Death is an elusive concept not fully understood or known until experienced first hand. Although saddened or remorseful from the death of another, but what we understand and learn as the result of our death. The fear of death is real for many people. Regarding birth, a new life begins. Duration is the continuation of life, however, life cessation or death removes life from sight and touch. Is life gone or merely inaccessible? The media and religiosity are largely to blame for fear of death. A common practice of ministers and clergyman was putting the fear of God in church goers for preventative measures. When clergy plays the be good or burn in hell card, we incorporate the fear of God syndrome as our motive for goodness. God's grace does not work this way, it is not how good a person acts it the condition of a person's heart that God recognizes as His children. I cannot describe death, however, I hope when the time comes I have no regrets
I don't think we have any actual evidence of that...first hand knowledge. After having cheated it, I've had plenty of thoughts about it the past year. But more about life...and quality of life. I've got to make a decision soon around these types of options, it is interesting observing these situations.
Agree, near death or actual dying may or may not be accurate long term the purpose by which this was written is the unfounded fear of death and the question why fear death
I believe that is simple, for me anyway. It isn't death I fear. It is the end of life. There are kids and grandkids and on and on... There are inventions that are on the cusp if happening... There are scientific advancements... There might be peace in the world (if I can find my rose colored glasses). There are friends, and parties and conversations to be had, people to see, places to go... I'd like to do all that, death gets in the way.
I'd provisionally agree, only on the basis of all the bad examples we can put forward. But the bad does not define the whole. Generally, traditional cultures have a healthy attitude towards death. I'd say by far the more unhealthy is modern western culture of denial, the product of western egocentrism, relativism and consumer culture — where is its antidote to the fear of death? How does a culture which espouses the idea of 'because I'm worth it' and 'I can have it' handle the final privation of all? We approach halloween — now all about sweets and fancy dress. The traditional view, the time when the veil between worlds is at its most translucent, a time of remembrance and recollection, of celebration — that's no part of the commercial enterprise. I do see positive signs in the emergence of 'natural burial' — environmentally conscious, not simply because of cardboard and easily-biodegradable coffins, but an holistic approach to death and a celebration of the life lived. My dad was buried in a Catholic cemetery, but I think my mum found more solace in the fact that there were horses grazing in the field next door, rather than it being consecrated ground. Dad was a lover of horses. Then again, my Gaelic genes come to the fore here, and I look forward to a good wake!
To some death means going to heaven and life eternal, others support reincarnation as a means of attaining higher developments of being. In the Christian faith I was led to believe the only way for eternal life is through the atonement of Jesus' blood sacrifice on the cross and the worship of God. I am able to grasp the faith aspect of atonement through the sacrificial blood of Jesus and the relationship to God that follows. However, I am learning through various conversations and topics posted here at the forum there are many branches to this tree of conceptual wisdom.
