PHILOSOPHICAL
This section is not being presented in a way that
modern day philosophy for the most part has become - which simply put it seems
to have devolved to a linguistic analysis.
What if we cease to exist at physical death? Being mortal with no soul
and there is no afterlife. It is the same as never existing in the first
place. In my opinion, thinking the preceding in deep thought while alone
with one having no hope of the possibility of an afterlife (along with a second
part to it which I will not mention as it would not be right to give some people
this needless apprehension) is the most unsettling thought there is.
Needing to know and to the extent one needs to know all depends on the
individual and the animal they are.
∙
Life after death can neither be proved nor disproved. This is because one
would have to undergo physical death in order to prove or disprove
it (and by its very nature, disproving it would not be possible). This is
in contrast to something like astrology where one could undertake a study of
people born at the same time and evaluate their personality traits and life
outcomes at a later time to see if there is any correlation with time of birth.
There is
no actual direct evidence against an afterlife - only
arguments refuting the
specific examples of evidence for life after death as not being
sufficient proof.
Although it can easily be argued that not having direct knowledge of an
afterlife constitutes evidence against life after death. Life after
death cannot be disproven; only the evidence in its favour can be
scrutinized and
rational non-believers are left to make the conclusion that life after
death cannot be
proven.
∙
It is hard to imagine any species (ie. mankind) would reach such a
high level of consciousness of our own existence if it were all to end with this
life. There is no evolutionary advantage or biological need for
this. For a mortal life here on earth, the human mind is much more
advanced than necessary.
Possibly we have reached such a state of consciousness, because there is a
continuum to this life after this one ends? Just being conscious of our existence suggests that there may be an
afterlife. Why else would we be aware of our mortality or be concerned
with life after death? Possibly we can only fathom we could cease to exist
because we never will cease to exist? In fact, awareness of our mortality or
immortality and what it means goes beyond the awareness you exist
(consciousness). Having a soul can explain
consciousness, but if we do not possess souls, then how do we account for
consciousness?
If it so happens that ones existence can end at any time and is not
everlasting, it makes ones existence pointless in the first place and really, the
ultimate form of cruelty.
∙
Why life? There is no scientific reason for the existence of
life. The universe doesn't care if there is life in it - it does not
benefit from it. Yet life, and especially more advanced life with
consciousness like us humans, came about. A 'driving force' in the
universe behind it that made it all happen would make some sense of it all. Many would
call such a driving force, God.
Considering the fact we have our universe and matter and energy in it, we
have to think why is there something rather than nothing? For without a
Creator or some spiritual force behind it all, would it not be expected there
would be nothing?
∙
It is difficult for some of us to believe there is life after death
because it
is all seems too incredible that we have a soul which leaves the body
upon
physical death and goes on to somewhere else. This is more so the case
when many of us are wrapped up in our busy day to day lives with little
time for
reflection. Then we do not take time out to ponder how the bigger
scheme of
things might be because it has little bearing on our busy every day life
with
all its commitments, responsibilities, and distractions. If we were to
put ourselves in a very dark room with no sounds or distractions when we
aren't tired or sleepy, and engage in deep thought about the subject,
then
we may have more insight into what may actually be the truth. Of course
the
alternative, that there is no survival of consciousness, is all too hard
to believe for many of us
also.
∙
If we came from the 'other side', then should we not have fear of
returning to it. So we should not have a fear of death as we could make
the assumption that we would likely have some instinct built into us that we
don't need to worry about our mortality since we are immortal. However,
for the large part, this fear of death exists in most people to varying degrees.
Why are we not aware of where we came from and where we are going when we
die? Why do we exist at all? What is the purpose of our existence
and our life in this world? If we are reincarnated so that we may improve
our souls, then should we not know this? If, as taught by Christianity
this is our only life on earth, then why do we not have direct knowledge of
this? Why is God not in direct contact with us? Maybe not knowing is
a better 'test' for us. Going into this life on earth maybe we know the
answers to the preceding questions, but once here this knowledge is 'taken' from
us and we only can speculate - we therefore live our lives differently possibly
and are not motivated by some selfish reward for a good life lived and the
suffering we endure is of greater benefit to us. In other words, having
direct knowledge of the afterlife would mean we would be motivated by reward
(spiritual improvement) in our actions and would not suffer as much and
therefore would not improve as much spiritually.
I don't think it was the intent of God or the
'universal consciousness' (assuming there is such) to reveal all to the
satisfaction of everyone of us. For if it had, then surely we would all be
believers. It all seems to be part of a greater plan to have it all this
way.
I don't agree with some who believe mankind is not capable of understanding
or comprehending this. For mankind not only has a great understanding of
many difficult and complex areas of say science, but also made the discoveries
to make it possible. At the very least, if all were to be revealed, the
essence of it all should be understood by most.
TO BE CONTINUED.
