>It has always intrigued me as to why so many people with strong religious convictions, including a belief in a caring God & the concept of heaven, so often seem to be the ones who are afraid of death. If they, or their loved ones, are going to a better place than where we live now, surely death shouldn't be so bad & funerals should be happy occasions.

That intrigues me, too. Looks like the faith of the people in question is - how should I say? Half-hearted? Not totally sure?

>
>As for me, there's so much I want to do, I don't want to die just yet, but I am not afraid of dying, to some extent I look forward to it, especially after some of the discussions on UT - it's going to be the only way for sure of finding out whether Doug is right.

Of course, you will find this out only if your conscience survives death... (which I do believe). And then, there are other theories (reincarnation), in which you would not preserve conscious memories of your present state.

Hilmar.