: It would seem that modern culture is bent on eradicating all signs of death, to the extent where it's taboo (or has it always been this way?). Indeed, our imaged obsessed society sees it very important to retain a youthful appearance, and to use euphamisms of "passing away" or "passed on" for dying. Even medical science seems determined to continue to extend life, seeing death as the greatest threat. : This primordial fear is no more apparent than it is in the institution of religion. The insistence that there's an afterlife, where the miseries of living are gone, and only pleasure exists is, even I must admit, a very attractive proposition.

: Evolution however (and I know many of you don't accept this theory), explains that life and death are necessary, and even complimentary to each other. Because only through death, can evolution occur. I believe we are merely genetic containers, that pass on our genes, which is the only part of us that is immortal. Christains believe in an eternal soul. Many hindus believe that life is actually hell (thanks yanniru), and that through reincarnation, hell is experienced over and over until one learns to break the cycle of suffering. : Many "primative" societies learned to embrace death, and make it a part of their daily lives. Death wasn't a taboo for them, and it need not be one for us.

: Any thoughts?

Heavenly thoughts: The death is often a tragedy. A husband dies => wife and children remain penniless. An old woman dies => her old husband remains lonely. In our society is the death a tough stroke of fate. Usually the people must bear the sorrow lonely. Nobody wants to console and old and „boring“ person or would give money to the destitutes. This society is cold and greedy, that’s why the death can hit so hard! The „primitive“ societies can embrace the daeth because they are like a big family. Nobody becomes poor or lonely. They share money and love! Would we all follow the way of love (God’s way) then we would defeat the death easily. We made the death strong and terrible...but we can change that...

• Re: DEATH: the unconquerable taboo - Greg Armel - November 16, 1999 - 00:49 UTC