After my grandfather died in February, I began questioning afterlife. My biggest question was “where do we go when we die?”. Because of this, I decided to do my research project around this topic. I researched Christianity, a Christian church, a Christian band’s song, an Atheist talk show, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Scientology, Wiccan, Satanism, and Secular Humanism to get an overall picture about what I, myself, believe about afterlife. During my research, I found that I really think it is important to believe in something, anything, to give a real meaning to life. To me, every religion/spiritual group has flaws within it. I think it is important to look within one’s self and one’s heart to find out what is important for that certain individual and believe accordingly. I personally think that we should focus on the here and now and work to better society as a whole. I also believe that there is life after death and that a higher being will judge us according to our heart and one’s self. Throughout by blogger site, you will read about all of the groups I listed above, their beliefs about afterlife, and my opinion about their beliefs. Enjoy, and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me through my link above.
For my artistic response, I chose to do a journal. Within this journal, I portrayed the different beliefs I researched through pictures and writing. The first page I did showed how Satanists, Secular Humanists, Wiccans, and Atheists believe that people cease to exist after death. The next page shows the Christian, Islam, and Judaism beliefs as going to another place. Another page shows the way Buddhists believe through reincarnation, rebirth, and then reaching Nirvana. Since Scientologists believe a different way about rebirth, I did a separate page portraying their beliefs. My last page shows two views from different Wiccan groups. This journal is an easy understandable approach to all the beliefs I researched.
I e-mailed the administration at the Church of Satan for my interview. I asked them several questions about their beliefs about afterlife and realized that they are Atheist Satanists. The interview was extremely informative.
After e-mailing the administration, I learned their beliefs about afterlife are the same as atheists’ beliefs (Administration). This means that they do not think that there is evidence to prove that there is life after death. Many people think that all Satanists’ worship Satan, a ruler of hell, and look forward to eternity there with him. When in fact Satan, also known as the Dark Force or Prince of Darkness by those who resonate with him, is just a force and a symbol of certain human traits (Administration). He is a representation of “indulgence instead of abstinence, undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit, kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates, vengeance instead of turning the other cheek, vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams, and responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires (Administration).” Satan also represents “all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification (Administration).” They believe that man, because of his development, needs the satisfaction of an afterlife and therefore are followers of the Right-Hand Path. While Satanists follow the Left-Hand Path; they value the advancement and preservation of the self, as well as the pursuit of terrestrial goals (Administration). The Church of Satan believes that they are their own gods and do not bow to “myths and fictions” (Administration).
I choose not to believe any of this. I did think it was neat how Satan was just a representation of many things, but that quickly changed once I read what he actually represents. All of the things he represents are just “silly” and are ways to put other people down. Many of the things he represents are opposite of the way many religious groups say people should live their lives. To me, some people would “claim” this religion to be different or to have a reason to do things other people think are wrong or immoral.
Church of Satan Administration. Personal Interview. 12 April 2009.
Secular Humanism is a term which has come into use in the last thirty years. Because of this statement, I decided to do some research on it. The most substantial resource I found on this topic was the book, Beliefs: Secular Humanism.
Upon reading this book, I found that most Humanists are atheists or agnostics, but obviously not all are (Candace 2). It is also debated whether or not it is a religion. Some Secular Humanists are religious, while others are political or social. They believe in a naturalistic standpoint on life. They commit to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions (Candace 13). Most do not rely on faith or believe in supernaturalism. This means that a belief in a deity and/or afterlife is not relevant. Most do not recognize an afterlife or spiritual existence. Their concept of evil/ for doing wrong is found within the scientific method. They also study sociology, psychology, and criminology to explain why wrong occurs. The scientific method is also most respected as the means for revealing the mysteries of the origins of the universe and life (Candace 16). Since someone will always ask “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, they state that it is not a spiritual reason but rather a matter of human vulnerability to misfortune, illness, and victimization. Although they do not recognize an afterlife, they do think it is paramount to realize one’s personal potential and to work for the betterment of humanity through ethical consciousness and social works (Candace 16). This being said, they are known for endorsing elective abortions, working for equality for homosexuals and genders, using a secular approach to divorce and remarriage, working to end poverty, promoting peace and nonviolence, and trying to protect the environment (Candace 21). Unlike some other groups’ beliefs that do not recognize in an afterlife, they do not believe or that each and every person is capable of living up to the humanist ideals of rationality and morality. The ultimate goal is human flourishing; making life better for all humans (Candace 12). Even among humanists who do believe in some sort of an afterlife, the focus is on doing good and living well in the here and now, and leaving the world better for those who come after, not on suffering through life to be rewarded afterward (Candace 12).
Although I do not think this philosophy is for me, I do think it gives substantial reasoning to live by. Also, whether or not they choose to believe in an afterlife or not, they still provide a reason for being here. That last statement, to me, is the most important thing in life.
Candace, Joey. Beliefs: Secular Humanism. Richmond, VA: Brooke's Publishing, 2005. Print.
Although I’ve already done some research on Christianity, I stated earlier on that I did need to do some more research on certain denominations within Christianity. This being said, I decided to do my live interaction at South Roebuck Baptist Church. I took a look around this Southern Baptist Church to see what the symbols, statues, etc. there had to offer about their beliefs regarding afterlife.
When I walked in, from the back of the sanctuary, I could see a rather large cross above the baptistery. The large cross obviously means that they believe in Jesus, and since Jesus was not on the cross, I would say they focus on the resurrection of Him. The baptistery, itself, means again that they believe in Jesus and salvation. Something else I could see was stained glass windows with some pictures inside. Some of these pictures consisted of the Bible, a cross, and/or a dove. The pictures of the Bible mean that they believe in an afterlife, since it discusses afterlife in the text, and the doves mean that they believe in the Holy Spirit. In the choir room, I saw a picture of Jesus holding a lamb, again meaning that they do believe in Jesus and that they believe we are his followers/children. Around the rest of the church there were many other pictures of Jesus, clouds and the sky, doves, and crosses. There were also tons of Bibles placed periodically around the church. With all of this being said, it is pretty obvious that they believe in an afterlife and that Jesus is imperative to one’s faith.
As I’ve stated before, in earlier posts, I think it is extremely admirable to have a substantial faith in something/someone. Seeing this church really did show me that you are happier in some place that brings meaning to life. I would still have to find out more about this denomination before making further inferences about specifics about their overall viewpoints and afterlife though. But, I still think that whatever one's choices of religion may be, it brings more meaning to life when believing in an afterlife of some sort. I want to believe there is a real meaning to life.
South Roebuck Baptist Church. Live Interaction. 03 April 2009.