Hard to say if it's true or not, like with many religions assertions. But it does make for a dangerous proposition to Judaeo-Christian societies, since it takes their ultimate leverage - the fear of damnation - and just does away with it. Much like how a Buddhist has no fear of losing their soul or suffering in hell - since in their view, the "soul" is itself an unwanted artifact of previous lives, and suffering is a state of internal being, not external circumstances.