People seem to need a scientific boost in order to engage in an activity that might otherwise be reserved for an exclusively spiritual or religious context.
Many religions would definitely encourage their adherents to contemplate their mortality. The benefits that come from doing this in a engaged clear contemplative way are there.
I was thinking about the "rapture" craze that swept through on Saturday and how we all got interested in its absurdity and such. There actually was a fine benefit from that particular episode. The benefit was that it forced us to lightly contemplate death again and that's not a bad thing. Some of the most egregious behavior from human beings occurs when our sense of importance and immortality goes sky high. Infusing the reality of our mortality into that particular equation is a good thing.
Live Science: Pondering Death Can Alter Behavior
Thinking about their mortality in a more personal and authentic manner may make them think more about what they value in life.
3 comments:
I didn't think about my mortality because of the judgement day fiasco.
It did make me think about all the people who consider their lives to be never ending and under the control of a divine being who has their name on a clipboard in heaven.
And there must be a lot of them or this story wouldn't have been covered so widely. They have a lot of other ideas too, which I won't get into, but the thing that strikes me is that these people are not engaged in our common struggle. They are excused. God will solve these problems, not to worry. As long as they don't "sin" everything will be ok.
They have a place in God's memory, why should they worry? They don't need to help with the project, they're saved. They're good, on the sidelines watching, waiting for God to sweep in and do whatever.
We have a project here. It's difficult. We have a lot to do and these Christers are dead weight. Get off my back.
Trouble is, if you consider it trouble that is, these people and their beliefs are pat of the fabric as you so well described.
Wanting them to go away is one approach.
According to the Jungians it is a "masculine" characteristic of culture AKA male dominated culture that produces people who only think about the next step be it in heaven and view this life as without any particular relevance.
It is the return of the feminine principle that brings things into the equation like hospitals, caring about the environment, schooling, etc.
I find that to be an interesting model.
Sorry about lumping all the "Christers" together. I know a lot of Christians who are very engaged in our humanity "project" and deserve a lot of credit and praise. There are all kinds out there.
Peace and respect.
You bring up an even bigger generalization, Jim, gender. Interesting to think about, seems to be going in the right direction.
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