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What is your attitude to death?
Some “professional critics” are doubtless chagrined by J. K. Rowling saying in a recent interview: “How we react to death, how much we fear it. In many ways, all of my characters are defined by their attitude to death.” It is good Rowling said this for the record because critics are often those without an original thought or the talent to do the things they criticize. Ray Bradbury was quite rightly incensed by the supposed literary critics telling him what he really meant in “Fahrenheit 451” as though they were better qualified to tell him what he really meant. And how many people will use a remark when addressing someone seeming not to realize they are telling the other person what that person “really” thinks and believes, or worse, what they should think or believe. How many a great writer and artist must turn over in their graves if they knew how some critics and university professors are telling others what these great writers and artists “really meant.” At least Bradbury and Rowling are alive to set them straight about what they meant. Most others are not so fortunate. While I greatly appreciate the genius of Rowling and the enormous contribution she has made in stirring the imagination of so many children, encouraging the rightful domain of magic and fantasy belonging to children I would never have presumed to tell her what she really meant in her stories. I am just grateful she is speaking out about what she really meant rather than leaving this to the critics. Life and death are the two greatest mysteries confronting humankind. Science cannot define either of these apart from “something” animates the clay, and that same something departs at death. Perhaps Oscar the Cat could explain it, but “meow” doesn’t translate into human speech. However, Rowling’s comment concerning an “attitude to death” certainly speaks directly to the issue, and it is not an issue we can avoid since we will all die; and in many ways our lives are defined by our attitude to death. It would be trite to reply it’s our attitude to life that really counts, since life is not permanent. Death is. And it will be our attitude to death that defines our attitude to life. For some it is “eat, drink, and be merry,” for others it may take the form of asceticism or religious beliefs. But it is an attitude to death that predominates even among those that practice the Golden Rule, the belief that to live well toward others is to die well. A lady friend and I got into a conversation yesterday when the subject of the USS Indianapolis came up. She had just seen the Discovery Channel episode of this tragedy and was deeply moved by it. But the really striking thing to me had always been the fact that if the ship had been sunk on its way to Tinnian Island that atomic bomb would not have been delivered. The loss of hundreds of lives compared to the many thousands that were to die as a result of that bomb, who can make sense of such seeming contradictions to any “value” of life? I’m left wondering, who is keeping score? Henry Thoreau commented on the profligacy of life, that Nature would spread thousands of seeds knowing the most would die but some few would survive to carry on. But it’s a most uncomfortable thought that God may be so profligate of human life in the same manner. “Not a sparrow falls to the ground” comforts my mind, but Nature red in tooth and claw, the wars of men, the untold millions that seem to be born to no other purpose but suffering and dying give me pause to wonder. I have real confidence in the beginning chapters of Genesis; that behind the fables are the facts that gave birth to the stories. But the only conclusion so far to my mind is we can’t expect God to intervene in the things that are our responsibility, whether it is the safety and welfare of children, the care of our planet, the wars of men or whatever. And it is our attitude to death that defines us and will determine how we live our lives in respect to those things that are, after all, human responsibility. 17 comments from 10 users
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posted by
tkozy
on Jul 31, 2007 at 10:33 AM
Only one is perfect.
Just as a change in course of a ship, can determine its fate. So can imperfection change the course of life. From Creation. To the End.. posted by
woofwoof
on Jul 31, 2007 at 11:18 AM
All I can say is, it didn't hurt... to not be here before I was born, so it can't hurt when I'm dead and gone. Except the people I leave behind, that loved me truly. That's the only reason I feel scared about death. I worry for my children and the pain they may feel.
posted by
randomfactor
on Jul 31, 2007 at 11:25 AM
"I intend to live forever or die trying." --Spider Robinson . We gave up Godly intervention when we commited the Original Virtue and ate the apple. Since then, all we can do is try our best. We may be able to break through, given a few more breakthroughs, to where consciousness can outlive the human body. I don't know how I'd face death, but I think I'm closer to being ready for it than I used to be. But ol' Spider still has a good point. posted by
tkozy
on Jul 31, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Woof, True, Who's going to make them dinner and give them their allowance.. All little kids are cute. But by the time they turn 13? They can be pesky little critters. Who's going to love them when I am gone?
posted by
tkozy
on Jul 31, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Well, I am in fact off to one of those independence day celebrations right now. posted by
robbwillis
on Jul 31, 2007 at 11:59 AM
My wife and step-daughter found a dead bird once and asked what they should do with it. I told them to toss it in the garbage can and added, "If it's good enough for me, it's good enough for a bird."
posted by
sagefever
on Jul 31, 2007 at 12:23 PM
In my view there are only two events humans approach with true openness through out their lives,birth~the easy one and death~ baring sudden demise.I have been privileged to be at about 30 births,and at around 20 deaths.I can not see these events as anything other than "holy"~which is the only word that fits,but is imprecise.That "something" which animates the clay,as you call it,weighs exactly 21 grams.When I lifted my mothers body,you could feel she was somehow less...as was Kelsey.No one can know what came before "now" nor know what comes "after".So what we have left is the in between of these two great passages.Some believe how one moves through this life matters not~(me,me,me)~ and others move with care and thought for themselves and others~(us,us,us). I believe we must have both sorts for interesting things to happen,for "drama",for teaching,for learning.I want my life lived well,full, for one as to have few regrets,and as preparation for my last great journey.I believe the ease of death can be prepared for with life.I could be so wrong.
posted by
RoyTullis
on Jul 31, 2007 at 12:38 PM
If you have led a full and satisfying life looking ahead to the end is much easier. When you have enjoyed a full life death takes on less meaning. As with others, the only regret is leaving loved ones behind. Ever, this is the way it is.
posted by
hibowden
on Jul 31, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Sam, that was one of the most beautifully thought-out essays I've read in a long time! It's one I'm going to print out and place in my "keep" file to run across on a day when I'm looking through my files and can remember gladly! You have a gift for being able to express yourself so well. Thanks for sharing... Hillary posted by
samheath
on Jul 31, 2007 at 01:39 PM
And thank you for your gracious comment.
posted by
woofwoof
on Jul 31, 2007 at 01:42 PM
TKozy, I got the twelve year old coming up on thirteen.....you're putting me in my grave a little too early.....I was speaking of, hopefully, when they're in their thirties instead.....hopefully, forties....oh geez, now I gotta think of imaginary grandchildren feeling the pain too. Thanks.
posted by
montfred
on Jul 31, 2007 at 03:36 PM
I love your posts Mr. Heath, this one really hit home for me. I have recently been told that I was adopted, I'm 56 years old, and my mother died recently. At her funeral a cousin told my sister that we were adopted when we were young, he has reintroduced her to all 5 of are other siblings, I have been very depressed about all this, all my family aren't my family, all my life, as I understood it has changed.Thank you for reminding me of a decision I have made for my life, and helping me understand that all that above doesn''t really matter. God's actions memorialized in Genesis, led me to believe that Adam and Eve's lives, had been dramatically changed when they were expelled. Imagine what our lives would had been if paradise had been ripped from us. Years ago, the story of the lives of Adam and Eve moralized in the "Old Testament" really had an impact on me, I decided to start living my life as if I had been in 'Paradise' and reborn on earth as a test that 'God' required of me for re-admittance. I accepted the concept that 'God' had provided me with 'The Bible' to serve as a guidebook. The first problem I had was trying to make that book real for me, so I focused on the life of Jesus. Jesus is recorded as having said You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." I've never regretted doing that. When I get to go home to 'Paradise', my friends and family will tell everyone else that happens to come celebrate, about God's love, and in doing so, will pass it on. I am confident that, I will live forever, I have no doubt. Jesus loves me, this I know for Jesus said so. "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. " posted by
samheath
on Jul 31, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Thank you for sharing what is on your heart. I'm sure others will be encouraged by what you have shared.
posted by
sagefever
on Jul 31, 2007 at 04:23 PM
((montfred))~I "found out"(long complicated story) again at 13 years of age about being adopted,thats a terrible thing to find out,but kudos to your cousin for being truthful.If you'd like someone to talk to,I am here.((((Sam)))) ~that's all ,you know how I feel.
posted by
samheath
on Jul 31, 2007 at 04:43 PM
Yes I do Sagefever, and thank you. posted by
montfred
on Jul 31, 2007 at 04:45 PM
Thanks Sam and Sage, I love you both.
posted by
steveeswenson
on Jul 31, 2007 at 05:09 PM
Robb, First of all, I believe you should be placed in a big wide dumpster with some cushy garbage underneath, so you can stretch out in comfort as a whole decaying process nibbles away at what was once a great and wonderful human being. A garbage can seems a little cramped.
Montfred, Nothing changed about your family. They were still your family. You just got a new one. I found out about my birth mother and siblings when I was 52. Didn't change a thing about the family I lived in.
And for the rest, I do believe in heaven. And I try to lead my life hoping my friends and family will join me there. It would make up for the unfairness on earth and make our purpose here way beyond ourselves. Death may suck the life out of me, but not my belief in eternal happiness. I know I have found comfort in that when loved ones died. And if I'm wrong, following Jesus is a good path to take in life.
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