Why do people think buying their home is better then renting after all life can't be bought?

The Government in the UK promotes home ownership through mortgage schemes which the banks and building societies lend to their customers.Obviously with this scheme one has to be in secure long term steady employment.
Now unless your a banker or a politician it seems no job is long term or secure.So why take the risk in an employment market that guarantees no security for the majority of people who don't want to rent property.
Life is now regulated by the fears and insecurities of aspiring to own something as a home or investment but given the way this country has declined with regards to employment isn't it delusional to think somehow over a 25 or 30 year period you'll be able to make it.
So what I'm saying is this.
If life itself is impermanent why then not rent?
It doesn't matter where the money goes.When you go you can't tkae it with you and if you leave it to someone they may just sell it.
Isn't life a rental agreement from nature..if your an Atheist... or God if your religious or spiritual.
I personally think that this national obsession with home ownership is the root cause of the recession because people are taking out what is a loan over a long period of time and living beyond their means just to think they are above people who rent!