I don't expect there to be an after-life. I try to take an Epicurean position on death. I am not motivated by either the fear of eternal punishment or the prospect of an endless heavenly banquet, as some atheists seem invariably to associate with the religious impulse.
Indeed, like them, I do not regard these as desirable reasons for professing faith.
However, in dismissing belief in an after-life as entirely the result of such self-interested calculation, the atheists miss two important facets of such a belief.
Firstly, the desire to be reunited with loved ones. If God is love, love is eternal, therefore death cannot end it.
Secondly, the desire to see justice done. To see those who have led a miserable life given the opportunity for joy, those who have led an unobtrusively selfless life to be recognised, and those who have hurt, manipulated and damaged others to reap what they have sown.
Indeed, I feel it is a weakness in my faith that I cannot see a way to admit even these understandings of an after-life into my theology.
Indeed, like them, I do not regard these as desirable reasons for professing faith.
However, in dismissing belief in an after-life as entirely the result of such self-interested calculation, the atheists miss two important facets of such a belief.
Firstly, the desire to be reunited with loved ones. If God is love, love is eternal, therefore death cannot end it.
Secondly, the desire to see justice done. To see those who have led a miserable life given the opportunity for joy, those who have led an unobtrusively selfless life to be recognised, and those who have hurt, manipulated and damaged others to reap what they have sown.
Indeed, I feel it is a weakness in my faith that I cannot see a way to admit even these understandings of an after-life into my theology.
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