I believe no one particularly fears death. The fear is that "I haven't lived." That "I have needs which haven't been met and now never will. It's not fair."

Those individuals I've known who were least afraid of death were also those who most enjoyed life. They experienced no "holes" in their existence and enjoyed one day at a time while planning far into the future.

Christianity has puzzled me. In my experience Christians as a rule are terrified of death as they get nearer to it. From farther away one can intellectualize, but up close it's an emotional time. I remember listening to J. Vernon McGhee, the Christian broadcaster of the "Through the Bible" radio series as he got older and railed against his own dying, his talks slathered with fear and anger. Why fear going to heaven? How can a Christian fear God's calling?

Muslims, on the other hand, seem to have a far, far more robust faith and truly believe they are headed off to a better place. And live that way. Their version of the kamikaze or ballistic missile is the suicide bomber. I wonder how many of those could be found in the fundamental Christian colleges?

I truly believe it's only the wounded ego which fear death.

Arf