O Death where is thy sting?

One of the depressing things about being an atheist must be that you know: that’s it. When the last breath is exhaled; the last pulse beats; the machine stops whirring: that’s it. There is no more. My sister, who died nearly two years ago, insisted – before she went - that she should be referred to not as “passed away” or “departed” but “dead”. As dead as the parrot in the Monty Python sketch.

But there was one important difference: she believed in God. She wasn’t totally convinced by Jesus – her experience with men was not that heartening – but for her, God was a wise person (probably feminine) in whom she trusted. She knew that God would take care of her. Similarly, when my father died from a waterlogged golf course, he was able to tell me “ I think I’m ready to go”. He was convinced that there was another life and that my mother would be waiting for him. 

My beliefs are simple (forgive me if I have shared these before):

• There is a God though I have no idea what he, she or it  is like and I am inclined to interpret “Love your God” pantheistically;
• Jesus is my saviour – doesn’t have to be yours; and
• There is a life after death though, again, I have no idea what it’s like.

For those of my readers who are still with me, I realise that this discourse on death may have raised an important question: why? 

Recently, I have, finally, at the age of 73, ‘put my affairs in order’ and engaged a lawyer to draw up a will and two lasting powers of attorney. Previously, in spite of being a member of the Bar for fifty years, I had relied on the home made equivalent of a pub napkin, witnessed by some old friends over a beer. Now, I have distributed my meagre resources to my children, my wife and those charities which I wish to support. 

I am sure my son will be delighted to inherit my complete works of Anthony Trollope and I hope my children may raise a glass on some occasions in honour of ‘the old b….’. But I know that the homeless and other charities I have volunteered for and supported will use my small contributions to make this world a better place. I am sure that OneBodyOneFaith will continue to fight the important battle for the soul of the church and the future of its members.

So when you employ the back of an envelope or, as I would heartily recommend, engage a good local solicitor to ensure that your will is actually effective, think of how you wish to be remembered. After everyone walks away from the grave and the glasses are collected at your wake, OneBodyOneFaith will use your legacies and donations to invest in faith, hope and love.

If you are thinking of your will and a legacy, please contact me.

David Owen, Treasurer