Passing Thoughts on Immortality

The concept of immortality is one which is flawed. While the idea is a comforting thought, it is one closely entwined with the afterlife. After all, no one can cheat death, and sum it up "On a long enough time line, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero" (Fight Club, Palahniuk).

So what then are we to make of the concept of immortality? Could there be a different avenue of surviving physical death? Let's take for instance the great written work's of authors long dead. Certainly their words have carried on through out centuries, but how is it that they still exist with us today? Surely one could argue that they started many dialogues which have been continued throughout numerous generations, but does this count as immortality? Would it truly be such a stretch to believe that written works could be considered a form of immortality by way of legacy?

Yes, it would be presumptuous to believe such a fallacy, if only for the fact that one day everything will exist to be, as will the concept of immortality.

However, all hope is not lost in such a statement. There is still the matter of spiritual immortality, and there must be some value in the idea of an afterlife! Why would we have such a vested interest in such a subject if there wasn't? Although, this would naturally exclude any notion of Purgatory, Nirvana, and Limbo. And I suppose it would be better to exist in Eternal Damnation, rather than a state of nothingness. And surely if there was a Shangri-la, Heaven, or Eternal Bliss, that would be preferable to perdition.

This then brings into question, what would it take to exist in life after death? Just live your life? Let the chips fall where they might? Certainly it would not be left up to chance. And the Almighty up high must have already chosen those who are heading to the perfect kingdom and leaving the rest to burn. But does this not contradict the God-given gift of free will? And if not, would God truly leave his most fragile creations make his decisions for him in this matter? It seems like a little more thought would have been put into such a damaging or rewarding plan, would it not?

Well dear reader, it seems that our synecdoche hand has landed into the metaphorical concrete on the matter of immortality, and I am not afraid, concerned, nor bothered by the idea of such a question being answered. Take comfort in the fact that you will die, and also take solace in the fact that you will be remembered, loved and cherished by those closest to you. After all, isn't that what immortality is all about?

-A. Warren Johnson