Assignment: The Afterlife Discussion Pt. 2

Hello Class!

Let us examine the concept of the afterlife and how it plays into our lives.

For your initial post (Due by Sept. 27 Friday 11:59p):

• After reading the “Death after Death” chapter, do you think being immortal is a good thing or a bad thing? Would our identity change drastically, if we knew we had no chance of death? Explain.
• Why do you think people believe in spirits revisiting such as those in the video? Is there a need to believe? Are spirits another version of immortality? Why or why not?
• In the depictions of death, or the ruler of the underworld, what similarities do you see between the stories/myths this week? Do you see any similarities from any other myths from last week?
• Do you see these myths/stories as a representation of our questions about the afterlife? Are your own beliefs/questions depicted?

Readings:

What happens after death?

One of our most significant questions as humans is what happens when we die. For centuries, humans have been trying to answer this question. We look to religion, near-death experiences, ancient texts, and other devices to try to give us insight into what could be waiting for us once our lives come to an end. It is a scary thought, death, but one that is so frequently passed through our minds.

We cope with the loss of loved ones, we prepare for death by buying plots years in advance, and we even buy creams to stop the aging process. We are constantly faced with thoughts of the afterlife, even if not so prominent.

This week, we will keep looking at world mythology through the topics of death and the afterlife. As you read this week, ask yourself, do you see similarities in the text with your own thoughts of death and the afterlife? Do you think we look for answers to the afterlife for comfort or out of pure curiosity? If we were immortal, would it change our identity

Death’s Messengers

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

In ancient times a giant was wandering along the highway when suddenly a stranger jumped toward him and shouted, “Stop! Not one step further!”

“What?” said the giant. “You, a creature that I could crush between my fingers, you want to block my way? Who are you that you dare to speak so boldly?”

“I am Death,” answered the other one. “No one resists me, and you too must obey my orders.”

But the giant refused, and began to wrestle with Death. It was a long, violent battle, and finally the giant got the upper hand, and knocked Death down with his fist, causing him to collapse by a stone. The giant went on his way, and Death lay there conquered, so weak that he could not get up again.

“What is to come of this?” he said. “If I stay lying here in a corner, no one will die in the world, and it will become so filled with people that they won’t have room to stand beside one another.”

Meanwhile a young man came down the road. Vigorous and healthy, he was singing a song and looking this way and that. Seeing the half-conscious individual, he approached him with compassion, raised him up, gave him a refreshing drink from his flask, and waited until he regained his strength.

“Do you know,” asked the stranger, as he stood up, “who I am, and whom you have helped onto his legs again?”

“No,” answered the youth, “I do not know you.”

“I am Death,” he said. “I spare no one, nor can I make an exception with you. However, so you may see that I am grateful, I promise you that I will not attack you without warning, but instead will send my messengers to you before I come and take you away.”

“Good,” said the youth. “It is to my benefit that I shall know when you are coming, and that I will be safe from you until then.”

Then he went on his way, and was cheerful and carefree, and lived one day at a time. However, youth and good health did not last long. Soon came sickness and pain, which tormented him by day and deprived him of his rest by night.

“I shall not die,” he said to himself, “for Death will first send his messengers, but I do wish that these wicked days of sickness were over.”

Regaining his health, he began once more to live cheerfully. Then one day someone tapped on his shoulder.

He looked around, and death was standing behind him, who said, “Follow me. The hour of your departure from this world has come.”

“What?” replied the man. “Are you breaking your word? Did you not promise me that you would send your messengers to me before you yourself would come? I have not seen a one of them.”

“Be still!” answered Death. “Have I not sent you one messenger after another? Did not fever come and strike you, and shake you, and throw you down? Has not dizziness numbed your head? Has not gout pinched your limbs? Did your ears not buzz? Did toothache not bite into your cheeks? Did your eyes not darken? And furthermore, has not my own brother Sleep reminded you every night of me? During the night did you not lie there as if you were already dead?”