Different Views on Death and the Afterlife

Atheism

Atheist views on life after death vary depending on individual beliefs. Some Atheists don't believe in any sort of life after death, but others believe in the existence of spirits, afterlife, or reincarnation.

This ThoughtCo. article sums up Atheist beliefs in spirits as "atheism by itself only excludes belief in gods, not necessarily belief in anything else that might be categorized as paranormal or even supernatural."

Buddhism

Buddhists believe in reincarnation, the cycle of death and rebirth. Since Buddhists don't believe in the existence of souls, reincarnation means taking on another body in their next life. Bardo, the intermediate state, is the time between death and rebirth where Buddhists experience different phenomena.

However, being in this reincarnation cycle is considered a suffering experience, and +he goal is to escape this cycle by reaching Nirvana. Nirvana is seen as an end to suffering and to some as a heavenly paradise.

Christianity

Christian belief in the afterlife depends on what denomination they're a part of, but most believe in the resurrection of Jesus, the existence of the afterlife, and that moral choices you make on Earth affect whether you end up in Heaven or Hell. Catholic Christians believe in Purgatory, a place where the dead destined for Heaven must first go if they need purification for their sins.

Hinduism

Hindus believe in reincarnation after death and that the atman, or soul, receives a new body and life depending on Karma, or good and bad actions taken in their previous life. They believe you can be reincarnated as not only humans, but also animals, insects, and plants. The goal is to be released from the reincarnation cycle and achieve Moksha, liberation from the cycle. After being freed of the cycle, it's believed they return to be with Brahman.

Judaism

Jewish afterlife beliefs depend on the individual's beliefs. Jews focus more on their life in Earth, but most Jews believe there is an afterlife, but it can come in many forms. Some Jews believe in a reincarnation cycle, while others believe in the World to Come, a heaven-like paradise.

Islam

Muslims believe that death is the end of physical life on Earth, but the soul lives on. The soul goes to the Angel of Death to wait for Judgment Day. On Judgment Day, their actions during their time on Earth will be judged to determine whether they go to Jannat, paradise, or Jahannam, Hell.

Spiritualism

Spiritualists believe that the afterlife, or spirit world, is a realm where spirits continue to evolve. They believe souls live on and take their consciousness with them. They believe souls can interact with those living on Earth through mediums in the spirit world and physical world.

The Viking Afterlife

Though many modern religions believe in some form of heaven and hell, the Vikings had a totally different view of the afterlife. They thought that the way you lived life would dictate which of several afterlife realms you would go to after death. For the Vikings, the best place you could hope to go to was Valhalla.

This place was reserved for warriors that fought bravely and died bravely in battle. Next was Helgafjell, another place for admirable people that lived a fulfilling life. Hellheim, on the other hand, was a place for dishonorable people who didn't die well, this could even mean dying comfortably of old age

They Buried Their Dead In Boats

Considering that the majority of life revolved around the ocean whether it be seafaring, raiding, or fishing, it was only appropriate that their burials would involve a boat. In the Norse religion, it was believed that great warriors would need a vessel to cross over into the afterlife and reach Valhalla. So, prominent Vikings and exceptional women would have the honor of being laid to rest in a traditional Viking ship.

Along with the body, the ship would be filled with weapons, food, treasure, and anything else they may need in the afterlife. In some occasions, slaves were even sacrificed and put on the boat as well to serve their masters in the afterlife.

Tags: death, afterlife, cultural views