Death and Religion

Death is certainly one issue that brings into focus the larger questions of life. I had earlier posted views on death from an atheistic perspective from Sagan, Weinberg, and more recently on a book by Julian Barnes. For balance, here is a recent Fresh Air interview with Unitarian minister, Forrest Church (hmm....a Unitarian may not really count either. In any case, a great name for a Minister). This is a good interview and I certainly like his brighter approach (more akin to Sagan). There is an interesting comment at the end when he says that although he had accepted death, his wife reminded him that there are other people in his life too - and he should think of them too.

Listen to the interview here [20 mins long].

Here is Rev. Forrest Church's bio:

Unitarian minister Forrest Church was diagnosed with terminal esophageal cancer last February. He has written and edited over 20 books since 1985. His latest, Love and Death, is a memoir that confronts the prospect of death and, in the process, offers readers a meditation on the end of life.

Forrest Church is Minister of Public Theology of the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York City. He served as Senior Minister until late 2006 and is widely regarded as a leader of liberal religious thought.