Encyclopedia of Death and Dying

[irapm]

Early childhood education is the basis of humanity's continued denial of death. There is no proof by any contemporary observation that life continues or has ever continued beyond death. The concept of life after death has allowed people, particularly those men who think of themselves as religious, to accept killing other humans as justifiable. In order to find any meaningful peace within ourselves we must accept our individual mortality without promise of any afterlife. By accepting our mortality we can begin to structure a society of value. A society of value will protect our planet and it's inhabitants. Rather than protect religion we should actively work to protect those who suffer without husbands and fathers.

[kamila]

Hi irapm,
Why denial? How about all those personal experiences of people around the world? Lots of people claim they saw the light, they met their loved ones. I think we can't be sure either way.

[irapm]

kamila, It is impossible for me to experience whatever any other human experiences. What we share is our ability to communicate at a gross level. If another person has a near death experience it is their's alone. I can only extrapolate from my personal experience and attempt to express this to others. I have never had an experience which leads me to conclude that any sort of "supernatural" exists. I have never been presented with any experience which caused me to entertain the idea, let alone conclude, that there is a personal afterlife. I have never observed anything which caused me to think that death is not personally final. I neither profess knowledge of any form of personal existence beyond death nor do I trust the reasoning of those who do. Thought, which is claimed by some to limit our understanding, cannot realistically take humanity beyond the conclusions of observation. To conceive a personal life after one's death is a mechanism used by some of humanity to avoid the truth of mortality. Belief and faith have inspired many great human advancements but belief and faith have never exceeded human ability. We humans are the measure of all things. If we accept this responsibility we will find peace on our planet by putting an end to war, an unavoidable corollary to our denial of death.

[JesusHtapdancingCHRIST]

[quote] We humans are the measure of all things. [/quote]
Thank you for putting your entire argument into its proper perspective.

[irapm]

It is not my intent to do more than point out that many human beings approach life through a fear of or inability to accept personal mortality. My sense is that when a human being becomes aware of mortality the conscious and only journey for that individual begins. There is clearly no way for any human to experience any other human's life. The problem I find is not with any personal belief regarding an afterlife, so long as it does not impinge on another person. It is rather when a belief is accepted and followed by many, without any basis in observable fact, that it becomes potentially dangerous. The danger is with group response which has historically always been more lethal than any individual response. I certainly do not limit these thoughts to religion insofar as the group invasion of Iraq has followed a parallel path. I am aware that many will parse words or concepts with these thoughts. I would only urge those who would choose argument for the sake of argument to stick to the main thought of these posts. No one ever wins a fight.

[Mazie]

I have always during my Life thought I would like to go into Hospice.
I worked in a Hospital for 14 years. I also am working now in a Nursing Home helping people.
It certainly has shown me the preciousness of time and caring.

No one really knows if there is a hereafter. I personally would like to think there is definitely a God. Mainly, how were we put on this earth.
I like to feel when people are dying they can look forward to seeing their families that ripped their heart out when they found out they died and could do nothing about it.

I am now helping a dying friend she too believes there is a hereafter that I will never rob her of.

[janj900]

You sound like a very nice person Mazie. I agree with you,I would like to think that this really isn't the end. With all the amazing things that happen in ones life,it is hard to imagine there is no God.

[Doieatgel]

Denial is the basis of humanity like the creator of this post the fear of death it self IS humanities weakness and will laso be the downfall of humanity. So in the end the protection of earth is in those who do not fear death but go to meet it and conquer it. People like that are always more that willing to go to war. I personally do not fear death I respect it.




Remember those who have looked death in the face without fear are always watching over everyone "in the left hand of lord"(not so sure about the "left hand of the lord thing"