Opposing Viewpoints--What Happens After Death

The life after death debate includes two main viewpoints. Either you believe in life after death (the afterworld, or heaven), or you believe that once you die your consciousness simply ceases to exist.

Below we outline the two general belief systems regarding the life after death debate symbolized by two different individuals.

1. The first person believes in the body and mind and nothing else.

He believes the concepts of heaven and hell are myths and the universe is chaotic and isn’t interconnected with humans.

Modern scientific tenets are the foundation of his beliefs; his schooling taught him that if it can’t be proven by today’s scientific method, it’s not valid.

After all, if metaphysical concepts were “valid,” they would be embraced by modern science, right? To believe in such mystical matters goes against everything he’s been taught and he certainly doesn’t want to be known as someone who has fringe beliefs.

His wife died over a decade ago when he was in his early forties and, understandably, it was one of the most difficult times of his life.

He appreciated his good friend suggesting he consider that maybe she’ll be waiting for him on the other side, but he won’t have anything to do with the idea of heaven or an afterlife. It’s unfortunate, because if there is an afterlife, and we believe there is, an understanding of it makes death easier to deal with.

2. The second person embraces the concepts of reincarnation, past lives, karma, fate, and the afterlife. He believes the soul is eternal and that it experiences a series of existences, with various levels of awareness and karmic debits and credits.

To those who believe humans are exclusively a body and brain, without a soul and spiritual connection to a higher power, he suggests they have a session with a talented medium.

It may sound heartless to suggest that everyone has their destined time of death, particularly when loved ones are suffering from the loss. But our findings show that those who cross over to the other side watch over you and you will see them again. They’re always around to help when you need them and they hear you when you speak to them.

Recently an acquaintance’s father died and not long after, while thinking of him, he appeared to come forward while we were in a meditative state. It seemed he thought since we acknowledged his presence on the other side and knew his son, we would be able to send a message to him.

It wasn’t clear what he was saying and it may have been simply to tell him he loves him and will see him again, but it presented a problem. We know the son isn’t receptive in the least to the concept of the afterworld, and if we told him his father made contact with us, our acquaintance likely wouldn’t appreciate it. Thus, we refrained from doing so.

Regardless, it was amusing when the deceased father said something like “you shouldn’t throw stones if you live in a glass house” after we had a fleeting thought of past (innocuous) bad behavior on the part of the son. “Hey, we’re not judging, it was just one of several memories relating to your son, who is a good guy” we said to him with a smile.

Although the loss of loved ones is never easy, it’s comforting to embrace the hope of seeing them again. Understanding reincarnation, karma, and the other side also gives greater meaning to life and empowers you with a sense of interconnectedness with everyone and the universe.

Copyright © Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo