Drew

It scares everyone. It surprises us all. It sneaks up on us  or someone we love off guard. And there is nothing you can do to stop it.

Scary thought, no?
If it isn’t then you are one of the rare few that have no fear of death. But what exactly, is death? And what, if anything, is after?

The definition of death states “Death: a permanent cessation of all vital bodily functions - the end of life”

But is this true? Is it the end? As soon as your body is dead..is that really, truly “the end of life”?
To most, no, it is not the end. It is only the beginning of something better, or worse…
For an example, let’s try some common religions.

Buddhist: Buddhists maintain that rebirth takes place without an unchanging self or soul passing from one form to another. The type of rebirth will be conditioned by the moral tone of the person’s actions (karma). For example, where a person has committed harmful actions of body, speech and mind based on greed, hatred and delusion, rebirth in a lower realm, i.e. an animal, a ghost or a hell realm, is to be expected. On the other hand, where a person has performed skillful actions based on generosity, loving-kindness (metta), compassion and wisdom, rebirth in a happy realm, i.e. human or one of the many heavenly realms, can be expected.

Islam: Islam teaches that the purpose of man’s creation is essentially to be kind to other human beings and to worship the Creator of the Heavens and Earth – Allah. Islam teaches that life lived on this Earth is a test for man to determine each individual’s ultimate reward or punishment in the afterlife, which is eternal and everlasting.

Christianity: Christian beliefs about the afterlife vary between denominations and individual Christians, but the vast majority of Christians believe in some kind of heaven, in which believers enjoy the presence of God and other believers and freedom from suffering and sin. One belief says that God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.

Atheist(or the lack of religion): One famous and well known Atheist named John Leslie states that ” Each of us, is immortal because our life patterns are but an aspect of an “existentially unified” cosmos that will persist after our death. The soul, consists of information, not matter. And one of the deepest principles of quantum theory, called “unitarity,” forbids the disappearance of information.”

“What good is this doing me, now I’m freaking confused…thanks Andrew.”

I’m getting to my point…stop being impatient.

So which should you believe? That’s not my decision.
But what do I recommend? I recommend that whatever you believe in, you really make sure whats going on, and you’re sure its the truth.

For me? Well I believe in Christianity.

That Jesus Christ was a immaculate conception from the virgin girl named Mary, and that Jesus is the Son of God. I also believe in the Gifts of the Spirit.
That sin is sin, we are all born into a fleshly body that naturally wants to sin, but that you need but only accept Christ into your heart, and he’s there with loving arms for as long as you keep a committed relationship with him.
That you try to live the best, sinless life you can, but that everyone is human and we make a mistake, but Jesus will always be there waiting with His hand out to pick you up and accept you just the same.
That you can only make it into Heaven through His name, Jesus Christ, because he, and he alone shed His own blood on the cross for all of our sins we ever have committed, are committing, and will commit, and that if you choose to deny him as your Lord and God, and blaspheme His name, that he says “But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, and I will spew you from my mouth.”.
But, again, this is only for those who choose to live a life full of sin, and not repent for their wrong doings, and accept Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness and love, that is always available.
And that in the end days, Revelation will take place, and that a judgment will befall the world for its unrepentant, perverse wickedness, and blasphemy.
And after that we will reign in heaven for 1000 years until God creates a New Heaven, and a New Earth for us all.

Did I always believe the above?

No. I found out after much studying of many religions and beliefs, that this is the one I know is true.

And does that mean that I’ll never question any of it again?

No. I’m too much of a thinker.

So does that mean I’m not sure what I believe in then?

Again, no. I just question everything.

I cant force you to believe what I do, and I’m not trying and I’m not going to try to.

But I will tell you this, I didn’t just believe what my parents did, I didn’t just believe what is the easiest thing to go by or to get away with the most stuff (obviously). But after awhile I knew that this was it, and that it was so much better then all the rest. That having a intimate relationship with a almighty and never-ending being was alot better then believing in dead gods/gods that never speak back to you, or that we are nothing at all, but matter.

So, main point?

Really take the time to sit down and ask questions about your beliefs, why you believe them, and what it means and does for you, especially after your body ceases to function and you are at “a permanent cessation of all vital bodily functions - the end of life”. It’s alot more important then you probably thought it was before this blog. hopefully anyway.