Why Do Religions Die Out?

Haven asked me… Why do religions die out? When do you expect a religion to die out? Do people just stop believing in these things suddenly? For example: How did the Greeks religion (When they believed in Zeus and Athena, and all the other gods on MT Olympus) just become a religion that people just stopped believing in??? Is it because of economy? I don’t know… Thanks!!!

That is a great question Haven! There are a lot of reasons religions die out. Sometimes people just stop believing in a religion, the people who once believed it are somehow wiped out and often time’s people are forced to change.

For Example, as the Romans fought the increasing influence of a new religion called Christianity, THOUSANDS of Christians were killed or forced to battle in coliseums. As people witnessed these Christians, who only had to renounce their god and be freed, they were struck by how many would rather die. This caused more Roman citizens to convert to Christianity, rather than scare people away as was intended. Eventually the emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and it was then legal in the country. Later when Europe had plunged into the Dark Ages Christian kings turned the tables and executed anyone who would not convert and worship the Christian god.

The Mayan religion was forgotten when their civilization simply faded away. With no structure to keep the civilization moving, the religion was simply lost to history. Later, the Aztecs, who’s religion was similar, were converted to Christianity (some willingly, others forced) by the Spanish missionaries and their religion went away when people simply stopped believing.

Norse Mythology actually has an end. As people in Scandinavia (this is where the Vikings come from) began to convert the stories of their religions changed until eventually their gods all leave the earth and one mighty god to lead them all remains on earth to guide the people. This story simply allowed people to voluntarily switch to Christianity without fighting the loss of their old beliefs.

Fortunately for us we live in a country where people are not forced to worship any one god or religion, but we are allowed to have faith in what we believe.    

Great Question! Keep them coming everyone!