Aight, before we get into the deep stuff—Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all my Muslim readers! May your celebrations be filled with joy, good food, and a lot of duit raya (if you’re lucky enough to still get some XAXAXA). This article is also inspired by one of my readers, now, let’s jump into today’s topic…
We’ve talked about why humans believe in the unknown before. But this time, let’s take a closer look at why religion makes people fear the unknown rather than embrace it. If faith is supposed to bring peace, why do so many religious followers live in fear? 😨🙏
The afterlife. Divine punishment. Cosmic justice. The unknown is scary, but religion claims to have all the answers—which is exactly why some people cling to it for dear life. But is this fear a product of faith, or something deeper?
The Ultimate Fear: What Happens After Death? 💀☁️🔥
Let’s not sugarcoat it—death is the biggest unknown of all. And religion? Well, it has a very black-and-white answer to that.
✔️ Follow the rules? You get heaven/paradise/reincarnation into something better.
❌ Disobey? You get hell/eternal suffering/bad karma.
The fear of “What if I get it wrong?” keeps many religious followers in check. They don’t just believe in God; they believe in consequences. It’s not just about faith—it’s about avoiding eternal punishment.
Some might say, “Faith isn’t about fear, it’s about love.” But let’s be real—if religion removed the concept of hell or divine punishment, would people still follow it as strictly?
Fear of Doubt: When Questioning Feels Like Betrayal 🤔🚫
For believers, doubting their faith isn’t just about finding the truth—it’s about risking everything:
⚠️ Losing their identity – Religion shapes how they see themselves. If it’s not true, who are they?
⚠️ Disappointing family & community – Imagine growing up in a deeply religious household and suddenly saying, “Hey, what if this isn’t real?”
⚠️ Fear of being punished – Many religions warn against even questioning their teachings.
The result? People suppress doubt and avoid uncomfortable questions. Not because they have answers—but because the fear of losing everything is too much to handle.
The Fear of Meaninglessness 🌌🕳️
Religion gives structure to life. It tells you:
🔹 Why you’re here
🔹 What your purpose is
🔹 Where you’re going when you die
Without that? The universe feels empty. 🌌
Imagine believing your whole life that a divine plan exists, and then suddenly realizing that… maybe there’s no plan at all. Maybe life is just random. Maybe the universe doesn’t care about humans. That’s a terrifying thought for many, so instead of considering it, they stick to their faith even harder.
The Fear of Other Beliefs 🏛️⚖️
Every religion believes it has the truth—which means every other religion must be wrong. And that’s a problem.
If you grow up believing, “I follow the one true faith”, what happens when you meet someone equally convinced that their faith is the real truth? 🤷♂️
Instead of thinking, “Maybe we’re both just following what we were taught”, many believers react with fear and rejection. They see other beliefs as threats rather than different perspectives.
That’s why religious people often avoid:
❌ Reading texts from other religions
❌ Engaging in philosophical debates
❌ Considering scientific explanations that contradict their beliefs
It’s not just about faith—it’s about protecting their worldview from collapse.
Final Thought: Is Fear a Feature or a Flaw? 🤷♂️
Here’s the big question: Is religious fear a necessary part of belief?
Would people still follow faith as strongly if it didn’t include:
🚨 Divine punishments
🚨 Fear of doubt
🚨 Fear of meaninglessness
Maybe fear isn’t just a side effect of religion—maybe it’s a core function that keeps belief alive.
So, do people follow religion out of love and faith—or out of fear of the unknown?
References:
- “Death, Physics and Wishful Thinking” – Scientific American
- “Lessons in Dignity and Divinity” – Harvard Divinity School
- “The Importance of Uncertainty” – Psychology Today
- “The Psychology of Belief: Why Do We Believe in the Unknown?” – Here