Death
Death is the cessation of biological functions. The nature of death is a matter of debate since most religions have different views on death; however, many involve the concept of the soul and spirit.
The concept of the afterlife is the most common throughout many religions and many individuals have reported heavenly experiences in near death experiences.[1] The most common view of death throughout many religions is the soul - a version of the deceased which continues to exist in some form after death.
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Personification
Throughout history, many cultures have possessed their own personification of death. This personification is sometimes known as the Grim Reaper or simply Death, and usually appears wearing a black hooded robe and carrying a scythe. Many religions use a god or deity who stood for death and/or the afterlife:
- Ankou (Breton)
- Hades (Greek)
- Hel (Norse)
- Hun-Came (Mayan)
- Izanami (Shinto)
- Kamatayan (Philippines)
- Loki (Norse)
- Mictlantecuhtli (Aztec)
- The Morrigan (Irish)
- Mors (Roman)
- Mot (Canaanite)
- Odin (Norse)
- Osiris (Egyptian)
- Shemal (Semitic)
- Shinigami (Japanese)
- Sielulintu, Kalma, Surma (Finnish)
- Thanatos (Greek)
- Tuoni (Finnish)
- Yama (Hindu)
- Yanluo (Chinese)
See Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis).
Medical Definitions
In medicine, when a person has lost their pulse, that is considered clinical death. After clinical death, assuming the heart is not restarted, the cells will enter apostasy, or cellular death, which is irreversible. Finally, there is chemical death, where the body returns to the basic components via decomposition
Religious Interpretations
Many religious people, including Christians, believe only their bodies die, not their souls. They believe they have everlasting life in either Heaven or Hell once their corporeal life has ended. Other Christians believe that the noncorporeal soul may remain with the body until the day of Christ's return.[2] Some writers characterize this state as "soul sleep".
Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life.
- John 5:46-48 King James Version
Other religions, such as Paganism or Hinduism, believe in reincarnation, the transmigration of the soul after death into a new body.
Most atheists have a rather nihilistic concept of death usually seeing it as the end of their existence.
Atheism and death
See also: Atheism and death and Atheism and death anxiety
See also
Further reading
Essay: Did God Truly Die? (conservapedia.com)
