Why Is The Religious Right So Afraid of Death?

[maxrandb]

I don't want to politicize this entire Terri Schiavo case. Lord knows that the Republicans have done a good enough job of that, but I wonder about the faith of people that don't see this as a good thing for this poor woman.

Is their faith so shallow that they don't really believe that Terry will be in a far better place when this is all over? If God is a truly compassionate and loving God, then why all the uproar about putting this girl in God's hand?

When my father was on his death bed, my families faith was such a comfort to us. We were saddened by his loss, but comforted in the faith that his suffering was ending, and he would be in a better place.

My faith is an extremely personal thing. I don't want to impose it on anyone, but for me, my faith in God was a great comfort to me as my dad was slipping away.

I just don't get why these "so-called" people of faith, seem to have so little of it.

If Dems want to start making a valid response to this entire fiasco, I strongly suggest that they attack the issue this way. Frame it as a woman whose suffering is ending, and will be at peace with her maker soon. Who in their right mind can argue with that. I mean, who do I put my faith in? God, or the Republican Party? I think I'll pick the Big Guy.

[MisterP]

1. they smell tar and sulfur already?

[maxrandb]

3. Now That Was Funny!!!

Maybe it's true that they don't want to meet God, because he may have a few "issues" with them.

[Avalux]

2. Maybe because heaven is a form of communism?

Seriously....no material posessions. Everyone on the same playing field. No one has more power than another.

A lot of good that SUV and house in the suburbs will do them.

[maxrandb]

4. Well, it IS called "Communion"

What if they get to heaven and don't like it?

[Avalux]

18. Now wouldn't that be ironic?

Maybe that's why they're afraid. Since they're born again, they won't go to hell, you know.

[fertilizeonarbusto]

5. Because, despite their protests

they have no faith in and no love for God. Would God really doom and screw a good person? It never ceases to amaze me that all these bargaining games they play with God, all the constant fearful groveling, all the fearmongering are so demonstrative of a lack in faith. Don't they believe in God's love and good intentions? What kind of all-powerful, all-benevolent deity acts like the celestial psychopath they all claim to adore? Maybe, deep-down they suspect (or even know) that they do not deserve salvation.

[LuminousX]

6. Because they know they are going to hell

The Bible is quite clear on what is a sin and isn't a sin. Starting preemptive wars - sin. Feeding the hungry - not a sin.

[kaitykaity]

7. It's the human condition. Everyone fears it.

But they're just pathological about it.

It's not about faith, it's about politics. The Bushies
have stoked the fires of their base with this because this
is all they've been willing to give them. No anti-abortion
SCOTUS judges yet, the anti-gay contitutional amendment
went nowhere.

[maxrandb]

15. And Yet, How Do We Stop Them?

Abortion - greatly reduced under "heathen Clinton"
Abortion - Rising steadily under "god's chosen Bush"

"Evil, Anti-Christ Clinton" - Peace and Prosperity
"Man of Faith Bush" - 9/11, perpetual and pre-emptive war, decaying economy, increased inflation.

Crime - Reduced to lowest levels in a generation under "lawless, godless Clinton"
Crime - Steadily rising under "Law and Order man of conviction Bush"

When do they stop voting for these people?

They remind me of a battered woman who just keeps going back to the abuser hoping that this time he "means what he says".

[patrice]

8. Another example of how at every turn they reveal their doubts

about their faith.

e.g. "Intelligent Design" supposedly rationally explains how God created us. If you have faith, why does anything need explaining?

[deutsey]

9. I think this question gets at the appeal of the rapture for fundies

They won't die, just get called up into the sky.

[LuminousX]

10. Excellent point

and I hadn't considered that aspect of their beliefs. They truly hope to bypass death completely.

This could be a brilliant sci-fi story with churches turning into wards where people are kept alive through incredible means in hopes of keeping the bodies alive long enough for the rapture.

[LeftHander]

11. Because of fear of judgement...

By believing in life after death,hell and heaven the christian must accept the judgment of god to determine is he or she goes to heaven or to hell.

Most people KNOW they live awuful selfish lives. Even those that profess a strong faith still fear that they made the right choice.

When humans can suspend the mystical beliefs and accept death as part of life then you can truely be free to live life with genuine compassion and grace.

I am UU and I do not beleive we are judged by anything other than the people who survive us.


ON edit; Hi UUs

[deutsey]

13. Hello, fellow UU'er!

:hi:

[truebrit71]

12. That's a VERY good question....

One would have thought that they would be THRILLED that Terri will soon be hastening to the 'promised land'....

Either that or they are a bunch of fucking busy-body, holier-than-thou, hypocrites....

[Technowitch]

14. Simple: Their faith is weaker than they care to admit

[ChickMagic]

19. I think that's it Technowitch

I've been around fundies who are dying and I've been around agnostics and atheists who are dying. The fundies, for the most part are crying and gnashing their teeth scared shitless. The agnostics and atheists consider it a part of life, and are for the most part, very peaceful about it.

[maxrandb]

20. I Think That You Are Right

These same people that will put duct tape over their mouths and pound their breasts about this poor woman in Florida, won't even lift a finger, or feel any compassion for a thousand Iraqi children killed by a 2000lb bomb.

They just ask why the bombs can't be bigger.

But, it sure does keep the money coming into to Falwell and Robertson doesn't it?

[Coastie for Truth]

16. MAYBE THEY HAVE REAL DOUBTS

Maybe, just maybe they doubt the strength of their own personal faith.

Or worse yet, maybe when they contemplate their conservative Republican "works", they are worried that maybe, just maybe, "Good Works" really are more important then "Faith." And, they don't have a book full of "Good Works."

Maybe Jimmie Carter's flavor of Christianity really is a better Christianity then George Bush's flavor of Christianity.

[FreedomAngel82]

17. What I think

is they think she's still a live and fine. They don't understand the science. I've tried telling some people but I now give up. I'm not going to debate this with them anymore. It hurts my head. Also all the rumors with the husband and all that and they think with therapy she can eat with time. :eyes:

[Lorien]

21. Maybe their fear of death is the reason that they're

zealots to begin with. I don't believe in an afterlife, but I'm not afraid of death. What is there to fear about not existing? I suppose that if they REALLY believe that there is life after death, and that heaven and hell exist, then maybe they're afraid of heading to the wrong place because of all their gross hypocrisy? The concept of eternity can be frightening, so I suspect that the concept of being conscious for an eternity is frightening for them, regardless of where they end up.

[OnionPatch]

22. I think you hit the nail on the head

I have always thought that people who are extreme in their religious beliefs are terrified of the world (and of death too.) They're looking for some sort of "magic bullet", some formula or set of rules that, if they follow them to a tee, everything will just be ok and they won't have to wonder or question.

[mondo joe]

23. They're not afraid of death. They're afraid of autonomy and self

determination.

They don't want you thinking your body is YOURS.

[H2O Man]

24. Sex and death.

Perhaps even more so than Jim Morrison, the right-wing connects sex & death. They see both as dark and frightening. I think they need to listen to more Door's music.

[Generator]

25. H E double hockeysticks

Me, I always thought that was like being trapped in a brain dead body or having to live on earth with those that want to force me to live.

In other words, hell is on earth.

Death sounds full of possibility.

BUT I'm scared to death of dying too.

I'm attached.

Non attachment...non attachment..sing it VAN!

These people never let go of anything.

Life is an illusion,
and the first illusion is one of control.

[Auntie Bush]

26. They are afraid of death because they fear they are going to HELL!

They know just how evil and hypocritical they are. They KNOW God wouldn't approve of being so stingy with the poor and suffering in this world. God knows they have murder on their conscience. God knows they encourage war and killings. God knows everything in their evil thinking brains. God knows they are evil and so do I/we!

Get with it Repuks...You're going to hell. You better stay on your life support as long as possible because it's going to be pretty damn hot where you're going.

[RevCheesehead]

27. They're afraid because they're told to be afraid.

It really is that simple.

A fear-based theology begets fear. If your entire belief system is based solely on "personal salvation," then of course, you're going to be afraid. For them, the ultimate question is "are you certain, right now, that if you die, you will go to heaven?"

If your theology is based on love and forgiveness, you become more hopeful. You focus on today, the "here-and-now," rather than the afterlife. (Ironically, the word for "eternal life" is more properly interpreted as "a full and lasting life" - implying not a future event, but one which can be obtained right now.)

Fear can only take you so far. Faith is believing in things not yet seen. Hope is the assurance that things will work out. Love is the essence of God - God IS love. Paul (whom I'm NOT going to bash) said that the greatest of these three is love. When you can love God, and love one another, you get it. Love implies forgiveness (of yourself and others), and belief in a loving God brings peace.

[Endangered Specie]

28. They don't really believe it... they are in it for the money.

Its all about the Benjamins.