people become more materialistic when reminded about death.

@TheMilitantMazdakite Жыл бұрын

Actually, my religion, Zoroastrianism, is about making the world a better place.

@jacobus57 Жыл бұрын

Judaism is also focused on tikkun olam, the healing of the world, and the importance of caring for those in need and the vital role of true reconciliation in life. The christianity that grew from messianic Jewish cults is a giant step backwards.

@johnbrzykcy3076 Жыл бұрын

@@jacobus57 Why do you say a "giant step backwards"? I'm just curious. Peace

@starsareangels7 Жыл бұрын

I was agnostic and atheist until I dated somebody in the occult Satanism that sorta deal. One night she had me look in a book of poetry and in it she wrote "I sold my soul to find out what I already knew" that same night she got possessed tried jumping out my 2nd floor window I stopped that from happening she looks at me eyes black and says I'm gonna call the cops and say that you beat me. I felt a very negative force. I called out to God she hit the floor. I started sorta believing in this mother goddess since I had interactions while on psychedelic drugs I started singing the song mother by pink Floyd she gets a wicked curled smile on her face I realize something is wrong and I call on Jesus and suddenly she begins seizing her eyes are rolling behind her head as she's saying 666 666 666 f Jesus please don't send me back to hell it feels like I'm dying on a loop right now. I have the testimony on my channel... also some of the pictures my ex shared or drew. It gets more obvious that satan if the "god" of this world and the father of lies. Once you really look into how this world operates in a basic sell your soul for power join this secret society do this and that and you can have power or wealth. People who really start to look at how the world is knows that we are near the end.

@loganleatherman7647 Жыл бұрын

@starsareangels Wow, you should write for horror movies because that was a marvelously enthralling made-up story

@matthewsienzant8035 Жыл бұрын

Had a family member just pass this week.. and comparison to my 14 year old dog who is also slowly dying, I am envious of the dog. She's unaware of what is coming and still manages day to day without the burden of fear. All in all, I think there's a massive level of contextual coping mechanisms.

Жыл бұрын

Best wishes. Stay strong

@72PMChambers Жыл бұрын

How do you know the dog doesn't understand? Seem special pleading. I know dogs that refuse to eat nearing end of life! They seem to desire death as an alternative to life. Most primates grieve. Some group animals the older members will suicide for the benefit of the group. To do that they must understand they will die and the benefits of their death out weigh the group. I would be very caution in assuming humans are special and have special emotions. Maybe we have longer foresight and control over our environment.

@matthewsienzant8035 Жыл бұрын

@@72PMChambers the dog may understand the end is near, but you don't see them having panic attacks and fear about the unknown. That's the point. There's an understanding about the end of life but that is where it starts and ends. They don't spend their middle pup youth fearing about what will happen to them in ten years.

@FahadAyaz Жыл бұрын

@@matthewsienzant8035 How would you know if they were though? They may have the thoughts and not be able to communicate them.

@moonytheloony6516 Жыл бұрын

@@FahadAyaz That's a good question to ask. We've no way to measure that in a dog or cat or any animal. We can however observe their behaviors in both the wild and as domesticated members of a human family and with that offer our best position on that topic with what we know until better ways to acquire that data becomes available, if ever. There is something we humans do almost constantly...we put the human in the animal. Think about it...we train animals to do tricks on command, sometimes to perform things that humans do. (like ice-skating bears in Russia) we project our emotions and then various expectations toward animals. We act shocked when a trained animal kills a human being clearly forgetting that said animal is still an animal that has instincts of their own separate from human instincts. What a dog or cat may perceive regarding their own demise is speculation. Animals can mourn, we've observed this but how much more than that is something we simply don't know. What I do know is that animals unlike humans are not emotionally indoctrinated into things like religion, politics, and beliefs of some level of immortality after a physical death, so at best I can say it's unlikely they share a human-like fear of death in the same context as we do. They appear to accept it better than we do. And let's be honest here...humans generally show animals far more compassion in ending their physical suffering than we ever show our own species and for that alone, I envy them, but that's just me. Keep asking good questions.

@gerardvanhelden6891 Жыл бұрын

I speak from personal experience in losing faith and this is definitely one of the themes that I hashed out to be able to still have some understanding/compassion/empathy for people that are still religious, instead of seeing them as merely irrational.

@interferenzbrille_2542 Жыл бұрын

No, they have a lot of advantages. It's quite rational thinking irrationally

@gerardvanhelden6891 Жыл бұрын

@@interferenzbrille_2542 I mean, rather, that the fear blocks the rational thought, and it's not so much a reward to think irrationally but painful not too... There's a slight but important distinction, I think, mainly because it works different in the brain. Fear has higher potential than reward.

@johnbrzykcy3076 Жыл бұрын

@@gerardvanhelden6891 What do you mean by "fear has higher potential than reward"? I don't understand. Thanks.

@gerardvanhelden6891 Жыл бұрын

@@johnbrzykcy3076 that fear is stronger.

@starsareangels7 Жыл бұрын

@seansuttles1813 Жыл бұрын

In my mid 20’s to around 30 I suffered pretty severe death anxiety. Interestingly, I never agreed to go to church with my wife (who was very religious) until around that time. It didn’t take long to see the ridiculousness of the precepts, and simultaneously experience relationships with the largest bunch of young adults in one place who always were not adulting well and feeling compelled to make public spectacle of themselves on sundays crying and asking forgiveness and pandering for prayers. People there were always interested in what you were up to…until you leave that is. Everyone was fantasizing about starting their own ministries too. It was very weird.

@theTranscendentOnes Жыл бұрын

@@starsareangels7 stop making up stories.

@Midnight_Metro Жыл бұрын

I am in my early to mid 20's now (23), and I'm similarly having intense feelings of death anxiety. Do you still experience this? What is your perspective now on the matter? Does it improve? Would you take immortality if it was offered to you with no strings attached?

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

@@Midnight_Metro You die to different degrees depending on how much you write down. That comes with the risk of future malevolent entities finding whatever information there is on you and torturing a rather closer than less close replica of yours. Same for brain scans, cryonics etc. Some people even kill themselves prematurely to escape future suffering.

@Midnight_Metro Жыл бұрын

@@MrCmon113 You're suggesting there exists a future method of revival based on past written works? Is there a prioritization of who get selected for it? And how does that answer the question of the end of consciousness after brain death?

@vxidwvlkxr Жыл бұрын

I always considered "That kind of religion" (e.g. "The Church", any and all Abrahamic/Judeo-Christian faith's) to be insular and encapsulated in an incestuous echo chamber.

@CosmicSkeptic Жыл бұрын

The full podcast is available now to Patreon supporters. This clip is taken from Within Reason episode #25 with Andrew Mark Henry (Religion for Breakfast), which comes out this Sunday! The examples cited in this video are derived from a TEDx talk by Sheldon Solomon, one of the original developers of terror management theory. You can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raatmXdridCLY5I

@amazinggrace9675 Жыл бұрын

Dear Alex, How is your health since you have reintroduced animal sourced foods into your diet? I do hope you are feeling better.

@Ho-mb2wb Жыл бұрын

Alex, what you said in 2:00 was covered by the philosopher Peter Zapffe in his 13-page essay titled "The Last Messiah". He argues exactly what you said - that humans are just highly developed animals who know that one day they will be gone (unlike any other type of animal) and that this puts them in a tragic place. It might sound somewhat pessimistic but that shouldn't prevent anyone from taking a look at it. Philosophy after all is about following the truth no matter where it leads you!

@arze868 Жыл бұрын

@@Ho-mb2wb I've read Zapffe. He's pretty amazing. Cioran too. "What if existence is our exile and nothingness our home?"

@andrewfrank7222 Жыл бұрын

Short answer....... Yes

@uledisuddie952 Жыл бұрын

Go VEGAN , NOW 🙂 .

@Zoonofski Жыл бұрын

Memento mori is a concept in stoicism where one contemplates their mortality and the inevitability of death. When utilised as a spiritual practise this can lead a person become more calm, happier, more peaceful, more loving ect. Basically the opposite of what those studies found. So it seems the effect of the concept of death comes down to whether the person is considering it as an evil that must be avoided at all costs or an inevitable and natural condition of being alive and something to be at the very least accepted in its entirety.

@That_Freedom_Guy Жыл бұрын

Agreed. Death is not a terror for those who have done the work to understand it, so they will not demonstrate the same aversion. Most people avoid such inner work, so remain in the grip of the majority, who see conformity as a virtue.

@markmooroolbark252 Жыл бұрын

I have the words tattooed on my arm.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

@@That_Freedom_Guy You're just an arrogant twat. All of the effects he discribed are subconscious and they very likely apply to you as well.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

This contemplation is completely useless if you come away with the idea that people dying isn't all that bad. The correct insight to have here is an appreciation of the urgency of certain matters and of your duty to make use of your skills and knowledge before they are completely destroyed by your death.

@Zoonofski Жыл бұрын

@@MrCmon113 I would say it can be good to have a sense of urgency about things, being aware of the temporality of your existence. It's also good to realise how little of a drop in the bucket your whole existence is. Taking yourself and your problems less seriously sometimes breaks you free of the urgency trap. This lets you get out of reaction and instinctive mode, and into more exploratory creative modes.

@o0o-jd-o0o95 Жыл бұрын

I'm an atheist but I'm still struggling with the whole death thing more than the average person. I do not handle it very well for some reason. When Facebook first came out it kind of hit me as I was talking to an old friend of mine I asked her if her brother was still dating Rachel from high school and when she told me that Rachel had died 10 years previously from cancer I felt so horrible I remember sitting there thinking wow ... I'm sitting here living out my life when Rachel didn't get to live out hardly anything. barely out of her teens it may be in her lower 20s I guess... that's just so unfair. Now every time I hear about someone especially young dying it just breaks my heart severely. admittedly i do suffer from pretty bad depression also

@tomellis487 Жыл бұрын

May you be well, may you be happy, may you be at ease. It may be that every moment we have a choice as to how we will be.

@uledisuddie952 Жыл бұрын

Stop eating meat🥩 🤬😡🤬. Go VEGAN NOW .

@aimliard2276 Жыл бұрын

I have to tell you something more horrible I'm in my mom country and today 50 children between 4-7 yo died in a traffic accident between their school bus and a heavyweight truck. All dead no survivors

@e.t.2914 Жыл бұрын

Its okay to miss people when they die. But remind yourself that your feelings belong only to you. Sure, life could be happy for her, but there's no way to confirm that the joys she would experience in a longer life would be truly greater than the trauma. Where they are dead, things don't get worse. They aren't suffering. My mother died in her early thirties in a similar fashion. And though I miss her, I remind myself of what she would be experiencing right now AS a dead person, and that is nothingness. My grief is from my envy of no longer having her presence. It has nothing to do with HER feelings. I can't cry for her any more than I cry for every human egg that goes unfertilized. I'm sorry that your heart hurts. The only thing that ended my natural fear of death is experiencing pain so bad I wished I was dead.

@filiamaria8 Жыл бұрын

most of the people who have died happily are the Saints and Martyrs. you might want to check their lives out with an open mind and heart😊

@RogueAstro85 Жыл бұрын

I'm a hospice nurse so I'll give some of my thoughts from just from my anecdotal experiences with my patients. A big part of my job is actually helping patients and families come to terms that my patients will be dying likely within 6 months or sooner. Surprisingly most people are able to cope with that knowledge really well and most of them contextualize it as relief of suffering rather than framing it as religious immortality. Almost all of my patients are in immense amounts of pain or suffering from an illness (my job is to make it as painless and comfortable as possible) and they almost always mention how they'll be happy to see dead loved ones and it does help them with turning the experience from horrible to hopeful. It definitely does calm anxieties in patients and families when they believe that their suffering will actually have a payoff and isn't just needless pain until they're gone. One interesting thing I've noticed is almost everyone of my patients calls out to or says that they see dead loved ones on the last couple days of their life. I've had a few atheist patients who had the same experiences. I'm not saying this is proof of an afterlife, but since it's such a prevalent phenomenon I can absolutely understand how the idea of an afterlife was created by people to explain almost every person seeing their dead loved ones before death. I'd be interested to see a study done looking at cultures that primarily believe in reincarnation compared to a single eternal afterlife to see if the phenomenon is influenced by their religious and cultural belief or if it's just an innate mechanism that our brains use when faced with death. The people I find clinging to religion for coping with death is usually from the families of patients rather than the patients themselves. Families can be rational about the immenent death through the entire process and even want the patient to pass quickly so that their suffering can end, but as soon as the patient dies a lot of them instantly change and are quite surprised. A lot of families try to find something important and superstitious about the day they died. "He loved rain, of course he died on a rainy day" "Today is her dad's birthday, of course she chose today." Often when they find significance to tie to a family member's death it turns their mood from greif to celebration and makes it a lot easier when they can call friends and family with "good news" instead of just calling about the death itself. Overall, I personally do think religion is a large part of coping with death, I see it in my coworkers too. I'm an odd one in my field being that I can cope with death in a non-religious context but I am very very much in the minority. Being an atheist in my field isn't difficult especially because I can comfort people in a clinical context by discussing the relief of suffering and explaining that there are studies showing that the body can hear up to 2 hours before death so they likely knew they were surrounded by family. But damn am I glad that we have chaplains as part of our team because I wouldn't be able to offer the religious comforting that most people need during that time. I do think a large part of reliance on religion for coping is due to the fact that at least in America, death is so often ignored in day to day life that when it's affecting someone personally, it's most people's first time working through their actual beliefs.

@martifingers Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this Ryan. It's enormously informative and insightful . I get the strong impression your patients are very lucky to have you. The denial of death in everyday life is a very significant point. To me it suggests that , if we follow Terror Management Theory's idea that many aspects of culture are designed to assuage our constant existential anxiety, then current trends of overconsumption, denial of our link to the natural world etc. may be becoming mal-adaptations in an evolutionary sense. Gloomy idea huh?

@Vangluss Жыл бұрын

This was a fantastic comment. Thank you for posting.

@rationalmuscle Жыл бұрын

Thank you profoundly for this, and for your work in the world. Hospice aided our family during that time in immeasurable ways.

@BandiGetOffTheRoof Жыл бұрын

Yes, thank you for your insight. I'm sure people tell you...but you really are special to be able to do your work.

@Efesus67 Жыл бұрын

Superb comment!

@Jackraiden500 Жыл бұрын

I think its a big part. When my grandmother died, my mother took comfort in the idea that she is in a happier place without pain, where she can also see my deceased uncle. Same thing happened when our dog recently passed away. I'ts kinda awkward since i'm an atheist and she knows this, but i'm not about to bring that up when she is upset and vulnerable. So whenever she says things like that I just nod along.

@markmooroolbark252 Жыл бұрын

But just because one of the benefits of a religion is the comfort it brings when we lose loved ones this is in no way an argument against its truth or validity. Knowing my wife loves me brings me great comfort. Does this mean I'm clinging to am illusion?

@NicaremE Жыл бұрын

@@markmooroolbark252 what a classic argument: we should just be assholes to each other for no reason, when it's inapropriate because being right is more important, apparently, always supported with a bunch of falicies, too, "My wife loves me!" how does that relate to any illusion? how would said illusion be the cause of the comfort you feel from your wife loving you? also what is the point you're trying to make? that they should tell their mom she should be more logical about fucking grief? and that she should cope however YOU think is better? that instead of respecting her coping mechanism, which has nothing to do with truth or "validity" but rather is an emotional and personal matter, she should instead be just logical about something where reason is out of place? why are you trying to bring objectivity into subjective matters? what next? you think art quality should be measured on what is "objectively" and "Truthfuly" better? I guess I shoudn't say I personaly like bad movie x better than good movie y because it's in no way an argument against the truth or validity. This is literally what many religious people do wrong, just in reverse, they try to bring subjectivity into objective matters, so stop looking down on his mom and her feelings, because just like when religious people bother others when they shoudn't, it's none of y'alls fucking bussiness, and certainly stop looking down on religious people, because you're clearly the same type of jackass as so many of them just pointed in the opossite direction.

@Jackraiden500 Жыл бұрын

@@markmooroolbark252 I never said that it was an argument against it though?

@markmooroolbark252 Жыл бұрын

@@NicaremE WTF?

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

@@markmooroolbark252 No, but if believing your wife loved you brought you great distress we would have greater confidence in the claim that your wife loves you after learning that you think she does.

@nothingisreal2671 Жыл бұрын

Am an atheist an am scared of death, not so much of actually being dead because I know once am dead, am dead, but am scared of the way am going to die and the thought of never knowing anything again terrifies me. 😢

@albsol3478 Жыл бұрын

The problem comes when people like you, when someone points to a feasible solution (or at least trying), mainly cryopreservation, LEV or mind uploading, all of you start to dismiss those things and attack the people who want to follow that path to try avoiding death.

@drschwandi3687 Жыл бұрын

@@albsol3478 Mind uploading does not help you. Creating a copy of yourself does not stop you from dying yourself. Cyropreservation on the other hand sounds like a good concept.

@mikolmisol6258 Жыл бұрын

@@albsol3478None of those are currently feasible solutions.

@thoughtlesskills Жыл бұрын

@@albsol3478 Or maybe the problem is trying to deny the inevitable and wasting time and resources to do it

@nothingisreal2671 Жыл бұрын

@Alb Sol people like me? I've never dismissed any of the things you speak of 🤷‍♂️ I don't know anything about freezing people to conserve them, so I would never even talk about it, and I wouldn't attack someone for talking about if I didn't know anything abort it. LEV and mind uploading what is that? You have accused me of a lot of things there, and I don't even know what you are talking about? Mind uploading is that uploading your conscious to a computer? I wouldn't mind that there would be no more physical pain, probably still suffer emotional pain, but no physical pain. I do not understand when you people like me dismiss it? Have I dismissed it in this reply?

@Cookie-ri9pz Жыл бұрын

I am 60. I'm an atheist and am chronically ill. I have died once and almost died 3 more times. I have no fear of death. It's because it happened the same way every time and was quite pleasant. Your brain floods your body with chemicals. You forget all your pain. You start thinking of family and friends and it feels alright to go. Your brain gets a flash of life before your eyes and it is all the good things in your life. Nothing negative.

@aimliard2276 Жыл бұрын

For me I can't forget that feeling when you die but you are still conscious but that consciousness is shrinking slowly second after second. When people talk about death and all the bs after I just smirk or scoff if you knew. It changes a man, my new motto is memento mori. Because i had a taste and know, I just want peace. After that experience I'm less angrier,unphased by many things...

@letsomethingshine Жыл бұрын

It can depend greatly on how much love/self-esteem you've been empowered with, and the manner of the death.

@booksquid856 Жыл бұрын

@@letsomethingshine yes, I was just thinking about that. There has been some research on anxiety/isolation at death coinciding with some very negative near death experience.

@aimliard2276 Жыл бұрын

It happened suddenly after struggling against an "unknown"illness at that moment. I was walking in the kitchen,the dog(rip) began to bark at me then the blackout. The thing I remembered before falling was to not hit my head on the corner of the kitchen table then the confusion( no sensations and you can't move) I still remember the screaming of my mom I understood what happened and tried my best to not stop thinking but it became harder and harder as if you're slowly melting as in a lukewarm bathtub (i became aware it's my blood)I don't know how to describe it perfectly but if we are a circle the space of that circle is shrinking beginning with the extremities like our toes and fingers

@johnbrzykcy3076 Жыл бұрын

I appreciate your sharing of your experience. Ive had cancer twice in the last 16 years. I never thought about death much until I came down with cancer. Anyhow... I personally think we experience death differently. But how can I know? You know more about a death experience than I do ! Respectfully..

@Reevay762 Жыл бұрын

This is interesting. Can we have one on Pain Management vs. Terror Management 😅😊😮

@perpetualpleasurist Жыл бұрын

Yes, it's actually the pain and torment of death more specifically that folks are afraid of. Not death itself.

@uledisuddie952 Жыл бұрын

Go VEGAN , NOW 🙂 .

@uledisuddie952 Жыл бұрын

@@perpetualpleasurist Go VEGAN , NOW 🙂 .

@JM-us3fr Жыл бұрын

I love your picture!

@JM-us3fr Жыл бұрын

@@perpetualpleasurist I'm sure the pain and torment is also something to fear, but I think there is a genuine fear of death itself as well. I think the thought of leaving all our most important unfinished business in the hands of others can be a reasonable fear.

@stylebiabi Жыл бұрын

Is Religion Just Death Anxiety? 00:00 Religion and Terror Management Theory Section Overview: In this section, the speakers discuss the relationship between religion and the fear of death. They introduce the concept of Terror Management Theory, which suggests that humans cope with their mortality by creating ideas that give them a sense of immortality. Religion as a Coping Mechanism for Death 00:00 Sigmaphroid suggests that religion exists because humans are afraid of death. 00:20 Religion is seen as a way to cope with the idea of death and negotiate it. 00:41 Funerary rituals are an example of how religion deals with death. 01:20 Studies have shown that people who believe in an afterlife are less distraught by images of dead bodies than those who do not. Terror Management Theory 01:36 Terror Management Theory suggests that humans have a self-preservation instinct to stay alive but also know about the inevitability of their own death, which creates psychological conflict. 02:01 People invent ideas to give themselves a sense of immortality, such as religion or engaging in the arts. 02:21 Ernest Becker's book "The Denial of Death" is considered the origin of this kind of thought. Examples and Studies 02:59 Municipal Court judges in Tucson, Arizona were given questionnaires mentioning death before being asked to recommend bonds for prostitutes. Those reminded of their own deaths recommended significantly higher bonds than control judges who were not reminded. 03:24 The mortality salience hypothesis suggests that when people are reminded of their deaths, they should momentarily have an increased need for affirming religious ideas or community spirits. 03:47 Similar results can be produced just by flashing the word "death" on a screen too quickly for the person to register it. 05:15 The Effect of Death Reminders on Human Behavior Section Overview: In this section, the speaker discusses how reminders of death can affect human behavior and attitudes towards nature, animals, material goods, and religion. Death Reminders Increase Contempt for Nature and Animals 05:15 Reminders of death can increase contempt and disregard for nature. 05:34 People reminded of their own deaths are more likely to deny that humans are animals. 05:34 They have more negative views towards animals, considering it more appropriate to kill them for reasons other than food and medical research. Death Reminders Make People More Materialistic 06:14 People who are reminded of their own deaths have higher physical aspirations. 06:51 They intend to spend more on clothing, entertainment, cars, Rolexes, etc. 07:09 There is a link between death reminders and becoming more materialistic. Death Reminders Increase Need for Community and Religion 07:36 The mere reminder of death in our minds astronomically increases our need for reminders about community material goods religion. 07:56 People who have high death anxiety are shown to be more religious. Even atheists become more religious when reminded of their own death. Religion as an Exercise in Denial of Death 08:17 Terror management theory suggests that at least part of religious belief has a lot to do with just the denial of death. Subconsciously people really do believe that this stuff is actually true and has good philosophical and historical grounding because they have to because you couldn't deny death just for the sake of denying death because you knew you would know that you're deceiving yourself.

@rationalmuscle Жыл бұрын

Alex, your work is so needed. Thank you for yet another brilliant conversation.

@uledisuddie952 Жыл бұрын

Be vegan .

@jace.alexander.almalki Жыл бұрын

@@uledisuddie952does this ever work ?

@MultiCappie 3 ай бұрын

Death is nothing to us; for when we are, death is not. And when death is, we are not.

@rishabhthakur8773 Ай бұрын

But you fear it..

@MultiCappie Ай бұрын

@@rishabhthakur8773 ??? No I don't.

@rishabhthakur8773 Ай бұрын

@@MultiCappie This is what enlightenment is called i.e. free from fear. You are extraordinary one in a billion. For most people like myself, we fear losing ( death ) our family members, friends, achievements, reputation, social acceptance, biological loss, materials ( money, objects,.), knowledge, memory, etc . Namaste 🙏

@MultiCappie Ай бұрын

@@rishabhthakur8773 If somebody did something nice for you 10 years ago, is it any less valuable to you now? I believe it is foolish to be empty of gratitude, filled with fear, and focused only on the future.

@rishabhthakur8773 29 күн бұрын

@@MultiCappie 1. Maybe it is not less valuable, therefore we fear losing somebody/something for ever. 2. I feel gratitude and attachment that's why we feel fear of losing. You do not feel fear losing your loved one's ( people, object, body etc ) that is difficult for me.

@krishnaveganathar Жыл бұрын

Cows must be really religious.

@enno321 Жыл бұрын

That’s why there’s a Holy Cow

@benh2678 Жыл бұрын

Underrated

@Jetsjohnny Жыл бұрын

@@enno321bravo sir!

@mirandamay301 Жыл бұрын

Interesting clip...having unwavering faith was an awesome way of managing fear and anxiety when my soon-to-be 21-year-old son heard that there was medically nothing further that they could do for him. The following day he confidently told his best friend that he knew where he was going. As a Jesus-follower, I believe that God gives us grace when storms are raging. What amazing grace to have such acceptance and peace at that age...regardless of whether there really is an afterlife. Stefan's momma...and I was just diagnosed yesterday with ovarian cancer.

@damondansu2665 Жыл бұрын

I pray that you be healed in Jesus’ name

@GTTalera Жыл бұрын

Best wishes, consider relocating tó different country, if you can"T afford treatment.

@johnbrzykcy3076 Жыл бұрын

May the love and compassion of Jesus bring you comfort in this difficult time. I've had cancer twice. I often think to myself "this isn't fair". But only God is all-knowing. Take care of yourself.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

That's kind of like people having a problem of compulsively punching themselves and they solve it by cutting off their hands. There's gotta be a better way of dealing with maladaptive anxiety/fear.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

@@johnbrzykcy3076 If there's nothing wrong with you dying from cancer, why should we do anything to heal it?

@xnowbloom Жыл бұрын

As someone who wasn't religious growing up, consider myself as an atheist, which I still do now. I am lucky that my parents are never strict or make me believe in any faith, practice any custom or tradition. I just recently learn more about Buddhism, also has been practice daily meditation for around 6 months. I find myself contemplating more and more about death/impermanence, be it my own and the people I love in this life. Oddly, I become more peaceful inside.

@xravenx24fe Жыл бұрын

Makes sense, the more you dwell on and understand something, the less scary it's gonna be.

@starsareangels7 Жыл бұрын

@Peter-Ac Жыл бұрын

I have difficulty with people actually wanting to exist forever. The thought of never ending eternity scares the hell out of me.

@xnowbloom Жыл бұрын

@@xravenx24fe it is. I had health anxiety and the thought of dying young in a painful way haunted me for so long. The way to overcome it is to face the fear and understand the nature, with open heart and mind.

@xnowbloom Жыл бұрын

@@Peter-Ac that's indeed a very scary thought. But I think majority of people on this planet wouldn't want to live forever in the sense of being immortal.

@hothog8261 Жыл бұрын

I was a Christian years ago when needing a heart transplant (we're talking modern-medieval days of transplantation). People around me used all the religous, comfort-coding they could, offering prayers and letting me know that "God told them" that I'd be ok, etc. But that did not put me at ease. The only comfort I found, then and now, is that if I died, I wouldn't know it. I didn't know about me before I arrived on Earth so it shouldn't bother me that I won't know of me after I die. That thought was one of many that inched me down the road to deconversion. Finding Cosmic Skeptik years later brought me those last few inches. Lol

@moonsphere1750 Жыл бұрын

We can't even remember our own birth in this life - so it might not be safe to assume that we had no prior existence, simply because we have no memory of it.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

@@moonsphere1750 How is it you if you don't even have a memory of it? I'm more identical to Julius Ceasar than you are to whatever entities you try to identify with.

@zefft.f4010 Жыл бұрын

Well, it's not *just* death anxiety. It's also life anxiety. Historically, life has been pretty damn harsh. Pretty sucky. More or less impossible to get through unless you convince yourself that it'll be better once it's finally over and everyone you think deserves it will be horribly punished. It's basically a coping mechanism to deal with the fact that life is hard and there is no justice.

@AlexSciChannel Жыл бұрын

Alex, have you heard that death anxiety is one of the main themes touched on in the new Puss in Boots movie? And handles it very maturely for a kids' film. I highly recommend you watch it.

@FadedPhoenixYT Жыл бұрын

That movie was so fire, I second the recommendation

@GBH420 Жыл бұрын

That simple snippet rolled across my ears as something I immediately recognized as an anchoring truth inside my mind.

@celestialmangos8537 Жыл бұрын

I was literally thinking yesterday “Cosmic Skeptic should collab with Religion for Breakfast”. Could this be a crazy coincidence or is it so unlikely that a magical mind must have planned it? Almost certainly the former but still super excited for the full episode!!

@hobbitor3990 Жыл бұрын

I can tell this will be a fantastic episode! Thankyou so much Alex for making quality videos/podcasts for us! Remember to drink water and rest well :^)

@BritishMaverickk Жыл бұрын

I read about Terror management theory in a book about nature. and ever since then it has occurred to me that Terror management leads to more of the thing we’re terrified of. Because ultimately our denial of death leads to more destruction of the environment , rainforests etc.

@nicholemoore2448 Жыл бұрын

Thay say denial is the first stage of grief. My mom was a single parent and I was her only child - she was the person I was closest to in the whole world - our bond was Gilmore Girls strong. I was a hard-core Christian at the time of her death, and the last line of my speech at her funeral was "...and I know I will see her again." When you grieve you cling to what's familiar, and for me that was Christianity - consequently, her death was when my faith was at its peak. But about a year and a half after she died, I was finally able to start to heal at least somewhat - no one ever fully heals after a deep loss. It was then when I was able to start my process of deconstruction. After I had become an atheist and no longer believed in an afterlife, it was as if I had to start the process of grieving for her all over again. It was then that I realized how intrusive religion is with grief. It disrupts the grieving process by keeping a part of you - no matter how small - still stuck in that first stage of grief: denial. Yes, no one can be 100% sure of what happens after we die; but if this life is really all we have, we should be able to acknowledge that we may never see our loved ones again. Yes, it excruciating, and beyond heartbreaking - but that's grief - painful, *but it's our pain.* I'm all for comforting people who are going through grief, *but it can be taken too far.* Grief is extremely personal, and religion has no right to take it from us.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

You can acknowledge a loss without grieving at all, but that's probably unrealistic for most people. Of course the best coping mechanism of all is to deny a circumstance altogether. If you genuinely believe that you came in first in a race, you won't suffer the mental anguish of coming in last. Moreover I don't think there's a "process of grieving" that's in any way wholesome or good. You just perceive that something bad happened and you suffer accordingly. And then times goes by and other perceptions come in. No one speaks about processing and getting over good things that happen to them, but for some reason they think that happens with bad things.

@JM-us3fr Жыл бұрын

Certainly part of the reason I am going into academia is to create a contribution to society that will stand the test of time, even possibly beyond my death. Also, I just enjoy learning and I seem pretty good at it.

@asloii_1749 5 ай бұрын

I have really bad death anxiety. My dad had a life-threatening injury not too long ago, thankfully he survived. It’s soul crushing and terrifying to know he’s not gonna be here one day, and I’m not gonna be here one day. I don’t know how you can be okay with life and just not believe in an afterlife

@morockapdx7174 Жыл бұрын

I do think that expanding our understanding, and educating on this topic, is crucial to modeling a more realistic, rational, society. Do keep up the great work. Thank, you.

@starsareangels7 Жыл бұрын

@LarsPallesen Жыл бұрын

Great to see Andrew Mark Henry here. I have enjoyed and appreciated Religion For Breakfast for a long time. It's one of the best sources of factual knowledge about religion out there.

@2011littlejohn1 Жыл бұрын

I'm 80 and recently nearly died from pneumonia; this has made death even more inevitable in my mind and now I am trying to cope with the idea - mainly centred around it hopefully being as quick and as painless as possible. As for any religious intensity - despite my non belief I am sort of pleased to note that not once during the very uncomfortable period in intensive care did I evoke any deity (the opposite of that expressed in this video) though there was a moment when I was so uncomfortable that I would have shot myself to escape.

@amask99 Жыл бұрын

I'm not trying to force anything on you, but are you sure you don't want to just try, just make sure that no religion is true? I don't want to go into the Pascal's wager, I just think it would be wise to do so, since there may be a deity judging out search for the Truth. I personally believe the Catholic church is the tru one and that's where I'd encourage you to go, but it's up to you. I wish you peaceful time here

@2011littlejohn1 Жыл бұрын

@@amask99 If there is a god then it's got a lot to answer for such as say the purpose of still born babies. I can't think of an ethical reason.

@amask99 Жыл бұрын

@@2011littlejohn1 Well, I believe God can bring about good from every evil and can infinetely compensate for every pain someone undergoes. Aside from that, don't you think the parents are more to blame? After all, they desided to have children despite knowning the risk of having an unhealthy one. If you think that's ethically unacceptable, we should probably extend that logic to all people who want to have children despite being aware of suffering in this world. Is it also morally wrong, or do you argue life still has enough meaning to risk it? If the answer is yes, maybe God has a similar perspective

@2011littlejohn1 Жыл бұрын

@@amask99 That's a bit glib and removes all accountability from this deity who is supposed to cause everything. And I fail to see how a still born baby born to a primitive in some Amazonian jungle is part of some vast eternal plan.

@markomajnik416 Жыл бұрын

Extremely fascinating. Came in expecting a pure discussion of religion and death anxiety, but I was suprised by terror management theory which I haven't ever heard of before. Incredible

@jamm_affinity Жыл бұрын

The worst part about death is we are living in the greatest story there ever was, and none of us will ever know how it ended. It’s like reading half of an amazing book and never being able to finish it.

@rockrecordreport7136 Жыл бұрын

The ending is not a real happy one on earth. Regardless if it comes fast or a slow decline, it's not a pretty picture. So we could be better off not knowing how it ends. But I do see your point clearly, we don't get to see it.

@jamm_affinity Жыл бұрын

@@rockrecordreport7136 At the very end yes, but not necessarily the billions of years before that. Humans could populate space, find other civilizations, those are the sorts of things that would drive me crazy to not ever get to see if they do happen at some point.

@WolfBoyLovesAnarchy Жыл бұрын

I see it different, the collective story is just the background for your own story. We don't look at every movie thinking what happens thousands of years after, we view it as the story of the main character. And you will see that ending for sure

@emilymcvey1356 Ай бұрын

@@WolfBoyLovesAnarchythats so interesting !

@hardyB Жыл бұрын

I don't know if anyone would ever see this but I just have to put it out there. When I became a teen for the first time, the fear of death started looming over me. This really pushed me to start looking for scientifically finding a way out of death and I came across a subject known as biochemistry. From then on I began finding ways if it could really solve the death issue and guess what? It can. Out of fear all this while I have been studying and researching reverse-aging and I can tell you we are very close to finding a solution. However, it's not going to prevent death or anything but just hault it for long enough for you to change your mind about death. Death is actually quite comforting if you look at it with a different perspective. While researching I found out it's not death I fear but death without understanding the universe around you. Just imagine how cool it would be to die after you have experienced and learned about everything just like finally going to bed for once in hopes for a new beginning altogether. P.S. I recommend you guys to study aging. We need more smart ppl in this field. This also includes cancer research, neuroscience for alzheimer's research, etc. We can use this fear of death to innovate and create a paradigm shift so that we never have to fear death again.

@patrickgroen4133 Жыл бұрын

As a practicing Stoic who meditate daily on my own mortality and my loved ones provide me with me sense living each day to the fullest and living in accordance with nature for what can be more natural than living in accorddance with nature. Death smiles to us all and all we can do is to smile back :)

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

That doesn't mean anything. "Living in accordance with nature" is just an excuse for being selfish and cruel and intellectually lazy 99% of the time.

@Bill-ni3es Жыл бұрын

Death anxiety is an essential tool in spiritual transformation. That's if you are willing to leave the crutch of faith behind - belief in some sort of heaven if you follow certain rules or a belief that you cease to exist after death. The deeper you go, the more terrifying it is but the understanding you reach is beyond what the intellect alone can fathom.

@defiance1790 Жыл бұрын

As a Christian, I found it more comforting when I was an atheist to think I don’t exist after death than to think I will need to live perfectly with a perfect being after death…

@Solutionsarejustcompromises Жыл бұрын

This perfect being makes you feel uncomfortable?

@defiance1790 Жыл бұрын

@@Solutionsarejustcompromises The same way a criminal would feel uncomfortable in front of a judge…. Yes

@Mastikator Жыл бұрын

I thought Jesus was supposed to forgive your imperfections and accept you as you are, as long as you accept Jesus?

@Solutionsarejustcompromises Жыл бұрын

@@defiance1790 the criminal knows exactly what he did wrong, does that mean you know exactly what you did wrong?

@VisiblyPinkUnicorn Жыл бұрын

@@Solutionsarejustcompromises Did this perfect being touched you in points you didn't want to?

@TheLionsOffspring34 Жыл бұрын

Excellent!! I’ve always felt this way about religion, but I never knew there was actual research for my hypothesis. I’ve learned a lot in this short clip.

@PhilRounds Жыл бұрын

Yes. It's also very handy as a means of controlling large groups of people using that fear as a lever.

@rothko1234 Жыл бұрын

I just love the way you debate and express your ideas- you are such a refreshing and interesting person❤

@GenJouh Жыл бұрын

From star dust to star dust. That's all it is, and it's what it is. Can't change it only accept it and go forward.

@spectrepar2458 Жыл бұрын

"You'll never make it in this field without it" was one of the first things told to me when i started my current job as an EMT after one of the people precepting me asked if i was religious and answered "no"

@LakeScarlett Жыл бұрын

Wow! I'm surprised by everything he said about the results of people who are reminded of their own death. I thought it would of been the opposite. I must be an alien or something but when I think of my own death I sometimes feel a sense of relief. I stop worrying about trivial things, become more understanding, calmer, kinder, can think clear and gain a better perspective. The only negative is I become apathetic and maybe more hedonistic (if you consider that a bad thing)

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

Being hedonistic only means to be explicit and systematic and wise in doing what everyone does anyways.

@jasonborn867 Жыл бұрын

Only speaking for myself, but as a former Christian the religion made me dread death. There was always the fear wondering if my faith and works were sufficient, whether my sins were truly forgiven, and if I would be chosen for an eternal life in heaven. These concerns generated considerable anxiety as did the notion of hell, and I always felt someone was looking over my shoulder judging my behaviors. I always felt labeled a guilty sinner, my works were filthy rags, and never at peace with salvation. Then along came atheism and a huge burden was lifted off my chest. I felt free and no longer feared death or eternal consequences. Gone was divine judgment always looking over my shoulder and wondering if I was chosen for a place in heaven. It was such a release breaking free from a psychological prison and now realizing I was my own judge. No longer did I have to view others as sinners living in a spiritual world of demons and angels, but rather just people living their lives for whatever purpose and meaning they chose. Atheism was so empowering, so uplifting, so freeing, and it increased my compassion for humanity. There was such peace embracing my insignificance and irrelevance in the universe.

@bigol7169 Жыл бұрын

Omg this will be fantastic !! I love Religion For Breakfast!! He is sooo good and so educational

@KHABIB-TIME Жыл бұрын

Q. What really is the difference between a bacteria and human beings, pretending to an atheist, objectively?

@danielgadomski5129 Жыл бұрын

@@KHABIB-TIMEsize, biochemical composition, morphology, methods of reproduction, metabolism... Need I go on?

@KHABIB-TIME Жыл бұрын

@@danielgadomski5129 So, because you are little bit bigger then a bacteria that makes you more special?

@BurnigLegionsBlade Жыл бұрын

@@KHABIB-TIME Something being special or not does not pertain to objectivity. Since all values are ultimately mind dependent, therefore subjective

@KHABIB-TIME Жыл бұрын

@@BurnigLegionsBlade 😄😄😄 So, you are no more subjectively special or different than a bacteria or germs lurking in the toilet? Oh Allah, You are The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful, guide us all to the straight path.

@Jasmine-ho9iz Жыл бұрын

I find this so hard to comprehend as someone who grew up very connected to nature (living on a farm, now studying ecology and working towards living off the grid). Death just always seemed like this promise indicative of the perfection of natural order. I’ve always found it so interesting to think that I’m currently a conscious being, but one day I’ll likely just join the mycelium hive mind.

@Prime_Legend Жыл бұрын

I think reincarnation/rebirth is the best option, even if we don't remember anything. As a deist, I'm still not sure what happens after death but I think it's important to work on improving your life right now, rather than worrying so much about what happens after you die.

@jonstrickland4848 Жыл бұрын

I had a heart attack in October 2022. I was diagnosed with two types of heart disease. Thankfully they were able to just put a stent in and I avoided a bypass. I don’t think I ever fully bought into theism even as a child. However, after my attack, I found myself drifting towards faith. Not until recently have I gotten back to being me. Even when I’ve wanted to believe my mind always said no. It he point here, death is scary very scary especially when you realize any second you could die. Sure I’ve known that for decades but my MI really scared me and rightfully so. That said, I don’t have any justified reason to believe there’s another life for me after this one.

@gistfilm Жыл бұрын

You might take comfort in realizing that "you" don't exactly exist -- "reality" is very much an illusion constructed by the brain, and "you" are like the "Ship of Theseus."

@John.Christopher Жыл бұрын

I ponder death every single day, and It's surprising how many people live in denial.

@gusgrizzel8397 Жыл бұрын

I agree. I wonder why people think their god is so wonderful when he insists you must die as part of life. It's very cruel.

@krzysztofrudnicki5841 Жыл бұрын

Once I was smoking joint with a beer after hard day of working in my house. Out of nothing I got a thought that I will die and this is inevitable. This thought started my heart to beat faster, I got adrenaline shot and I felt like I was driving a car into a wall and I can't do nothing. I had a panic attack. After that I realized something, and I don't live with regrets. I understand, that there are many things beyond my control and I have to accept this or live in despair. I prefer to live with joy. Because happiness isn't a goal, it's a journey.

@HoratioKJV Жыл бұрын

Sounds like marijuana-induced psychosis.

@MyTeaIsMighty Жыл бұрын

This is really interesting because I remember as a young child, the concept of death was really upsetting. I used to spend some nights crying about it and talking with my parents about it. But as an adult, I'm not really scared of it. If anything I find the idea that I'll die one day somewhat of a relief. Now, I'm not depressed or anything. I've had a relatively easy life, things are going well for me. And yet, I'm happy that I get to die one day. What I'm actually scared of is dying in a horrific way like cancer, or drowning, or burning alive. Just pain and suffering in general. But death? Nah, the fact that one day I'll just stop existing is A-okay with me.

@luminon9635 Жыл бұрын

You live forever, because new people are born all the time, and a new consciousness (you) is born in them. The belief that you cease to exist forever when you die can be relieving, but it is false.

@markmooroolbark252 Жыл бұрын

Apparently that can't be true. You are human so you must have a terror of death and death anxiety! Unless of course you are special like so many atheists seem to believe they are. They rise above our silly human foibles and flaws and see things as they truly are.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

Bullshit. If that was true you would have already killed yourself.

@cozzwozzle Жыл бұрын

Orthodox Christianity is a celebration of life. A deep gratitude and respect for the virtues. A reverence for love, kindness, humility, peace and joy. We sing to the One who gave and gives life to all creation. To Him who defeated death and Who we look forward to spending everlasting life with. Our religion is a lifestyle. An every day striving towards becoming more and more like Him and sharing his Love with those around us. ☦️

@realrururu Жыл бұрын

It's exciting that you're hopping on the TMT train. If you're interested in this kind of stuff, you might like investigating the "Meaning Maintenance Model" idea. In essence, everybody's mental framework for the world is like a jigsaw puzzle, and we feel anxiety or discomfort whenever we come across a puzzle piece that doesn't fit with what we already know. According to the theory, we're constantly maintaining our working framework in order to avoid discomfort.

@mailill Жыл бұрын

As a person more afraid of suffering than of being dead - which means more afraid of life than death - I think religion for me when i belonged to a Church, was more about longing for Unity, which might be old longing for the symbiotic relationship with parents in early childhood. Also, a longing for being free from the exhausting neurotic want of control of outcomes - maybe even of choices - leaving it to some supernatural Being with a greater overview and greater capacities. I clearly don't want to die right now nor in any too close future. Yet still, when I am angsty or sad, a walk on the sematary - reminding me that life is short and death is certain - usually calms me down and perks me up. The thought of (at least) this life (and the person that I am) not being eternal, makes life and nature and relationships more dear to me, and it is usually such a comforting thought. I delight in the idea of being a passing phenomena in this "magical" fleeting world where love and loss/death seem to be the only things that really matter. I am sure I am not the only one.

@RikiTikiTaviXVX Жыл бұрын

I’ve met quite a few people (often academics as myself) who couldn’t believe in “God” precisely because they would have seen it as a coping mechanism, being aware of their own death anxiety. As an atheist (growing up in a family of academics and atheists) I had no problem dealing with the idea of death. I thought along the lines: “I have non-existed for an eternity already, I can non-exist for another eternity, no problem.” Now (having become a theist) I think that a connection to the transcendent puts death anxiety in a different perspective. It’ seems the product of a very narrow and clingy attachment to the materiel world,now I believe my lack of death anxiety as an atheist was due to the fact that I wasn’t particularly clingy towards the materiel world even back then.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

"Material world" is a cute way of saying reality. The non-"material" world is fantasy.

@Gismho Жыл бұрын

Really interesting as always with CosmicSkeptic's informative videos. Thank you!!

@Ho-mb2wb Жыл бұрын

@guestguest5555 Жыл бұрын

Yeah Zapffe makes you feel a bit uncomfortable at first but its worth it for all atheists to read what he says

@WhoThisMonkey Жыл бұрын

yes, following the truth no matter where it leads you! Directly away from any religion, as the lack of evidence supporting any religion, is a clear and logical sign to dismiss it.

@guestguest5555 Жыл бұрын

@@WhoThisMonkey Zapffe is an atheist

@WhoThisMonkey Жыл бұрын

@@guestguest5555 Did I say otherwise? 🤔

@dingdingdingding5544 Жыл бұрын

@@WhoThisMonkey Why are you trying to attain rational and metaphysical truth with empiricism?

@TheAleatoriorandom Жыл бұрын

I would say it's not "just" that, but I absolutely think it's one of the biggest needs that faith cam cover and explain it's origin. It's also one of the reasons why in developed nations where death it's less commonplace religion is less compelling.

@jedkaine4921 Жыл бұрын

Very important work. Keep it up. Religion is the sine qua non to the irrational.

@WaqasAli-ct7ly Жыл бұрын

So only irrational people can be religious?

@paulsmith7579 Жыл бұрын

Its debatable that religion is irrational.

@bellumthirio139 Жыл бұрын

Are meaningless platitudes the sine quibus non of the pseudo intellectuals?

@tylercurtis764 Жыл бұрын

🥱

@mal7916 Жыл бұрын

Religion and irrationality are not necessarily synonymous. While it's true that some religious beliefs may seem irrational to those who do not share them, it's important to recognize that faith and reason are not mutually exclusive. Many people find comfort and meaning in their religious beliefs, and these beliefs can often inspire acts of great compassion and kindness. Ultimately, it's up to each individual to determine the role that religion plays in their own life, and it's important to respect the choices of others, even if we do not always understand them.

@chaueter1041 Жыл бұрын

Not to sound like I think I’m really smart, but I have believed this ever since I was a kid… Even when in grade school, shortly after my father told me that he was an atheist, he also told me that the fear of death, the egos fear of of non-existence, is the greatest fear a human has, consciously or subconsciously.

@gusgrizzel8397 Жыл бұрын

annihilation

@retsevets158 Жыл бұрын

There is an old Black Sabbath tune called After Forever that has a line I always liked "when you think about death do you lose your breath or do you keep your cool..." I was maybe 12 the first time I heard the song and, though the song is great, that line has always stuck with me

@crazyprayingmantis5596 Жыл бұрын

Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope do you think he's a fool? 🤘🥴

@johnbrzykcy3076 Жыл бұрын

Interesting lyrics. I've never heard the song. I should check it out. Thanks.

@crazyprayingmantis5596 Жыл бұрын

@@johnbrzykcy3076 Check out the whole album, actually their whole catalogue

@georgenorris2657 Жыл бұрын

Speaking from a purely personal point of view the reason I have a faith stems from an innate need which has little to do with what I feel about death and much more to do with what I feel about life. Terrible things happen to people all the time but "hope springs eternal". It's not about Fear it's about Hope.

@stephenkrahling1634 Жыл бұрын

I wonder if in the future we'll get marketing strategies revolving around subtly reminding the audience they are going to die to make them more materialistic... or not so subtly

@mandalamarcho7997 Жыл бұрын

I think it's already here

@BlackieNuff Жыл бұрын

I never considered this perspective, but it certainly tracks. I'm inclined to agree it's just a "cope", in addition to being a cult for control over others through manipulation, coercion, shame, guilt, and fear.

@cassieoz1702 Жыл бұрын

I'm not afraid of being dead, but hope not to suffer too much in the process of getting there.

@lewisb85 Жыл бұрын

I always liked the Timothy Wyllie quote of " humans need something to believe in it prevents us from going mad.

@CyberDustCapsuled Жыл бұрын

My religious ex girlfriend once said: "I don't understand how you can deal with sorrow if you are not believing in god!" I couldn't understand what she means.

@mikolmisol6258 Жыл бұрын

Not only is religion not the only coping mechanism, but it's also not the best one. And even if it was, and I could choose to believe fairytales, I wouldn't want to, because I take pleasure from only believing things that are true.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

@@mikolmisol6258 As far as coping goes literally denying that a bad thing happened is the best theoretically possible coping mechanism. If you genuinely believe that you came in first in a race, you won't suffer mentally from coming in last.

@bengreen171 Жыл бұрын

so refreshing to see you talk to someone with cogent things to say derived from genuine scholarly attitudes to the exploration of the world around us - a real contrast to Kisin and Craig, who are just self serving propagandists who lack intellectual honesty and are ruled by bias.

@SuperGeek-nr9er Жыл бұрын

I'm theistic but I really like you content. Just seems interesting.

@themerpking8445 Жыл бұрын

I hope you dont mind me asking because I am genuinely curious… Have his videos wavered your faith at all, or have you found that you cant reason some of his points with your own beliefs? Do you think it is possible to believe two things that simultaneously disprove each other? Thank you for your time and have a nice day!

@SuperGeek-nr9er Жыл бұрын

@@themerpking8445 I mean initially I did question my belief, but I thought about it for a while and it wasn't something concrete enough.

@rogerhamilton4961 Жыл бұрын

The view I have of death now, after fifty years of religious indoctrination, is so much different. Since I no longer believe in an afterlife, I have no fear at all of dying, other then regretting the pain those loved ones left behind may experience.

@andresvillarreal9271 Жыл бұрын

Subliminal messaging like what Alex mentioned has been mostly or totally debunked. Simple text messages flashed for a few milliseconds inside of a movie, for example, have only shown a small effect on people who have been primed before the message. For example, if you have a movie full of death and you flash the word "death" you might get an effect, but if the word has no immediate meaning within the context in which it is shown the message has no effect at all. Of course, death is an important subject for us and other species, and if you remember people and some other animals about the subject you will get some response. This does not mean much.

@damaplehound Жыл бұрын

Tbh I feel terrified of both options, both the existence of an afterlife and the inexistence of it horrify me.

@edwesterdale-music Жыл бұрын

That's weird - for almost every example Alex gave, I think my reaction would be exactly the opposite. Am I kidding myself? I hope that being reminded my own mortality would increase my compassion and generosity to others.

@pansepot1490 Жыл бұрын

Same. Actually my first thought was “I want to see this study because this doesn’t sound right: my reaction would be the opposite of what is being described”. Hell, the same concept has been portrayed in one of the most iconic scenes in movie history, the “tears in rain” scene from Blade Runner.

@jacobus57 Жыл бұрын

I as well. I was quite shocked by the results. I don't want to have anyone close to me who responded in the allegedly typical way.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

Yes you are kidding yourself because all of those effects were subconscious. What you think you feel like right now isn't a good indication of how you'd act in the experiments.

@slk1451 Жыл бұрын

I’m a cattle farmer and in 2019 I had a calf get out on a pond and go under the ice. But his head went under , I had his tail and I was pulling as hard as I could and he drowned. It changed me. In that moment it clicked inside me that we are all here on this planet just living. No divine purpose, just to live.

@mariolis Жыл бұрын

If one day aging is "cured" And fear of death is mostly done away with , it would be interesting to see what happens to religion

@pjaworek6793 Жыл бұрын

Gone, it would be, another thing to avoid. Nothing supernatural out there anyway.

@Anonymous-v4g 5 ай бұрын

@@pjaworek6793 Science Question, I legitimately am seeking the answer. This has been bugging me personally. What does an atheist think about NDEs are they true or not. This is how science describes them. This is how Near Death Experiences (NDE) are scientifically described: Millions of people have apparently had paranormal visions that are practically always extremely similar. The only difference is the G-d that appears in heaven. The reason for that difference is understandable as G-d wouldn’t want to expose his identity, as that would make the world too easy (wouldn’t have to find G-d), and thus there would be not as much reward for such an easy test. What do you think about NDEs because I am legitimately curious. Because if NDEs seem to prove the existence of afterlife, wouldn’t that prove that a G-d must exist to create the other dimension of the afterlife.

@ericwilliams1832 2 ай бұрын

@@Anonymous-v4gBrain doing weird brain things in the process of dying

@natalieraulo9773 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex !!. Such easy listening; your reasoning and presentation is SO palatable, and p.s. I'm a Christian and LOVE listening to you :)

@emptyhand777 Жыл бұрын

I don't fear death, I used to, now I don't. Not existing doesn't bother me at all. I fear dying, however. I share DNA with people who have had excruciating deaths. I'm not looking forward to dying. But after that, I'm okay with it.

@eldritchtoilets210 Жыл бұрын

True. It's not so much the prospect of dying that bothers me, but the aging process/sicknesses/accidents that lead you to it.

@KingNik1994 Жыл бұрын

Extremely fascinating video, and while the results (ie preferring suburban neighbourhoods over forests) are surprising to me, it makes sense within the hypothesis. You both are extremely fascinating thinkers, and two of my favourite content creators.

@JonClash Жыл бұрын

Two of my favorite skeptics! - a Christian

@willarroz6703 Жыл бұрын

Maybe not just towards death but it’s most definitely a coping mechanism for many of "life’s weights" (burden’s & anxiety's)

@ThisIsAVideoChannel1 Жыл бұрын

I don't believe in a God, but saying someones faith in a higher power is just death anxiety is very one dimensional thinking. It's like tunnel vision because it only highlights one aspect of our brains method of trying to make sense of life. But death is only a small fraction of life. People have faith not to just be at peace regarding their afterlife, but also to find answers to help them deal with personal trials, finding conviction, re-building themselves after being broken. We all go through these things, and I'm astounded by the ignorance of trying to convince people that religion is only about death, and where we go when we die. Some people have overcome addiction by faith, some people have left their criminal ways by faith, just a few examples. People can also overcome these things through meditation or profound realization by facing fears and trials head on. (Such as climbing a mountain, walking on hot coals, or perhaps things a little less extreme) I'm not making this up, people do this quite often. The latter (profound realization) was not born from death anxiety. So I think it would be unfair, and not to mention ignorant, to assume that religion is just death anxiety.

@AIf-AIfa Жыл бұрын

True were all just humans just trying to find sense in life religion is just one most known ways. Though I do agree most people do become more extreme if remind of death but that cuz we just havin't lived a fulfilling life yet.

@Soapandwater6 Жыл бұрын

I've noticed that the older and closer people get to death, the more religious they become. There are people I grew up with who were NOT AT ALL religious when they were young and wild, but now that we're old, they are all about praising the good lord and praying, praying, praying about everything. It is definitely coping with death anxiety.

@AIf-AIfa Жыл бұрын

That's cuz they old can't run so raising their hands up and swaying is exerise

@dangallagher6176 Жыл бұрын

I think about my mortality most nights, and maybe once every one or two weeks I experience 'death anxiety'. It's like our natural thirst for knowledge is also a curse, because I don't ever see myself believing in any sort of afterlife. It's a comfort that's unattainable to me

@510tuber Жыл бұрын

Try shrooms

@bengreen171 Жыл бұрын

the discovery of the inevitability of death is a door that, once opened, can never be shut. You just have to get used to the draught...

@kray97 Жыл бұрын

Being an atheist means you are comfortable knowing that death is permanent and irreversible, and for me it also means that life is meant to be treasured while you are living it. You won't get another one.

@JD-wu5pf Жыл бұрын

There are plenty of atheists that aren't comfortable with death.

@juliee593 Жыл бұрын

Lol no. Being an atheist doesn't mean you're comfortable with death being irreversible. It means you know death is irreversible, not that you're ok with it in any capacity. I know I'm not, and from discussing it with family members, they aren't necessarily comfortable with it either.

@jacobus57 Жыл бұрын

@@juliee593 might want to work on memento mori. It's very liberating.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

Everything is in principle reversable. So while I would like to say that death is permanent by definition, we need to relax that a bit and say that death is when we expect with good reason that someone isn't restored, that most of the novel information in their brains is lost to everyone.

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

@@jacobus57 That means the exact opposite of what you think it means.

@joannware6228 Жыл бұрын

"I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but rather, I believe in order that I may understand." -St. Anselm of Canterbury

@kray97 Жыл бұрын

It's not just death which beguiles us, but also the idea that we'll be forgottten.

@G_Demolished Жыл бұрын

It’s ok, when people go extinct nobody will be there to remember anyone.

@gsp3428 Жыл бұрын

Yes that’s what I say, death is scary but also that we will be forgotten instantly and life will continue without you and it will be like you never existed.

@TheMilitantMazdakite Жыл бұрын

Yes, I believe in reincarnation, and this problem is still present here. What's also scary is that you will forget your past life, and go through it all over again.

@die_buecher7090 Жыл бұрын

I believe it is more the fear to not exist. Isnt a boring existence in some plane of afterlife still better than total extinction upon death for many people?

@DundG Жыл бұрын

I don't care to be forgotten. So, not all are afraid if it.

@BlackieNuff Жыл бұрын

Damn, this 9½ minute clip totally drew me in! I'm all in for the full 72-minute episode! I wanna hear/learn more about these death studies...

@shadowmitu8578 Жыл бұрын

I dont know if this is a dumb question but do we actually know that other unimals are unaware of their inevitable death?

@gusgrizzel8397 Жыл бұрын

I agree. People think animals are stupid, when in fact, a lot of animals are more psychologically adapted to their environments than we are. It's this constant superiority thing humans do, that is so annoying.

@STST Жыл бұрын

I am absolutely terrified of death. The feeling of not being here keeps me awake at night. I flirted with religion, it nearly got me. But I would rather be right and scared than wrong and ignorant.

@martifingers Жыл бұрын

Hi STST. I see what you mean. The standard response is to ask if we worry about our non-existence before our birth. Not so much I would say. So why the death anxiety? Yes, I know it's easy to say, eh?

@mabatch3769 Жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t say I’m terrified of it but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little afraid of it. For me, it’s not the non-existence part that’s frightening. It’s the transition from being here to not here. I don’t mean the pain aspect, I don’t look forward to it but it doesn’t scare me. It’s the thought of my experiences being over that frightens me. When my time comes, I won’t be ready but I’ll accept it best I can. Not sure if I explained my thoughts well but there it is.

@Mattz554 Жыл бұрын

OMG, Alex. How do you manage to be so damn interesting in every instance you speak? When is your first book coming out? Or did I miss that your work already got published? Let me know. Lots of love ❤

@KabegamiTheGreat Жыл бұрын

Oblivion does scare me, but what makes oblivion extra scary is the fact you can come out of oblivion, so our suffering may be eternal, or as long as new life persists in the universe

@NatureSmarter Жыл бұрын

We just don't know what's awaiting us, do we? But I'm inclined to think it will be similar to the state of our (non)-existence prior to our birth. And I'm okay with that.

@Paraselene_Tao Жыл бұрын

It's rare to have anyone talk about Terror Management Theory. I first read about it in 2018 or earlier, and I feel like a lot more people should become familiar with this theory. I have no problem with death. It comes now or later, and I have very little control over it. I've felt that way for a long time. My father was a Vietnam War veteran, and he taught me from an early age to wholey accept death's eminence. He also never stated his position on the afterlife. He was wholey agnostic about that topic. Perhaps this is part of why I was so nihilistic as a kid & teenager. My mother tried to give us a Jewish perspective of death & the possibility of an afterlife. I didn't take up that perspective. I grew extremely nihilistic as a kid & teenager. I turned my nihilism into a more active nihilism in my early 20s. I made my own life meaning without much help from any religion. I am fairly happy these days. I'm still an atheist, almost antitheist, perhaps a pantheist, largely an agnostic kind of guy, but I'm fairly happy with my life and the world because I chose my own meaning. It gets better with time. TMT is such a good basis for understanding religions if we're more inclined to be atheist or similar. Interestingly, in the last few years, I have realized a key part of my personal ideology. l actively seek an end to human death. I study anti-aging research and try to figure out how to end aging or how to treat aging as a curable, treatable disease. I know it's a taboo topic. I know I'm going against what many people dogmatically call, "the thing that gives life meaning." I'm sorry, but no. I'm done living with this system we found ourselves in. I reject death, and I embrace life. You can, too, if you want. We can cure aging and live as long as we like. There are solutions to this problem-thus disease-named death. When you choose to die, then do so, but we should all be able to choose when we each die. That is the most dignified position to take on the matter.

@KaiHenningsen Жыл бұрын

I am finding myself highly doubtful of these "reminding people of death" results, not least because I heard that similar results reminding people of stuff and then testing them on more-or-less related stuff seem to have been deemed problematic, but also because, as far as I can tell, death was never really a real problem for me - dying has always been the thing, such as when directly confronted with a dangerous situation. And I don't remember that ever causing me to become more religious, or seriously interested in leaving something behind when I die, or whatever. Which suggests to me that serious fear of death (outside dangerous situations) is perhaps actually learned behavior, and influenced by culture.

@brickbilly7019 Жыл бұрын

I like your thinking Kai...is a fear of death natural to us, or is it nurtured into us? I think socialisation is the biggest factor to be frank. There have been, and are currently, a good amount of cultures where having a "glorious death" is something to look forward to after all. I have always found it fascinating to get people's thoughts on what, specifically, scares people the most about dying. Personally, my... concern (I would call it a concern as opposed to fear), is that I may not remember being alive... although, ironically, if I were to not remember it, I suppose I would be unaware of having forgotten it lol. I think I am concerned for my future self (past this existance), having to go through the emotional and physical termoil of living again...if that is even a thing....being stuck in a time-loop, while being aware of it, would be my conception of hell.

@devondonato4609 Жыл бұрын

Fear of death is natural but everyone is different

@remotefaith 7 ай бұрын

The strength of your denial is not evidence for anything

@cole141000 Жыл бұрын

I really don’t comprehend what’s to be afraid of either way of being dead… obviously you’ll never remove the fear of suffering but death in itself? probably the infusion of meaning into suffering is the opioid for religious people as far as I can tell but not death in itself I will say as a religious person the potential for hell is probably the most terrifying bit of it all - the reality of being judged for every careless word and that possibility of hell for myself makes me afraid of death probably more than the average individual But I still do not want to go easy into that dark night. I intend to face it. Atleast in my friendly conversations we talk more about death than with friends I had when I wasn’t a christian. There’s a reason why medieval monks are painted with holding skulls in their hand and looking at them, comtemplating death. It really becomes an area of life where focus is sharpened in rather than avoided. We talk about living with one foot in the grave and living life backwards - a correct perspective on living we believe requires you to keep your death in mind

@DumbAsh00 Жыл бұрын

I feel as if my yearn for death and end of consciousness gives me a clearer head when it comes to analyzing religion

@MrCmon113 Жыл бұрын

Lol. Then why are you still here to write that comment?

@DumbAsh00 Жыл бұрын

@@MrCmon113 I don't think you understood what I meant. The fact I'm not scared of death means I don't hold on to a fairy tale. That's it lol. You can be suicidal without actively trying to kill yourself

@dhlbfn18 Жыл бұрын

On the mortality salience hypothesis experiment - a useful follow-up might be one in which the experimental group is *frequently* reminded of their own deaths. This is where I think the Stoics did us such a solid - memento mori as a positive exercise. (And CBT spin-offs).