Throughout the history of their existence, people have been asking insoluble questions about the meaning of life and their own destiny, about what awaits everyone after death. An exception may be perhaps the most primitive representatives of our race. But in those days, their way of life was not much different from the life of animals. There was simply no time to think about our high ancestors, because in the first place was survival in harsh natural conditions.
When people became interested in the afterlife
Human psychology became more complicated in the process of evolution, giving more room for thoughts about the eternal. Primitive instincts were gradually replaced by higher experiences. At the same time, awareness of one’s own life and, which is important in this matter, mortality increased. Now it is reliably known that the fundamental principles of culture were born not so long ago, about one hundred thousand years ago. It was then that the spiritual component began to mean more to people. Along with the development of this side of being, reflections on life and death inevitably began.
Death always followed a person, scared him, appearing to be a terrible and cruel phenomenon, which is impossible to fight. At least the result was always the same. Against this background, it is not surprising that the very first, important and captivating mind was the afterlife and the very prospect of its existence. Inquisitive minds at all times tried to find confirmation of such a truly comforting idea. After all, you must admit that accepting the fact that you will die forever once is not easy. Even to realize the inevitability of the future will not work right away. It is much easier to accept the earth's shell as a temporary refuge for the spirit, which will then go somewhere else.
Modern look
To be objective, it has not been possible to obtain an absolutely accurate answer to the question whether there is an afterlife. Neither science nor religion can provide any concrete facts confirming the existence of "the other world." And this makes mankind continue the search. The development of culture, religions, related theories of world order, of course, gave us answers to this burning question. But only in each teaching he has his own. Who to believe when Buddhists sacredly believe in rebirth, while Christianity speaks quite convincingly about Hell and Paradise?
Religious beliefs about death
However, there are several general ideas that unite all existing religious teachings. First of all, each of them confidently answers that yes, the afterlife exists. This statement is fundamental, lies at the very foundation of any teaching and therefore cannot be criticized. Religion itself is built on the division of the world into material and otherworldly components. The latter can just be attributed to the fact of having life after death.
Another important statement in most religions is that man has a dual nature. One part - the body, is a temporary vessel for the other part - the soul. Obviously, the latter, in view of its eternity, is an incommensurably more important aspect of any individual. It must be protected and stored, doing the right thing. Death, in the opinion of all religious teachings, occurs at the moment of separation of the soul from its body shell.
The last fact is usually based on the most convincing evidence of the afterlife. A vivid example here is the impression of people who have experienced a clinical death. Many then describe in detail the experiences and unusual sensations experienced by them at the time of the cessation of cardiac activity. Up to soaring in the air, unusual lightness and observation of his motionless body from the side.
A classic tunnel and a distant light source are also often told. Moreover, this is such a widespread scenario that it can be viewed only from two perspectives: either there is “the other world”, therefore, everyone sees one, or the vision is based on a common stereotype. Most likely, subconsciously waiting for the death to come, people themselves provoke such hallucinations. After all, everyone knows that there must be a tunnel, or at least angels, it is worth thinking about this - here they are.
Another materialistic version says that external stimuli influenced the condition of patients. Not having time to fully recover from anesthesia, people could well take a bright surgical lamp for the notorious light at the end of the tunnel. Moreover, similar situations happen to us in a dream all the time. Someone is knocking loudly behind the wall, music is playing or the cat is pulling his hair - all these irritants, one way or another, are reflected in the content of the dream.