It's definitely the unknown of what happens after death that gives people enough wiggle room to hold out hope. Perhaps consciousness is independent of the body? We don't really know yet. But the gnawing truth seems to be that the idea of an "after life" is oxymoronic--if something was after life, wouldn't it just still be life?
For me truth is more important than hope. I think that's why I've always been hostile towards my family concerning this. Then again, truth doesn't always equate fact. But now we're getting a little wishy-washy...
Either way, I've never bought into Beebs idea that it's comforting, because it makes this life more important. That's the same line of thinking Dawkins argues too, and it's always rang hollow for me.
|