Hi 2pink,
Death is kind of a taboo subject in the west. We often only really consider it when it is upon us or our loved ones. I was just discussing that with my neighbour who's father-in-law died yesterday.
Also, in death we are largely shielded from the physical reality of death. I never saw a dead body until I saw my mother's. Even though I had no faith then, I had a strong sense that she had "left" and I was just looking at her corpse. My neighbour is not a Christian but the words he said showed he believes the same as I do in this respect, the spirit leaves the body on death.
James 2:26 (New International Version)
26 As the body without the spirit is dead...
As Forrest Gump says in the movie, "Mama always said, dying was a part of life". I think it is only normal and wise to consider what happens after death.
i have been having doubts for years about the org, but it's mostly been just the past couple of months that it's really all unravelled for me. i'm at that stage now where i don't know what i believe about anything...esp about what happens when you die.
and maybe it's just cause i never had to think about death before (was always countin' on that resurrection in paradise earth!), but lately i can't stop thinking about it! part of me wonders if it is also because death and destruction are main highlights of the Thrill Kill Cult....are these thoughts stuck in my head bcs of that?!
I think that is totally understandable. You have seen through the deception that runs right through the WT teaching and now you realise they have given you a false hope in all regards, death included.
has anyone else experienced this?? when does it stop?? i'm having terrible nightmares at night about it. i think i'm mostly all worked up bcs i have 2 little girls...and not having that "guarantee" that i'll see them again if something bad should happen to me/them is totally freaking me out.
i mean, people who were never JW don't walk around all day thinking that death could be around the next corner....they just live. how do i get to that stage?!
thanks for reading!
You are going to get a variety of responses here. Largely, people do not consider death until it comes to them. Some have a false hope (JWs included), some hope for the best, and other think there is no need for hope in the respect of death (largely an atheistic view).
Anyhow, I have my faith as you know. This says it all for me
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (New International Version)
55 "Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:37-39 (New International Version)
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All the best,
Stephen