Life After Death, Does It Matter?

There's been a lot of discussion on the UUCF list about life after death and resurrection. Some take it figuratively, some spiritually, etc. Those of us alive in the 21st century find it most difficult to believe in either life after death or resurrection. I'm pretty agnostic about it myself, because I agree with the Buddha that it doesn't really matter. What matters is now, and that's all we can really know for now (pun intended). But, there are kinds of phenomena current in the world that claim resurrection, and it's not Christian per se. This was pointed out in an Easter sermon at the First UU Church in Austin, Texas. The minister there reported on the famous Elvis sightings as the kind of thing that might have been going on back in first century Palestine with Jesus' disciples. Of course, many of us laugh at those who've seen Elvis, but it doesn't make them any less sincere. Another kind is the kind that persons in Alcoholics Anonymous have. Believe me, that's no small thing! They literally feel re-born or better said - resurrected. Their families would agree for the most part. But, does that constitute life after death? Well, no not literally, but what's the great value of literal understandings anyway? Literal understanding is what my dogs have, very straightforward "that's how it is" sort of thinking. However, we humans are capable of much more and deeper understanding than just literalism. I think I'll go with the deeper understanding...so, okay, there is life after death, it's just not literal.
- posted by Marcos @ 5:03 PM