When I was a young agnostic first considering the differences between religions I recall being struck by the symbolism of them. Buddhists go for the lotus blossom or a wheel. Judaism has the star and the candles, Islam the crescent moon, Shintoism a bird perch, Taoism the yin/yang ... mostly pretty benign. The Sikhs have a bunch of crossed swords which is kinda Klingon and violent, but Christianity has a dead man nailed to a cross. Their god. Sometimes they just use the instrument of death itself, like using a gallows or a guillotine. What a great way to unite your adherents together in fear.
Does anybody know which ancient cult (I think it was Greek) to use the terror of torment after death as a way to control its followers?
Does anybody know which ancient cult (I think it was Greek) to use the terror of torment after death as a way to control its followers?
