Granted there’s some extent to which all of this is speculation, but I think C.S. Lewis’ treatment of the subject in The Great Divorce is really interesting. Lewis essentially argues that if it’s true that human beings really go on existing forever, than each decision is a step closer either to wholeness or toward brokenness. In one of his books he basically says, “If you’re simply selfish today and you cease to exist after 70 years, then you’re, relatively speaking, alright. But suppose you’re becoming more selfish every day and your existence goes on forever. That small seed of selfishness might be absolutely hell in a million years. In fact, according to Christian theology, that is precisely what it will be.”

I think the problem with most the Christian thinking you come across about the after-life is that it’s all just made up superstition essentially pulled from a hat with no sort of logic to explain it besides “my pastor [who was most likely completely misinterpreting scripture] said so.”

But I think what Lewis is getting at is at least grounded in some sort of reasonable idea. Granted, faith is still involved in accepting the idea that we go on existing forever, but if you begin with that presupposition, Lewis’ ideas moving forward are quite reasonable….

Nutters if you ask me.

Personally like the idea that ashes are freely scattered, out in the world, where there is sunlight and people. A grave is a cold and lonely place, even if it is more environmentally friendly. Totally irrational, I know.

Chad; As a dog lover, no way is it a good thing for any dog to be eating dead humans. We have to protect our Best Friends. I expect you were not really serious but just in case anyone thinks any old thing is good enough for the dog, the China dog food debacle probable cleared that up for some very unfortunate dogs and their owners. And they were even trying to do the right thing. )

Both systems are bad, and it’s hard to compare, but cremation may be slightly worse for the environment.

Well, if they’re both just as bad, then what about the waste of land involved with burial?

Chad said,
Damn! I guess the only way around it is to have them pitch my body to the neighbor’s dog! He can finish it off and spend the next couple years chewing on my femurs and ribs.

That would be the most environmentally friendly as long as you could ensure that all edible parts would be quickly consumed. You might need a pack of wild dogs. I want to be eaten by an alligator personally. That would be neat. It reminds me of a Monty Python skit I once heard.

I want to correct this. Cremation is NOT earth friendly. It is not the environmentally better option.

Damn! I guess the only way around it is to have them pitch my body to the neighbor’s dog! He can finish it off and spend the next couple years chewing on my femurs and ribs. I wonder if the court would uphold that wish if it was in my will?

That church sounds like quite the showcase for conspicuous Christian consumption. And then they have the nerve to get up and give a big pitch for more donations, even before the sermon? Un-f***ing-believable.