The concept of afterlife in divergent forms is prevalent in almost all religions. The soul's existence, reincarnation dogma, reward and punishment of oneself depending upon the conduct during lifetime isn't unique theory confined to one religion, but is propagated across every religion with minor modifications with its centrality intact. Depending upon ones orientation towards religion person becomes perplexed, astonished or in some cases intimidated. From Egyptian pyramids to decorating the dead in Indus Valley Civilization or Terracotta Army of China to weird religious ceremonies for dead in present day Madagascar all stand testimony to the unending belief of life after death.
It is this belief and fear of unknown which is exploited uttermost by religious bigots by playing with the minds of vulnerable . Numerous social evils in Hindu society have continued for centuries as fear of punishment after life looms overhead making masses submissive and complying. During medieval age the Christian citizenry was enticed of rewards afterlife by theologists, and simple greed of annexing large swaths of land was usurped in the name of crusades. It is this fear of reprisals by bigots and fear of punishment in afterlife that prevented from publishing Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), a contemporary of Martin Luther, to assert his theory(De revolutionibus) that the planets, including the earth, rotate around the sun till his death ,rather then the theory propagated by Church where earth was a sinful place and the heavy burden of sin made it immobile.
Basically most evils in religions around the world cannot survive without fear of repercussions in afterlife. Afterlife emoluments actually plays a vital role in transforming a perfect rational individual into a manic. The world might have succeeded and progressed technologically, but hasn't yet succeeded in allaying the fear of punishment after death among masses. Rational thinking and courage to accept and reform religion is paramount, for religion to play constructive role in society.
Carefully analyzing, make us realize, its religion which refuse to accept the renaissance and weed out violence, by reinventing itself, is the crust of the problem starring mankind today. Much of the violence perpetuate today is the handiwork of religious bigots. The unending cycle of violence in middle east with seemingly ceaseless supply of zoombies have created havoc there. Refusing to reform and taking every word written in a book without rethinking as gospel truth is plaguing Islamic world. The erroneous thought of transcending one religion over others and motivating followers with afterlife rewards is the nucleus of the problem. Its time Islamic civil society should rise from slumber and preach reform and tolerance towards fellow religionists and stem the wrath of violence.
The social and religious reformers with support from civil society coupled with laws enforcement, has successfully waned some evils in Hinduism and made it tolerant towards coreligionists and towards other regions. The same transformation is witnessed in Western society. Only after embracing Renaissance, the upheavals of dark ages were overcome and emphasis on science and social ,cultural revolutions converted it into free thinking, democratic,tolerant societies of modern world. The need of the hour today for every religion is to reinvent itself with respect towards human rights as central theme.
The onus to reform is an unending process with efforts from all stakeholders for vibrant, plural society where human dignity is respected and violators should be subdued with impunity.
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