Most Atheists disbelieve in any sort of soul. But many of us know in our hearts that after we die, we will experience something. Some people call that experience Nirvana. Others call it "being a ghost." Still more call it Reincarnation.
I call it a "SOUL."
A soul is comprised of multiple things, in reality. A soul is a developing process, if you will. But in my worldview, I believe that the soul will have a physical embodiment not so very different from our human bodies on earth. Your soul's location is determined by whether or not you fulfill the Chief End of Man-- which is to glorify the God of the Bible and to enjoy Him forever. As a Christian, every action we complete should be taken in regards to this truth. The soul itself, however, is comprised first of the Mind and secondly of a new physical body. The nature of that physical body is either glorious and perfected, or wretched and damaged beyond repair. Both bodies are eternal, and will either be enjoyed or despised forever.
Some would say "Outside of supposed Divine intervention, there is no evidence for a soul." However, as Rene Descartes said, "Cogito, ergo sum." (Lat. "I think, therefore I am.) this simply means that unless one were alive eternally somehow, there would be no possibility of experience. Just think: when a person is asleep, he doesn't notice time passing. He doesn't notice anything, unless he happens to dream. However, he wakes up, and now he knows he is alive. Besides, it is a proven fact that unless someone wakes up in the middle of a dream, he will not remember it-- which is essentially the same (for practical purposes) as having not experienced it at all. Therefore, if life is indeed but a dream, we wouldn't know that we were alive unless at some point we woke up from this dream. Therefore, the fact that you, dear reader, can actually remember past events proves that you have an eternal soul, in which you will someday find yourself. This may seem unprovable, but our experience during sleep is the closest we can get to death-- yet we dream, and we know that.
But thinkers don't always accept my view of death as true. Some believe that once you die, your sentient experience is gone-- never to return. This view is largely pessimistic-- and causes raises in suicides and homicides. It devalues the idea of human life, and gives rise to abortion. This view means that there is no accountability for your actions in this life-- thus, you can do whatever you want and not think twice. One with this worldview may see that there is nothing wrong with rape, or torture, or adultery.
A person who believes in ghost-hood probably also has a pessimistic view of death-- due to the fact that they will think and exist, yet have no body. It will be just like this life, without the actual physical experience One may see and hear, but he will never again be able to hold a loved one's hand, or speak with his child. Never will he feel the affectionate kiss of his wife, although he may think often of doing so. This view is equally worthless.
A person who believes in reincarnation has a strange view of life. According to this view, one must simply accept the state in which he exists and be "good" in order to achieve a higher state of existence. But valuing the cow as higher than a man is reverse order-- and is a way for Satan to twist God's ordained value system.
Today, most people hold a different view. They believe that yes, there will be an embodied soul-- but there are no consequences of this life that factor in to the next. They believe that there is "light at the end of the tunnel" and that they will again see loved ones and hear the sounds of their voices. It will be a "perfect world."
But they don't realize that nothing is truly perfect, unless it is given from God.
It is a dangerous world to live in-- do not fall into the trap of feel-good death idealogy.
Sinceriously,
Micah Isaiah Sample
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