Life after death

Well this is something that we should all think about. I have heard it said that most people spend more time planning for vacations than foreternity, which is sad in my opinion. I have full confidence in the accuracy and veracity of the Bible. It is very much the same as originally written and this was much proved when the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and it was word for word the same. If you get a good study Bible like an NIV, Schofield or John Macarthur, they are very reliable and have scholarly study notes to help understand and apply the text. For me is is simple, the Gospel, which say's this God is Holy, mankind is sinful and we need a Savior to save us from our sins. This was why Jesus came to earth in human form to die for sinners who believe in Him, repent and follow Him. His story is well documented and is true.

Yes, I can assure you that other people think about this.

There is some knowledge about the physiological processes of dying, but I don't think that's what you mean. I think that you are asking for different perspectives on questions about life and death. If that is the case, then I do have some thoughts to share.

I have at least a passing acquaintance with both Christianity and Buddhist thought, but I'm not a religious believer myself. Nevertheless, I am very interested in questions of ethics and how to live. I am also interested in questions about life and death. For me, a fruitful question to ask is: What can continue?

When thinking about my own mortality I start with the assumption that there is no afterlife, and my death will be the end for me. However, if we then ask about what can continue, that question leads to some interesting places.

Individuals die, but a species can continue. Maybe it's worth putting some effort into ensuring the well-being of a species in addition to individuals. More broadly, life in general can continue. That includes not just humans but also all the creatures, plants and animals, that live on the Earth.

Information can continue. Patterns of behavior that depend on cause-and-effect can continue as long as the causal conditions are in place. Human emotions and feelings can continue in minds other than my own. I can't think of any reason why those emotions and feelings are not as real as my own.

What I'm trying to get at is that a shift from a self-centered perspective to a broader, beyond-the-self perspective can happen. It is like the shift from the Earth-centered view of the cosmos to the Sun-centered view that took place 500 years ago after Copernicus. It makes the universe a larger, richer, and more interesting place.

These ideas are explored more fully in a short book titled After Eve: The Next Step in our Spiritual Evolution by Samuel E. McCulloch. If you have a curious mind, I can recommend it. The title comes from an interpretation of the Adam and Eve story that the story is about the moment in human history when people first realized that they were mortal.

There is a lot more that could be said on this topic.

We don't know each other, but as one human being to another, I offer you my sympathy for the loss of your son.

Thank you for your post.

Thank you.

I do believe spirits reincarnate through other beings for moments in time. It is random, it is sporadic but open your mind and see whose spirit surfaces in the next conversation you have with someone you thought was a stranger.

I was raised in a obnoxiously strict Baptist church and school and I had it beat into my head (age 8-18) that I would go to Hell, separated from friends and family if I didn’t repent for my sins. I was horrified and developed PTSD from my past. I have done a TON of soul searching and reading many books and talked with friends, family and strangers; now I believe that after we pass our energy transfers to unknown places and people since energy can’t be created or destroyed (Albert Einstein) it just changes forms.
There isn’t a Hell or Heaven, those are concepts used to scare and control children and adults into doing anything the church want’s including giving 10% of your gross income. Sorry for the rant but I think it’s worth thinking about that once we pass, we’re just done living on earth.

There has been intense study of Near Death Experiences (NDEs). Most are similar. One thing that sticks out is that few, if any, wanted to come back.

You can find many books and website documenting NDEs.

I had an intense NDE when I was 21 and in the ICU with swine flu. I had no idea what was going on, and it took me years to get some context--I saw light pour out of a gate, pov/soul leave body etc. I also didn't want to return and felt I was violently tugged back. However, I think that what I experiences was dying, not death. And I wasn't clinically dead, like some folks. So I have absolutely no belief in activities or consciousness after death. However, this did set me on a journey of almost 50 years of exploring spirituality, religion, ethics, service, and more. So I'm essentially grateful, despite a life time of chronic pain, impaired walking, and lost pulmonary function. The virus destroyed a lot. And I will say I don't fear death much in the usual sense, or value life at all costs. This has completely influenced my cancer treatment decisions. I have done only moderate treatments and am not "fighting" my cancer emotionally. An awareness of death has given me guidelines as to how to live. But I still find it totally mysterious.

Wow, this has inspired me.
I too question my beliefs, which at one time were extremely strong beliefs. I hate to say just how difficult it is to find the comfort I once did have in believing there is a God, a spiritual well being that was stronger than anything else, for me anyway. That has been shattered so many times. I have really tried to find my way back with only pain and fear leading my way. So very difficult to fight through all the ugly to get back what I pray is the true belief I once had for most of my life.
I have 4 children (grown) and they are leading their life's with the struggles they each face too. But, I have not lost the life of any child of mine. If I were to lose a child, I truly have no idea how I would navigate through that ordeal since I have yet found my way for myself and my health issues.

To me, I always pray "just to know" as I once just knew. If this makes any sense. Just to give birth and hold my newborn child was proof to me X 4. To hold my 2 grandbabies at their births was proof to me X 2. I never questioned.

I'm so sorry to see anyone confused but I do know, when you truly know within yourself, you do see and feel the beauty and the security genuinely within your soul without any questions. I desire to have this back but there is something that I must see or feel to lean one way or the other. I just can't decide, it has to be there. I have a difficult time finding the words to explain myself. I hope you and any others that are seeking guidance, finds what may be there. You finding the light and choosing to carry that light forward after all the darkness is beautiful to me. 🦋
Thank You for sharing this. You are inspirational and I seek this over everything in my search for the truth. My truth anyway.

Recuerdo parte de una canción,solo una parte ,solo esa parte que dice.."Apoya tu cabeza sobre mi hombro y llora.. "
Sé que habrá muchos hombros ,la mayoría desconocidos ,dónde podrás apoyar tu cabeza. Es muy distinto llorar sobre un hombro que hacerlo en soledad.
Te ofrezco mi hombro.