Hello again, and Thank You for pausing to see the difference.
You've asked an excellent question now, and I need just a bit of time to contemplate and answer you. Thanks for the great question, and for this discussion. :)
But now I am more curious: How does one "live on through... descendants?" And, who is your God? And if God were to offer you a good life, literally and personally, that never ended, would you be interested at all? Or would you rather die and only be a memory?
My gods are the gods of the Europeans. They are alive through me the same way my ancestors are. We are their descendants and they are reborn through us the same was the forest is reborn each spring, the same way the DNA of my Neanderthal ancestors helped create the man I am today.
Here I wrote a little bit about it if it interests you. https://steemit.com/pagan/@balticbadger/why-do-we-wear-talismans
To be honest, we do not overly concern ourselves with the next world. We live here and now, in this existence. If we live our lives and live them well (raise our children right) the next life will take care of itself.
I love religion and history but in the end, we must drink from our own well as they say. We can learn and benefit from others but we cannot find fulfillment in their cultures or beliefs that's why they are each unique and wonderful. I can practice the religion of the native Americans, Buddhists, Muslims, or Christians but in the end, they are just empty gestures and deep down inside you know that to be true as well.
We were made to be part nature, perfectly imperfect, there is no good or evil there just is. We do not need to be saved by worshiping a solitary idol we need to stand before our ancestors and our gods (highest versions of our inner self) and make them proud and preserve our future for our descendants, as this is our future as well.
Sorry to go on like that but I hope you understand.
I may make this comment into a post for others to see as well.
I really enjoy these conversations and sorry I can be a little passionate at times!
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