I think that we can assume that most folk in our society agree that Bin Laden and his ilk's belief that Paradise and the virgins etc. awaits them after death is all a bit far fetched. But our own, accepted, beliefs are not that far removed. It is quite common to hear “He/She is looking down on us” and every obituary column has a few ' Re-united with ….'.Where are He/She looking down from ? Are they leaning over a balcony ? How high up are they ? If they are dead how do their eyes work and how far can they see? If they are re-united with someone, who was that someone re-united with ? I expect that they are meant to be re-united with members of their family. But what if they never got on well when they were all alive ? What if there was abuse or cheating ? Surely the last thing they would want is a reunion. Lots of people believe in Heaven and I know that it provides some comfort to them so that's fine and I would never knock them. I just think that they're wrong.

You're brave sarting this topic "never talk about politics or religion" is the saying isn't it?

I'm a death is death believer, I don't believe in life after death other than the memories left in people that are still alive.

Honestly, I don't wish to offend anyone. It's just that the suicide bombers' beliefs take a bit of stick (and quite rightly so, IMO) but I think it might be a case of pots and black kettles.

A mate of mine 'died' for a few minutes in hospital not long ago but thankfully he was resuscitated.
I asked him if he remembered anything of the experience, angels, bright lights or whatever.
He told me he couldn't remember anything.
I reckoned it was because he'd gone 'downstairs'
He just told me to f*** off.
Nice to see him feeling better

Everyone has to believe in something. I believe i'll have another pint!

What they have got to remember is that the reason they are virgins is because they don't put out. Double whammy really. Not a believer in the after life myself but your molecules do eventually become part of something else because that's what physics and chemo says.

Interesting topic. I personally don't believe anything happens after death, I guess it must be a lot like before I was alive: nothing.

I'm a sceptic on this subject but I do belive that there has to be somthing that gose on after we all leave this life.

I don't believe in life after death either. Or any God for that matter. It's a bit like believing Lord of the Ring is true and Tolkien was some kind of prophet.
But how come people always say when a friend or relative dies that they'll be "looking down on us"? Why not "they'll be looking up at us"? I can think of a few of my family who would be going to a rather hot place when they pop their clogs....

You mean a Carribean Funeral??

hey sarah, im with you on that 1, me and the wife had a psycic round a few years ago, and i was sceptic, but when he came in and started, he said who is billy, thats my dads name, he went on about some1 called georgie, my great uncle, and he said they are singing a song i didnt know, so when i spoke to my aunty and she said, that was your uncle georgies favourtie song, something i didnt know myself, read into that what you want, we are thinking of getting him back soon

Getting who back, Uncle Georgie or the psychic? Just wondering.

I'd like to hope there is something after life here. However i remain sceptical... so i will live live to the full here incase there isn't!!

You hit the nail on the head there girl. You get one go at it so enjoy it. That's where these killjoy religions have scored an own goal - be miserable here because you are going to be happy in the hereafter, yeah right!