People have variable perspectives of religion. The response is variable depending upon the individual whose opinion we seek. There are some aspects that stay common across a vast majority of people who believe in God.

A number of believers have the opinion that religion is a medium for human beings, which gives them the opportunity to simplify the aspects of life which are not explainable. A purpose of religion in this world is also to take away the fears of different kinds that are involved with death.

By considering the matter from a very logical viewpoint, one gets to the conclusion that thinking on the lines of religion has little more to it than being a mythology which is manmade. A logical thought process drives us to the conclusion that death is characteristically the end of life, and is an absolute end. Beyond the grave, there is no existence, no hope and no life.

There are large sections of people who find joy in this point of view. It frees them from any responsibility and gratitude they have towards God. It gives them the liberty to enjoy life in any way that they find appropriate.

It was only in the 20^th century that this school of thought came across popularity.

What happens when we die

But there are also vast sections of people who have an inherent curiosity about what is it that is in store for them following death. Death and afterlife are matters that induce much fear, confusion and mystery amongst people.

A question that arises is that does afterlife exist? If it does exist, then is it immediate? Is it only the spirits that live on, or does the body live on as well? How much different is afterlife, from life as we know it? Does an individual come across a deal which is bigger and better? Is one possessed with more power? Where is it that the afterlife takes place? When does it take place?

Human beings intrinsically have a belief that there is a plan in place that helps overcome death. Death has a number of questions that surround it. One may find it difficult to comprehend that why it is that something must die, in the first place.

Death is indeed one of the significant mysteries in the world. Across centuries, each of the most important lines of spiritual thought, philosophy or religion has attempted to explain this paradox. It is something that deeply influences our thoughts, and mortality which is inevitable is one of the primary influencers for making decisions in life. It does not matter if one is poor or rich; one is destined to attain the same end.

 If we take a look at the scientific perspective, research over single celled organisms reveals that at the very basic cellular level, nature of life is such that a self destructive mechanism for death is not a part of it.

In this case, death may be seen as an unnatural part of existence. There are a number of religious lines of thoughts which have a belief that death is not an inevitable part of existence. They present in more suited alternatives, in a format that there are a number of desirable alternatives, which are in store for the faithful in their afterlife. It is these thoughts that the loved ones find consolation in, in the event of passing away. These thoughts also offer consolation to the people who are facing death.

Religion offers a means to explain death

Their loved ones nevertheless wonder; why is it that death must exist. While God is almighty, why does he not eliminate death? Is it not that all life must live on till the end of time?

The questions sometimes put one under a mysterious cloud regarding nature which has been created by God. One feels that there is a reason to believe that God does not exercise as much power as we think he does. Death is difficult to comprehend.

There are reasons to believe that following death, it is God who numbs our sensibilities and perceptions. This induces more joy in the paradise that we find following death.

Even while the departing souls find joy in paradise, the loved ones who prevail on earth are faced with sadness when the loved ones depart.

If it is true that when one leads a bad life as a mortal, then the afterlife too is sorrowful, then God isn’t as forgiving as he is perceived to be.

It may actually be possible that the numbers of pathways to God are many. There are then different answers to the mystery of death for each individual. It is all dependent over what philosophies they have in life.

It may even be possible that death is something which does not exist at all. It may be something like a cycle of continuous rebirth, which follows the course of reincarnation.

It is this line of thought that came across much popularity starting from the 19^th century.

Life may be seen as nothing more than an accident which is biochemical. Death brings a mortal into a state of nothingness which is infinite. With these ideas, one can easily draw the conclusion that God does not exist.

Nevertheless, death is a topic which deep rooted to an extent that across millennia it has been attempted to be addressed through mythology, religion, scientific research and a number of additional explanations and theories. People are still not sure about it.

If we take a look at the different religious groups, we come to figure out that over the nature of death, opinions vary to a certain extent. In order to be sure about the same, one must take a look at the inscriptions over tombstones. The differences are specific.

Religion is always very closely related to death. One is compelled to believe that if there is something that awaits one after he perishes, God too must be involved in the picture. Going through religious texts gives us a better overview over how we should perceive death.