Posted on 06/10/2006 9:45:53 PM PDT by churchillbuff
Despite lifelong beliefs that have been ingrained in my faith since childhood, I have to admit that like almost everyone else I have from time to time wondered if my existence will simply come to an end on the day I draw my last breath.
There is, after all, no way to prove one way or the other that human life continues in another realm after the body ceases to function. Nobody has come back to testify about it, with one notable exception of course, and those who reject his divinity also tend to doubt what he had to say about life after death. And the late Madalyn Murray O’Hair, the infamous atheist, hasn’t weighed in on the subject lately either.
Some would insist such doubts are implanted by the devil himself. Others counter there is no scientific basis for belief in a hereafter in the first place.
But just about every time I entertain such doubts, something comes along to reinforce my long-held belief in the hereafter. It’s often the experience of a dying saint getting their first glimpse, as an old gospel song puts it, of what’s over on the other side.
I’m told the Rev. Dr. Hollis Pistole appeared to have one such experience at his passing a little over a month ago. According to the story, Dr. Pistole, after a long battle with debilitating illness, raised up and put his arms out just before he drew his last breath. Apparently he received that glimpse of what awaited him.
My wife’s father had a similar experience, opening his eyes and reaching heavenward just before his passing.
I also recently went over my mom’s notes made at the time of my dad’s death more than half a century ago. “Under me? Under me? Thank you, Jesus,” he said.
A whole category of what have been termed near-death experiences have been catalogued by those looking for insight into what happens at the end of life. A common phenomenon is a light-at-the-end-of-a-tunnel vision. Many claim to have seen friends or relatives but were unable to reunite with them when they were suddenly jerked back into life.
My Uncle Melvin had such an experience, claiming to have seen his brother and another loved one at the time he was suffering a severe heart attack from which he recovered.
It is impossible to figure out the working of the subconscious, thus rendering any attempt at concrete conclusions problematic. Are any or all of these phenomena merely the gyrations of an active brain or might they be an indication of a link between this world and one to come?
Belief in life after death has been part of human experience as long as mankind has pondered its existence. It has been reinforced by the most sacred writings of most of the world’s major religions, including Christianity, which bases its entire concept on the idea of God personally demonstrating life after physical death through the manifestation we call Jesus.
In this life, of course, our existence is tied to our physical body. But to define human life according to our physical limitations is an obvious understatement of our role in the universe. Human interaction is limited by our physical senses. But the true self that has developed over the course of our lifetimes would seem to go far beyond the senses.
And certainly there can be no doubt that the rationality of human beings and their capability to build on their life experiences place them in a category entirely separate from other living creatures.
Is there life after death? The question defies physical proof, to be sure. But there would seem to be glimpses enough into the future to show that our existence has only just begun.
And anyway, by preparing for eternity, I think I’m building a pretty good life here as well.
Jim Bailey’s column appears on Sunday. He can be reached by e-mail at jameshenrybailey@earthlink.net.
I agree. Just like being an ant looking at the world of humans. We have many forms of life right here living simultaneous lifes in different worlds. Why is it so hard for some to believe that the same is true of God's world?
Maybe I'm Dante reincarnated, or Samuel Clements : There are lies, DAMNED LIES, then there's STATISTICS! You probably don't tune into the Art Bell/George Noory late night radio show. Interesting stuff mixed with wacko nonsense. He has a tape of the sounds of hell, so he claims. Russian geologists were drilling a deep well in siberia, heard weird noises, sent down a heat-resistant microphone : shouts, moans, yells...Reagan was right : the EVIL EMPIRE, and HELL is right in the middle of it...
[And if you think we have a good grasp of 'time', stop for a moment and name one perception you've ever had that arrived to your comprehension at anything but the past of the phenomenon's origin. There is a lag from phenomenon occurrence's and phenomenon reception, starlight being an example. But interestingly, the light from a star that may already have gone out of existence to make newer stars (IOW, a vast where/when away) has some connection to the present of when the photon energy left the star because we may glean data on the state of the star when the light was emitted. To this old mind, that implies the photon energy packet arrives with some sort of temporal component carried from the star of origin. The realm of Angels may be different from our realm only by a factor of temporal shift, thus existing right next to us ... see Daniel, chapter 5.]
Sorry if I misunderstood you - which often happens as we respond to a post of only a few words which don't reveal the whole person.
I don't like to judge whether any will get to Heaven or not, as I don't have the ability to know their total being - heart and soul - like God does. And, we are not here to judge but to live our lives as best we can.
The bible-thumping you call me on merely comes as a response in defense of Jesus, God, the search for the truth God gave us rather than the distortions man has created in order to adjust God's words more to man's liking.
There is nothing wrong with that. I do the very same for President Bush, this country and the conservative views. So, if it appears I am jumping on a point of criticism, it is probably due to my training on FR as we respond to discussion points - often with great fervor.
As far as children and the hereafter - "let not your heart be troubled" (as Sean would say). Children are not of the age of accountability to understand and know what decisions of life are to be made. So, of course, they are welcomed into Heaven. In fact, we are told that our hearts must be as the hearts of children to please God (or something along that line).
I am in agreement with you on wondering how people can NOT believe in God. As you said, there is so much history and teaching. How did one man - Jesus- manage to make such a difference to so many people? I guess non believers never ask themselves these questions, so , it is good that you try to make them think about it.
I understand what you are saying and agree - good point.
Why were we given free will? Could it be because God does not value our adoration and worship unless we freely choose to follow Him? He has given Satan (the fallen angel) reign on earth and Satan will try and lure as many as possible away from God. He even tried it on Jesus.
So, we are tested also as Jesus was, and we, as Jesus, must choose who we follow - God or Satan. In the end, God will triump over Satan and bring with Him those that chose to follow God.
Ian Punnet talked about that last night. I wasn't listening closely, but I thought I heard him say it came from an out of production porno tape from the 80's. (seriously)
You are probably right about the non-believers never thinking about what comes after death - they just drift. But, you would think that when they lost someone close, they would start thinking about where the loved ones go.
Seems awfully hard to believe that when death comes, death comes and there is nothing else.
We are involved in one of the "read the entire Bible through in 2006" efforts where each day's designated passage is scheduled.
One of the neat things is the reminder of the nature of God as reflected in the Old Testament in his trials and efforts with the children of Israel (his chosen people).
He sent prophets to tell them what to do, gave extremely detailed instructions on how they must worship, listened to their complaints, gave them manna to eat daily while in the desert. He led them to the promised land out of slavery. Yet, did they stay true to God? No.
They were continually worshipping false gods, wooden idols. In the period of the kings, each reign was judged by how the king handled the idols in the society. If the king tore down the idols and destroyed them, God was pleased. But, if the king allowed them to stay, or participated - God judged that they were not faithful and condemned them. Many times there were comments of "why pray to a wooden bull that man, himself, created? How could that wooden image come to help them, it could not move - it was merely wood"?
Seems that God was really perplexed at His people. He got angry, allowed them to be overtaken, killed in battle, destroyed, but then always softened because He loved them - same as a parent. Yet, that anger was really severe and often lasted for generations.
In our lives we tend to make God in our image of what we think He would be like. It is very helpful to read the Old Testament just to learn the nature of God. It is an eye opener and scary at times. Makes me realize - "Don't mess with God".
My personal viewpoint is that God created this wonderful world filled with beauty, elaborate design in the different species and tells us that a place is being prepared for us as Jesus said "I go to prepare a place for you".
So, IMHO, I feel that we do not die alone. We were not born alone - we were received by a mother who carried us. So, not too hard to believe that God (in his awesome creation) also planned that each would go to the hereafter with the guidance of some being to lead and comfort us.
It could be we are programmed in our brain to see this being as we enter death, it could be the duty of angels, or it could be physically transporting and meeting those who have gone before. We don't know. Yet, possibly death sets in motion chemical, physical, or whatever reactions that progress us to the next stage. Whatever method it just again shows God's wonderful, caring creations in this world.
And just imagine how blessed we are to have a God that chooses to show beauty, love, goodness for His children and His creations rather than a god that would be honored only by evil actions, hate, torture, killing.
I humbly apologize ... that about dimension Time did seem too complicated. But that's the realm over which I'm currently writing a book, so it helps me to string it out. I'll definitely keep your advice in mind ... and you're in good company 'cause Paul said the same thing to those pesky intellectuals in Rome and small towns around the Mediterranean.
A great exit, and a touching and wonderful story.
We can't top that.
And yes, too much of this can give you a headache and make you go farther and farther out into unknown "guessing/supposing" areas.
But, it is fun to discuss.
One of the nice things about the internet is the freedom to say what you think without the restraints of having to live around the people who might now consider you crazy, too radical, way too far out, too conservative, too religious, a heathen.
And, it is easier for me to write my thoughts than to explain them with words. Especially since I fear I am a mere coward.
There are strange phenomenon that the Lord allows us to experience. Often, we have no more explanation than the disciples that fell asleep at the Mount of Transfiguration.
I had a stroke in September of 2004. While in the midst of it, I was visited by my late father, who brought many of my family who had gone on before. I saw no one, yet felt them and spoke to them as if they were with me.
In 1963, I had both my lungs collapse. My parents were called to the hospital because I would die in the next few minutes. I was in a coma, and saw Him in the distance beckoning to me as I ran toward Him. The scenery and peace were very much what were described here. Suddenly, He began to push the air and I now ran in place, with no movement. I came to and looked through my oxygen tent at a thoroughly amazed doctor, who had an indescribable look on his face.
When people tell me there is no God, no Heaven, no Christ, no afterlife, I just shake my head. I experienced them all for a moment, and can't wait to get back there for good.
Do you tell the Hindu granddaughter that that your opinion is "yes", or do you tell her your opinion is "no"?
Opinions are irrelevant.
With all the dodges I'm getting on this thread, I could open a car lot.
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