The Importance Of Death And Life After Death

As far as humanity is concerned, death eventually captures all of us. We may be able to delay death, but eventually our physical life will end. As a result, some of the fundamental questions surrounding human existence include: What happens after we die? Is there life after death? Throughout history the great religions have provided answers to these questions. In this paper, the western religion of Judaism and the eastern religion of Hinduism will be evaluated through some of their many different principles and rituals relating to death and life after death.

To start is Judaism. Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions and was founded over 3500 years ago in the Middle East. According to information given by “The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute, there were over 13 million Jewish people in the world in 2007, most residing in the United States and Israel” (“Judaism”). Jews believe that they were chosen by God to set an example of holiness and ethical behavior to the world (“Judaism”). To Jews, God is conceived as a divine parent who has personal care and concern for humanity. Today,

Personally, my religion is that of Christianity, but regardless of my specific faith I believe this life is finite, that there is another world, another life beyond the one we are in now. I take comfort in simply believing that there is something more. Whether the dead is resurrected or reincarnated is left up to the individual to decide, but either way we get more than one life to live. I do not think about the technicalities of life after death. I do not try to visualize what that existence will be, I just believe. If one can find some basis for believing and having confidence that there is more to it than this life here on earth and with that find inner peace and acceptance, perhaps one will achieve grace, nirvana, or