Death

[MWB]

Why is it that christians fear death?
Surely going to meet god & jesus would be something to be joyous about?
Certainly leaving loved ones behind would be sad or of concern.
But surely christians, who have lived their life according to the bible, would have no fear as they know heaven is - well, heaven.
I would have thought any christian who is dying would be envied & congratulated, as they are going to the coveted heaven.
After all, that's where the church has taught them all their life that that's where everything will be ok, after living a life that perhaps contained suffering, hardship, sorrow or illness. Or even if their life was one big happy roller coaster, heaven is still a million times better.

[Catron]

Where do you get the idea that they do fear death? No Christian I know does - for the very reason you have stated.

[firewatch]

i was taught from an early age and through bitter experiance that Death is Death, the person cannot tell us if there is a heaven because they are dead.
How can the christians truly know what heaven is when no-one has returned from there apart from jesus, supossedly.
They dont fear death they fear the unknown all believers have doubts in there dying minutes.

[Schutzengel]

No they don't.

[baileybird]

who knows what there is after death - some believe that is it and some believe it is only the beginning..
It would be a shame to live your life fearing what lies beyond only to find there is nothing!!!!
Just live for today and don't panic about tomorrows.

[MWB]

Hear, hear 10ClarionSt!!!!

firewatch, by having doubts in their dying minutes constitutes non-belief.

baileybird, I agree, live for today.

Catron & Schutzengel, I know of plenty of christians who fear death. Just look at their instinct to stay alive at all costs. That is, they beg for their life if a murderer is about to kill them or avoiding an operation because they might die.
And "instinct" is the key word here. Instinct is an animalistic feature originating from evolution.

[pinktwink]

there is a clear difference between fear of death and fear of dying, Of course if one was faced witha murderer human instinct is to fight for survival. some of ones fears about dying can relate to the physiacal pain. Most catholics and christians I know are not afraid of death

[Ice.Maiden]

Agree with pink on that.

[naomi24]

It's a question I've asked here myself, MWB, and for the reasons you've given. Perhaps where death is concerned, unshakeable faith is replaced by tentative hope - the outcome of which carries no guarantees.

[keyplus90]

I am not Christian but a Muslim. I thought that I better contribute something. People do not fear death or dying. But they fear leaving all that behind what they spent their life collecting. As a Muslim, Faith in life hereafter is a must, So this life is to prepare for the life hereafter. Now if you know that you are going to Sahara Desert but you prepared for North pole then whatever you collected may not be worth a penny. If you have lived your life according to the teachings of whatever your religion is, if you believe in your religion and faith being right as well then there should be no fear of death. Naturally you do feel about leaving your loved ones and that is human nature. Then why fear something which is the biggest reality and everyone has to go through it.

[Octavius]

I don�t fear death, it�s inevitable. When it comes it comes.
Obviously like most I would rather it is later than sooner, but having no desire to rush to my death doesn�t imply I fear it.

[Nkakamasembe]

Keyplus90, I am a catholic christain and would like to get this straight.
I am made to believe (maybe wrongly) that the male suiciders get encouraged with committing mass murders by the belief of being rewarded with a number of virgins, is that the reason they are seem not to fear death?
However generally many a mature person will not fear death, its more to do with being sad of losing dear one we leave behind .

[USALady]

A true Christian (one who has committed their life to Jesus Christ) would not fear death.As a firm believer and Christian, I do not fear death. There is sadness at loved ones behind and not seeing children/grandchildren grow up. Other than that, I have no fear because as I believe, I will be with my Heavenly Father and to me there is no better thing in life or death than that.

[MWB]

USA lady. So you prefer your god over your children, husband, mother et al?
If push came to shove, you would cast them aside without a second thought?

[MWB]

You know really, we should be congratulating & shaking those christians hands who are going to die. They are the lucky ones aren't they?

[ELVIS68]

I`m not afraid of death, I`m more afraid of what`s left behind

[B-BOY]

MWB.........Jesus didn't fear death because he knew heaven to be real and his dying for your sins was his destiny, Christians do not fear death because they have faith in Jesus & the sacrifice that he made so that they may have everlasting life in the arms of the lord.
Answer me this MWB, why do YOU fear christians who fear death. Or is it Christians who fear you who fear them fearing death, or maybe the man who cleans the park benches in Aberdeen who fears the Christians who fear you fearing them fearing death. Or maybe not.

[123everton]

I don't think believers fear death, more the transition from life to death, well at least for some.
With regard to the "lucky" ones who are dead such sentiments are commonly expressed when the deceased was suffering from a painful affliction, you'd say they're at peace now, they're not suffering now, Timothy Gowing recorded in his book an officers distress at the loss of his brother at Inkerman a colleague consoled him by saying "he's at peace now" and surveying the awful conditions on the Crimea he went "who's the lucky one?"
I don't fear death and I feel it's gonna be pretty warm where I end up.

[USALady]

MWB - yes, i would choose my Lord and Saviour over anyone or anything. I am not in a hurry to die because I do not want to leave my children, husband, grandchildren but I am not afraid to die because of the assurance I have of eternal life.

2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

You know your initial question was why do christians fear death? I was simply giving you my answer....I don't think the sarcasm you have presented in the second part of your response is merited. Possibly it's because you don't have the peace we Christians have and you're envious of it (?).

Revelation 3:20 KJV: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

[Prudentia]

I met my mortal demise in 1642, but I am still here!!