King CONAN stands for religious freedom

After being defeated by the army of an evil sorcerer, King CONAN is aided by the secretive followers of the cult of Asura. Whom he refused to persecute while he was king.

CONAN had been told dark tales of hidden where intense smoke drifted up incessantly from black altars were kidnapped humans were sacrificed before a great coiled serpent, whose fearsome head swayed for ever in the haunted shadows.
Persecution caused the followers of Asura to hide their temples with cunning art, and to veil their rituals in obscurity; and this secrecy, in turn, evoked more monstrous suspicion and tales of evil.
But CONAN's was  the broad tolerance of the barbarian, and he had refused to persecute the followers of Asura or to allow the people to do so on no better evidence than was presented against them, rumours and accusations that could not be proven. "If they are black magicians," he had said, "how will they suffer you to harry them? If they are not, there is no evil in them. Crom's devils! Let men worship what gods they will."

From, "The Hour of the Dragon"
Page 643-4 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

I'll live while I'm alive and sleep...

CONAN discusses the afterlife with Belit, the pirate queen and his lover. he says of the afterlife,

"I seek not beyond death. It may be the blackness averred by the Nemedian skeptics, or CROM's realm of ice and cloud, or the snowy plains and vaulted halls of the Nordheimer's Valhalla. I know not, nor do I care. Let me live deep while I live; let me know the rich juices of red meat and stinging wine on my palate, the hot embrace of white arms, the mad exultation of battle when the blue blades flame and crimson, and I am content"

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CONAN on the afterlife as offered by CROM, and religion in general

CONAN discusses religion and the afterlife with Belit, the pirate queen who is his lover, she asks him, "But what of the worlds beyond the river of death?"

"There is no hope here or hereafter in the cult of my people," answered CONAN. "In this world men struggle and suffer vainly, finding pleasure only in the bright madness of battle; dying, their souls enter a gray misty realm of clouds and icy winds, to wander cheerlessly throughout eternity"
Belit shuddered. "Life, bad as it is, is better than such a destiny. What do you believe, CONAN."
He shrugged his shoulders. "I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply."

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

Again...

CROM, not offering much, but at least not asking much in return

CONAN does not condone human sacrifice,

CONAN expresses dismay at the readiness of the people of Xuthal to sacrifice themselves to Thog, the ancient creature that is their god.

-by CROM, I'd like to see a priest try to take a Cimmerian to the alter. There'd be blood spilt, but not as the priest intended.

From, "The Slithering Shadow"
Page 136 "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN talks about CROM

CONAN is discussing religion and belief with Belit, the Pirate Queen and his lover. She asks him about his own gods,

"Their chief is CROM. He dwells on a great mountain. What use to call on him? Little he cares if men live or die. Better to be silent than to call his attention to you; he will send dooms, not fortune. He is grim and loveless, but at birth he breathes power to strive and slay into a man's soul. What else shall men ask of gods?"

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CROM, doesn't seem to offer much, even to the devoutest follower, but since all he seems to asks in return is that you don't bother him, it seems like a reasonable exchange.

CONAN ponders the philosophical nature of reality

CONAN is aware of the various debates raging amongst the thinkers of the time regarding the nature of reality, but is pragmatic about the options,

Let teachers and priests and philosophers brood over questions of reality and illusion. I know this: if life is an illusion, then I am no less illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me.

From "Queen of the Black Coast"
Page 246. The Complete Chronicles of CONAN.

CROM: An introduction.

After CONAN has spent some time considering the complexities of the religions of the civilized men, he takes solace in CROM,

His gods were simple and understandable; CROM was their chief, and he lived on a great mountain, whence he sent forth dooms and death. It was useless to call on CROM, because he was a gloomy, savage god, and he hated weaklings. But he gave a man courage at birth, and the will and might to kill his enemies, which, in the Cimmerian's mind was all any god should be expected to do.

From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 83. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN on philosophical and theological debate

CONAN takes the time consider the debates raging amongst the philosophers and holy-men.

He had squatted for hours in the courtyard of the philosophers, listening to the arguments of theologians and teachers and came away in a haze of bewilderment, sure of only one thing, and that, that they were all touched in the head.

From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 83. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

CONAN on organised religion.

CONAN is untroubled by the majesty and splendour of the temples he passes on his way to steal a fantastic jewel.

...he knew that Zamora's religion, like all things of a civilized, long-settled people, was intricate and complex, and had lost most of the pristine essence in a maze of formulas and rituals.

From "The Tower of the Elephant"
Page 83. "The Complete Chronicles of CONAN"

A keenly observed critique of organised religion from Mr Howard.