Faith forum: If heaven is so wonderful, why are people afraid to die?

Fear of unknown, separation from loved ones fuels fear

Ji Seok Ju, pastor, Centenary United Methodist Church, 245 N. Fourth St.:

I can think of two reasons why people are afraid to die. First, it is because we haven’t really experienced it yet. No one knows when and what is going to happen when they die.

Also, we are afraid to die because death separates us from the relationships that we have had with people throughout our life and from the material accomplishment that we have gained. Out of fear, we human beings keep raising questions like, “Is there life after death?” or, “Where would I be when I die?” or “What is death?”

In the midst of dealing with the questions, to me it would make a huge difference in how we look at death and deal with it. We do not know when death will come, yet we can always choose our attitude toward death. For some people, the reality of death would bring anger, discouragement, disappointment, depression and hopelessness. For others, when facing something that seems as final as death, we can maybe find a message of hope, for it is not the end but a beginning.

As a Christian, the way I see death is that we should not escape from death, but accept it as a change. We do not die forever, but the world where we will be placed changes. That place that is known as “heaven” will be the future home of the believer and present dwelling place of Jesus Christ.

The gospel of John testifies to us, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” I believe it means that the process of death is no big problem but just a phase or change in life. Thus, we citizens of heaven shouldn’t be afraid to die. Our faith in the eternal life in God’s kingdom is what makes us rejoice in front of the power of death. In defeating death through the resurrection of Christ Jesus, we can find faith in God for resurrection for us.

– Send e-mail to Ji Seok Ju at jiseokju@hotmail.com.

Good deeds accomplished in life can distract the fearful

Zalman Tiechtel, rabbi, Chabad Jewish Community Center, 1203 W. 19th St.:

People imagine that since God is not physical, he must be in heaven. But the heavens – and all things spiritual – are just as much creations as is the Earth.

God is not found due to the capacity of a place, but by his desire to be found there. And what he desires most is to be found in the work of our hands, repairing his world. The heavens merely manifest rays of godliness. God himself, however, the source of all light, dwells in man’s handiwork.

Therefore, according to Jewish thought, as wonderful as heaven can be, it does not compare to the wonders we can accomplish here on Earth. In the words of the sages: “Better one hour of good deeds in this world than the entire world to come.” Thus, people who live good and productive lives do not fear death; they just don’t welcome it.

Yet, one may ask, how should I deal with my fear of death? Let’s try this meditation:

Heaven is a different sort of place than what we have here on Earth. In heaven, everything is much more real and acute than in this world. The rewards are more pleasing and the punishments more painful. Reward in heaven is to bask in the presence of God and to see God in a most revealed fashion.

I don’t know if I am afraid to die. I do know, however, that I want to live for Godly and heavenly reasons. It is only in this life that we can serve God through the freedom of our choice. It is only in this life that we can fulfill God’s desire and make this world a better place. And so, I desire to live.

Am I afraid to die? Knowing and believing that death is not the end but the beginning of a glorious eternity is comforting. I truly don’t know if I am not afraid to die. I’ll find this out if and when I stare death in the face. But right now I’m much busier living.

– Send e-mail to Zalman Tiechtel at rabbi@ku.edu.