To me the value of life is WAY simpler. As some of my closer friends know, I only wish one thing in life. That wish is that when I move onto another plane of existence, those who I have had interaction with can say "Knowing him was a positive experience". Then death has no sting, as you live on in the works and memories of others. I think universally most people feel that way. Live life to make a positive difference in the lives around you.
Religion, politics, science, arts, music, etc all put base faith in the fact that leaving behind something that people learn and grow from is the ultimate reward for ones work. Minus a few inherently bad people, or those with no 'souls', I have found very few exceptions to that rule. Even bad people often 'teach' or impact other bad people in a 'positive' way by teaching them to do evil things well. A little hard to understand at times, but even the devil himself seeks out to improve upon his minions.