Today my roommate asked me about my plans for tomorrow(it’s my birthday).I told him that I have not celebrated my birthday for the last 3 years and that I have no special plans.He was quite surprised and started asking me a series of questions.And then I gave him this epic explanation that my father would give me during my childhood for not celebrating my birthday-”There is no point in celebrating birthdays.If you think logically,you are approaching your death.You just lost another year from your life.”Well,it did shut my roommate’s mouth just like it did mine 10 years ago!
My roommate’s question however evoked a thought in my mind.I was contemplating about the idea of death and could not find out why people fear it.Death is the most feared thing on the earth.No one wants to die.People fear the unknown.They are too much consumed by the world’s superficial beauties,mortal relations,I found the whole idea very perplexing.
Frankly speaking,I have never feared death(I have only feared my dad,and I still do 😛 !).
I always had a reason for not fearing death.People have different reasons for fearing death.But all of them would fall in one of the categories below.
1.Atheist
An atheist does not believe in god.So there no point in having that dreaded question-answer session with the god post death.An atheist is a non-believer of god for there is no compelling evidence that proves the existence of god.Going by the same logic,an atheist should not believe in reincarnation as there is no concrete evidence behind it.Thus,an atheist should not fear the events that may follow his death.The only possible dreadful thought regarding fear of death for such a person can be due to his emotions attached with the family,unfinished things,etc. But since he has to ultimately reach the point of ”no existence” after death,this fear is not justified.He will not have any emotions,he will simply have no existence.It’s hard to imagine this state,but I can relate it to the state of being in deep sleep.There will be an everlasting peace.
2.Theist and believer of reincarnation
If a theist believes in reincarnation,then he should not fear death because he is going to take rebirth.He will again start a new life with no past memories.
3.Theist and non-believer of reincarnation
If the theist is a non-believer of reincarnation,then he may fear that he will have to answer his deeds.This fear can only exist when the person feels that he is doing something bad intentionally.He may think of starting an honest life from the next moment.So,he should better start correcting his mistakes and try to lead a life of honesty.Even if he dies after having this thought but before he could do something good,then obviously he shall not face the repercussions of his past mistakes(god,if it exists,can’t be so heartless!He will at least get a chance to explain his actions).
The only people who should then fear god can be people belonging to the 3rd category who are aware of what they are doing.Am sure there are people on the earth who believe in god and yet indulge themselves in doing dishonest acts,cheating others intentionally,propagating hatred and spreading violence.If anyone should fear death,then he :
a)has to be from 3rd category.
b)must be dishonest and aware of that.
c)must take pride in his wrong deeds.
What really perplexes me is the existence of such people,who believe in god,yet commit wrong deeds,and still take pride doing all this.If this is possible,then I don’t care if such people fear death.I don’t give a damn.
For all other people,I just showed why your fear of death is irrational.I would like to end this post by this quote that came to my mind-
”It is not the death that we shall fear,
if we have to fear something,then it has to be ourselves.”
P.S-I will be busy with my exams for the next few days.I will be offline from 4th dec and hope to revisit my blog by the end of next month.Wish you all people a very happy Christmas and an amazing new year!
Afterburn 