"It's an incredible con job when you think about it, to believe something now in exchange for something after death. Even corporations with their reward systems don't try to make it posthumous"

Gloria Steinem's quote provides a vital perspective on the idea of belief systems that guarantee rewards in an afterlife. Her usage of the term "incredible con task" suggests a control or exploitation fundamental in the deal of belief; it suggests that individuals are persuaded to invest in an intangible pledge with no concrete evidence or certainty. The idea of exchanging belief "now" for something "after death" highlights a typical style in many spiritual and spiritual teachings where adherents are encouraged to live according to specific tenets or concepts with the expectation of a benefit after death, such as heaven, knowledge, or rebirth.

Steinem contrasts this with the practices of corporations, which usually supply benefits and incentives within the employee's lifetime, such as bonus offers, promotions, and other kinds of acknowledgment. She explains that, however flawed or opportunistic corporate benefit systems may be, they do provide concrete remuneration within the recognized confines of one's life, unlike the postponed and posthumous pledge of religious rewards. This comparison serves to stress the suspicion in her message; she implies that people are more susceptible to the pledges of an afterlife benefit because validating such pledges is naturally impossible.

Additionally, the quote challenges the listener to think about the role of faith and suspicion in their own beliefs. It welcomes reflection on just how much weight one puts on promises that can not be corroborated within one's lifetime and recommends a critique of how some systems-- be they religious or ideological-- might make use of the human desire for hope and peace of mind beyond mortal presence. By framing religious belief systems as a sort of "con job", Steinem is not only questioning their validity but likewise encouraging a more logical and evidence-based technique to comprehending one's existence and actions.