Single Idea 6709

[catalogued under 29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 2. Immortality / a. Immortality]

Full Idea

For Western minds, religion entails the belief and hope that we will be saved from death and live forever, but the belief of Eastern religions is that we do live forever, and it is from this dreadful fate that we must look to spirituality to save us.

Gist of Idea

Western religion saves us from death; Eastern religion saves us from immortality

Source

Gordon Graham (Eight Theories of Ethics [2004], Ch.9)

Book Reference

Graham,Gordon: 'Eight Theories of Ethics' [Routledge 2004], p.198


A Reaction

Nice. I have certainly come to prefer the Eastern view, simply on the grounds that human beings have a limited capacity. I quite fancy three hundred years of healthy life, but after that I am sure that any potential I have will be used up.