The psychologist Ernest Becker wrote a classic a few years ago titled The Denial of Death. He uses the term "Immortality Systems" when referring to the monotheistic religions, but also includes communism, fascism, and other toxic -isms. Below is a link to a lecture available on his site http://www.ernestbecker.org Ther.e is also a recent award winning documentary film titled "Flight from Death, the Quest for Immortality" that contains views similar to Sam's.
http://faculty.washington.edu/nelgee/lectures/default.htm
Jack
