"The commonest view seems to be that if people "live well" in accordance with whatever religion or philosophical precepts they follow, WHEN THEY DIE they would go to heaven.

Is this largely accepted on blind faith?"

* YES! Heaven is imagined as a place of joy, happiness and bliss that the spirit goes to after one dies (phyically) if one lives the 'good church life'. Hell is described as tremendous suffering, a place with demonic fire that one's spirit goes to if they do not live the 'good life'. People are expected to just believe this.

"Are people able to get an idea of what lies beyond this physical human existence?"

* Yes, people can get an idea from some experiences.

"Would conscious development allow for such an important aspect of life to be only accepted on blind faith?"

* NO! Conscious development allows for experiences and knowledge that removes blind faith. People can get some experience with the nonphysical (transcendent) aspect of life. People can/do have nonphysical experiences as part of their daily physical lives.