The Intriguing Idea Of Life Beyond Death
People have seemingly always believed in life beyond death. Ancient graves contain not only bodies but stores of food, weapons, and other things the departed soul might need in the afterlife. Many ancient legends center on the idea of immortality, which is seen as a divine trait but still obtainable by humans by great deeds or incredible luck.
This persistent hope of eternal existence does not seem strange to Christians, who believe that their God created all things, including mankind, and then sustained a relationship with humans that included life on another plane.
An awareness of the presence of God explains the persistent belief 'in things unseen', including an immortal soul. Even before the redemptive life and death of Jesus, certain individuals had prophetic visions of eternal life and messages of hope. Some even escaped earthly existence without dying. Enoch never died, and Elijah went off to heaven in a chariot of fire.
All religions make reference to spiritual activity after the physical body has died. The Egyptians believed the dead could take their wealth with them into the next world. Many ancient civilizations buried their dead with food and weapons. Valhalla, Hades, Heaven, Nirvana, the Elysian Fields, and many other destinations have been pictured of by those who will die someday. Reincarnation brings the soul back to earth, in another and perhaps a different form than it had before its last death.
The inner conviction of immortality that many people have, especially when young, testifies to the presence of an immortal soul. People are universally aware that they are more than a physical being, a fact which is shown by the prevalence throughout history of religions that declare the presence of unseen, powerful beings that influence the lives of men here on earth.
There are many good things about believing that life is more than we see here on earth. A conviction that there is divine involvement in human affairs makes good and evil more comprehensible. If man is just another animal, why should he care about doing good? Only if there is a value system beyond earthly existence do conscience, the desire to help others, and unselfish actions make sense.
Even those who deny any kind of future existence will admit that the literature of the world would be sadly depleted without the belief in immortality. The Greek and Roman myths are wonderfully colorful and compelling. Great tragedies were written based on struggles between humans and the gods. Christian literature and art comprise many of the great masterpieces of all ages. Temples, mosques, and churches are treasures of architecture of every age and nation.
Life beyond death is a wonderful promise that many sincerely believe in. Existing without this confidence is sadly diminished in purpose and in hope. Even if such belief is misplaced, many would not choose to live without it.
This persistent hope of eternal existence does not seem strange to Christians, who believe that their God created all things, including mankind, and then sustained a relationship with humans that included life on another plane.
An awareness of the presence of God explains the persistent belief 'in things unseen', including an immortal soul. Even before the redemptive life and death of Jesus, certain individuals had prophetic visions of eternal life and messages of hope. Some even escaped earthly existence without dying. Enoch never died, and Elijah went off to heaven in a chariot of fire.
All religions make reference to spiritual activity after the physical body has died. The Egyptians believed the dead could take their wealth with them into the next world. Many ancient civilizations buried their dead with food and weapons. Valhalla, Hades, Heaven, Nirvana, the Elysian Fields, and many other destinations have been pictured of by those who will die someday. Reincarnation brings the soul back to earth, in another and perhaps a different form than it had before its last death.
The inner conviction of immortality that many people have, especially when young, testifies to the presence of an immortal soul. People are universally aware that they are more than a physical being, a fact which is shown by the prevalence throughout history of religions that declare the presence of unseen, powerful beings that influence the lives of men here on earth.
There are many good things about believing that life is more than we see here on earth. A conviction that there is divine involvement in human affairs makes good and evil more comprehensible. If man is just another animal, why should he care about doing good? Only if there is a value system beyond earthly existence do conscience, the desire to help others, and unselfish actions make sense.
Even those who deny any kind of future existence will admit that the literature of the world would be sadly depleted without the belief in immortality. The Greek and Roman myths are wonderfully colorful and compelling. Great tragedies were written based on struggles between humans and the gods. Christian literature and art comprise many of the great masterpieces of all ages. Temples, mosques, and churches are treasures of architecture of every age and nation.
Life beyond death is a wonderful promise that many sincerely believe in. Existing without this confidence is sadly diminished in purpose and in hope. Even if such belief is misplaced, many would not choose to live without it.
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