Most humans fear their
mortality. That is to say, they fear death.
(Not all
cultures fear death. Some ancient cultures embrace death
as a natural and accepted end to life. Though these
cultures are often labelled primitive and barbaric by
modern convention, there is natural wisdom in them.)
Yet
death is but the natural conclusion of life.
We fear death because we fear discontinuance. We know not
whether existence continues after death, and we fear
not-being.
Atheists
"Know" that there is no continuence
after death. They strive to survive the hardest
of any. They also live life to the utmost...if
they are true atheists...of which there are few.
-_-
(Many of those
true atheists whom I have met work to preserve
the integrity of their works and the world
environment so that future generations come into
being and might know of them and those works.)
Agnostics
make no decision...if they are true agnostics.
-_-
(There are
indeed few true agnostics, for most only speak
the words while subliminally they hold the
theistic life-view, be that, perhaps, but remnant
of their cultural indoctrination.)
Most
theists "Know" that there is some form
of continuence after death, yet the majority fear
death more than any. They fear the most,
regardless of their careful, correct adherence to
the precepts of their chosen religious doctrines.
...Irony. -_-
Truth:
What does it matter? Live life to the utmost, as if there
is no moment after, preserve the environment for future
life as if there is forever after, and do no harm.
As to continuence after death, that which is you - your
consciousness - forever is.
...But is there Heaven, Hell, and God(s) you ask?
Ah-hah! Those are different questions, are they not?
Let us
instead return to our discussion of death. Barring the
ability to become immortal,
what, I ask you, is wrong with death?
(A Taoist immortal is not to be confused with the
common understanding of the word "immortal.")
Were it not for death, could not living become the most
terrible hell of any? Imagine continuing to live despite
devastatingly painful injuries or disease? Have you
watched a young man dieing, his body severed by severe
physical trauma? Is not death welcomed? And the infirm
aged? Do they not welcome relief from the trauma of their
suffering when no human act can bring their pain surcease
in a failing body?
If you have not witnessed or yourself experienced these
circumstances, you cannot decide, for you have no
experience as criteria.
If you have, you know of what I speak. What would be your
choice, were you the one so suffering? ...Then that is
your choice -- your choice only. Perhaps it would not be
another's. Neither yours nor another's such decision is
in error. The error resides in them who would decide,
even dictate, for another.
-_-
Continue.
Choose another Way.
Copyright 1997,
1998, 1999, 2000 Forrest W. Lineberry and Dawn Lisette Keur.
All rights reserved.
