Dear OzSpen,

It is apparent that you must try to make people conform to your image of all-pervading superstition. What happens at death is that like the other animals our life is ended. There is no reason to think there is any more than that. I go by evidence. There is no evidence that religious concepts exist any place other than in the human mind. There is no evidence that religious beliefs are any more than superstition.

You and I have a right in a democratic society to express whatever opinions we feel like expressing. In my opinion we would be better off without religion. You apparently differ. May you go your way in peace.

I don't know why religion has been raised in this discussion, but I find it highly amusing that David F can use the word 'evidence' when reasserting his well-known disbelief in God and an afterlife. Now, David might be right. But there is no 'evidence' that he is. But, as he is keen on evidence, where is his evidence that "What happens at death is that like the other animals our life is ended"? David has been around for a long time; he has had experience, but not, I suggest experience of dead beings, human or animal, detailing what happened after their departure from this mortal coil.

I'm a half-arsed Christian. I'm not sure if God exists, or if there's an afterlife; but I hope both exist - I cannot believe that this life is as good as it gets!

Dear OzSpen and ttbn,

One great thing about death. It has inspired some beautiful poetry.

Though one were strong as seven,
He too with death shall dwell,
Nor wake with wings in heaven,
Nor weep for pains in hell;
Though one were fair as roses,
His beauty clouds and closes;
And well though love reposes,
In the end it is not well.

Pale, beyond porch and portal,
Crowned with calm leaves, she stands
Who gathers all things mortal
With cold immortal hands;
Her languid lips are sweeter
Than love's who fears to greet her
To men that mix and meet her
From many times and lands.

She waits for each and other,
She waits for all men born;
Forgets the earth her mother,
The life of fruits and corn;
And spring and seed and swallow
Take wing for her and follow
Where summer song rings hollow
And flowers are put to scorn.

There go the loves that wither,
The old loves with wearier wings;
And all dead years draw thither,
And all disastrous things;
Dead dreams of days forsaken,
Blind buds that snows have shaken,
Wild leaves that winds have taken,
Red strays of ruined springs.

We are not sure of sorrow,
And joy was never sure;
To-day will die to-morrow;
Time stoops to no man's lure;
And love, grown faint and fretful,
With lips but half regretful
Sighs, and with eyes forgetful
Weeps that no loves endure.

From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free,
We thank with brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods may be
That no life lives for ever;
That dead men rise up never;
That even the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea.

Then star nor sun shall waken,
Nor any change of light:
Nor sound of waters shaken,
Nor any sound or sight:
Nor wintry leaves nor vernal,
Nor days nor things diurnal;
Only the sleep eternal
In an eternal night.
--Algernon Charles Swinburne

david f

you enjoy Algernon Charles Swinburne's poem even though it contradicts Jesus Christ and His teachings. Obviously you hate Light and love darkness as described by Scripture. Hopefully you humble yourself and come to your senses before you die.

Dear runner,

Australia is a free country. In Australia a person is free to follow or reject any religious belief. I appreciate the freedom to live in Australia. You are free to believe in your superstition. I am free not to believe in your superstition. I hope you will come to your senses and appreciate Australian freedom. It's a great country!

David,

You apparently also believe that you have the freedom to insult people by referring to their faith and belief as "superstitious". Christianity has been around for over two millennia, and some very smart, level-headed and rational people have adhered to it,and still adhere to it. It is so powerful that many people fear it - Christians are now the most persecuted people in the world, even in so-called 'Christian countries'. You are free to believe or not believe anything you like - mainly because our freedoms are based on the Christian ethic. It's not brave to criticise something that you know respects your freedoms. Try talking the way you do in a Muslim country.