Oxford shoppers ponder the meaning of death

12:10pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News

Oxford Humanist Society’s Joseph Trakalo talks to Malcolm Quigley Oxford Humanist Society’s Joseph Trakalo talks to Malcolm Quigley

SHOPPERS in Oxford’s Cornmarket Street were invited to take time out from the stores to discuss the meaning of death.

Students from Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University staffed the stall in Cornmarket Street on Saturday.

They were advertising Think Week, and spoke to more than 50 people about a topic that most people wish to avoid.

Think Week will take place across the city from next Monday to the following Monday, February 18.

Co-presidents David Shorthouse of Oxford University and Annie Webster of Oxford Brookes University were on the stall.

Miss Webster, 25, who is studying a Masters in Philosophy, said: “We have had some quite lengthy debates on the stall. We have been talking a bit about different approaches to death.

“We have discussed different interpretations from the Bible. A Jehovah’s Witness visited the stall and we spoke about the differences between approaches.

“We have also been speaking about the Buddhist approach to death.”

Visitor Malcolm Quigley, 45, who lives and works in Didcot, said: “I’m an Atheist so don’t believe in the concept of an afterlife.”

People have another chance to join the debate on Saturday when the stall returns.

Comments (5)

12:35pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Dilligaf2010 says...

The meaning of death;- that's when you die, cease to be, shuffle off this mortal coil, curl up your toes, kick the bucket, snuff it, etc. isn't it?
It's the only thing the Government can't take off you, so should be relished.
The meaning of death;- that's when you die, cease to be, shuffle off this mortal coil, curl up your toes, kick the bucket, snuff it, etc. isn't it? It's the only thing the Government can't take off you, so should be relished. Dilligaf2010

2:56pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Paul0 says...

"I’m an Atheist so don’t believe in the concept of an afterlife." A non-sequitur, I think. Why couldn't there be an afterlife without a god?
"I’m an Atheist so don’t believe in the concept of an afterlife." A non-sequitur, I think. Why couldn't there be an afterlife without a god? Paul0

7:29pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Feelingsmatter says...

Paul0 wrote:
"I’m an Atheist so don’t believe in the concept of an afterlife." A non-sequitur, I think. Why couldn't there be an afterlife without a god?
Because you believe there is no spiritual side to life if you're an Atheist. Religion used the afterlife as a comfort for those fearing separation by death. No afterlife means your life stops when your heart does. So no, it's not a non-sequitur. I don't believe I will be hovering up in a cloud, looking down on my loved ones, or trying to get a message to them that I left the remote for the TV in the cat's basket.
[quote][p][bold]Paul0[/bold] wrote: "I’m an Atheist so don’t believe in the concept of an afterlife." A non-sequitur, I think. Why couldn't there be an afterlife without a god?[/p][/quote]Because you believe there is no spiritual side to life if you're an Atheist. Religion used the afterlife as a comfort for those fearing separation by death. No afterlife means your life stops when your heart does. So no, it's not a non-sequitur. I don't believe I will be hovering up in a cloud, looking down on my loved ones, or trying to get a message to them that I left the remote for the TV in the cat's basket. Feelingsmatter

4:32am Sat 9 Feb 13

Grunden Skip says...

Feelingsmatter wrote:
Paul0 wrote:
"I’m an Atheist so don’t believe in the concept of an afterlife." A non-sequitur, I think. Why couldn't there be an afterlife without a god?
Because you believe there is no spiritual side to life if you're an Atheist. Religion used the afterlife as a comfort for those fearing separation by death. No afterlife means your life stops when your heart does. So no, it's not a non-sequitur. I don't believe I will be hovering up in a cloud, looking down on my loved ones, or trying to get a message to them that I left the remote for the TV in the cat's basket.
I wonder if there is a housing shortage up there, and how much the housing Benefit limit is?
[quote][p][bold]Feelingsmatter[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Paul0[/bold] wrote: "I’m an Atheist so don’t believe in the concept of an afterlife." A non-sequitur, I think. Why couldn't there be an afterlife without a god?[/p][/quote]Because you believe there is no spiritual side to life if you're an Atheist. Religion used the afterlife as a comfort for those fearing separation by death. No afterlife means your life stops when your heart does. So no, it's not a non-sequitur. I don't believe I will be hovering up in a cloud, looking down on my loved ones, or trying to get a message to them that I left the remote for the TV in the cat's basket.[/p][/quote]I wonder if there is a housing shortage up there, and how much the housing Benefit limit is? Grunden Skip

12:09pm Sat 9 Feb 13

Danny Haszard says...

Only 144,000 go to heaven in Jehovah's Witnesses belief system.The 'others' when they die pass into a 'sleep like' condition and are resurrected back to their physical bodies in a future 'paradise earth'.The JW also teach that Jesus has already had his 'invisible' second coming October 1914.--
Danny Haszard FMI dannyhaszard(dot)com
Only 144,000 go to heaven in Jehovah's Witnesses belief system.The 'others' when they die pass into a 'sleep like' condition and are resurrected back to their physical bodies in a future 'paradise earth'.The JW also teach that Jesus has already had his 'invisible' second coming October 1914.-- Danny Haszard FMI dannyhaszard(dot)com Danny Haszard

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