While I agree to an extent, I think that the main visualization of an afterlife is to dim the banality of death. Even for a Christian, death is still death, and the comfort of afterlife will certainly help allay any fears people have about the unknown.
Also, to note: nowhere in the Bible are pearly gates mentioned. In fact, the Bible doesn't seem to quantify afterlife by any worldy means. It just refers to the afterlife as unity with God, which can be interpreted in many, many ways. The point is, even Christians aren't offered a utopia.
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