Fear of Death

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Should one fear death? From a Catholic perspective, death seems to be like light towards (hopefully) heaven. Yet, I find that so many people, even Christians/Catholics have such a hard time with even broaching the subject of death (don’t want to sound like I am judging anyone—I am certainly no perfect Catholic myself!). Sometimes when discussing things with friends I will state “I don’t fear death” in a serious tone and they are either stunned, bothered, or scared of such a subject. What are your thoughts? I would rather be on my route to Heaven hopefully than live in this world; but of course, whatever is God’s will is what I must accept without question! Who knows how long I have, you have, or anyone has to live on this Earth. And thinking point: do you think this fear of death is derived from societal teaching (Western Culture at least) or from an inherent belief or trait?
 
Firstly; I do not fear death either; although I fear the pain that may accompany death.

Secondly; we must consider that we have been given life for a reason; and not diminish the value of life by stating that it would be desirable to ascend to heaven; although it would be more desirable to ascend to heaven than to commit a grave or mortal sin; this is why we have so many Martyrs; who would rather go to heaven and suffer the pains of death than commit a grave sin against the eigth commandment (not a Mortal sin; Viz. no consent).

We must make use of the Gift of life we have here on earth to help others to acheive the salvation and joy that is the worship of God; which through it’s graces increases the joy of this life a thousandfold; and the joy of the life to come infinitely!
 
It is perfectly natural to fear death.

Consider that we are bodies as well as “souls” and that it is the 2 together that give us the mind we use to think (and fear) with. To not fear death is to ignore the hideous dismemberment of our “wonderfully made” being.

The “physical suffering being worst” argument about death is, IMO, overrated. It is possible to suffer enormously without coming near death, and to die without grievous physical suffering. John Donne got it right centuries ago: “the most vital parts are not always the quickest of sense.” It is death itself that is hideous, because of what it does to our being; not the physical distress that may not accompany it.

Add to that the fact that Heaven and “the afterlife” (a most unhelpful term, as it reduces human eschatology to the status of an “aftertaste” or an “aftereffect”) are just not presented by men of faith as anything desirable anymore, but at best, just a millenniums–long spook procession through the shadows; and it is no surprise that human beings fear death.

ICXC NIKA.
 
Good replies already.

The only reason to fear death is if you’re not striving for heaven.
 
St Paul said the “sting of death” is removed by our faith. He also related that he couldn’t decide if it were better to go and be with the Lord or stay and continue his work. However, we’re still walking by faith and not by sight and to that extent, death is a step into the unknown, trusting that we’ll be caught. But it’s that trust-the combination of Faith and Hope-that should virtually remove the fear for any Christian. It does for me.
 
I am Reader and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist within my Parish and a caseworker for St. Vincent de Paul. I attend Mass Sundays and at least three times per week, usually. Private prayer is often most difficult for me. I have struggled with chronic depression all my life and take medication. My 91 year old Dad, my best friend, died in January. My attempts at Lent were not the best this year. I love God and try to love others. I kind of live life without all the burners turned on. There are times when I can barely move, yet I have been able to work and hope to retire in four years. Maybe God has other plans for me once that happens, or now. I have to believe God loves me in spite of my imperfections and He will know when I am ready to be taken to heaven. I want that day to come, yet I do fear death and the pains of purgatory. I don’t know why I fear it so much, but I do. I am open to any suggestions as to lessen my fear or be at greater peace, yet I also realize God did not place us in this world for a good time. My life has been difficult but no matter how much I have hurt, I try and give back love, always. As I write this we are about 30 minutes past Easter. Happy Easter, everyone and God Bless You.:angel1:
 
JohnDamian said:
Firstly; I do not fear death either; although I fear the pain that may accompany death.
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I feel the same way; at least, I have much more fear of long or severe pain than of death. I also fear, if that is the right word, the pain and loss that my death would inflict on those who are close to me, and the loss of the guidance I might provide to my children.

I remember even as a college freshman just registered for the draft (the late Vietnam era) feeling this way, and that was when I had stopped believing in my selfish youth. Funny that I felt the same way even though I had a totally different understanding of death than I have now.
 
We die often in our lives. Moral deaths. We lose our way. We lose our faith. These are types of death.

Death brings us closer to God. Death is a kind of loss of faith, or at least a test of faith. It is accompanied by fear, depression, anger, resignation, submission to God. In my view we have in our own lives regular expansions or inflations in the world, where we pursue our individual goals, which are most often material goals; these material expansions or ‘creations’ are ALWAYS followed by deaths, or by Material deflations (the Death of the I, or Ego). We become small again. The Ego is the BIG I. This is what I call Day-Cycles. We go into the world to GET BIG, make our name, make a killing, sin, establish our personal empire. Then we die. We lose our way.

However, by becoming small, we again become able to fit inside the ‘eye of the needle’, which allows us into the sanctuary to dwell with God again. It is a painful experience getting there. Each time we meet God during one of these death experiences we become spiritually a greater person, more loving, more complete, more forgiving. We see that every life in existence is the same life, with the same ‘sap’ if you will, the same energy source. There are many kinds of trees in the world; but they are all driven by the same sap. The sap, or life, or electricity, or enegy, or golden light is the light of God.

Remember Dante’s Divine Comedy: “Midway life’s journey I awoke to find I had lost my way.” Dante’s journey is into Death. Into Darkness. Into Chaos. Into the Inferno – where the inferior human types are met. HELL, yes. But in Dante, Purgator is entered only through the deepest part of Hell – he suggests that Death and Depression and Fear are necessary parts in our journey to eventual purification and resurrection.

I think we have life cycles and death cycles as a society also. Eighteen year cycles of Inflation, materialism, nationalism, strength, dream-building in the material world – the sap rising up the Tree of Life; always followed by eighteen years cycles of deflation, and a return to God, with much repenting because of the sins we commit during the empire–building – sap descending the Tree of Life, returning to the Root-System, under the ground. This is a kind of burial sacrament/sacrifice, which leads to resurrection.

In the Twentieth Century, America has had these cycles:
1911-1929: Inflation of the Material Being
1929-1947: Deflation of the Material Being, a return to God
1947-1965: Inflation
1965-1983: Deflation
1983-2001: Inflation
2001-2019: Deflation

We are currently going through another Group Death expeirennce, which always includes a reduction of material opportunities. In 2019, we will be reborn again. We will enter Purgatory, in Dante’s sense, and begin climing the Tree of Life again: one rung at a time. Mineral Kingdom: 2019-2022; Plant Kingdom: 2022-2025; Animal Kingdom: 2025-2028; Human Kingdom: 2028-2031; Spirit Kingdom: 2031-2034; Elohim (Planetary) Kingdom: 2034-2037; King or Logos Kingdom (2037-2040). This will be the end of the Physical Evolution stage, lead to our death again, with banking theft, political cricis, wars and rumors of wars. Then we will begin our descent from this mountain, very similar to what we began in 2001-2004 this cycle.

2001 was the culminantion of our material evolution during this round. Sabbath. A time of rest. The Twin Towers was a Tower of Babel experience for America and the Global World View. We are traveling back to God now, as a culture.

I am very pleased with the first few weeks of Pope Francis. He understands that the time of materialism (of the church’s materialism also) is over and now it is time for HUMILITY, and for oneness with the world’s poor…because we are all going to be much poorer materially that we have been.

We will reach the bottom of this Death experience in 2019. These Sabbaths, what I call Night-Cycles, are built into the system, so we can stop, reflect, look for God, look for our spiritual natures again, and find out from God what he wants from us during our next Day-Cycle or creation.
 
I today requested two Masses for the repose of the Soul of my parents, and another for the Poor Souls in Purgatory, and will continue to do that monthly. I still fear death and going to Purgatory, but I hope to be able to endure whatever and wherever God sends me after death. I am more acutely aware of the souls in purgatory and the need to pray more often for them. One astute reader here said that he/she finds that in praying for others, his own prayers are answered. I try and do that too, and will continue to do so. It seems we can help ourselves by helping others. I live very simply.St. Elizabeth Ann Seton I believe once said, “Live simply so that others may simply live.” In these small ways, perhaps, I can minimize my own fears in this way, if it is God’s will. Depression is not an easy way to have to live. It is by grace I’ve gotten this far. Happy Easter, everyone.
 
futurtheologian said:
Should one fear death? From a Catholic perspective, death seems to be like light towards (hopefully) heaven. Yet, I find that so many people, even Christians/Catholics have such a hard time with even broaching the subject of death (don’t want to sound like I am judging anyone—I am certainly no perfect Catholic myself!). Sometimes when discussing things with friends I will state “I don’t fear death” in a serious tone and they are either stunned, bothered, or scared of such a subject. What are your thoughts? I would rather be on my route to Heaven hopefully than live in this world; but of course, whatever is God’s will is what I must accept without question! Who knows how long I have, you have, or anyone has to live on this Earth. And thinking point: do you think this fear of death is derived from societal teaching (Western Culture at least) or from an inherent belief or trait?
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It is unnatural to have no fear of physical suffering. However, it is liberating to see beyond death in such a way as to have a greatly reduced anxiety in life.
Such a Faith is a gift from God above…and is a treasure indeed.
 
At the moment I don’t fear death. I would gladly give my life for The Lord. I so much believe that death is the beginning as far as a true believer of God is concerned.

I pray that all those who fear death with feel comfort from Our Lord.

Now, how I will actually feel if I knew I was going to die then that is a different matter as one can’t say until one is in that situation! I just hope that I feel the same as I do now. I dearly love Our Lord and want to do everything that he wants of me. Even if that meant severe pain, afflictions or death. I offer myself up to Our Lord for others.
 
ajecphotos said:
At the moment I don’t fear death. I would gladly give my life for The Lord… I offer myself up to Our Lord for others.
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Your post brought a smile to my face. I remember, in a Benedictine monastery, the Prior came up to the young monks and asked if they “would lay down their lives for Christ?”…and all of us said “Yes!”…Then the Prior said…“well then can I have a volunteer to do the dishes this evening?”…and everyone’s face fell…because no one wanted to do a little thing for God…but was quite willing to do something grand.
 
Guess you are right there. Mundane jobs don’t seam so appealing! Lol
 
I think it’s also to do with the fact that the “grand thing” was not in prospect; if it were, the fear that everybody hides would come to the surface.

Ambrose Bierce had a good short story about this. A US Civil War camp had captured an enemy spy and were preparing to execute him; he behaved all nonchalant and unafraid; the Commandant of the camp questioned him as to how he could face death so bravely since death is so fearsome and hideous.

Hours later, after the enemy has launched an attack to try to rescue their man, and been beaten back, the soldiers are ordered to execute the spy at once; he dies weeping and begging for life; while the Commandant, mortally wounded in the skirmish, folds his hands, says “So this must be death,” and closes his eyes.

ICXC NIKA.
 
  1. The fear of death is a blessing because it not only helps us to survive but also makes us appreciate the value of life.
  2. The fear of death is irrational because death is a blessing. To be compelled to live forever in this world would be hell - with no escape from evil and injustice.
  3. We can overcome our fear of death when we are inspired by the love and courage of Jesus - who was not compelled but chose to be tortured and crucified for all of us without exception.
 
djc123 said:
I today requested two Masses for the repose of the Soul of my parents, and another for the Poor Souls in Purgatory, and will continue to do that monthly. I still fear death and going to Purgatory, but I hope to be able to endure whatever and wherever God sends me after death. I am more acutely aware of the souls in purgatory and the need to pray more often for them. One astute reader here said that he/she finds that in praying for others, his own prayers are answered. I try and do that too, and will continue to do so. It seems we can help ourselves by helping others. I live very simply.St. Elizabeth Ann Seton I believe once said, “Live simply so that others may simply live.” In these small ways, perhaps, I can minimize my own fears in this way, if it is God’s will. Depression is not an easy way to have to live. It is by grace I’ve gotten this far. Happy Easter, everyone.
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👍 Welcome to the forum! I share your wish that everyone has a happy Easter. 🙂
 
Hello catholic community! !
I’m not catholic but i went to a catholic highschool and learned a lot about the catholic faith. Say what you want but I found Jesus through living the way he told us to live in the bible. And the only way to live like him is to give our lives to him and repent (Turn away from our old sin). So ive been growing everyday in my faith and I don’t take part in the sacraments. My faith that Jesus has saved me from death is so much that I honestly do not fear death!! 🙂
I seek the will of the Father and everything else including Faith is added unto me! And to know his will just look at what he said in the bible!
God bless, Nalee
 
Thank you for your thoughts but chances are likely the moderators may feel otherwise and respond accordingly. They are very conservative, and ban people who violate their rules or offer anything but views close to their own. Take care.
 
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