This is an review of a study that was done in Florida U.S.A. The language is thick, but all terms are defined. The results are interesting and surprising. Wisdom, Purpose in Life, and Attitudes Toward Death (PDF)
Factors that Influence Fear of Death
by peacefulpete 5 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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itsallgoodnow
thanks for that reference, pete, I printed it and will finish reading it later.
Have you ever wondered why, if JWs have all the answers, death is so difficult for them? I've always felt it was because of the "guarantees" of everlasting life, through Armageddon, that are the problem, because they are unprepared for any other alternative.
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Phantom Stranger
Death is difficult for them for the same reasons life is... because they are "on hold". They don't live to fulfill their own goals or desires or dreams - who wouldn't be afraid of death if down deep you fear your life's been all about someone else?
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robhic
Do JW fear death as stated above? I have a JW friend who, just this evening, told me (again) that she would welcome death. She has Multiple Sclerosis and has been having a rough time of it the last year or so, so she welcomes death. She says it would just be existing in nothingness, not experiencing or feeling anything and waiting for jehovah to resurrect her on the earthly paradise in a perfect body.
Sounds OK in theory, but I told her it seems that that would be ungrateful to jehovah for giving her the life she has now (it is a gift, isn't it?) and wanting to squander it for whatever reason. You gotta play the hand dealt you...
Is this realistic or do JW really have a fear of death moreso than it being the "holding pattern" for eternal life in paradise?
Robert
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talesin
It's been just the opposite for me. Death was just ... nothingness. I finally realized that I was raised to think of death as a 'nap'. Then we're resurrected and everything's jake!
As a child/young adult I continually wished I was dead (no more pain).
Now, I still don't fear death itself, but hope that it's not too painful and drawn-out when it happens.
talesin
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peacefulpete
Reading the article I came away with the understanding that what the study defined as "wisdom" and "purposeful life" were the most valuable qualities in manging the reality of death. Ironically those that felt life was worth living were the least terrified of it ending. Delusions of immortality and religious cliche's were valueless with out the two qualities above.