Death.

Described as the great leveller.

Drawing on the Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-270BCE) we don't cease to be when we die.  Our atoms take another form giving life in many other ways.  I suppose we could say that the atoms are immortal, unless they are split by a nuclear reaction.  Epicurus spoke of death as the state where all sensation ceases.

Is there anything to fear from death.  Well our survival instinct makes us naturally fear death.  Often however, religious ideas harness and promote many of the fears attributed to death.  The fear of death is used to deceive people into doing and believing all sorts of stories.

Most religions have their own brands of "salvation".  Without salvation the after life is to be feared.  Of course it is this fear that has been used to control and manipulate people into all manner of acts.  The most relevant example is the way in which many religions have used war and martyrdom as a free ticket to the blissful afterlife.  With this promise, millions have been prepared to throw their lives away.

Having said that, there are times when individuals have put themselves in extreme danger or even died as a result of trying to help someone.  These acts of altruism and selfless sacrifice should be honoured.

Death is something we all try to avoid.  We even use different words in order to take the sting out of the word.  Rather than try to avoid it or make up stories to pretend that we know what happens after death, we should embrace, even celebrate it.

What do you think?