San Junipero. Anyone familiar with the popular Netflix show “Black Mirror”, knows of this sci-fi inspired vision of the afterlife. A town where one is always young and Nostalgia never dies. Why? Because people don’t actually exist in San Junipero, only their consciousnesses do.
While the affirmations of love and breaking of barriers were very enjoyable for me, my favourite part of the episode was the end, as the lovers ride into the pixelated sunset with the 80’s hit by Belinda Carlisle playing as the outro:
Despite being a pop song, I think there is something profound about the lyrics of the song. Most religious practices, cultures and belief systems have the concept of an afterlife. A place humans (and not animals for some reason) go to when they die. A place where we get our rewards for deeds done in life; a place of eternal bliss or torment depending on the nature of said deeds. A place where deities rule supreme and from which they extend their influence to our realm.
Wanna know something funny though? There exists no evidence whatsoever of an afterlife. Yes, there have been some people who have experienced something they define as divine during near-death experiences. However, knowing how susceptible the human mind is to suggestion, it is more than likely that those people saw something divine because they expected to see it. It’s a self-fulfiling prophecy of sorts.
Whether Heaven actually exists or not is however not the point of this discourse. My concern is why we let the allure of an eternity that is not certain define the life we live now. Take the concept of eternal salvation in Christianity. Most Christians act not out of faith but out of fear and greed. Fear of eternal damnation and greed for a paradise where they do not toil and are rewarded for good (or at least church promoting) deeds.
The Bible asserts “What does it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul?”. I however ask, “What does it profit a man to squander the gift of life in longing for a hereafter?”. Christian leaders admonish their congregations to be good stewards of the faith, but of what use is faith that does not cherish the ultimate expression of the Creator’s love? God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness and let him have dominion over [all of life]…”
Despite Hobbes’ famous assertion, life is a thing of beauty. To quote Nietzsche, yes the abyss guy,
Thus, I believe the ultimate purpose of life is to truly live. To experience everything that life has to offer. To truly cherish every moment and affirm it. To love and be loved, in all the ways possible. After all, God is love.
Until next time, Peace and Celestial Spheres.
Really great read D, well done. Life is for the living and you keep one living till you're dead.
Awesome stuff as always. Looking forward to the next one.