Pope Benedict XVI, Spe salvi: “10. …the question arises: do we really want this—to live eternally? Perhaps many people reject the faith today simply because they do not find the prospect of eternal life attractive. What they desire is not eternal life at all, but this present life, for which faith in eternal life seems something of an impediment. To continue living for ever —endlessly—appears more like a curse than a gift. Death, admittedly, one would wish to postpone for as long as possible. But to live always, without end—this, all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable. This is precisely the point made, for example, by Saint Ambrose, one of the Church Fathers, in the funeral discourse for his deceased brother Satyrus: “Death was not part of nature; it became part of nature. God did not decree death from the beginning; he prescribed it as a remedy. Human life, because of sin … began to experience the burden of wretchedness in unremitting labour and unbearable sorrow. There had to be a limit to its evils; death had to restore what life had forfeited. Without the assistance of grace, immortality is more of a burden than a blessing”[6]. A little earlier, Ambrose had said: “Death is, then, no cause for mourning, for it is the cause of mankind’s salvation”[7].

11. Whatever precisely Saint Ambrose may have meant by these words, it is true that to eliminate death or to postpone it more or less indefinitely would place the earth and humanity in an impossible situation, and even for the individual would bring no benefit. Obviously there is a contradiction in our attitude, which points to an inner contradiction in our very existence. On the one hand, we do not want to die; above all, those who love us do not want us to die. Yet on the other hand, neither do we want to continue living indefinitely, nor was the earth created with that in view. So what do we really want?…”

Feel free to keep reading if you’re interested. Just search for “Spe salvi.”

Best,
Norris

This blog suffers from “perfect is the enemy of good”. I have a number of things half-written, but I always have the sense that “it’s already been covered”, but then Hemant or someone will cover it- and it seems it wasn’t really quite covered.

Like the blog. Nice stuff in here for sure!

Anyway, I thought I’d drop you a friendly line off of Friendly Atheist for a change.

I liked the comment about the “Good ATheist/Bad Atheist” Schtick! I was listening to NPR yesterday and the “On int” segment was about the Meghan McCain tour that was with a very rogressive type. The two of them went on tour to promote a book on America. Thought your comment was well timed!

Anyway, we may tangle and snarl online, and I appreciate the passion, but just wanted to say for as snarky as I get, I am just a guy who has passion and wishes to make the world a better place!

“Fsq” – aka – Eric