The belief in a material afterlife is beyond outdated. The concept of eternal pleasure as reward or eternal torture as punishment needs to replaced by the understanding of heaven or hell as the last thought a person having when they die either being satisfaction or regret.

Fear is a main contributor to religion's perseverence, and is best defeated by knowledge.Self preservation is a powerful motivator, but need not be a sole motivator. Carefully planning based on the long term good, or communal good, is a better way to balance decision making.