The debate of life after death has been around far longer than any of us can imagine. No one knows exactly when this belief started. However, for one we are all certain the belief of life after death did start at one time or the other at the cause of human existence.

We can be certain even without evidence that the belief of life after death did not originate with mankind. It was started at a point in time, different times in different tribes scattered around the world.

If we are to go with the Bible (at least the book is ancient and tells a little history about a group of people) we can see that the story of life after death did not actually start in genesis. Rather, it began very close to the new testament with the prophets championing it. And interestingly their belief of life after death is totally different from our current views and beliefs.

That's why we could see the glaring yet often ignored error in the book of Samuel, where the witch of Endor called on the spirit of Samuel. Today we belief if a man dies, he either goes to heaven or hell. But at the time of Samuel, (or the old testament rather) there was no such belief.

The book of genesis which actually began the story of man's creation actually talked about man's end: his death. "for dust thou art and to dust thou shalt return" this singular verse shows that the writer(s) of Genesis did see the end of man in death.

But as society improves, various tales of life after death began. The Bible alone gave more than three different explanations to this single question. One, there's the new testament belief of life after death in which the soul moves to the permanent place of residence after the body dies. Secondly, there's the ecclesiastical belief, which is the most accepted belief in old Judaism in which people believe God will one day again raise people up on the last day. He'll create them with their flesh and blood much as he created them in the beginning, however, this time they will be perfect. This fact is illustrated in the book of Ezekiel (Valley of dry bones) and thirdly, there's the belief of no life after death. Do you remember the story of Elisha who, when he's body touched the bone of a dead man brought him back to life? The man had no story of his existence after death, neither did Lazarus, nor Tabitha, nor the widow's son who was resurrected by Jesus. Also the book of genesis expressly stated that man is dust and to dust he'll return.

Now if we can see anything from the above, it is the plain uncertainty which we humans have about the life after death. I'm not using the Bible here as a standard. Far from it, rather as a book which I'm conversant with.

If we asked the Hindus, Muslims and even look at our own traditional beliefs, we'll see dis paring views on the issue of life after death. Which makes one to beg the question "how certain are these theories of life after death?" and "who has been there and come back to testify of these things" and "how can we be sure he's experience applies to us all?"

If we peruse the above question properly, we can see that there are no empirical truth in any tales about life after death, rather they are those stories that has been passed down from generations to generations and has become accepted as truth by us all.

In my wandering mind, I once thought the story of life after death was more of one for comfort rather than to serve as truth.

People have always felt inexplicable pains when they lost their loved ones. What if these stories where fabricated to ease their pains? I mean what could comfort a widow whose loving husband has just passed away than the thought that she'll eventually be reunited with him again in death and even in a better place or what more could comfort orphans than the beautiful thought of their parents resting in a peaceful world where there is neither pains or hunger or wickedness. What could comfort the poor, the oppressed more than a vision of a perfect life after this one.

This stories though fabricated to ease pain and bring comfort to the bereaved have become more accepted than intended and today most people live their life in fear of what the end might brings.


Please pardon all grammatical mistakes.

Life after death is littered all over the old testmant from stories to words of wisdom. Just some instances.

Korah, Dathan and Abiram goes down alive to the underworld. [Numbers 16]

Egypt and his armies, Asshur and his company, Elam and his company, Edom, Zidonians....in the pit. Pharoah will be comforted to see them. [Ezekiel 32:19]

Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: [Psalm 55:15]

ETC.