Why do people believe in heaven?

Answer 1

The concept of a life after physical death is as old as mankind itself. Nearly every religion has the belief of a supreme deity and a place of punishment or reward, depending on the life you have led while on earth. The Christian bible states that we were created with the inherent knowledge of God as a reality. The "knowing" or believing in a Creator is God's way of being a presence in our lives. Our death is about the only thing in life one can count on as a surety, no matter what nationality, race, religion (or lack thereof) can spare us from the ultimate realization of death. The belief that there is a paradise after our life here is over is much more pleasant than other alternatives such as hell.

Answer:

Many believe in heaven because they feel that they "are just too imposrtant to vanish after death." Personal extinction is something they fear and cannot accept, even though all evidence points to nothing beyond death. This narcisistic viewpoint is augmented by religion which assures them that they "are that important" and, in fact, mosre important than the "sinners" who will live in torment while the good are rewarded eternally. Of particulat use is that this fiction can be sold to the underdogs who expect that their lives of need and pain will be followed by an eternity of pleasure and plenty.