And so I reach the conclusion of my blog. Doing an online blog about death has certainly raised some interesting questions and made me more aware of the nature of the internet. Firstly, the fact that anyone can post anything they like on the internet is really made clear. One only need look at some of the YouTube videos, the Death Clocks and Williams' NDE website to see that. It really makes one think about how much one trusts the internet as an academic resource - is Williams' website at all academically credible? It's very hard to say.
Theologically, I have become more aware of modern attitudes towards death. I don't want to sound like a tub-thumping conservative, but is modern society morally corrupt, and if so, how much can the internet be blamed? I think that the casual attitudes towards death that I have come across had their seeds sewn before the internet became a global phenomenon - some of the YouTube videos, for example, are older than the internet. However I think it is fair to say the speed of communication and the availability of information afforded by the internet has helped to accelerate the process.
Despite this, I think it is important to maintain a degree of perspective. Although a very powerful phenomenon, with serious legal, financial, etc ramifications, the internet (along with other forms of media such as television) is not seen, by many, as 'the real world.' Therefore, I am sure that outside of cyberspace, such casual attitudes towards death are not so prevalent. Someone might laugh at a cartoon of a person getting their head sliced off, but if they were to see the same thing happen in the flesh, I am sure their reaction would be very different.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife
Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife - http://www.near-death.com/ - is a website set up by Kevin Williams, someone who, for approximately forty years, appears to have been on a spiritual journey that has encountered many twists, turns and obstacles along the way, leading him to a number of changes in his theology (http://www.near-death.com/about.html). He has been fascinated by near-death experiences since the late 1970s.
In his early years, Williams was a stereotypical child of the sixties, an advocate of free love who lived his life to the full. In 1977, whilst he was a student, before he first became interested in near-death experiences, Williams claims to have had a 'born again' experience (http://www.near-death.com/experiences/visions08.html) after reading the Gospel of John (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John%27s_Gospel, http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/john.htm). This experience helped to turn Williams 'from being a wild, dope-smoking, hell-raising, alcoholic college student to a transformed fundamentalist Christian.'
After reading Dr Raymond Moody's (http://www.near-death.com/experiences/experts03.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Moody, http://www.lifeafterlife.com/) book Life After Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_After_Life) in the late 1970s, Williams, as mentioned above, became fascinated by near-death experiences, to the extent that he now believes that 'my mission in life is to bring these special insights from others to the Internet for all too [sic] freely receive. Somehow, I believe I have known this to be my mission since childhood. I strongly believe that the insights from near-death accounts are universal and that they speak to the heart of everyone. They are truths already known to all at the deepest core of our being.' Williams' interest in near-death experiences led him to abandon his fundamentalist Christian beliefs as he came to believe that salvation was not given to the chosen few by the Grace of God whilst the rest burned in Hell for eternity, but that salvation is achieved because a person chooses to accept Jesus into their life.
However, it was not long before Williams' theology changed again when he encountered what he calls 'the historical paradox found in Christianity': 'If Jesus redeemed all of humanity at the cross (and the redemption of all humanity implies the salvation of all humanity) then why does anyone go to hell?' Williams says that there are two solutions offered to this paradox, both of which he rejects:
'(1) Jesus died for all humanity in general. This means Jesus did not die specifically for anyone in particular. It also means salvation was not secured for anyone at the time of Jesus' death on the cross. Jesus' death only made our salvation a possibility. Salvation is conditional based upon our acceptance or rejection of Jesus' sacrifice. Once we accept Jesus' work of salvation on our behalf at the cross, then the possibility of our salvation becomes a reality.
(2) Or, Jesus died only for a chosen few and his death actually secured their salvation at the time of his death on the cross. The final act of the elect's salvation comes when the Holy Spirit calls those elect people who were predestined for salvation and gives them the gift of faith.'
'Either Jesus' work at the cross was limited in its power in that it did not actually save anyone at the cross or it was limited in its scope in that it was intended only for a chosen few.'
The problem for Williams - and I sympathise with him - is that there is no element of free will involved; one is not saved because of one's actions and decisions but because one is predetermined to be saved. 'It flat out contradicts everything Jesus taught in the gospels about there being behavioral requirements which we are expected to perform in order to attain eternal life and perfection.'
The more he researched near-death experiences, the more similarities Williams perceived between them and early Christianity: 'When I began reading about the NDE, I realized how bizarre Christian doctrines were compared to the profound insights found in NDEs. I saw a wonderful simplicity in the concept of universal salvation found in NDEs and the early Christian teachings of Jesus. I eventually had to deal with the contradictions between NDE insights I found and the Christian doctrines that I believed so deeply for so many years. These contradictions ultimately created conflicts in my mind and caused me a lot of mental anguish over the years. Eventually, I discovered that the more NDE concepts I learned and the more I learn about early Christian history, the more I found compatibility with NDE concepts and the teachings of Jesus. If one takes the time to research early Christianity, they will find it compatible with the universal salvation revealed in NDEs.' According to Williams, much of early Christianity, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls ('From time to time in Jewish history, there was an insistent belief that their prophets were reborn' - http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen05.html) and the Gnostics, have since been covered up in favour of 'Pauline Christianity' (http://www.geocities.com/paulntobin/paulorigin.html) - based around the teachings of Paul, not Jesus. Modern Christianity, Williams says, does not actually follow Jesus' teachings.
Ultimately, Williams' theology is attractive, if simplistic - and very similar, it seems, to the theology he held when he was an 'out of control student.' Williams sees love as central to Jesus' message - if one loves everyone, that is sufficient and will create heaven on earth. Although he is still a follower of God and Jesus, Williams has rejected conventional Christianity in favour of 'a universal spirituality'.
Williams' website a minefield of information, with detailed sections on NDE Research Conclusions, Notable NDEs, Scientific Evidence of Survival (http://www.near-death.com/evidence.html), NDEs and Hallucinations (http://www.near-death.com/lsd.html), Reincarnation Evidence (http://www.near-death.com/reincarnation.html), NDEs and Religion, NDEs of Buddhists (http://www.near-death.com/buddhism.html), NDEs and Jews (http://www.near-death.com/judaism.html), NDE Resources and Multimedia, NDE Experts (http://www.near-death.com/experts.html), Triggers of NDEs (http://www.near-death.com/triggers.html), Miscellaneous NDEs, Pets in NDEs (http://www.near-death.com/animals.html), NDEs and Suicide (http://www.near-death.com/suicide.html), Edgar Cayce's NDEs and Revelations (http://www.near-death.com/cayce.html), NDE Articles (http://www.near-death.com/articles.html), Skeptical (sic) Arguments (http://www.near-death.com/skeptic.html), NDEs and Christians (http://www.near-death.com/origen.html), NDE Biblical Support, Christianity and Reincarnation, and Past Lives of Jesus Christ (http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen04.html). In total, there must be three or four hundred articles, websites and internet forums linked from Williams' website.
Although an interesting read, I am unsure how to treat Williams' website. I am inclined to treat it with a degree of scepticism. Although packed with information, I am unsure of its academic viability, especially as there appears to be little or no attention paid to constructive debate (the 'Skeptical Arguments' section appears to contain as just much argument against the sceptics). To someone who is not an NDE expert, such as myself, it appears that from the start, Williams is trying to prove that NDEs do exist, and to defend them, rather than present an interesting examination of and discussion about them. Williams' conclusions simply do not appear to have been arrived at in an 'academic' fashion. I realise that such criticisms leave me open to being labelled an academic snob, however I cannot help but feel that the website is more a product of a fanatic rather than an academic.
In his early years, Williams was a stereotypical child of the sixties, an advocate of free love who lived his life to the full. In 1977, whilst he was a student, before he first became interested in near-death experiences, Williams claims to have had a 'born again' experience (http://www.near-death.com/experiences/visions08.html) after reading the Gospel of John (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John%27s_Gospel, http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/john.htm). This experience helped to turn Williams 'from being a wild, dope-smoking, hell-raising, alcoholic college student to a transformed fundamentalist Christian.'
After reading Dr Raymond Moody's (http://www.near-death.com/experiences/experts03.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Moody, http://www.lifeafterlife.com/) book Life After Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_After_Life) in the late 1970s, Williams, as mentioned above, became fascinated by near-death experiences, to the extent that he now believes that 'my mission in life is to bring these special insights from others to the Internet for all too [sic] freely receive. Somehow, I believe I have known this to be my mission since childhood. I strongly believe that the insights from near-death accounts are universal and that they speak to the heart of everyone. They are truths already known to all at the deepest core of our being.' Williams' interest in near-death experiences led him to abandon his fundamentalist Christian beliefs as he came to believe that salvation was not given to the chosen few by the Grace of God whilst the rest burned in Hell for eternity, but that salvation is achieved because a person chooses to accept Jesus into their life.
However, it was not long before Williams' theology changed again when he encountered what he calls 'the historical paradox found in Christianity': 'If Jesus redeemed all of humanity at the cross (and the redemption of all humanity implies the salvation of all humanity) then why does anyone go to hell?' Williams says that there are two solutions offered to this paradox, both of which he rejects:
'(1) Jesus died for all humanity in general. This means Jesus did not die specifically for anyone in particular. It also means salvation was not secured for anyone at the time of Jesus' death on the cross. Jesus' death only made our salvation a possibility. Salvation is conditional based upon our acceptance or rejection of Jesus' sacrifice. Once we accept Jesus' work of salvation on our behalf at the cross, then the possibility of our salvation becomes a reality.
(2) Or, Jesus died only for a chosen few and his death actually secured their salvation at the time of his death on the cross. The final act of the elect's salvation comes when the Holy Spirit calls those elect people who were predestined for salvation and gives them the gift of faith.'
'Either Jesus' work at the cross was limited in its power in that it did not actually save anyone at the cross or it was limited in its scope in that it was intended only for a chosen few.'
The problem for Williams - and I sympathise with him - is that there is no element of free will involved; one is not saved because of one's actions and decisions but because one is predetermined to be saved. 'It flat out contradicts everything Jesus taught in the gospels about there being behavioral requirements which we are expected to perform in order to attain eternal life and perfection.'
The more he researched near-death experiences, the more similarities Williams perceived between them and early Christianity: 'When I began reading about the NDE, I realized how bizarre Christian doctrines were compared to the profound insights found in NDEs. I saw a wonderful simplicity in the concept of universal salvation found in NDEs and the early Christian teachings of Jesus. I eventually had to deal with the contradictions between NDE insights I found and the Christian doctrines that I believed so deeply for so many years. These contradictions ultimately created conflicts in my mind and caused me a lot of mental anguish over the years. Eventually, I discovered that the more NDE concepts I learned and the more I learn about early Christian history, the more I found compatibility with NDE concepts and the teachings of Jesus. If one takes the time to research early Christianity, they will find it compatible with the universal salvation revealed in NDEs.' According to Williams, much of early Christianity, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls ('From time to time in Jewish history, there was an insistent belief that their prophets were reborn' - http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen05.html) and the Gnostics, have since been covered up in favour of 'Pauline Christianity' (http://www.geocities.com/paulntobin/paulorigin.html) - based around the teachings of Paul, not Jesus. Modern Christianity, Williams says, does not actually follow Jesus' teachings.
Ultimately, Williams' theology is attractive, if simplistic - and very similar, it seems, to the theology he held when he was an 'out of control student.' Williams sees love as central to Jesus' message - if one loves everyone, that is sufficient and will create heaven on earth. Although he is still a follower of God and Jesus, Williams has rejected conventional Christianity in favour of 'a universal spirituality'.
Williams' website a minefield of information, with detailed sections on NDE Research Conclusions, Notable NDEs, Scientific Evidence of Survival (http://www.near-death.com/evidence.html), NDEs and Hallucinations (http://www.near-death.com/lsd.html), Reincarnation Evidence (http://www.near-death.com/reincarnation.html), NDEs and Religion, NDEs of Buddhists (http://www.near-death.com/buddhism.html), NDEs and Jews (http://www.near-death.com/judaism.html), NDE Resources and Multimedia, NDE Experts (http://www.near-death.com/experts.html), Triggers of NDEs (http://www.near-death.com/triggers.html), Miscellaneous NDEs, Pets in NDEs (http://www.near-death.com/animals.html), NDEs and Suicide (http://www.near-death.com/suicide.html), Edgar Cayce's NDEs and Revelations (http://www.near-death.com/cayce.html), NDE Articles (http://www.near-death.com/articles.html), Skeptical (sic) Arguments (http://www.near-death.com/skeptic.html), NDEs and Christians (http://www.near-death.com/origen.html), NDE Biblical Support, Christianity and Reincarnation, and Past Lives of Jesus Christ (http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen04.html). In total, there must be three or four hundred articles, websites and internet forums linked from Williams' website.
Although an interesting read, I am unsure how to treat Williams' website. I am inclined to treat it with a degree of scepticism. Although packed with information, I am unsure of its academic viability, especially as there appears to be little or no attention paid to constructive debate (the 'Skeptical Arguments' section appears to contain as just much argument against the sceptics). To someone who is not an NDE expert, such as myself, it appears that from the start, Williams is trying to prove that NDEs do exist, and to defend them, rather than present an interesting examination of and discussion about them. Williams' conclusions simply do not appear to have been arrived at in an 'academic' fashion. I realise that such criticisms leave me open to being labelled an academic snob, however I cannot help but feel that the website is more a product of a fanatic rather than an academic.
Monday, 15 December 2008
Death: The Last Taboo
http://www.deathonline.net/ is an Australian website developed by the Australian Museum (see http://www.austmus.gov.au/ and http://www.amonline.net.au/). It approaches some of the key questions and issues surrounding death - what is death? (http://www.deathonline.net/what_is/index.cfm), what happens after death? (http://www.deathonline.net/what_happens/index.cfm), disposing of the dead (http://www.deathonline.net/disposal/index.cfm) and remembering the dead (http://www.deathonline.net/remembering/index.cfm). Although 64% of the Australian population described themselves as 'Christian' in the 2006 census, the country has no official state religion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia). As a result, the website is of a predominantly secular nature. It approaches death mostly from a legal (for example http://www.deathonline.net/what_is/whatis.cfm, http://www.deathonline.net/what_is/defining.cfm#legal and http://www.deathonline.net/what_happens/autopsy/autopsy_rights.cfm) and cultural/historical context (http://www.deathonline.net/what_is/signs.cfm, http://www.deathonline.net/disposal/burial/index.cfm and http://www.deathonline.net/remembering/mourning/index.cfm) perspective, the latter occasionally delving into religious areas (http://www.deathonline.net/remembering/mourning/jewish.cfm and http://www.deathonline.net/what_is/defining.cfm#religious).
Despite its suggestive title ('Death - the last taboo'), this website doesn't make any religious or moral statements about death, or approach the subject with any particular agenda. I suspect this is because the website is connected to the Australian Museum (as mentioned above), and therefore has to maintain Australia's status as a country with no state religion.
Despite its suggestive title ('Death - the last taboo'), this website doesn't make any religious or moral statements about death, or approach the subject with any particular agenda. I suspect this is because the website is connected to the Australian Museum (as mentioned above), and therefore has to maintain Australia's status as a country with no state religion.
Monday, 10 November 2008
Do we remember them?
Although not strictly relevant to death within cyberspace, this is relevant to death, and is something I wish to get off my chest at the moment.
I have been very disappointed to note the lack of people wearing poppies this year - I think I've only seen three today. Are people no longer aware of, or do they no longer care about, the significance of the poppy appeal?
Yesterday (which was, of course, Rememberance Sunday), I travelled to Cardiff for the Welsh Open (fencing competition - http://www.welshfencing.org/). My train arrived shortly before 11.00 and I jumped in a taxi with some other fencers. I could not believe it when, at 11.00, our taxi driver proceeded to make polite conversation (something I would not usually object to). I find it difficult to believe that someone could simply 'forget' about Rememberance Sunday - unless they don't read a newspaper, watch television or listen to the radio.
Please - especially if, for whatever reason, you didn't yesterday - take two minutes of your time at 11.00 tomorrow, 11/11, to remember those who gave their lives fighting for our freedom. Is it too much to ask?
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), For The Fallen
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWbinyon.htm
http://www.army.mod.uk/events/ceremonial/1069.aspx
http://www.poppy.org.uk/index.php/give-money.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Binyon
I have been very disappointed to note the lack of people wearing poppies this year - I think I've only seen three today. Are people no longer aware of, or do they no longer care about, the significance of the poppy appeal?
Yesterday (which was, of course, Rememberance Sunday), I travelled to Cardiff for the Welsh Open (fencing competition - http://www.welshfencing.org/). My train arrived shortly before 11.00 and I jumped in a taxi with some other fencers. I could not believe it when, at 11.00, our taxi driver proceeded to make polite conversation (something I would not usually object to). I find it difficult to believe that someone could simply 'forget' about Rememberance Sunday - unless they don't read a newspaper, watch television or listen to the radio.
Please - especially if, for whatever reason, you didn't yesterday - take two minutes of your time at 11.00 tomorrow, 11/11, to remember those who gave their lives fighting for our freedom. Is it too much to ask?
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), For The Fallen
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWbinyon.htm
http://www.army.mod.uk/events/ceremonial/1069.aspx
http://www.poppy.org.uk/index.php/give-money.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Binyon
Friday, 24 October 2008
YouTube and Death
The first twenty videos of a youtube search for ‘death’ produces some interesting results.
Tom Brokaw Reports Death of Tim Russert
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vwNcuikop8A Posted by Veracifier 13/06/2008
Tim Russert was one of the main NBC news reporters who collapsed and died at work earlier this year. The clip is the full (3:23) report of his death on NBC. There is nothing especially religious about this clip; although Russert’s strong allegiance to his faith is briefly mentioned. There is nothing especially unusual about this clip, although it is interesting as it is, of course, one colleague (and therefore, one presumes, friend) reporting on the death of another. I find it interesting that this clip should be posted on youtube, and that it should feature so high up the results page. At the time of writing it has received 519,312 hits.
Muslim Sesame Street I: do the ‘Death to America’ thing
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yw2EisVqKZ4 Posted by pfict 18/08/2006
This video is without a doubt the most ‘religiously relevant’ of all the videos produced by the search. It is a relatively long (9:43) compilation of television clips taken from various Islamic countries, some of which are aimed at children (cartoons and children’s TV programmes) promoting militant Islamic fundamentalism, suicide bombing and militant jihad. The video has been compiled with the intention of condemning such acts, and has, unsurprisingly, produced quite a lively debate: on the one hand, many posters have expressed shock at the concept of children being ‘brainwashed’ into blowing themselves up, on the other, it has been suggested that it is unsurprising that such action is taken when innocent civilians are blown up daily and when international laws have been broken. Kmarxist, for example, comments:
‘They use their children JUSTIFIABLY in their propaganda against us. We blow pieces off these same kids without discretion, remorse, OR solid justification, so why WOULDN'T they teach their children to hate us? Tell me, if you were 8 or so, and you hear that your friend's legs and arms were blown off last night, how much convincing would you need before you learn to HATE those responsible? They have a cause, they have JUSTIFICATION, and WE have opposition. Sounds like WAR to me. I wonder what OUR television shows would look like if THEY had been oppressing US for a few decades.’
I find it interesting that a video that has been online for over two years has received only 238,650 hits – almost half of the Tom Brokaw report. Yet there can be no doubting which video has had more of an effect. Whereas the Brokaw report has stirred emotion in many posters, there is no evidence of debate.
George Carlin on Death – RIP http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3PiZSFIVFiU
Posted by boyhowdypro 23/06/2008
This is a clip from a set by the American stand-up comic George Carlin, who died on 22nd June 2008 at the age of 71. The clip was posted as a tribute to Carlin and begins by showing a picture of his face with the words,
George Carlin
Funniest Man Who Ever Lived
May 12, 1937-June 22, 2008
In the clip, Carlin – an atheist – makes fun of the Christian concept of the afterlife and of the things that people stereotypically say after someone has died. Boyhowdypro suggests that the video ‘might give us a bit of insight on how to treat his death.’ The video has prompted a fairly interesting debate on the afterlife and belief in God, with most posters criticizing a few who have claimed that Carlin’s comments are heretical and that he shall burn in Hell forever because of them.
This is a light-hearted view on death that I found funny and clever. It has so far received a colossal 823,626 hits.
David Copperfield Death Saw - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j9U3pZFPNcc Posted by Blueicepick8 27/01/2006
In this clip, David Copperfield, the famous American magician and illusionist, is locked in a coffin and placed under a huge electrically powered saw that is slowly descending on him. Copperfield somehow starts to escape from the coffin, however it looks like it's too little, too late as the saw descends upon the small of his back, cutting him in half (bizarrely producing no blood). The two halves of Copperfield are wheeled away separately - however both are definitely still alive. With a dramatic flick of his hand at the clock, Copperfield seemingly turns back time. The two halves of his body are replaced either side of the saw, which ascends after the coffin is re-assembled. Copperfield then emerges - in one piece and unharmed - out of the coffin. The scene is added to by dim lighting and dramatic music throughout.
I have absolutely no idea how this works! (If I did, I'd probably be a very rich magician as opposed to a third-year Theology student...) Other than being an example of someone apparently 'cheating death,' this clip does not say much to me about death from a Theological perspective, although it is fascinating to watch.
Unsurprisingly, this clip has received a colossal amount of hits - 2,342,099 to date. Most of the comments below have expressed disbelief and amazement.
GTA 4 Best Death Moments (REALLY FUNNY!) - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rxFy4IAVw6w Posted by RancidFan182 04/05/2008
This short (01.59) video is a series of clips from the video game Grand Theft Auto IV. The Grand Theft Auto series is oft-criticized for its glorification of violence, dangerous driving, prostitution and gang culture, and this video is a classic example why. The video shows a series of scenes in which characters from the game die in dramatic road accidents.
I would have to disagree with RancidFan182's description of the video as 'REALLY FUNNY!'. I, personally, do not find the video offensive - it is, after all, taken from a video game as opposed to real life - however I can see why some people might, especially parents who might not want their children to be exposed to such a thing. Theologically I find this video quite interesting. Do we have too light-hearted a view of death? Should such things be so readily available to children? Should people be expected to be able to distinguish between reality and fiction - especially when one considers that there have been cases of murderers trying to blame their actions on GTA?
Hits to date: 678,067. The majority of the comments below express appreciation but nothing more.
Well of Death - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hZK4_uSgN6k Posted by chikuse 01/01/2007
This three-minute long video shows two cars and two motorcycles being driven around the practically vertical walls of a large pit at a carnival in India. Unlike the David Copperfield video, I am sure that this video has no sense of illusion or trickery - it's for real. During the scene, the drivers let go of the steering wheels and the drivers in the cars open the doors and lean out. This is certainly something that I would never attempt - although it must be said that it is an incredible stunt. Theologically, the main point that I think can be raised about this video is that one could argue that it shows a certain amount of disrespect to the life that God has given us. Christian doctrine says that life is a God-given gift that humans should not take away - and it must surely be the case that the danger of death in performing such a stunt is great. However, this stunt was performed in a non-Christian country by (presumably) non-Christians - so is the criticism relevant?
Again, the majority of the comments express appreciation and amazement at the stunt - there is relatively little comment on the danger.
685,730 hits to date.
Just For Laughs - Death - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bf-7PxQ894 Posted by listedabive 05/02/2007
This is a short (1.31) extract from the television programme Just For Laughs which was spawned from the Canadian comedy festival of the same name held in each July in Montreal since 1983. The clip shows shoppers in a supermarket being tricked into thinking (via an image on the CCTV television) that the Grim Reaper is standing behind them. When they turn around, horrified, they see an old farmer standing behind them, holding a scythe.
This is another witty take on death. The only question I can think that it raises is, is such a practical joke morally acceptable? Many of the comments below refer to just how scared the 'victims' appear to be, yet there is little consideration of the implications or consequences of such a joke, except for from the poster, who describes it as 'possibly the sickest TV prank ever'. Personally, I think that it is acceptable, so long as the 'right' person is targeted (although this can be very hard to fathom in such a situation). One very soon realizes that a practical joke has been played.
To date, this video has received a colossal 2,634,070 hits.
Eddie Izzard - Death Star Canteen - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv5iEK-IEzw Posted by Thorn2200 30/06/2007
This video is an animation of an excerpt from one of Eddie Izzard's stand-up performances. Izzard has composed an imaginary scene on Star Wars' Death Star in which Darth Vader experiences a few problems ordering his food at the vessel's canteen. The scene is played out by lego men, with Izzard's voice over the top. It's funny, but apart from Vader's threats to destroy everything, it doesn't actually have a lot to do with death.
Hits to date: 5,453,358
GOOD: Business of Death - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J9PKO5WyPpg Posted by GOODMagazine 29/10/2007
This video, produced by http://www.goodmagazine.com/, reveals some interesting facts about death: the 'cost' of death (the average price of a funeral, the various industries who benefit in one way or another from death, etc), the environmental effects of burial (the amount of CO2 released by cremation, the various substances that are buried along with humans), and so on. The video doesn't make any obvious moral statements, although it did make me think about the moral implications of how one wishes to be buried.
The video takes the form of a series of still cartoon images, with on-screen words displaying the information, played to music. I found it interesting that many of the images had the head of an Ancient Egyptian Sphynx.
187,780 hits so far
Tunnel of Death (Lefortovo Tunnel, Russia) - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6fLW3OiH8OQ Posted by ChrisGronski, 01/11/2006
'The 3,150 m long Lefortovo Tunnel in Russia is the longest 'in-city' tunnel in all of Europe. There is a river running over it and water leaks at some points. When the temperature reaches minus 38 degrees like it did last winter, the road freezes and the result is the attached video taken during a single day with the tunnel camera.'
The video shows a number of very alarming crashes. I don't know what ChrisGronski's intention was by posting this video; I presume that he either thought that people would be interested to see the video and might even find it funny, or that he wanted to hilight a problem he feels needs to be addressed. Should the Russian government allow this tunnel to stay open during the cold months, considering how dangerous it is? I don't know - is travel outside of the tunnel possible?
I find many of the comments left below the video very alarming. Yet again it shows the lax attitude towards death that many people appear to take.
2,774,300 hits to date
Funniest Movie Death Scenes - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=38Y3hvd0bFQ Posted by darthmunky, 09/05/2007
This video shows a series of ridiculous and unrealistic death scenes from various films. I have to admit that I did find the video quite funny - some of the scenes are so poorly done that one can't avoid laughing. I don't have any moral or theological issues to take with this video in comparison to some of the others as the scenes are obviously not real.
1,567,815 hits to date
Funniest Movie Death Scenes 1.5 - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=33KmrZ1muXg
This is an extended - and slightly more gruesome - version of the video above.
616,829 hits to date
I found the range of videos above very interesting. It just goes to show how many different meanings can be attributed to the word 'death.' Some of the videos raise some interesting - if repetitive - moral and theological questions. Should one laugh at death? Does the world take the issue of death seriously enough? Why do people laugh at videos of things that would probably scar them if they were present at the scene? What happens to us when we die? Are we right to take our lives into our own hands?
Tom Brokaw Reports Death of Tim Russert
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vwNcuikop8A Posted by Veracifier 13/06/2008
Tim Russert was one of the main NBC news reporters who collapsed and died at work earlier this year. The clip is the full (3:23) report of his death on NBC. There is nothing especially religious about this clip; although Russert’s strong allegiance to his faith is briefly mentioned. There is nothing especially unusual about this clip, although it is interesting as it is, of course, one colleague (and therefore, one presumes, friend) reporting on the death of another. I find it interesting that this clip should be posted on youtube, and that it should feature so high up the results page. At the time of writing it has received 519,312 hits.
Muslim Sesame Street I: do the ‘Death to America’ thing
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yw2EisVqKZ4 Posted by pfict 18/08/2006
This video is without a doubt the most ‘religiously relevant’ of all the videos produced by the search. It is a relatively long (9:43) compilation of television clips taken from various Islamic countries, some of which are aimed at children (cartoons and children’s TV programmes) promoting militant Islamic fundamentalism, suicide bombing and militant jihad. The video has been compiled with the intention of condemning such acts, and has, unsurprisingly, produced quite a lively debate: on the one hand, many posters have expressed shock at the concept of children being ‘brainwashed’ into blowing themselves up, on the other, it has been suggested that it is unsurprising that such action is taken when innocent civilians are blown up daily and when international laws have been broken. Kmarxist, for example, comments:
‘They use their children JUSTIFIABLY in their propaganda against us. We blow pieces off these same kids without discretion, remorse, OR solid justification, so why WOULDN'T they teach their children to hate us? Tell me, if you were 8 or so, and you hear that your friend's legs and arms were blown off last night, how much convincing would you need before you learn to HATE those responsible? They have a cause, they have JUSTIFICATION, and WE have opposition. Sounds like WAR to me. I wonder what OUR television shows would look like if THEY had been oppressing US for a few decades.’
I find it interesting that a video that has been online for over two years has received only 238,650 hits – almost half of the Tom Brokaw report. Yet there can be no doubting which video has had more of an effect. Whereas the Brokaw report has stirred emotion in many posters, there is no evidence of debate.
George Carlin on Death – RIP http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3PiZSFIVFiU
Posted by boyhowdypro 23/06/2008
This is a clip from a set by the American stand-up comic George Carlin, who died on 22nd June 2008 at the age of 71. The clip was posted as a tribute to Carlin and begins by showing a picture of his face with the words,
George Carlin
Funniest Man Who Ever Lived
May 12, 1937-June 22, 2008
In the clip, Carlin – an atheist – makes fun of the Christian concept of the afterlife and of the things that people stereotypically say after someone has died. Boyhowdypro suggests that the video ‘might give us a bit of insight on how to treat his death.’ The video has prompted a fairly interesting debate on the afterlife and belief in God, with most posters criticizing a few who have claimed that Carlin’s comments are heretical and that he shall burn in Hell forever because of them.
This is a light-hearted view on death that I found funny and clever. It has so far received a colossal 823,626 hits.
David Copperfield Death Saw - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j9U3pZFPNcc Posted by Blueicepick8 27/01/2006
In this clip, David Copperfield, the famous American magician and illusionist, is locked in a coffin and placed under a huge electrically powered saw that is slowly descending on him. Copperfield somehow starts to escape from the coffin, however it looks like it's too little, too late as the saw descends upon the small of his back, cutting him in half (bizarrely producing no blood). The two halves of Copperfield are wheeled away separately - however both are definitely still alive. With a dramatic flick of his hand at the clock, Copperfield seemingly turns back time. The two halves of his body are replaced either side of the saw, which ascends after the coffin is re-assembled. Copperfield then emerges - in one piece and unharmed - out of the coffin. The scene is added to by dim lighting and dramatic music throughout.
I have absolutely no idea how this works! (If I did, I'd probably be a very rich magician as opposed to a third-year Theology student...) Other than being an example of someone apparently 'cheating death,' this clip does not say much to me about death from a Theological perspective, although it is fascinating to watch.
Unsurprisingly, this clip has received a colossal amount of hits - 2,342,099 to date. Most of the comments below have expressed disbelief and amazement.
GTA 4 Best Death Moments (REALLY FUNNY!) - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rxFy4IAVw6w Posted by RancidFan182 04/05/2008
This short (01.59) video is a series of clips from the video game Grand Theft Auto IV. The Grand Theft Auto series is oft-criticized for its glorification of violence, dangerous driving, prostitution and gang culture, and this video is a classic example why. The video shows a series of scenes in which characters from the game die in dramatic road accidents.
I would have to disagree with RancidFan182's description of the video as 'REALLY FUNNY!'. I, personally, do not find the video offensive - it is, after all, taken from a video game as opposed to real life - however I can see why some people might, especially parents who might not want their children to be exposed to such a thing. Theologically I find this video quite interesting. Do we have too light-hearted a view of death? Should such things be so readily available to children? Should people be expected to be able to distinguish between reality and fiction - especially when one considers that there have been cases of murderers trying to blame their actions on GTA?
Hits to date: 678,067. The majority of the comments below express appreciation but nothing more.
Well of Death - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hZK4_uSgN6k Posted by chikuse 01/01/2007
This three-minute long video shows two cars and two motorcycles being driven around the practically vertical walls of a large pit at a carnival in India. Unlike the David Copperfield video, I am sure that this video has no sense of illusion or trickery - it's for real. During the scene, the drivers let go of the steering wheels and the drivers in the cars open the doors and lean out. This is certainly something that I would never attempt - although it must be said that it is an incredible stunt. Theologically, the main point that I think can be raised about this video is that one could argue that it shows a certain amount of disrespect to the life that God has given us. Christian doctrine says that life is a God-given gift that humans should not take away - and it must surely be the case that the danger of death in performing such a stunt is great. However, this stunt was performed in a non-Christian country by (presumably) non-Christians - so is the criticism relevant?
Again, the majority of the comments express appreciation and amazement at the stunt - there is relatively little comment on the danger.
685,730 hits to date.
Just For Laughs - Death - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bf-7PxQ894 Posted by listedabive 05/02/2007
This is a short (1.31) extract from the television programme Just For Laughs which was spawned from the Canadian comedy festival of the same name held in each July in Montreal since 1983. The clip shows shoppers in a supermarket being tricked into thinking (via an image on the CCTV television) that the Grim Reaper is standing behind them. When they turn around, horrified, they see an old farmer standing behind them, holding a scythe.
This is another witty take on death. The only question I can think that it raises is, is such a practical joke morally acceptable? Many of the comments below refer to just how scared the 'victims' appear to be, yet there is little consideration of the implications or consequences of such a joke, except for from the poster, who describes it as 'possibly the sickest TV prank ever'. Personally, I think that it is acceptable, so long as the 'right' person is targeted (although this can be very hard to fathom in such a situation). One very soon realizes that a practical joke has been played.
To date, this video has received a colossal 2,634,070 hits.
Eddie Izzard - Death Star Canteen - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv5iEK-IEzw Posted by Thorn2200 30/06/2007
This video is an animation of an excerpt from one of Eddie Izzard's stand-up performances. Izzard has composed an imaginary scene on Star Wars' Death Star in which Darth Vader experiences a few problems ordering his food at the vessel's canteen. The scene is played out by lego men, with Izzard's voice over the top. It's funny, but apart from Vader's threats to destroy everything, it doesn't actually have a lot to do with death.
Hits to date: 5,453,358
GOOD: Business of Death - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J9PKO5WyPpg Posted by GOODMagazine 29/10/2007
This video, produced by http://www.goodmagazine.com/, reveals some interesting facts about death: the 'cost' of death (the average price of a funeral, the various industries who benefit in one way or another from death, etc), the environmental effects of burial (the amount of CO2 released by cremation, the various substances that are buried along with humans), and so on. The video doesn't make any obvious moral statements, although it did make me think about the moral implications of how one wishes to be buried.
The video takes the form of a series of still cartoon images, with on-screen words displaying the information, played to music. I found it interesting that many of the images had the head of an Ancient Egyptian Sphynx.
187,780 hits so far
Tunnel of Death (Lefortovo Tunnel, Russia) - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6fLW3OiH8OQ Posted by ChrisGronski, 01/11/2006
'The 3,150 m long Lefortovo Tunnel in Russia is the longest 'in-city' tunnel in all of Europe. There is a river running over it and water leaks at some points. When the temperature reaches minus 38 degrees like it did last winter, the road freezes and the result is the attached video taken during a single day with the tunnel camera.'
The video shows a number of very alarming crashes. I don't know what ChrisGronski's intention was by posting this video; I presume that he either thought that people would be interested to see the video and might even find it funny, or that he wanted to hilight a problem he feels needs to be addressed. Should the Russian government allow this tunnel to stay open during the cold months, considering how dangerous it is? I don't know - is travel outside of the tunnel possible?
I find many of the comments left below the video very alarming. Yet again it shows the lax attitude towards death that many people appear to take.
2,774,300 hits to date
Funniest Movie Death Scenes - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=38Y3hvd0bFQ Posted by darthmunky, 09/05/2007
This video shows a series of ridiculous and unrealistic death scenes from various films. I have to admit that I did find the video quite funny - some of the scenes are so poorly done that one can't avoid laughing. I don't have any moral or theological issues to take with this video in comparison to some of the others as the scenes are obviously not real.
1,567,815 hits to date
Funniest Movie Death Scenes 1.5 - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=33KmrZ1muXg
This is an extended - and slightly more gruesome - version of the video above.
616,829 hits to date
I found the range of videos above very interesting. It just goes to show how many different meanings can be attributed to the word 'death.' Some of the videos raise some interesting - if repetitive - moral and theological questions. Should one laugh at death? Does the world take the issue of death seriously enough? Why do people laugh at videos of things that would probably scar them if they were present at the scene? What happens to us when we die? Are we right to take our lives into our own hands?
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
When am I going to die?
Two of the first ten results from a google search on 'death' are websites that feature versions of 'The Death Clock,' an online programme designed to predict the date of one's death: http://www.deathclock.com/ and http://www.findyourfate.com/deathmeter/deathmtr.html.
Personally I find it surprising, if not shocking, that there are (apparently popular) websites dedicated to such a thing. The very idea of using an internet website to predict one's death seems very strange to me. The first website (http://www.deathclock.com/) asks for no more information than birthdate, sex, 'mode' ('normal,' 'pessimistic,' 'sadistic' or 'optimistic'), BMI and smoking status. Quite how one's death can be predicted based on such little information I don't know. The second website (http://www.findyourfate.com/deathmeter/deathmtr.html) is far more detailed, asking a total of twenty-seven questions on six different topics (personal, lifestyle, health, diet, environment and family), yet I still find it very hard to come to terms with the idea of asking a website - an inanimate object - when I am going to die.
No doubt part of the reason for this is the design of the websites. Their predominantly red/black colour scheme, and the images and soundbites they contain ('find your fate' and 'the internet's friendly reminder that life is slipping away...') are clearly attempts to achieve a morbid and fatalistic atmosphere. Had the websites been laid out differently and named, for example, 'The Healthometer,' I would no doubt have felt differently about them.
Personally I find it surprising, if not shocking, that there are (apparently popular) websites dedicated to such a thing. The very idea of using an internet website to predict one's death seems very strange to me. The first website (http://www.deathclock.com/) asks for no more information than birthdate, sex, 'mode' ('normal,' 'pessimistic,' 'sadistic' or 'optimistic'), BMI and smoking status. Quite how one's death can be predicted based on such little information I don't know. The second website (http://www.findyourfate.com/deathmeter/deathmtr.html) is far more detailed, asking a total of twenty-seven questions on six different topics (personal, lifestyle, health, diet, environment and family), yet I still find it very hard to come to terms with the idea of asking a website - an inanimate object - when I am going to die.
No doubt part of the reason for this is the design of the websites. Their predominantly red/black colour scheme, and the images and soundbites they contain ('find your fate' and 'the internet's friendly reminder that life is slipping away...') are clearly attempts to achieve a morbid and fatalistic atmosphere. Had the websites been laid out differently and named, for example, 'The Healthometer,' I would no doubt have felt differently about them.
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
My first ever post as an online blogger!
Last Monday, 29th September 2008, I went to my first ever funeral, for the parent of a friend of mine. I found the experience to be far more emotional than I had initially expected it to be. On my way home on the train, I decided to try to collect my thoughts by putting them into writing, which I have reproduced in part below. Various details have been changed in order to ensure the anonymity of my friends.
I went to my first funeral today, for Maria Smith, mother of Angela, who died on Tuesday 16 September 2008 of breast cancer, the day that I went to Andrew Johnson's house.
When I heard (via text message) from Angela that her mother died, on Monday 22nd September, I decided, almost immediately, that I would attend the funeral, not because I felt a particular desire (if that is the correct word) to attend, but because I hoped that my presence at her mother's funeral would mean a lot to Angela.
I had not anticipated how moving the funeral would be, or how much I would cry. I am not someone who cries very often. I do not know if I cried out of sadness at the death of someone I knew, or because the funeral was a moving experience and because death is sad.
Angela, obviously, was very upset, but I was very impressed by her reading. She almost broke down at the beginning, but managed to keep herself together and read remarkably well. I cannot help but worry about her. She is an exceptionally hard-working, caring girl. I do hope she continues to do what Maria would no doubt have wanted, studying dentistry in Leeds. I say this because Angela will no doubt, now that her mother is gone, feel a duty to look after her grandparents, who live at her home in Brighton. Angela's father lives abroad and they rarely see one another. I hope that she realizes she has people to turn to if she ever feels lost.
I expect that I shall cry at every funeral I ever go to. I have been to plenty of memorial services before - my Grandfather, Tom Gold, Alakh Prakash, Neil Taylor, Mr. Williams - some of whom, arguably, were closer to me than Maria. With the exception of my grandfather's, I did not cry at any of them, and possibly because it was today I would say that Maria's was the saddest.
Angela had asked that no black be worn, as Maria 'would have wanted life to be celebrated rather than mourned.'
Perhaps unsurprisingly, attending my first ever funeral got me thinking about the cheery topic of death. Partly for this reason, I have decided to write a blog about death.
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