Life after Death – GCSE Religious Studies CCEA Revision

The Concept of Life after Death

Immortality of the Soul: The idea that soul survives bodily death and continues to exist in a spiritual realm. Different religions have different interpretations of this.
Reincarnation: This proposes that after death, the soul is reborn in a new body. This cyclical process continues until liberation is achieved.
Resurrection: Holds the belief that, at some point after death, the dead will be brought back to life in a renewed body.
Annihilationism: This perspective believes that after the death of the body, the individual ceases to exist.

Christianity: Believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting, often visualised as heaven for the redeemed and hell for those not elected for salvation.
Islam: Believes in bodily resurrection and judgement day, resulting in eternal paradise (jannah) or hellfire (jahannam).
Hinduism and Buddhism: Both uphold the concept of reincarnation and liberation (moksha or nirvana).
Judaism: Views are varied; some believe in resurrection, while others believe in a spiritual afterlife, and yet others do not believe in an afterlife.

Near-Death Experiences: Accounts of those who claim to have encountered death or near-death situations often describe feelings of peace, seeing a bright light, or meeting with deceased loved ones. Differing interpretations view these as neurological phenomena or genuine spiritual experiences.
Philosophical Problems: Can identity be preserved after death and reincarnation/or resurrection? How can we conceptualise ‘life after death’ without defying logic and language?
Evidence for Life after Death: Empirical evidence is scarce and controversial, with accounts of near-death experiences and supernatural occurrences.

Judgement and Reward: The prospect of accountability in the afterlife influences the moral choices of individuals during their earthly life.
Eternal Life vs Finite Life: Does the belief in eternal life diminish the value of this life? Or does it promote hope, comfort and moral living?
Atheistic Morality: For atheists who do not believe in life after death, the moral implications arise from their worldview and are often centred on empathy, social and natural obligations.