Heaven

The Friendly Atheist provides a PDF file listing concise answers to questions frequently asked of atheists. The last one is, "What happens when we die?" He starts off by saying, "It's not a question we can answer...."

How puzzling, that science yields evidence to explain the origins of the universe and life billions of years ago, but if I should have an aneurysm here alone five seconds from now, it couldn't shed the palest glimpse of light on what becomes of this thing I call me. At least rational thought suggests what's likely, but we are unable to test and prove anything. Some studies of near-death experiences suggest biological explanations, but of course people will believe what comforts them.

What if the consciousness survives without perception? Then we will each be alone with our own thoughts for indeterminate periods of time. In that case we really would create our own heaven or hell.

If I could take one image with me across the divide, it would be the Eramosa River on a quiet but not too still day. This time of year, with leaves gone from the trees, I glimpse the ripples as I approach from the distance down Kingsmill Avenue. The water grabs me in its psychological current, drawing me to see what moods, colours and patterns it will manifest today. I never tire of photographing it. If I had to contemplate something for eternity, this would not be terrible.