how does your religion handle death?rituals? over all attitude. etc?
920739
Since you seem so eager to gather other peoples opinions today, and I'm all too eager to express my own... here goes:\n\n\nDeath is beautiful. It is a transition from confused living matter to unthinking dead matter...  a break down of mechanics that enforce pattern and a return to the natural chaos of the Universe.  What once was a personality becomes as nothingness, and dissipates much as the corpse does with time. In most cases this is destruction without resolution, which isn't exactly wrong.... but I can only imagine that it isn't as satisfying to give over all control of one's destruction so late... Better to resolve each aspect of the psyche beforehand and free one's self from the world in advance of death that it spells only the completion of dissolution. \n\n\nNo pointless rituals.\nThe dead are gone and no longer to be considered.\nMy body can be thrown to the pigeons when I'm gone for all I care.
451244
A very close friend of mine, Teresa, died a while back from cancer. She was young, just starting a teaching career, full of life, enthusiasm and love for people, especially kids. She was diagnosed with cancer a few days before her wedding (not to me) and died a few weeks after their first anniversary.\n\nAt her funeral I absolutely expected God to raise her from the dead - God had done it before after all. Then we were at the graveside and still no knock on the coffin lid.\n\nWhen her coffin was lowered into the ground and I tossed my flower in on top my world collapsed. I hated God with an absolute passion. I cursed God, swore at God, I told God just how big of a b*stard "he" was. I kept going to church but I wouldn't sing or pray (although every time I abused God I was actually praying, ironic hey). I went to church for the sake of appearances - I was a longstanding youth leader at my church. I kept asking all of the WHY questions but didn't get a single answer.\n\nEventually (a couple of months later), still in my anger and bitterness, God spoke to me (understand that however you like) and said ... \n\n"Will you trust me even if you don't understand?"\n\nI didn't expect that response from God. But here I am a few years later, finally able to talk about Teresa without crying and studying to be a pastor of the Lutheran church. \n\nTime does help to heal these wounds. But being honest with God, even in your anger or confusion is also helpful. Ultimatly you probably won't get an answer to the why questions. But I hope that you can eventually receive the peace that God is offering to you in your grief.
936141
What a great question.  Most western civilizations believe that you will be sent to hell, but eastern beliefs are not so harsh.  There ritual suicide was / is a way of saving face and avoiding humiliation for a mistake that you've made.  \n  One thing that I think most Christians forget about is the story of Samson.  He died when he destroyed the temple that he was in.  He knew that he would die, but he also knew that he was doing God's work by destroying the temple...  \nDid Samson get sent to hell for doing the Lord's bidding?
736074
Ah ha! Well you  must read of the jewish after life called sheol than you must consider Christians have judgement day. Now why would the dead have to be raised to be judged again. My answer is sheol exsists now, however maybe someone can scripture me wrong. However I think there are places of great harmony in the afterlife. I think you have stages if you were bad that you must go through first as well.
1139424
it is death after life
1116447
Hmm...Well, do what other bullshit religions have done: name it after your religion's savior, which I suppose would be you. Don't martyr yourself though. That can't be fun.
472821
Who's to say what happens when we die?  I mean, I haven't seen anyone come back from the dead and say, hey, this is what it's like.  I'd just say to live your life according to your personal morals and values.  Believe in yourself and your values.  And let those holier than mere mortals judge you.  No person, and certainly no one online, is so omnipresent to have a right to judge you.  Good luck!
458208
This is a very important question because understanding what happens to us at death determines how we live our lives.\n\nThe bible teaches us that when we die we cease to exsist. Gen 3:19 says that we came from dust and we return to dust when we die.  Ecclesiastes 9:10 says that there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol (the grave) the place to which we are all going.  Ecclesiastes 9:5 tells us that the dead are conscious of nothing at all.  Ezekiel 18:4 tells us that the soul that is sinning dies.\n\nSo there is no life after death.  Heaven is not the destination of all good people and Hell is not the destination for all bad people and unbelievers don't pass on to eternal death.\n\nHell is simply the grave, a state of non-exsistence.  It is also called Hades and Sheol.  Did you know that the bible speaks of Jesus as being in hell? Read Acts 2:22-28\n\nOur hope is found in the Sacrifice Jesus made in our behalf.  He gave his perfect life in exchange for the perfect life that Adam lost. Jesus will apply his sacrifice in our behalf in the future.  He will also bring about Armageddon to cleanse the earth of all who refuse to obey God and Jesus will destroy all other Governments.  As King of God's Kingdom he will be able to restore the earth to the paradise that Adam lost. \n\n1 Corinthians 15:20-28 says, "However, now Christ has been raised up from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death]. For since death is through a man, resurrection of the dead is also through a man. For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. But each one in his own rank: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence. Next, the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. For he must rule as king until [God] has put all enemies under his feet. As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing. For [God] “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that it is with the exception of the one who subjected all things to him. But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone. \n\nAlso read Revelation 21:3-4, Psalm 37:29, 37\n\nI hope this helps.
623907
What EXACTLY happens to us after we die???
587019
Influence? Do you mean was is their view of death? If that is the question then I will attempt to answer. Their views of death is usually that of acceptance. They are usually willing to give their lives for a higher idea which is considered to be a very honorable way to die. There are dishonorable ways to die. That means to those who believe in reincarnation that you'll come back as something other than a human. To the samuri that often meant you'd go to a terrible hell. Death is viewed as inevitable and the natural course of things. Something must die so something else can live. That's not to say that they won't fight death but, if it comes for them they are accepting and try to face it with dignity. Sometimes committing suicide is viewed as the way to correct a grave error. In many ways... they have a very simple, yet a very complicated view of death.
825373
I studied Hinduism as a Subject of Comparative Religion and have lived in India, too, for awhile.\n\nI think the name of the place that you mentioned is Banares, not Barnas; and only people who live in that vicinity go there.\n\nTo the best of my knowledge, Hindus don't have anything like Death Education.\n\nTechnically speaking, Hindus are supposed to Celebrate Death as the Release of the Soul that has now attained Freedom and gone back to God; but I didn't see many people doing that, because they were too busy mourning.  They did reply all the condolences they recieved with the standard "Well, he[or she] has gone on to the Better Place." which, really, isn't too different to our own funerals.\n\nThe Crematoria are now Electric Furnaces, since Pollution Laws forbid burning wood pyres; so there's not much difference between them and us, really.\n\nWhoever has to lead the funeral, be it the Husband, Wife,  Son or Daughter, really don't do much "Learning".  \n\nWhen the cremation is to be done, the Governmental Priest reads out the last rites rather mechanically, because he's been doing that for a long time, and the conveyor belt takes in the coffin and then, after awhile, you get the ashes.\n\nThis is what I saw in a couple of funerals I had to attend there.\n\nBanares is more of a Tourist kind of thing than really "holy".\n\nAt least that's what my Hindu friends there told me.\n\nIt's impractical to try taking the body there because [a] there's the Law about how long you can keep the body reposing in State. [b] Airlines will not accept even the ashes being brought aboard on Health Grounds. [c] Hearses will not undertake such a long journey.  And [d] Most people cannot afford this luxury.\n\nFacts are, unfortunately, very mundane.\n\nSorry if I pricked your balloon of Imagination.\n\nPS,\n\nI'm not surprised that you couldn't find any material on this; because it doesn't exist.
126079
Many religions incorporate some sort of circle in their traditions and ceremonies usually indicating the cirle of life.  Check the link for more info...
568479
Maybe because of a belief in god and the ultimate wisdom of one god.  Any faith usually helps people cope with death.  Because when there are mysteries like this, faith helps.  A community of friends (temple etc.) can be a support system.  A ritual (funeral) helps people cope.  It is a path one can use.
773586
I lost a parent to cancer a few months ago, and another family member just two years before that. I was in the room when one of my loved ones died. And that image haunted me for a long time. No, it wasn't because I was afraid of death. It was because at that very moment, I knew I would never see her again in this physical life that I know.\n\nDeath comes to us all, there's no other way of escaping that. But death isn't the end. We are created to be immortal beings - our soul lives on but our physical bodies do not.\n\nWhat matters is if you're prepared when it finally does. Don't worry too much about those who have died. They have finished their race, but we who are still alive are still running. Make sure you finish your race well.\n\nIt's normal to fear death, but you shouldn't have to. The Bible teaches that upon death, our physical body “sleeps” (term used in relation to death - 1 Corinthians 15:6), but we continue to live. After we die, we immediately know our eternal destinies - our souls are either taken to heaven or hell (that’s decided by what we have done with our faith in Jesus). These are the final, eternal destinations of all people - based entirely on whether a person had trusted Jesus Christ alone for the salvation of their sins. Christ is the resurrection: John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."
133137
WoW! Interesting and deep questions...\nI would get on my knees and pray, but not just on my last day; praying everyday is a good thing.\nI would accept it being my last day, because what ever is God's will is fine...and I do believe there is a better life after this earthly, physical life. As for fearing death, I'm pretty sure I would, but again, there is something greater to look forward to, and God says that this life is nothing compared to the afterlife. So...I do believe in Heaven, but not the "mythical" sitting around on a cloud thing that some of us learned in some churches. I believe Heaven to be as you said, "to see the face of God" and Jesus Christ"...and much more than that. Those chosen to be in God's government, ( as opposed to these corrupt, worldly governments that exist now, will be wiped away, along with all the misery and suffering!) will help set up a fair and right government, which keeps God's laws, ( not all these man made B.S. laws!) This new system of living will allow people to learn to live God's way, with peace and happiness. (I'm sure there will be opposition on this!) Many more wrongs of this messed up world, will be corrected...Lots of work to do! No time to just sit on a cloud!\nAs for HELL!!! I believe that, as the Bible says, it is a consuming fire, and that it serves the purpose of burning up those who will not accept God's law, after they have been taught in the future. It will be as if they never existed; so basically, we are all given the chance to learn God's ways, either in this lifetime, or in the next...amd hopefully, we'll accept it, and not be destroyed in hell! There is also the mythical "Dantes Inferno" which influences us to think of hell as an ever burning punishment...I don't believe this is true at all...God is loving and merciful, and will give us another chance to learn how to live, how to love, how to obey, how to be happy, how to live harmoniously with one another, no wars, how to worship etc.....and IF we continue to want to live, as we do now, with Satan's influence dominating this messed up world, that's it! Stick us with a fork! We're done!!!
471661
Here's what All About has to say in regards to this subject.\n\n___________\n\nWhat have we learned from life after death experiences? \n\nWe have all heard stories of people who have seemed to be dead - without vital signs for several minutes - only to be revived. Many of these people tell of traveling at high speeds through tunnels or of seeing brilliant white lights or even of coming face to face with God. \n\nThese life after death experiences raise many questions that directly reflect on Christianity - questions like, "What happens when we die?" and "Is it possible to communicate with the dead?" \n\nEven Christian believers disagree on what the Bible says on these matters. Some say those who die fall into a kind of dreamless sleep until Judgment Day. Others say the souls of the dead are immediately subjected either to Heaven or Hell, depending on whether they believe in Jesus. Still others say our souls remain conscious, but exist in a kind of limbo until the Day of Judgment arrives. \n\nLife after death experiences presuppose the soul remains conscious and aware after death. Those who have these experiences often report they retain the ability to see, to hear, to think, to feel - but they are unable to communicate with anyone. While the experience may be confusing, people report they are suffused with joy - partly as the result of being removed from the suffering of the body. \n\nIt is interesting that many life after death experiences are accompanied by a distinct sense of being two people - one physical and one spiritual. And the spiritual being is completely indifferent to the suffering self. \n\nPerhaps this is one reason the Apostle Paul tells us to die to ourselves, putting God ahead of our selfish desires: \n\n"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). \n\nResearchers report that about one in seven of those who are revived in such circumstances report seeing a brilliant light or even beings they interpret as angels, Jesus, or God. Some people report a sense of having their lives "reviewed." \n\nThe effect of the review is often beneficial and may lead some to accept God, others to rededicate themselves to what they perceive as God's purpose for them. \n\nSome Christians have claimed that after-death experiences are beyond the purview of God and are therefore demonic in nature. But it seems unlikely that being subjected to demonic influences would lead so many people to a closer walk with God. \n\nIn Luke 9:50, Jesus is asked by His followers what to do about a man who is casting out demons even though he is not a disciple. Jesus replies, "Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you." \n\nIn fact, for God to be truly omnipotent, He must be in control of these sojourns into death. Perhaps He uses them to direct His people. \n\n\nLife After Death: Why is it Such a Hot Topic?\nLife after death -- Why all the interest? Combine events like September 11th with the demographic phenomenon of the Baby Boom generation reaching its 50’s, and suddenly the reality of death from catastrophe and death from mere old age are upon us in a personal way. \n\nSo, it appears that more and more people are asking the same question that Job asked nearly 4,000 years ago in the Bible: "If a man dies, will he live again?" What could be a more fundamental question of life (and death)? Reincarnation theories are popular in Eastern religions as well as the many New Age variants. It seems people are comfortable with the idea of another chance to return to earth and figure things out or make things right. Some nihilist thinkers believe that death is the absolute end; but contrary to what many might think, most people believe that death is not the end. In some shape or form we go on. \n\nWhen Jesus was talking
765950
I am not concerned about the survival of religions. I wouldn't worry if none of them survived. But I am concerned about the survival of humankind. Will these religions let it survive?