How come followers of religions that do not have a good afterlife, like ancient paganism or Buddhism (actual ones, not the fake ones in the West), do not have the same problem - if the problem is not having 'something to look forward to'?
Religion itself prescribes for the individual and for the masses a way that the world functions. It provides for something greater than oneself. Simple belief provides honor, hope, and pride no matter what the exact tenets are.
Nihilism is the exact opposite. It teaches one to hate themselves and everything and everyone.
When you say something like "good" afterlife you reveal your bias and internal dialogue. What is good? Is that for you to decide? Even more telling is that you use Buddhism which has a very robustly defined afterlife.
Remember that we are human. Our pride dictates that we shall gladly give our lives for something greater than ourselves, whether it be king, country, or god.
For those broken hedonistic nihilists they want an end to everything. They want to sacrifice humanity on an altar for their demonic machine god. Some realize what they're doing, some don't. In the end they all walk the same path. A new religion is born and they willingly throw themselves in the funeral pyre to please their lords.
How come followers of religions that do not have a good afterlife, like ancient paganism or Buddhism (actual ones, not the fake ones in the West), do not have the same problem - if the problem is not having 'something to look forward to'?
You've got the wrong idea, Tony.
Religion itself prescribes for the individual and for the masses a way that the world functions. It provides for something greater than oneself. Simple belief provides honor, hope, and pride no matter what the exact tenets are.
Nihilism is the exact opposite. It teaches one to hate themselves and everything and everyone.
When you say something like "good" afterlife you reveal your bias and internal dialogue. What is good? Is that for you to decide? Even more telling is that you use Buddhism which has a very robustly defined afterlife.
Remember that we are human. Our pride dictates that we shall gladly give our lives for something greater than ourselves, whether it be king, country, or god.
For those broken hedonistic nihilists they want an end to everything. They want to sacrifice humanity on an altar for their demonic machine god. Some realize what they're doing, some don't. In the end they all walk the same path. A new religion is born and they willingly throw themselves in the funeral pyre to please their lords.