What is this, "you believers" stuff? I made my doubts very clear on page 1.
Well, frankly, yes, the lack of some sort of personal immortality is something that bothers me. Somewhat for myself, more so for those who have died, and will die, before me. I did not realize before posting this thread that this is feeling so darn abherent....I actually would have thought that more of the ummm, "un-faithful" would have faced similar things. I believe people who are sure they will "meet on that beautiful shore" or whatever tend to be happier than me.
What is this about me being shot at or stabbed? Where have I evinced some sort of desire to die?
Religion is intimately connected with social and monetary control (ruthless power), nothing more, nothing less. That's my viewpoint. I have a scientific approach and it does not bother me one bit that I will one day rot away and return to dust that will spin around this sun until time as we know it ends. We are all part of this celestial body we call Earth, does it really bother you that much that worms (or anything else for that matter) will eat you? I'd be bothered if I'd be alive but since I'd be dead, no. 
The one and only type of God or higher being I'd be willing to accept, not as god but as fellow species, would be life from other planets. Let's face it, we have few real answers of the universe. In fact we have more questions than answers, and every new answer raises more questions. So it's anyone's guess really. I'm not ruling out the existence of aliens. Would they visit earth, they could very well be percieved as God(s). I'm not even ruling out the existence of God. It's just that what you "believers" take for evidence, I find is nonsense.
Are you seriously that bothered with life, that you question it? Ever had a gun fired at you? Or a knife stuck in between your shoulder blades? I assume not for life would be a most welcome experience to you if you had lived through such an event. I'm sure, for I have. You would spend less time worrying about it, and enjoy each and every day of your life more than you previously could have imagined. Take nothing for granted, and you will not mourn it's loss, not even your own life. This is what will free your mind and soul. Not money, power, love, or property.
My point is, religion is absolutely not vital. It's our environment that is decieving (especially other human beings), taking advantage of us in our craving for safety and comfort. A craving which is desirable to all who seek to control us, but utterly unnecessary and false. We as human beings part of this world we live in have nothing to fear, nothing, but ourselves and our own stupidity.
