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| Boilerpipe Text | (:
A depiction of
Idris
visiting Heaven and Hell from a Persian
illuminated manuscript
version of the Islamic text
Stories of the Prophets
(1577)
The
afterlife
or
life after death
is a speculation concerning existence after death, in which the essential part of an individual's
stream of consciousness
or
identity
continues to exist after the death of their physical body. The surviving essential aspect varies between belief systems; it may be some partial element, or the entire
soul
or spirit, which carries with it one's personal identity.
In some views, this continued existence takes place in a
spiritual
realm, while in others, the individual may be reborn into
this world
and begin the life cycle over again in a process referred to as
reincarnation
, likely with no memory of what they have done in the past. In this latter view, such rebirths and deaths may take place over and over again continuously until the individual gains entry to a spiritual realm or
otherworld
. Major views on the afterlife derive from religion,
esotericism
, and
metaphysics
.
Some belief systems, such as those in the
Abrahamic tradition
, hold that the dead go to a specific place (e.g.,
paradise
or
hell
) after death, as determined by their god, based on their
actions
and
beliefs
during life. In contrast, in systems of reincarnation, such as those of the
Indian religions
, the nature of the continued existence is determined directly by the actions of the individual in the ended life.
Theist
immortalists
generally believe some afterlife awaits people when they die. Members of some generally non-theistic religions believe in an afterlife without reference to a deity.
[
citation needed
]
Religions, such as
Christianity
,
Islam
, and various pagan belief systems, believe in the soul's existence in another world, while others, like many forms of
Hinduism
and
Buddhism
, believe in reincarnation. In both cases, these religions hold that one's status in the afterlife is determined by their conduct during life.
[
citation needed
]
Reincarnation is the philosophical or religious conjecture that an aspect of a living being starts a new life in a different
physical body
or form after each death. This concept is also known as rebirth or transmigration and is part of the
Saṃsāra
/karma doctrine of cyclic existence. Samsara refers to the process in which souls (
jivas
) go through a sequence of human and animal forms. Traditional Hinduism teaches that each life helps the soul (jivas) learn until the soul becomes purified to the point of
liberation
.
[
1
]
All major
Indian religions
, namely
Buddhism
,
Hinduism
,
Jainism
, and
Sikhism
have their own interpretations of the idea of reincarnation.
[
2
]
The human idea of reincarnation is found in many diverse ancient cultures,
[
3
]
[
4
]
and a belief in rebirth/
metempsychosis
was held by historic Greek figures, such as
Pythagoras
and
Plato
.
[
5
]
It is a common belief of various ancient and modern religions, such as
Spiritism
,
theosophy
, and
Eckankar
. It is found as well in many tribal societies around the world, in places such as Australia, East Asia,
Siberia
, and South America.
[
6
]
The twelve nidanas in Buddhist artwork
Aztec mask depicting transformation and rebirth
Although the majority of denominations within the
Abrahamic religions
of Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam
do not believe that individuals reincarnate, particular groups within these religions do refer to reincarnation; these groups include the mainstream historical and contemporary followers of
Kabbalah
, the
Cathars
,
Alawites
, the
Druze
,
[
7
]
and the
Rosicrucians
.
[
8
]
The historical relations between these sects and the beliefs about reincarnation that were characteristic of
neoplatonism
,
Orphism
,
Hermeticism
,
Manicheanism
, and
Gnosticism
of the
Roman era
as well as the Indian religions have been the subject of scholarly research.
[
9
]
Unity Church
and its founder
Charles Fillmore
teach reincarnation.
Rosicrucians
[
8
]
speak of a
life review
period occurring immediately after death and before entering the afterlife's
planes of existence
(before the
silver cord
is broken), followed by a
judgment
, more akin to a final review or end report over one's life.
[
10
]
Georgin François,
The 3 Roads to Eternity
, 1825
Heaven
, the heavens,
Seven Heavens
,
pure lands
,
Tian
,
Jannah
,
Valhalla
, or
the Summerland
, is a common
religious, cosmological
, or
transcendent
place where beings such as
gods
,
angels
,
jinn
,
saints
, or
venerated ancestors
are said to originate, be
enthroned
, or live. According to the beliefs of some religions, heavenly beings can descend to earth or
incarnate
, and earthly beings can ascend to heaven in the afterlife, or in exceptional cases, enter heaven alive.
Heaven is often described as a "higher place", the
holiest
place, a
paradise
, in contrast to hell or the
underworld
or the "low places", and
universally
or conditionally accessible by earthly beings according to various standards of
divinity
,
goodness
,
piety
,
faith
or other
virtues
or
right beliefs
or the
will of God
. Some believe in the possibility of a heaven on Earth in a
world to come
.
In
Hinduism
, heaven is termed
Svarga loka
. There are seven positive regions and seven negative regions to which the soul can go after death.
[
11
]
After completing its stay in the respective region, the soul is subjected to
rebirth
in different living forms according to its
karma
. This cycle can be broken after a soul achieves
Moksha
or
Nirvana
. Any place of existence, either of humans, souls or deities, outside the tangible world (heaven, hell, or other) is referred to as
otherworld
.
Hell
, in many religious and
folkloric
traditions, is a place of
torment
and
punishment
in the afterlife. Religions with a
linear divine history
often depict hell as an
eternal destination
, while religions with a
cyclic history
often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations. Typically, these traditions locate hell in another dimension or under the Earth's surface and often include entrances to hell from the land of the living. Other afterlife destinations include
purgatory
and
limbo
.
Traditions that do not conceive of the afterlife as a place of punishment or reward merely describe hell as an
abode of the dead
, the grave, a neutral place (for example,
Sheol
or
Hades
) located under the surface of Earth.
[
12
]
Ancient Egyptian religion
[
edit
]
Judgment of the Dead in
Duat
This detail scene based from the
Papyrus of ani
shows a heart being weighed on the scale of
Maat
against the
feather of truth
, by the
jackal
-headed
Anubis
. The
ibis
-headed
Thoth
,
scribe
of the
gods
, records the result. If the heart is lighter than the feather, a person is allowed to pass into the afterlife. If not, they are eaten by the waiting
Ammit
.
Vignettes
such as these were a common
illustration
in Egyptian
books of the dead
.
The afterlife played an important role in
Ancient Egyptian religion
, and its belief system is one of the earliest known in recorded history. When the body died, parts of its soul known as
ka
(body double) and the
ba
(personality) would go to the afterlife, which is known to Egyptians as the "Kingdom of the Dead". To sustain the ka, the living provided offerings of food and drink, which were believed to nourish the ka's spiritual needs.
The ka would reunite with the deceased's spirit and enjoy eternal life in the
Fields of Aaru
, a paradise reserved for the righteous. However,
Osiris
demands work as restitution for the protection he provides. Statues were placed in the tombs to serve as substitutes for the deceased.
[
13
]
Arriving at one's reward in afterlife was a demanding ordeal, requiring a sin-free heart and the ability to recite the spells, passwords, and formulae of the
Book of the Dead
. In the Hall of Two Truths, the deceased's heart was weighed against the
Shu
feather of truth and justice taken from the headdress of the goddess
Ma'at
.
[
14
]
If the heart was lighter than the feather, they could pass on, but if it were heavier they would be devoured by the demon
Ammit
.
[
15
]
Egyptians also believed that being mummified and put in a
sarcophagus
(an ancient Egyptian "coffin" carved with complex symbols and designs, as well as pictures and hieroglyphs) was the only way to have an afterlife. What are referred to as the
Coffin Texts
, are inscribed on a coffin and serve as a guide for the challenges in the afterlife. The Coffin texts are more or less a duplication of the
Pyramid Texts
, which would serve as a guide for Egyptian pharaohs or queens in the afterlife. Only if the corpse had been properly
embalmed
and entombed in a
mastaba
, could the
dead live again
in the Fields of Yalu and accompany the Sun on its daily ride. Due to the dangers the afterlife posed, the Book of the Dead was placed in the tomb with the body as well as food, jewelry, and 'curses'. They also used the "opening of the mouth".
[
16
]
[
17
]
Ancient Egyptian civilization was based on religion. The belief in the rebirth after death became the driving force behind funeral practices; for them, death was a temporary interruption rather than complete cessation of life. Eternal life could be ensured by means like piety to the gods, preservation of the physical form through
mummification
, and the provision of statuary and other funerary equipment. Each human consisted of the physical body, the
ka
, the
ba
, and the
akh
. The Name and Shadow were also living entities. To enjoy the afterlife, all these elements had to be sustained and protected from harm.
[
18
]
On 30 March 2010, a spokesman for the Egyptian Culture Ministry claimed it had unearthed a large red granite door in Luxor with inscriptions by
User
,
[
19
]
a powerful adviser to the
18th Dynasty
Queen
Hatshepsut
who ruled between 1479 BC and 1458 BC, the longest of any woman. It believes the
false door
is a 'door to the Afterlife'. According to the archaeologists, the door was reused in a structure in
Roman Egypt
.
Ancient Greek and Roman religions
[
edit
]
The Greek god
Hades
is known in
Greek mythology
as the king of the
underworld
, a place where souls live after death.
[
20
]
The Greek god
Hermes
, the messenger of the gods, would take the dead soul of a person to the underworld (sometimes called Hades or the House of Hades). Hermes would leave the soul on the banks of the River
Styx
, the river between life and death.
[
21
]
Charon
, also known as the ferryman, would take the soul across the river to Hades, if the soul had gold: upon burial, the family of the dead soul would put coins under the deceased's tongue. Once crossed, the soul would be judged by
Aeacus
,
Rhadamanthus
and King
Minos
. The soul would be sent to
Elysium
,
Tartarus
, or
Asphodel Fields
. The Elysian Fields were for the ones that lived pure lives. It consisted of green fields, valleys and mountains, everyone there was peaceful and contented, and the Sun always shone there. Tartarus was for the people that blasphemed against the gods or were rebellious and consciously evil.
[
22
]
In Tartarus, the soul would be punished by being burned in lava or stretched on racks. The Asphodel Fields were for a varied selection of human souls including those whose sins equaled their goodness, those who were indecisive in their lives, and those who were not judged.
Some heroes of Greek legend are allowed to visit the underworld. The Romans had a similar belief system about the afterlife, with Hades becoming known as
Pluto
. In the ancient Greek myth about the
Labours of Heracles
, the hero
Heracles
had to travel to the underworld to capture
Cerberus
, the three-headed guard dog, as one of his tasks.
In
Dream of Scipio
,
Cicero
describes what seems to be an
out of body experience
, of the
soul
traveling high above the Earth, looking down at the small planet, from far away.
[
23
]
In Book VI of
Virgil
's
Aeneid
, the hero,
Aeneas
, travels to the underworld to see his father. By the River Styx, he sees the souls of those not given a proper burial, forced to wait by the river until someone buries them. While down there, along with the dead, he is shown the place where the wrongly convicted reside, the
fields of sorrow
where those who committed suicide and now regret it reside, including Aeneas' former lover, the warriors and shades, Tartarus (where the titans and powerful non-mortal enemies of the Olympians reside) where he can hear the groans of the imprisoned, the palace of
Pluto
, and the fields of Elysium where the descendants of the divine and bravest heroes reside. He sees the river of forgetfulness,
Lethe
, which the dead must drink to forget their life and begin anew. Lastly, his father shows him all of the future heroes of Rome who will live if Aeneas fulfills his destiny in founding the city.
Other eschatological views populate the ancient-Greek worldview. For instance,
Plato
argued for reincarnation in several dialogues, including the
Timaeus
.
[
24
]
The
Poetic
and
Prose Eddas
, the oldest sources for information on the Norse concept of the afterlife, vary in their description of the several realms that are described as falling under this topic. The most well-known are:
Valhalla
: (lit. "Hall of the Slain" i.e. "the Chosen Ones") Half the warriors who die in battle join the god
Odin
who rules over a majestic hall called Valhalla in
Asgard
.
[
25
]
Fólkvangr
: (
lit.
'
Field of the Host
'
) The other half join the goddess
Freyja
in a great meadow known as Fólkvangr.
[
26
]
Niflhel
: (lit. "The Dark" or "Misty Hel"). Niflhel is believed to be a place of punishment, where the oathbreakers and other wicked people go.
Hel
: (
lit.
'
The Covered Hall
'
). Hel was the daughter of god Loki and her kingdom was located in downward and northward. Snorri Sturluson's
Gylfaginning
tells of evil men going to Niflhel via Hel.
In Celtic mythology, the Otherworld is the realm of the deities and possibly also the dead. It is described either as a parallel world that exists alongside our own, or as a heavenly land beyond the sea or under the earth.
[
27
]
In
Gaelic
and
Brittonic
myth it is usually a supernatural realm of everlasting youth, beauty, health, abundance and joy.
Abrahamic religions
[
edit
]
Sheol
, in the
Hebrew Bible
, is a place of darkness (
Job 10
:21–22) to which all the dead go—both the righteous and the unrighteous—regardless of the moral choices made in life (
Book of Ezekiel
32;
Isaiah
16;
Job 30
:23), a place of stillness (
Psalm 88
:13,
94
:17;
Ecclesiastes
9:10), at the longest possible distance from Heaven (
Job 11
:8;
Amos 9
:2;
Psalm 139
:8).
[
28
]
The inhabitants of Sheol were the "shades" (
rephaim
), entities without personality or strength. Under some circumstances, they were thought to be able to be contacted by the living (as the
Witch of Endor
contacts the shade of
Samuel
for
Saul
), but such practices were forbidden (
Deuteronomy
18:10).
[
29
]
Whereas the Hebrew Bible appears to describe Sheol as the permanent place of the dead, in the
Second Temple period
(roughly 500 BC – 70 AD), a more diverse set of ideas developed. In some texts, Sheol is considered to be the home of both the righteous and the wicked, separated into respective compartments; in others, it was considered a place of punishment, meant for the wicked dead alone.
[
30
]
When the Hebrew scriptures were translated into
Greek
in ancient
Alexandria
around 200 BC, the word "
Hades
" (the
Greek underworld
) was substituted for Sheol. This is reflected in the
New Testament
where Hades is both the underworld of the dead and the personification of the
evil
it represents.
[
30
]
[
31
]
The
Talmud
offers several thoughts relating to the afterlife. After death, the soul is brought for judgment. Those who have led pristine lives immediately enter the
Olam Haba
or
world to come
. Most do not enter the world to come immediately but experience a period of reflection on their earthly actions and are made aware of what they have done wrong. Some view this period as "re-schooling", with the soul gaining wisdom as one's errors are reviewed. Others view this period as spiritual discomfort caused by past wrongs. At the end of this period, not longer than one year, the soul then takes its place in the world to come. Although discomforts are made part of certain Jewish conceptions of the afterlife, the concept of eternal
damnation
is not a tenet of the Jewish afterlife. According to the Talmud,
extinction of the soul
is reserved for a far smaller group of malicious and evil leaders whose very evil deeds go way beyond norms or who lead large groups of people to utmost evil.
[
32
]
[
33
]
This is also part of
Maimonides' 13 principles of faith
.
[
34
]
Maimonides
describes the
Olam Haba
in spiritual terms, relegating the prophesied physical resurrection to the status of a future miracle unrelated to the afterlife or the
Messianic era
. According to Maimonides, an afterlife continues for the soul of every human being: soul now separated from the body in which it was "housed" during its earthly existence.
[
35
]
The
Zohar
describes
Gehenna
not as a place of punishment for the wicked but as a place of spiritual purification for souls.
[
36
]
Reincarnation in Jewish tradition
[
edit
]
Although there is no reference to reincarnation in the Talmud or any prior writings,
[
37
]
according to rabbis such as Avraham Arieh Trugman, reincarnation is recognized as being part and parcel of Jewish tradition. Trugman explains that it is through oral tradition that the meanings of the Torah, its commandments, and stories are known and understood. The classic work of Jewish mysticism,
[
38
]
the Zohar, is quoted liberally in all Jewish learning; in the Zohar, the idea of reincarnation is mentioned repeatedly. Trugman states that in the last five centuries, the concept of reincarnation, which until then had been a much-hidden tradition within Judaism, was given open exposure.
[
38
]
Shraga Simmons
commented that within the Bible itself, the idea [of reincarnation] is intimated in Deut. 25:5–10, Deut. 33:6 and Isaiah 22:14, 65:6.
[
39
]
Yirmiyahu Ullman wrote that reincarnation is an "ancient, mainstream belief in Judaism". The Zohar makes frequent and lengthy references to reincarnation.
Onkelos
, a righteous convert and authoritative commentator of the same period, explained the verse, "Let Reuben live and not die ..." (Deuteronomy 33:6) to mean that Reuben should merit the World to Come directly and not have to die again as a result of being reincarnated. Torah scholar, commentator and kabbalist,
Nachmanides
(Ramban 1195–1270), attributed Job's suffering to reincarnation, as hinted in Job's saying "God does all these things twice or three times with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit to... the light of the living' (Job 33:29–30)."
[
40
]
Reincarnation, called
gilgul
, became popular in
folk belief
and is found in much
Yiddish
literature among
Ashkenazi Jews
. Among a few kabbalists, it was posited that some human souls could end up being reincarnated into non-human bodies. These ideas were found in several Kabbalistic works from the 13th century and among many mystics in the late 16th century.
Martin Buber
's early collection of stories of the
Baal Shem Tov
's life includes several that refer to people reincarnating in successive lives.
[
41
]
Among well-known (generally non-kabbalist or anti-kabbalist) rabbis who rejected the idea of reincarnation are
Saadia Gaon
,
David Kimhi
,
Hasdai Crescas
, Yedayah Bedershi (early 14th century),
Joseph Albo
,
Abraham ibn Daud
, the
Rosh
and
Leon de Modena
. Saadia Gaon, in
Emunoth ve-Deoth
(Hebrew: "beliefs and opinions"), concludes Section VI with a refutation of the doctrine of
metempsychosis
(reincarnation). While rebutting reincarnation, Saadia Gaon further states that Jews who hold to reincarnation have adopted non-Jewish beliefs. By no means do all Jews today believe in reincarnation, but belief in reincarnation is not uncommon among many Jews, including Orthodox.
Other well-known rabbis who are reincarnationists include
Yonassan Gershom
,
Abraham Isaac Kook
, Talmud scholar Adin Steinsaltz, DovBer Pinson, David M. Wexelman,
Zalman Schachter
,
[
42
]
and many others. Reincarnation is cited by authoritative Biblical commentators, including Ramban (Nachmanides), Menachem Recanti, and Rabbenu Bachya.
Among the many volumes of Yitzchak Luria, most of which come down from the pen of his primary disciple, Chaim Vital, are insights explaining issues related to reincarnation. His
Shaar HaGilgulim
("The Gates of Reincarnation") is a book devoted exclusively to the subject of reincarnation in Judaism.
Rabbi Naftali Silberberg of The
Rohr Jewish Learning Institute
notes that "Many ideas that originate in other religions and belief systems have been popularized in the media and are taken for granted by unassuming Jews."
[
43
]
Mainstream Christianity
professes belief in the
Nicene Creed
, and
English versions of the Nicene Creed in current use
include the phrase: "We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."
When questioned by the
Sadducees
about the
resurrection of the dead
(in a context relating to who one's spouse would be if one had been married several times in life), Jesus said that marriage would be irrelevant after the resurrection as the resurrected will be like the
angels
in Heaven.
[
44
]
[
45
]
Jesus also maintained that the time would come when the dead would hear the voice of the
Son of God
, and all who were in the tombs would come out; those who have heard his "[commandments] and believes in the one who sent [Him]" to the "resurrection of life", but those who do not to the "resurrection of condemnation".
[
46
]
The
Book of Enoch
describes Sheol as divided into four compartments for four types of the dead: the faithful saints who await resurrection in
Paradise
, the merely virtuous who await their reward, the wicked who await punishment, and the wicked who have already been punished and will not be resurrected on Judgment Day.
[
47
]
The Book of Enoch is considered apocryphal by most denominations of Christianity and all of Judaism.
The
book of 2 Maccabees
clearly describes the dead waiting for future resurrection and judgment, along with
prayers
and offerings for the deceased to alleviate their sins.
Domenico Beccafumi
's
Inferno
: a Christian vision of hell
The author of the
Gospel of Luke
recounts the story of
Lazarus and the rich man
, which shows people in Hades awaiting the resurrection either in comfort or torment. The author of the
Book of Revelation
writes about God and the angels versus
Satan
and
demons
in an epic battle at the end of times when all souls are judged. There is mention of ghostly bodies of the prophets and the
transfiguration
.
The non-canonical
Acts of Paul and Thecla
speak of the efficacy of
prayer for the dead
so that they might be "translated to a state of happiness".
[
48
]
Hippolytus of Rome
pictures the
underworld
(
Hades
) as a place where the righteous dead, waiting in the
bosom of Abraham
for their resurrection, rejoice at their future prospect; the unrighteous are tormented at the sight of the "
lake of unquenchable fire
" into which they are destined to be cast.
Gregory of Nyssa
discusses the long-before-believed possibility of purification of souls after death.
[
49
]
Pope Gregory I repeats the concept, articulated over a century earlier by Gregory of Nyssa, that the saved suffer purification after death. In connection with this, he wrote of "purgatorial flames."
The noun
"purgatorium"
(Latin: place of cleansing
[
50
]
) is used for the first time to describe a state of painful purification of the saved afterlife. The same word in adjectival form (
purgatorius -a -um
, cleansing), which appears also in non-religious writing,
[
51
]
was already used by Christians such as Augustine of Hippo and
Pope Gregory I
to refer to an after-death cleansing.
Theologians and philosophers presented various philosophies and beliefs during the
Age of Enlightenment
. A notable example is
Emanuel Swedenborg
who wrote some 18 theological works which describe in detail the nature of the afterlife according to his claimed spiritual experiences, the most famous of which is
Heaven and Hell
.
[
52
]
His report of life there covers a wide range of topics, such as marriage in heaven (where all
angels
are married), children in heaven (where they are raised by angel parents), time and
space
in heaven (there are none), the after-death awakening process in the World of Spirits (a place halfway between Heaven and Hell and where people first wake up after death), the allowance of a free will choice between Heaven or Hell (as opposed to being sent to either one by God), the
eternity
of
Hell
(one could leave but would never want to), and that all angels or devils were once people on earth.
[
52
]
The Catholic Church
[
edit
]
The Catholic conception of the afterlife teaches that
after the body dies, the soul is judged
, the righteous and free of sin enter Heaven. However, those who die in unrepented
mortal sin
go to hell. In the 1990s, the
Catechism of the Catholic Church
defined hell not as punishment imposed on the sinner but rather as the sinner's self-exclusion from God. Unlike other Christian groups, the Catholic Church teaches that those who die in a state of grace but still carry
venial sin
go to a place called
Purgatory
, where they undergo purification to enter Heaven.
Despite popular opinion, Limbo, which was elaborated upon by theologians beginning in the Middle Ages, was never recognized as a
dogma
of the
Catholic Church
, yet, at times, it has been a very popular theological theory within the Church. Limbo is a theory that
unbaptized
but innocent souls, such as those of infants or
virtuous
individuals who lived before
Jesus Christ was born
, exist in neither Heaven nor Hell proper. Therefore, these souls neither merit the
beatific vision
nor are subjected to any punishment because they are not guilty of any personal
sin
although they have not received baptism, so they still bear
original sin
. So, they are generally seen as existing in a state of natural, but not supernatural, happiness until the end of time.
In other
Christian denominations
, it has been described as an
intermediate place
or state of confinement in oblivion and neglect.
[
53
]
The notion of
purgatory
is associated mainly with the
Catholic Church
. In the Catholic Church, all those who die in God's grace and friendship but are still imperfectly purified are indeed assured of their eternal salvation. Still, after death, they undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven or the final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The tradition of the church, by reference to specific texts of scripture, speaks of a "cleansing fire", but it is not always called purgatory.
Anglicans
of the
Anglo-Catholic
tradition generally also hold to the belief.
John Wesley
, the founder of
Methodism
, believed in an
intermediate state
between death and the
resurrection of the dead
and in the possibility of "continuing to grow in holiness there", but Methodism does not officially affirm this belief and denies the possibility of
helping by prayer
any who may be in that state.
[
54
]
Orthodox Christianity
[
edit
]
The Orthodox Church is intentionally reticent about the afterlife, as it acknowledges the mystery, especially of things that have not yet occurred. Beyond the second coming of Jesus, bodily resurrection, and final judgment, all of which are affirmed in the
Nicene Creed
(325 AD), Orthodoxy does not teach much else in any definitive manner. Unlike Western forms of Christianity, however, Orthodoxy is traditionally non-dualist and does not teach that there are two separate literal locations of heaven and hell, but instead acknowledges that "the 'location' of one's final destiny—heaven or hell—as being figurative."
[
55
]
Instead, Orthodoxy teaches that the final judgment is one's uniform encounter with divine love and mercy, but this encounter is experienced multifariously depending on the extent to which one has been transformed, partaken of divinity, and is therefore compatible or incompatible with God. "The monadic, immutable, and ceaseless object of eschatological encounter is therefore the love and mercy of God, his glory which infuses the heavenly temple, and it is the subjective human reaction which engenders multiplicity or any division of experience."
[
55
]
For instance,
St. Isaac the Syrian
observes in his
Ascetical Homilies
that "those who are punished in Gehenna, are scourged by the scourge of love. ... The power of love works in two ways: it torments sinners ... [as] bitter regret. But love inebriates the souls of the sons of Heaven by its delectability."
[
56
]
In this sense, the divine action is always, immutably, and uniformly love, and if one experiences this love negatively, the experience is then one of self-condemnation because of free will rather than condemnation by God.
Orthodoxy therefore uses the description of Jesus' judgment in John 3:19–21 as their model: "19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." As a characteristically Orthodox understanding, then, Fr.
Thomas Hopko
writes, "[I]t is precisely the presence of God's mercy and love which cause the torment of the wicked. God does not punish; he forgives... In a word, God has mercy on all, whether all like it or not. If we like it, it is paradise; if we do not, it is hell. Every knee will bend before the Lord. Everything will be subject to Him. God in Christ will indeed be 'all and in all,' with boundless mercy and unconditional pardon. But not all will rejoice in God's gift of forgiveness, and that choice will be judgment, the self-inflicted source of their sorrow and pain."
[
57
]
Moreover, Orthodoxy includes a prevalent tradition of
apokatastasis
, or the restoration of all things in the end. This has been taught most notably by
Origen
, but also many other Church fathers and Saints, including
Gregory of Nyssa
. The
Second Council of Constantinople
(553 AD) affirmed the orthodoxy of Gregory of Nyssa while simultaneously condemning Origen's brand of universalism because it taught the restoration back to our pre-existent state, which Orthodoxy does not teach. It is also a teaching of such eminent Orthodox theologians as
Olivier Clément
, Metropolitan
Kallistos Ware
, and Bishop
Hilarion Alfeyev
.
[
58
]
Although apokatastasis is not a dogma of the church but instead a
theologoumenon
, it is no less a teaching of the Orthodox Church than its rejection. As Met. Kallistos Ware explains, "It is heretical to say that all must be saved, for this is to deny free will; but, it is legitimate to hope that all may be saved,"
[
59
]
as insisting on torment without end also denies free will.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
[
edit
]
Plan of Salvation in LDS Religion
Joseph F. Smith
of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
presents an elaborate vision of the afterlife. It is revealed as the scene of an extensive missionary effort by righteous spirits in paradise to redeem those still in darkness—a spirit prison or "hell" where the souls of the dead remain until judgment. It is divided into two parts: Spirit Prison and Paradise. These are also known as the
Spirit World
(also Abraham's Bosom; see Luke 16:19–25). They believe that Christ visited the spirit prison
(1 Peter 3:18–20)
and opened the gate for those who repent to cross over to Paradise. This is similar to the
Harrowing of Hell
doctrine of some mainstream Christian faiths.
[
60
]
Both Spirit Prison and Paradise are temporary according to Latter-day Saint beliefs. After the resurrection, spirits are assigned "permanently" to three degrees of heavenly glory, determined by how they lived – Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial. (1 Cor 15:44–42; Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76)
Sons of Perdition
, or those who have known and seen God and deny it, will be sent to the realm of
Satan
, which is called Outer Darkness, where they shall live in misery and agony forever.
[
61
]
However, according to the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, most persons lack the amount of knowledge to commit the
Eternal sin
and are therefore incapable of becoming sons of perdition.
[
62
]
The Celestial Kingdom is believed to be where the righteous can live eternally with their families. Progression does not end once one has entered the Celestial Kingdom but extends eternally. According to "True to the Faith" (a handbook on doctrines in the LDS faith), "The celestial kingdom is the place prepared for those who have "received the testimony of Jesus" and been "made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood" (Doctrine and Covenants, 76:51, 69). To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins."
[
63
]
Jehovah's Witnesses
[
edit
]
Jehovah's Witnesses
occasionally use terms such as "afterlife"
[
64
]
to refer to any hope for the dead, but they understand
Ecclesiastes
9:5 to preclude belief in an immortal soul.
[
65
]
Individuals judged by God to be wicked, such as in the
Great Flood
or at
Armageddon
, are given no hope of an afterlife. However, they believe that after Armageddon, there will be a bodily resurrection of "both righteous and unrighteous" dead (but not the "wicked"). Survivors of Armageddon and those who are resurrected are then to restore the Earth to a paradise gradually.
[
66
]
After Armageddon, unrepentant sinners are punished with eternal death (non-existence).
Seventh-day Adventists
[
edit
]
Creation and Death Equation
The Seventh-day Adventist Church's beliefs regarding the afterlife differ from those of other Christian churches. Rather than ascend to Heaven or descend to Hell, Adventists believe the dead "remain unconscious until the return of Christ in judgement". The concept that the dead remain dead until resurrection is one of the fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventism.
[
67
]
Adventists believe that death is an unconscious state (a "sleep"). This is based on Matt. 9:24; Mark 5:39; John 11:11–14; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; 1 Thess. 4:13–17; 2 Peter 3:4; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10. At death, all consciousness ends. The dead person does not know anything and does not do anything.
[
68
]
They believe that death is a decreation, or an undoing of what was created. This is described in Ecclesiastes 12:7: "When a person dies, the body turns to dust again, and the spirit goes back to God, who gave it." The spirit of every person who dies—whether saved or unsaved—returns to God at death. The spirit that returns to God at death is the breath of life.
[
69
]
15th century Persian depiction of
Muhammad
,
Buraq
, and
Gabriel
visiting Hell, where "shameless women" are burning for inciting lust in men by exposing their hair in public.
[
citation needed
]
The
Quran
(the holy book of Islam) emphasizes the insignificance of worldly life (
ḥayāt ad-dunyā
usually translated as "this world") vis-à-vis the hereafter.
[
Note 1
]
A central doctrine of Islamic faith is the
Judgement Day
(
al-yawm al-ākhir
, also known by other names),
[
Note 2
]
on which the world will come to an end and God will raise all mankind (as well as the
jinn
) from the dead and evaluate their worldly actions. The resurrected will be judged according to their deeds, records of which are kept on two books compiled for every human being—one for their good deeds and one for their evil ones.
[
71
]
[
45
]
Having been judged, the resurrected will cross the bridge of
As-Sirāt
over the pit of hell; when the condemned attempt to cross, they will be made to fall off into hellfire below, while the righteous will have no trouble and continue on to their eternal abode of heaven.
[
72
]
Afterlife in Islam actually begins before the Last Day. After death, humans will be questioned about their faith by two angels,
Munkar and Nakīr
. Those who die as martyrs go immediately to paradise.
[
71
]
Others who have died and been buried will receive a taste of their eternal reward from the
al-qabr
or "the grave" (compare the
Jewish concept
of
Sheol
). Those bound for hell will suffer "
Punishment of the Grave
", while those bound for heaven will find the grave "peaceful and blessed".
[
73
]
Islamic scripture—the Quran and
hadith
(reports of the words and deeds of the Islamic Prophet
Muhammad
who is believed to have visited heaven and hell during his
Isra and Mi'raj
journey) – give vivid descriptions of the pleasures of paradise (
Jannah
) and sufferings of hell (
Jahannam
). The gardens of Jannah have cool shade,
[Quran
36:56–57
]
adorned couchs and cushions,
[
18:31
]
rich carpets spread out, cups
[
88:10–16
]
full of wine,
[
52:23
]
and every meat
[
52:22
]
and fruit
[
36:56–57
]
. Men will be provided with perpetually youthful, beautiful
ḥūr
, "untouched beforehand by man or jinn",
[
74
]
[
55:56
]
with large, beautiful eyes
[
37:48
]
. (In recent years some have argued that the term
ḥūr
refers both to pure men and pure women,
[
75
]
and/or that Quranic references to "immortal boys" (
56:17
,
76:19
) or "young men" (
52:24
) (
ghilmān
,
wildān
, and
suqāh
) who serve
wine
and meals to the
blessed
, are the male equivalents of hur.)
[
74
]
In contrast, those in
Jahannam
will dwell in a land infested with thousands of serpents and scorpions;
[
76
]
be "burnt" by "scorching fire"
[
88:1-7
]
and when "their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins" to repeat the process forever
[
4:56
]
; they will have nothing to drink but "boiling water and running sores"
[
78:21–30
]
;
[
77
]
their cries of remorse and pleading for forgiveness will be in vain
[
26:96–106
]
.
[
78
]
[
79
]
Traditionally,
Jannah
and
Jahannam
are thought to have different levels. Eight gates and eight levels in
Jannah
, where the higher the level the better it is and the happier you are.
Jahannam
possess seven layers. Each layer more horrible than the one above.
The Quran teaches that the purpose of Man's creation is to worship God and God alone.
[
Note 3
]
Those it describes as being punished in hell are "most typically" unbelievers, including those who worship others besides Allah
[
10:24
]
, those who deny the divine origin of the Quran
[
74:16–26
]
, or the coming of Judgement Day
[
25:11–14
]
.
[
80
]
[
81
]
: 404
Straightforward crimes/sins against other people are also grounds for going to hell: the murder of a believer
[
4:93
]
[
3:21
]
, usury (Q.2:275)
[
2:275
]
, devouring the property of an orphan
[
4:10
]
, and slander
[Quran
104
]
, particularly of a chaste woman
[
24:23
]
.
[
82
]
However, it is a common belief among Muslims that whatever crimes/sins Muslims may have committed, their punishment in hell will be temporary. Only unbelievers will reside in hell permanently.
[
83
]
[
Note 4
]
Thus Jahannam combines both the concept of an eternal hell (for unbelievers), and what is known in Christian Catholicism as
purgatory
(for believers eventually destined for heaven after punishment for their sins).
[
86
]
The common belief holds that
Jahannam
coexists with the temporal world.
[
87
]
Mainstream Islam teaches the continued existence of the soul and a transformed physical existence after death. The resurrection that will take place on the Last Day is physical, and is explained by suggesting that God will recreate the decayed body ("Have they not realized that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, can ˹easily˺ re-create them?"
[
17:99
]
).
Ahmadi Muslims
believe that the afterlife is not material but of a spiritual nature. According to
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
, founder of the
Ahmadiyya
, the soul will give birth to another rarer entity and will resemble the life on this earth in the sense that this entity will bear a similar relationship to the soul as the soul bears relationship with the human existence on earth. On earth, if a person leads a righteous life and submits to the will of God, his or her tastes become attuned to enjoying spiritual pleasures as opposed to carnal desires. With this, an "embryonic soul" begins to take shape. Different tastes are said to be born which a person given to carnal passions finds no enjoyment. For example, sacrifice of one's own rights over that of others becomes enjoyable, or that forgiveness becomes second nature. In such a state a person finds contentment and peace at heart and at this stage, according to Ahmadiyya beliefs, it can be said that a soul within the soul has begun to take shape.
[
88
]
The
Sufi Muslim
scholar
Ibn 'Arabi
defined
Barzakh
as the intermediate realm or "isthmus". It is between the world of corporeal bodies and the world of spirits, and is a means of contact between the two worlds. Without it, there would be no contact between the two and both would cease to exist. He described it as simple and luminous, like the world of spirits, but also able to take on many different forms just like the world of corporeal bodies can. In broader terms Barzakh, "is anything that separates two things". It has been called the dream world in which the dreamer is in both life and death.
[
89
]
The teachings of the
Baháʼí Faith
state that the nature of the afterlife is beyond the understanding of those living, just as an unborn fetus cannot understand the nature of the world outside of the
womb
. The
Baháʼí writings
state that the soul is immortal and after death it will continue to progress until it finally attains
God's presence
.
[
90
]
In Baháʼí belief, souls in the afterlife will continue to retain their individuality and consciousness and will be able to recognize and communicate spiritually with other souls whom they have made deep profound friendships with, such as their spouses.
[
91
]
The Baháʼí scriptures also state there are distinctions between souls in the afterlife, and that souls will recognize the worth of their own deeds and understand the consequences of their actions. It is explained that those souls that have turned toward God will experience gladness, while those who have lived in error will become aware of the opportunities they have lost. Also, in the Baháʼí view, souls will be able to recognize the accomplishments of the souls that have reached the same level as themselves, but not those that have achieved a rank higher than them.
[
91
]
Early Indian religions were characterized by the belief in an afterlife,
ancestor worship
, and related rites. These concepts started to significantly change after the period of the
Upanishads
.
[
92
]
Afterlife in Buddhism consists of intermediated spirit realm that's beyond spatial means, which includes the six realms of existence, the 31 planes of existence, Naraka, Tengoku and the
pure land
after achieving
enlightenment
.
Ancestor worship
, and links to one's ancestors, was once an important component of early Buddhism, but became less relevant already before the formation of the different Buddhist streams. The concepts and importance of afterlife vary among modern Buddhist teachings.
[
93
]
[
94
]
Buddhists maintain that
rebirth
takes place without an unchanging
self
or soul passing from one form to another.
[
95
]
The type of rebirth will be conditioned by the moral tone of the person's actions (
kamma or karma
). For example, if a person has committed harmful actions by body, speech and mind based on greed, hate and delusion, would have his/her rebirth in a lower realm, i.e. an animal, a
hungry ghost
or a hell realm, is to be expected. On the other hand, where a person has performed skillful actions based on generosity, loving-kindness (
metta
), compassion and wisdom, rebirth in a happy realm, i.e. human or one of the many heavenly realms, can be expected.
[
96
]
However, the mechanism of rebirth with Kamma is not deterministic. It depends on various levels of kamma. The most important moment that determines where a person is reborn into is the last thought moment. At that moment, heavy kamma would ripen if there were performed. If not, near death kamma would ripen, and if not death kamma, then habitual kamma would ripen. Finally if none of the above happened, then residual kamma from previous actions can ripen.
[
97
]
According to
Theravada
Buddhism, there are 31 realms of existence that one can be reborn into. According to these, 31 existences comprise 20 existences of supreme deities (Brahmas); 6 existences of deities (Devas); the human existence (Manussa); and, lastly, 4 existences of deprivation or unhappiness (Apaya).
Pure Land Buddhism
of
Mahayana
believes in a special place apart from the 31 planes of existence called
Pure Land
. It is believed that each Buddha has their own pure land, created out of their merits for the sake of sentient beings who recall them mindfully to be able to be reborn in their pure land and train to become a Buddha there. Thus the main practice of pure land Buddhism is to chant a Buddha's name.
In
Tibetan Buddhism
the
Tibetan Book of the Dead
explains the intermediate state of humans between death and reincarnation. The deceased will find the bright light of wisdom, which shows a straightforward path to move upward and leave the cycle of reincarnation. There are various reasons why the deceased do not follow that light. Some had no briefing about the intermediate state in the former life. Others only used to follow their basic instincts like animals. And some have fear, which results from foul deeds in the former life or from insistent haughtiness. In the intermediate state the awareness is very flexible, so it is important to be virtuous, adopt a positive attitude, and avoid negative ideas. Ideas which are rising from subconsciousness can cause extreme tempers and cowing visions. In this situation they have to understand, that these manifestations are just reflections of the inner thoughts. No one can really hurt them, because they have no more material body. The deceased get help from different
Buddhas
who show them the path to the bright light. The ones who do not follow the path after all will get hints for a better reincarnation. They have to release the things and beings on which or whom they still hang from the life before. It is recommended to choose a family where the parents trust in the
Dharma
and to reincarnate with the will to care for the welfare of all beings.
There are two major views of an afterlife in Hinduism: the philosophical and the mythical.
The philosophical view considers that each individual consists of
three bodies
: a physical body composed of water and biomatter, (
sthūla śarīra
); an energetic/psychic/mental/subtle body, (
sūkṣma-śarīra
); and a causal body comprising subliminal and mental impressions, (
kāraṇa śarīra
).
[
98
]
In this three bodies doctrine, the individual is considered a stream of consciousness (
Ātman
), which flows through all the physical changes of the body in life. At the death of their physical body (
sthūla śarīra
), the stream flows on into another physical body. The two components that transmigrate are the subtle body (
sūkṣma-śarīra
) and the causal body (
kāraṇa śarīra
). The thought that occupies a person's mind at the time of their death determines the quality of their rebirth (
antim smaraṇa
), and hence Hinduism advises practitioners to be mindful of one's thoughts and cultivate positive wholesome thoughts.
Mantra chanting
is a common practice to develop such mindfulness.
The mythical view encapsulates the above philosophical doctrine, and supplements this with myths of heaven and hell, as elaborated in the
Puranas
and particularly in the
Garuda Purana
. In this tradition, when a being leaves their physical body at death, their soul appears for an exit interview at
the divine court
of
Yama
(the god of death and justice). Presiding over this court's judgement is a three-deity panel consisting of: King Yama; the cosmic accountant
Chitragupta
; and the cosmic intelligence officer
Varuna
. The registar-deity Chitragupta reads from a book that contains the history of the dead person's choices and mistakes, and the Panel counsels the deceased on their life achievements and failures while showing them a mirror in which their entire life is reflected.
Upon reaching a verdict, Yama sends the deceased to an appropriate spiritual realm in accordance with their
karma
. If they had been exceptionally benevolent and beneficient in life, the deceased is sent to a heavenly realm (
Svarga
) for a period of rest and recreation. This period is limited in time by the weight of their
good deeds
. If they had been exceptionally malevolent and caused immense suffering to other beings, then they are instead sent to a hell realm, (
Naraka
) to suffer the weight of their
sins
.
After the desceased have exhausted their
karma
in either Heaven or Hell, they are reborn anew and continue their
spiritual evolution
. Rebirth can take place as an animal (tiryak), as a human (manuṣya), or even as god (
deva
). It is generally taught that the spiritual evolution through cycles of rebirth has a directionality from lower to higher lifeforms or beings. In certain cases of traumatic death, a person may instead take the form of a
hungry ghost
and remains in an earth-bound state interminably, until and unless certain ceremonies are performed to liberate them.
This belief in rebirth was not original to the early Vedic religions and texts, but developed by later
Hindu sages
, to complexify ideas of one's lifespan in challenge to earlier notions. And in the philosophical view, this mythical judgement could be considered projections of the deceased's mind during the transmigration of their mental and causal bodies into a new physical form.
The
Upanishads
are the first scriptures in Hinduism which explicitly mention the afterlife.
[
99
]
The
Bhagavad Gita
, a famous Hindu scripture, says that just as a man discards his old clothes and wears new ones; similarly the Atman discards the old body and takes on a new one. In Hinduism, the belief is that the body is nothing but a shell, the consciousness inside is immutable and indestructible and takes on different lives in a cycle of birth and death. The end of this cycle is called
mukti
(
Sanskrit
:
मुक्ति
) and staying finally with the
ultimate reality
forever is
moksha
(Sanskrit:
मोक्ष
) or liberation.
The (diverse) views of modern Hinduism in part differ significantly from the
Historical Vedic religion
.
[
93
]
Jainism
also believes in the afterlife. They believe that the soul takes on a body form based on previous karmas or actions performed by that soul through eternity. Jains believe the soul is eternal and that the freedom from the cycle of reincarnation is the means to attain eternal bliss.
[
100
]
The essential doctrine of
Sikhism
is to experience the divine through simple living, meditation, and contemplation while being alive. Sikhism also has the belief of being in union with God while living. Accounts of afterlife are considered to be aimed at the popular prevailing views of the time so as to provide a referential framework without necessarily establishing a belief in the afterlife. Thus while it is also acknowledged that living the life of a householder is above the metaphysical truth, Sikhism can be considered agnostic to the question of an afterlife. Some scholars also interpret the mention of reincarnation to be naturalistic akin to the
biogeochemical cycles
.
[
101
]
But if one analyses the Sikh Scriptures carefully, one may find that on many occasions the afterlife and the existence of heaven and hell are mentioned and criticised in
Guru Granth Sahib
and in
Dasam Granth
as non-true man made ideas, so from that it can be concluded that Sikhism does not believe in the existence of heaven and hell; however, heaven and hell are created to temporarily reward and punish, and one will then take birth again until one merges in God. According to the Sikh scriptures, the human form is the closet form to God if the Guru is read and understood,
[
102
]
[
103
]
and the best opportunity for a human being to attain salvation and merge back with God and fully understand Him. Sikh Gurus said that nothing dies, nothing is born, everything is ever present, and it just changes forms. Like standing in front of a wardrobe, you pick up a dress and wear it and then you discard it. You wear another one. Thus, in the view of Sikhism, your soul is never born and never dies. Your soul is a part of God and hence lives forever.
[
104
]
Confucius
did not directly discuss the afterlife. Nonetheless,
Chinese folk religion
has had a strong influence on
Confucianism
, so adherents believe that their ancestors become deified spirits after death.
[
105
]
Ancestor veneration in China
is widespread.
In
Gnostic
teachings humans contain a
divine spark
within them said to have been trapped in their bodies by the creator of the material universe known as the
Demiurge
. It was believed that this spark could be released from the material world and enter into the heavenly spiritual world beyond it if special knowledge or
gnosis
was attained.
[
106
]
The
Cathars
, for example, viewed
reincarnation
as a trap made by
Satan
, who tricked
angels
from the heavenly realm into entering the physical bodies of humans. They viewed the purpose of life as a way to escape the constant cycle of spiritual incarnations by letting go of worldly attachments.
[
107
]
It is common for families to participate in ceremonies for children at a shrine, yet have a
Buddhist funeral
at the time of death. In old Japanese legends, it is often claimed that the dead go to a place called
yomi
(黄泉), a gloomy underground realm with a river separating the living from the dead mentioned in the legend of Izanami and Izanagi. This
yomi
very closely resembles the Greek
Hades
; however, later myths include notions of resurrection and even
Elysium
-like descriptions such as in the legend of
Ōkuninushi
and
Susanoo
. Shinto tends to hold negative views on death and corpses as a source of pollution called
kegare
. However, death is also viewed as a path towards
apotheosis
in Shintoism as can be evidenced by how legendary individuals become enshrined after death. Perhaps the most famous would be
Emperor Ōjin
who was enshrined as
Hachiman
the God of War after his death.
[
108
]
The
spirit world
, according to
spiritualism
, is the world or realm inhabited by
spirits
, both good or evil of various spiritual manifestations. This spirit world is regarded as an external environment for spirits.
[
109
]
The Spiritualism religious
movement
in the
nineteenth century
espoused a belief in an afterlife where individual's awareness persists beyond
death
.
[
110
]
Taoism
views life as an illusion and death as a transformation into immortality. Taoists believe that immortality of the soul can be achieved by living a virtuous life in harmony with the
Tao
. They are taught not to fear death, as it is simply part of nature.
[
111
]
Traditional African religions
[
edit
]
Traditional African religions
are diverse in their beliefs in an afterlife.
Hunter-gatherer
societies such as the
Hadza
have no particular belief in an afterlife, and the death of an individual is a straightforward end to their existence.
[
112
]
Ancestor cults
are found throughout
Sub-Saharan Africa
, including cultures like the
Yombe
,
[
113
]
Beng
,
[
114
]
Yoruba
and
Ewe
, "[T]he belief that the dead come back into life and are reborn into their families is given concrete expression in the personal names that are given to children....What is reincarnated are some of the dominant characteristics of the ancestor and not his soul. For each soul remains distinct and each birth represents a new soul."
[
115
]
The Yoruba,
Dogon
and LoDagoa have eschatological ideas similar to Abrahamic religions, "but in most African societies, there is a marked absence of such clear-cut notions of heaven and hell, although there are notions of God judging the soul after death."
[
115
]
In some societies like the
Mende
, multiple beliefs coexist. The Mende believe that people die twice: once during the process of joining the
secret society
, and again during biological death after which they become ancestors. However, some Mende also believe that after people are created by God they live ten consecutive lives, each in progressively descending worlds.
[
116
]
One cross-cultural theme is that the ancestors are part of the world of the living, interacting with it regularly.
[
117
]
[
118
]
[
119
]
Unitarian Universalism
[
edit
]
Some
Unitarian Universalists
believe in
universalism
: that all souls will ultimately be saved and that there are no torments of hell.
[
120
]
Unitarian Universalists differ widely in their theology hence there is no exact same stance on the issue.
[
121
]
Although Unitarians historically believed in a literal hell, and Universalists historically believed that everyone goes to heaven, modern Unitarian Universalists can be categorized into those believing in a heaven, reincarnation and oblivion. Most Unitarian Universalists believe that heaven and hell are symbolic places of consciousness and the faith is largely focused on the worldly life rather than any possible afterlife.
[
122
]
The Wiccan afterlife is most commonly described as
The Summerland
. Here, souls rest, recuperate from life, and reflect on the experiences they had during their lives. After a period of rest, the souls are reincarnated, and the memory of their previous lives is erased. Many Wiccans see The Summerland as a place to reflect on their life actions. It is not a place of reward, but rather the end of a life journey at an end point of incarnations.
[
123
]
Zoroastrianism states that the
urvan
, the disembodied spirit, lingers on earth for three days before departing downward to the kingdom of the dead that is ruled by Yima.
[
124
]
For the three days that it rests on Earth, righteous souls sit at the head of their body, chanting the
Ustavaiti Gathas
with joy, while a wicked person sits at the feet of the corpse, wails and recites the
Yasna
. Zoroastrianism states that for the righteous souls, a beautiful maiden, which is the personification of the soul's good thoughts, words and deeds, appears. For a wicked person, a very old, ugly, naked hag appears. After three nights, the soul of the wicked is taken by the demon
Vizaresa
(Vīzarəša), to Chinvat bridge, and is made to go to darkness (
hell
).
Yima
is believed to have been the first king on earth to rule, as well as the first man to die. Inside of Yima's realm, the spirits live a shadowy existence, and are dependent on their own descendants which are still living on Earth. Their descendants are to satisfy their hunger and clothe them, through rituals done on earth.
Rituals which are done on the first three days are vital and important, as they protect the soul from evil powers and give it strength to reach the underworld. After three days, the soul crosses
Chinvat bridge
which is the
Final Judgment
of the soul. Rashnu and
Sraosha
are present at the final judgment. The list is expanded sometimes, and include
Vahman
and
Ormazd
.
Rashnu
is the
yazata
who holds the scales of justice. If the good deeds of the person outweigh the bad, the soul is worthy of paradise. If the bad deeds outweigh the good, the bridge narrows down to the width of a blade-edge, and a horrid hag pulls the soul in her arms, and takes it down to hell with her.
Misvan Gatu is the "place of the mixed ones" where the souls lead a gray existence, lacking both joy and sorrow. A soul goes here if his/her good deeds and bad deeds are equal, and Rashnu's scale is equal.
The
Society for Psychical Research
was founded in 1882 with the express intention of investigating phenomena relating to Spiritualism and the afterlife. Its members continue to conduct scientific research on the paranormal to this day. Some of the earliest attempts to apply
scientific methods
to the study of phenomena relating to an afterlife were conducted by this organization. Its earliest members included noted scientists like
William Crookes
, and philosophers such as
Henry Sidgwick
and
William James
.
[
125
]
Parapsychological investigation of the afterlife includes the study of
haunting
,
apparitions
of the deceased, instrumental trans-communication,
electronic voice phenomena
, and
mediumship
.
[
126
]
A
study
conducted in 1901 by physician
Duncan MacDougall
sought to measure the weight lost by a human when the
soul
"departed the body" upon death.
[
127
]
MacDougall weighed dying patients in an attempt to prove that the soul was material, tangible and thus measurable. Although MacDougall's results varied considerably from "21 grams", for some people this figure has become synonymous with the measure of a soul's mass.
[
128
]
The title of the 2003 movie
21 Grams
is a reference to MacDougall's findings. His results have never been reproduced, and are generally regarded either as meaningless or considered to have had little if any scientific merit.
[
129
]
Frank Tipler
has argued that physics can explain immortality, although such arguments are not
falsifiable
and, in
Karl Popper
's views, they do not qualify as science.
[
130
]
After 25 years of parapsychological research
Susan Blackmore
came to the conclusion that, according to her experiences, there is not enough
empirical evidence
for many of these cases.
[
131
]
[
132
]
Mediums purportedly act as a vessel for communications from spirits in other realms.
Mediumship
is not specific to one culture or religion; it can be identified in several belief systems, most notably
Spiritualism
. While the practice gained popularity in Europe and North America in the 19th century, evidence of mediumship dates back thousands of years in Asia.
[
133
]
[
134
]
[
135
]
Mediums who claim to have contact with deceased people include
Tyler Henry
and
Pascal Voggenhuber
.
Near death research
[
edit
]
Research also includes the study of the near death experience. Scientists who have worked in this area include
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
,
Raymond Moody
,
Sam Parnia
,
Michael Sabom
,
Bruce Greyson
,
Peter Fenwick
,
Jeffrey Long
,
Susan Blackmore
,
Charles Tart
,
William James
,
Ian Stevenson
,
Michael Persinger
,
Pim van Lommel
,
Penny Sartori
,
Walter van Laack
among others.
[
136
]
[
137
]
Past life regression
[
edit
]
Past life regression
is a method that uses
hypnosis
to recover what practitioners believe are
memories of past lives
or
incarnations
. The technique used during past-life regression involves the subject answering a series of questions while hypnotized to reveal identity and events of alleged past lives, a method similar to that used in
recovered memory therapy
and one that, similarly, often misrepresents memory as a faithful recording of previous events rather than a constructed set of recollections.
However, medical experts and practitioners do not agree that the past life memories gained from past life regressions are truly from past lives; experts generally regard claims of recovered memories of past lives as fantasies or delusions or a type of
confabulation
, because the use of hypnosis and
suggestive questions
can tend to leave the subject particularly likely to hold distorted or false memories.
[
138
]
[
139
]
[
140
]
There is a view based on the philosophical question of
personal identity
, termed
open individualism
by
Daniel Kolak
, that concludes that individual conscious experience is illusory, and because consciousness continues after death in all conscious beings,
you
do not die. This position has allegedly been supported by physicists such as
Erwin Schrödinger
and
Freeman Dyson
.
[
141
]
Certain problems arise with the idea of a particular person continuing after death.
Peter van Inwagen
, in his argument regarding resurrection, notes that the materialist must have some sort of physical continuity.
[
142
]
John Hick
also raises questions regarding personal identity in his book,
Death and Eternal Life
, using an example of a person ceasing to exist in one place while an exact replica appears in another. If the replica had all the same experiences, traits, and physical appearances of the first person, we would all attribute the same identity to the second, according to Hick.
[
143
]
Some philosophers have used
Occam's razor
to argue against the existence of an afterlife.
[
144
]
[
145
]
[
146
]
In the
panentheistic
model of
process philosophy
and theology the writers
Alfred North Whitehead
and
Charles Hartshorne
rejected the idea that the universe was made of
substance
, instead saying reality is composed of living experiences (occasions of experience). According to Hartshorne people do not experience subjective (or personal) immortality in the afterlife, but they do have objective immortality because their experiences live on forever in God, who contains all that was. However other process philosophers such as
David Ray Griffin
have written that people may have subjective experience after death.
[
147
]
[
148
]
[
149
]
[
150
]
Psychological proposals for the origin of a belief in an afterlife include cognitive disposition, cultural learning, and as an intuitive religious idea.
[
151
]
Fear of death
or death anxiety is hypothesized to be a primary motivator for afterlife beliefs.
[
152
]
[
153
]
[
154
]
[
155
]
Jamin Halberstadt finds that one function of religion is to alleviate death anxiety via afterlife beliefs.
[
156
]
There also is research about afterlife beliefs from an evolutionary perspective, i.e. in the context of
group selection
.
[
157
]
[
158
]
Near-death experiences
[
edit
]
In 2008, a large-scale study conducted by the University of Southampton involving 2,060 patients from 15 hospitals in the United Kingdom, United States and Austria was launched. The AWARE (AWAreness during REsuscitation) study examined the broad range of mental experiences in relation to death. In a large study, researchers also tested the validity of conscious experiences for the first time using objective markers, to determine whether claims of awareness compatible with out-of-body experiences correspond with real or hallucinatory events.
[
159
]
The results revealed that 40% of those who survived a cardiac arrest were aware during the time that they were clinically dead and before their hearts were restarted. One patient also had a verified out-of-body experience (over 80% of patients did not survive their cardiac arrest or were too sick to be interviewed), but his cardiac arrest occurred in a room without markers. Dr. Parnia in the interview stated, "The evidence thus far suggests that in the first few minutes after death, consciousness is not annihilated."
[
160
]
The AWARE study drew the following primary conclusions:
In some cases of cardiac arrest, memories of visual awareness compatible with so called out-of-body experiences may correspond with actual events.
A number of NDErs may have vivid death experiences, but do not recall them due to the effects of brain injury or sedative drugs on memory circuits.
The recalled experience surrounding death merits a genuine investigation without prejudice.
[
161
]
Studies have also been done on the widely reported phenomenon of
near-death experiences
(NDE). Experiencers commonly report being transported to a different "realm" or "plane of existence" and they have been shown to display a lasting positive aftereffect on most experiencers.
[
162
]
Allegory of the long spoons
Astral plane
Bardo
Brig of Dread
(Bridge of Dread)
Empiricism
Epistemology
Eternal oblivion
Exaltation (Mormonism)
Fate of the unlearned
Heaven
Hell
Immortality
Mictlan
Mind uploading
Nirvana
Omega Point
Paradise
Phowa
Pre-existence
Purgatory
Rebirth
Reincarnation
Soul
Soul flight
Soul retrieval
Spiritism
Suspended animation
Spirit World
Undead
Underworld
^
some of the verses are:
"... but compared with the Hereafter the life of this world is but a [trifling] enjoyment"
[Quran
13:26
]
" ...The life of this world is nothing but the wares of delusion."
[Quran
3:185–186
]
" ...Know that the life of this world is mere diversion and play, glamour and mutual vainglory among you and rivalry for wealth and children" (Q.57:20)
[Quran
57:20
]
" ...Seek the abode of the Hereafter by means of what Allah has given you, while not forgetting your share of this world.
[Quran
28:77
]
^
The Last Day has a number of other names. It is also called the Encompassing Day (
al-yawm al-muḥīṭ
), more commonly known as the "
Day of Resurrection
" (
yawm al-qiyāma
), "
Day of Judgment
" (
yawm ad-dīn
), and "Day of Reckoning" (
yawm al-ḥisāb
), as well as both the "Day of Separation" (
yawm al-faṣl
) and "Day of Gathering" (
yawm al-jamʿ
), and is also referred to as
as-Sāʿah
, meaning "the Hour" signaled by the blowing of the horn/trumpet.
[
70
]
^
"I have created the jinn and humankind only for My worship."
[
51:56
]
^
"One should note there was a near consensus among Muslim theologians of the later periods that punishment for Muslim grave sinners would only be temporary; eventually after a purgatory sojourn in hell's top layer they would be admitted into paradise."
[
84
]
Prior to that, theologians of the Kharijite and Mu'tazilite schools insisted that the "sinful" and "unrepentant" should be punished even if they were believers, but this position has been "lastingly defeated and erased" by mainstream Islam.
[
85
]
^
Aiken, Lewis R. (2000).
Dying, death, and bereavement
(4th ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
ISBN
0-585-30171-9
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OCLC
45729833
.
^
Rita M. Gross (1993).
Buddhism After Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism
. State University of New York Press. p.
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.
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978-1-4384-0513-1
.
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Anakwue, Nicholas Chukwudike (22 February 2018).
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.
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.
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167–
180.
doi
:
10.25159/2413-3086/2361
.
ISSN
2413-3086
.
^
McClelland, Norman (2018).
Encyclopedia of Reincarnation and Karma
. McFarland. pp.
1–
320.
ISBN
978-0786456758
.
^
see Charles Taliaferro, Paul Draper, Philip L. Quinn,
A Companion to Philosophy of Religion
. John Wiley and Sons, 2010, p. 640,
Google Books
For Plato, see Kamtekar 2016 and Campbell 2022.
Kamtekar, Rachana. "The Soul's (After-) Life,"
Ancient Philosophy
36 (2016): 1–18.
Campbell, Douglas R. "Plato's Theory of Reincarnation: Eschatology and Natural Philosophy,"
Review of Metaphysics
75 4 (2022): 643–665.
^
Gananath Obeyesekere,
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. University of California Press, 2002, p. 15.
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a
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^
An important recent work discussing the mutual influence of ancient Greek and Indian philosophy regarding these matters is
The Shape of Ancient Thought
by
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.
^
Max Heindel,
Death and Life in Purgatory
Archived
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Richard P. Taylor,
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^
Social Studies School Service,
Ancient Greece
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^
Perry L. Westmoreland,
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^
N. Sabir,
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, 2010, p. 147
^
See
Timaeus
90–92. For a recent scholarly treatment, see Douglas R. Campbell, "Plato's Theory of Reincarnation: Eschatology and Natural Philosophy,"
Review of Metaphysics
75 (4): 643–665. 2022.
^
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.
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on 15 May 2016
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11 May
2016
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.
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Archived
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Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, 2006. p. 1671
^
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Berdichevsky 2016
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a
b
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^
Paull Raphael, Simcha (2019).
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ISBN
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^
a
b
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on
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^
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Martin Buber, "Legende des Baalschem" in
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^
Acts of Paul and Thecla
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8:5
^
He wrote that a person "may afterward in a quite different manner be very much interested in what is better, when,
after his departure out of the body
, he gains knowledge of the difference between virtue and vice and finds that he is not able to partake of divinity until he has been
purged of the filthy contagion in his soul by the purifying fire
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Archived
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^
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Archived
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a
b
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De vita Moysis
: Transfiguration, Cosmic Unity, and Compassion," In
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(PDF)
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trans. Dana Miller (Brookline, MA: Holy Transfiguration Monastery Press, 1984), 141.
^
Fr. Thomas Hopko, "Foreword," in
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, Sergius Bulgakov (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1988), xiii.
^
"Andrew P. Klager, "Orthodox Eschatology and St. Gregory of Nyssa's
De vita Moysis
: Transfiguration, Cosmic Unity, and Compassion," In
Compassionate Eschatology: The Future as Friend
, eds. Ted Grimsrud & Michael Hardin, 230–52 (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2011), 251"
(PDF)
.
Archived
(PDF)
from the original on 25 March 2016
. Retrieved
3 May
2016
.
^
Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Church (New York: Penguin, 1997), 262.
^
Paulsen, David L.; Cook, Roger D.; Christensen, Kendel J. (2010).
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.
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^
Spencer W. Kimball
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Insight on the Scriptures
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Maximciuc, Julia (30 March 2015).
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## Contents
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- [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife)
- [1 Different metaphysical models](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Different_metaphysical_models)
Toggle Different metaphysical models subsection
- [1\.1 Reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Reincarnation)
- [1\.2 Heaven and Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Heaven_and_Hell)
- [2 Ancient religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Ancient_religions)
Toggle Ancient religions subsection
- [2\.1 Ancient Egyptian religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Ancient_Egyptian_religion)
- [2\.2 Ancient Greek and Roman religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Ancient_Greek_and_Roman_religions)
- [2\.3 Norse religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Norse_religion)
- [2\.4 Celtic religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Celtic_religion)
- [3 Abrahamic religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Abrahamic_religions)
Toggle Abrahamic religions subsection
- [3\.1 Judaism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Judaism)
- [3\.1.1 Sheol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Sheol)
- [3\.1.2 World to Come](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#World_to_Come)
- [3\.1.3 Reincarnation in Jewish tradition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Reincarnation_in_Jewish_tradition)
- [3\.2 Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Christianity)
- [3\.2.1 The Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#The_Catholic_Church)
- [3\.2.2 Limbo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Limbo)
- [3\.2.3 Purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Purgatory)
- [3\.2.4 Orthodox Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Orthodox_Christianity)
- [3\.2.5 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints)
- [3\.2.6 Jehovah's Witnesses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Jehovah's_Witnesses)
- [3\.2.7 Seventh-day Adventists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Seventh-day_Adventists)
- [3\.3 Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Islam)
- [3\.3.1 Ahmadiyya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Ahmadiyya)
- [3\.3.2 Sufism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Sufism)
- [3\.4 Baháʼí Faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith)
- [4 Indian religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Indian_religions)
Toggle Indian religions subsection
- [4\.1 Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Buddhism)
- [4\.2 Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Hinduism)
- [4\.3 Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Jainism)
- [4\.4 Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Sikhism)
- [5 Others](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Others)
Toggle Others subsection
- [5\.1 Confucianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Confucianism)
- [5\.2 Gnosticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Gnosticism)
- [5\.3 Shinto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Shinto)
- [5\.4 Spiritualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Spiritualism)
- [5\.5 Taoism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Taoism)
- [5\.6 Traditional African religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Traditional_African_religions)
- [5\.7 Unitarian Universalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Unitarian_Universalism)
- [5\.8 Wicca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Wicca)
- [5\.9 Zoroastrianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Zoroastrianism)
- [6 Parapsychology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Parapsychology)
Toggle Parapsychology subsection
- [6\.1 Mediumship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Mediumship)
- [6\.2 Near death research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Near_death_research)
- [6\.3 Past life regression](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Past_life_regression)
- [7 Philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Philosophy)
Toggle Philosophy subsection
- [7\.1 Modern philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Modern_philosophy)
- [7\.2 Process philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Process_philosophy)
- [8 Science](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Science)
Toggle Science subsection
- [8\.1 Near-death experiences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Near-death_experiences)
- [9 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#See_also)
- [10 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#References)
Toggle References subsection
- [10\.1 Explanatory notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Explanatory_notes)
- [10\.2 Citations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Citations)
- [11 Bibliography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Bibliography)
- [12 Further reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Further_reading)
- [13 External links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#External_links)
Toggle the table of contents
# Afterlife
63 languages
- [Afrikaans](https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiernamaals "Hiernamaals – Afrikaans")
- [العربية](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%A9_\(%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%81%D8%A9\) "الحياة الآخرة (فلسفة) – Arabic")
- [Azərbaycanca](https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96l%C3%BCmd%C9%99n_sonrak%C4%B1_h%C9%99yat "Ölümdən sonrakı həyat – Azerbaijani")
- [Basa Bali](https://ban.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahuripan_ring_ungkur "Kahuripan ring ungkur – Balinese")
- [Български](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%96%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%82_%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B4_%D1%81%D0%BC%D1%8A%D1%80%D1%82%D1%82%D0%B0 "Живот след смъртта – Bulgarian")
- [বাংলা](https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%95 "পরলোক – Bangla")
- [Català](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vida_despr%C3%A9s_de_la_mort "Vida després de la mort – Catalan")
- [Čeština](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posmrtn%C3%BD_%C5%BEivot "Posmrtný život – Czech")
- [Cymraeg](https://cy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bywyd_ar_%C3%B4l_marwolaeth "Bywyd ar ôl marwolaeth – Welsh")
- [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livet_efter_d%C3%B8den "Livet efter døden – Danish")
- [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leben_nach_dem_Tod "Leben nach dem Tod – German")
- [Zazaki](https://diq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merd%C4%B1%C5%9F_ra_tepeya_c%C4%B1wiyay%C4%B1%C5%9F "Merdış ra tepeya cıwiyayış – Dimli")
- [Ελληνικά](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9C%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%B8%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AC%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%B1_%CE%B6%CF%89%CE%AE "Μεταθανάτια ζωή – Greek")
- [Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmorto "Postmorto – Esperanto")
- [Español](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vida_despu%C3%A9s_de_la_muerte "Vida después de la muerte – Spanish")
- [Eesti](https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teispoolsus "Teispoolsus – Estonian")
- [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilondoko_bizitza "Hilondoko bizitza – Basque")
- [فارسی](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C_%D9%BE%D8%B3_%D8%A7%D8%B2_%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%AF "زندگی پس از مرگ – Persian")
- [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuolemanj%C3%A4lkeinen_el%C3%A4m%C3%A4 "Kuolemanjälkeinen elämä – Finnish")
- [Français](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vie_apr%C3%A8s_la_mort "Vie après la mort – French")
- [Frysk](https://fy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libben_nei_de_dea "Libben nei de dea – Western Frisian")
- [Kriyòl gwiyannen](https://gcr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavi_apr%C3%A8_lanm%C3%B2 "Lavi aprè lanmò – Guianan Creole")
- [Galego](https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al%C3%A9n "Alén – Galician")
- [עברית](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%97%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%9C%D7%90%D7%97%D7%A8_%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%95%D7%AA "חיים לאחר המוות – Hebrew")
- [Hrvatski](https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BDivot_poslije_smrti "Život poslije smrti – Croatian")
- [Magyar](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BAlvil%C3%A1g "Túlvilág – Hungarian")
- [Հայերեն](https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D4%BF%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6%D6%84_%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%AB%D6%81_%D5%B0%D5%A5%D5%BF%D5%B8 "Կյանք մահից հետո – Armenian")
- [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kehidupan_setelah_kematian "Kehidupan setelah kematian – Indonesian")
- [日本語](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%A5%E4%B8%96 "来世 – Japanese")
- [Қазақша](https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%91%D0%B0%D2%9B%D0%B8 "Бақи – Kazakh")
- [한국어](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%82%B4%EC%84%B8 "내세 – Korean")
- [Кыргызча](https://ky.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90%D0%BA%D1%8B%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%82 "Акырет – Kyrgyz")
- [Latina](https://la.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vita_post_mortem "Vita post mortem – Latin")
- [Lietuvių](https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomirtinis_gyvenimas "Pomirtinis gyvenimas – Lithuanian")
- [Latviešu](https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%93cn%C4%81ves_dz%C4%ABve "Pēcnāves dzīve – Latvian")
- [Malagasy](https://mg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiainana_aorian%27_ny_fahafatesana "Fiainana aorian' ny fahafatesana – Malagasy")
- [Македонски](https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%BD_%D0%B6%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%82 "Задгробен живот – Macedonian")
- [മലയാളം](https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%9C%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%82 "മരണാനന്തരജീവിതം – Malayalam")
- [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leven_na_de_dood_\(begrip\) "Leven na de dood (begrip) – Dutch")
- [Livvinkarjala](https://olo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuolendanj%C3%A4lgehine_elos "Kuolendanjälgehine elos – Livvi-Karelian")
- [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BBycie_po%C5%9Bmiertne "Życie pośmiertne – Polish")
- [پنجابی](https://pnb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AA "حیات بعد الموت – Western Punjabi")
- [Português](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vida_ap%C3%B3s_a_morte "Vida após a morte – Portuguese")
- [Română](https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via%C8%9Ba_de_apoi "Viața de apoi – Romanian")
- [Русский](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%96%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BD%D1%8C_%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5_%D1%81%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B8 "Жизнь после смерти – Russian")
- [Simple English](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife "Afterlife – Simple English")
- [سرائیکی](https://skr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AA_%D8%AF%DB%92_%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF_%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%DA%AF%DB%8C "موت دے بعد زندگی – Saraiki")
- [Soomaaliga](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aakhiro "Aakhiro – Somali")
- [Shqip](https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeta_e_p%C3%ABrtejme "Jeta e përtejme – Albanian")
- [Српски / srpski](https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BDivot_posle_smrti "Život posle smrti – Serbian")
- [Svenska](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livet_efter_detta "Livet efter detta – Swedish")
- [Kiswahili](https://sw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahera "Ahera – Swahili")
- [தமிழ்](https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81_%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81 "வாழ்க்கைக்கு பிறகு – Tamil")
- [ไทย](https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2 "ชีวิตหลังความตาย – Thai")
- [Tagalog](https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabilang_buhay "Kabilang buhay – Tagalog")
- [Türkçe](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96l%C3%BCmden_sonra_ya%C5%9Fam "Ölümden sonra yaşam – Turkish")
- [Українська](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%96%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%82%D1%8F_%D0%BF%D1%96%D1%81%D0%BB%D1%8F_%D1%81%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%82%D1%96 "Життя після смерті – Ukrainian")
- [اردو](https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AA "حیات بعد الموت – Urdu")
- [Tiếng Việt](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%E1%BA%BF_gi%E1%BB%9Bi_b%C3%AAn_kia "Thế giới bên kia – Vietnamese")
- [吴语](https://wuu.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AD%BB%E5%90%8E%E7%94%9F%E5%91%BD "死后生命 – Wu")
- [閩南語 / Bân-lâm-gí](https://zh-min-nan.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A2i-s%C3%A8 "Lâi-sè – Minnan")
- [粵語](https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BE%86%E4%B8%96 "來世 – Cantonese")
- [中文](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AD%BB%E5%90%8E%E7%94%9F%E5%91%BD "死后生命 – Chinese")
[Edit links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q623282#sitelinks-wikipedia "Edit interlanguage links")
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English
- [Read](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife)
- [Edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit "Edit this page [e]")
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General
- [What links here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:WhatLinksHere/Afterlife "List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [j]")
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- [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Afterlife)
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Postulated continued existence after death
(:
Several terms redirect here. For other uses, see [Afterlife (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife_\(disambiguation\) "Afterlife (disambiguation)"), [After death (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_death_\(disambiguation\) "After death (disambiguation)"), [Life after death (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_after_death_\(disambiguation\) "Life after death (disambiguation)"), and [Hereafter (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereafter_\(disambiguation\) "Hereafter (disambiguation)").
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|  | The **[neutrality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Neutral_point_of_view "Wikipedia:Neutral point of view") of this article is [disputed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:NPOV_dispute "Wikipedia:NPOV dispute")**. Relevant discussion may be found on the [talk page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Afterlife#Afterlife#Heaven_and_Hell "Talk:Afterlife"). Please do not remove this message until [conditions to do so are met](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:POV#When_to_remove "Template:POV"). *(June 2023)* *([Learn how and when to remove this message](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal"))* |
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|  | This article **uses [texts from within a religion or faith system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_text "Religious text")** without referring to [secondary sources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:PSTS "Wikipedia:PSTS") that critically analyse them. Please help [improve this article](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit). *(September 2021)* *([Learn how and when to remove this message](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal"))* |
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Idris_the_prophet.jpg)
A depiction of [Idris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idris_\(prophet\) "Idris (prophet)") visiting Heaven and Hell from a Persian [illuminated manuscript](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminated_manuscript "Illuminated manuscript") version of the Islamic text *[Stories of the Prophets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stories_of_the_Prophets "Stories of the Prophets")* (1577)
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| Part of [a series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Philosophy_of_religion "Category:Philosophy of religion") on the |
| [Philosophy of religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_religion "Philosophy of religion") |
| [Religious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion "Religion") concepts [Afterlife]() [Apophatism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apophatic_theology "Apophatic theology") [Cataphatism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataphatic_theology "Cataphatic theology") [Eschatology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology "Eschatology") [Enlightenment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlightenment_in_Buddhism "Enlightenment in Buddhism") [Intelligent design](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design "Intelligent design") [Liberation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha "Moksha") [Miracle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle "Miracle") [Mysticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysticism "Mysticism") [Religious belief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belief#Religion "Belief") [Reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation") [Religious faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith "Faith") [Scripture (religious text)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_text "Religious text") [Soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul "Soul") [Spirit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitalism "Vitalism") [Theological veto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_veto "Theological veto") |
| [Conceptions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptions_of_God "Conceptions of God") |
| [Anthropopathism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropopathism "Anthropopathism") [Brahman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman "Brahman") [Demiurge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demiurge "Demiurge") [Divinely simple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_simplicity "Divine simplicity") [Form of the Good](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_of_the_Good "Form of the Good") [Holy Spirit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit "Holy Spirit") [Maltheist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misotheism "Misotheism") [Occasionalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occasionalism "Occasionalism") [Pandeist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandeism "Pandeism") [Personal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_god "Personal god") [Process-theological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_theology "Process theology") [Summum bonum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summum_bonum "Summum bonum") [Supreme Being](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creator_deity "Creator deity") [Unmoved mover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmoved_mover "Unmoved mover") |
| [Existence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God "Existence of God") |
| Arguments for |
| [Beauty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_beauty "Argument from beauty") [Christological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christological_argument "Christological argument") [Trilemma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis%27_trilemma "Lewis' trilemma") [Resurrection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_Jesus "Resurrection of Jesus") [Consciousness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_consciousness "Argument from consciousness") [Cosmological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_argument "Cosmological argument") [Kalam cosmological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalam_cosmological_argument "Kalam cosmological argument") [Contingency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_argument#Aquinas's_argument_from_contingency "Cosmological argument") [Metaphysical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_argument#Duns_Scotus's_metaphysical_argument "Cosmological argument") [Degree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_degree "Argument from degree") [Desire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_desire "Argument from desire") [Experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_religious_experience "Argument from religious experience") [Existential choice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_of_faith "Leap of faith") [Fine-tuned universe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine-tuned_universe "Fine-tuned universe") [Knowledge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontological_argument#Baruch_Spinoza "Ontological argument") [Love](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_love "Argument from love") [Mathematics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematics_and_God "Mathematics and God") [Miracles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_miracles "Argument from miracles") [Morality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_morality "Argument from morality") [Mystical idealism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Berkeley#Theology "George Berkeley") [Natural-law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural-law_argument "Natural-law argument") [Necessary existent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_of_the_Truthful "Proof of the Truthful") [Seddiqin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seddiqin_argument "Seddiqin argument") [Nyayakusumanjali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyayakusumanjali "Nyayakusumanjali") [Ontological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontological_argument "Ontological argument") [Anselm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proslogion "Proslogion") [Gödel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6del%27s_ontological_proof "Gödel's ontological proof") [Meinongian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meinongian_argument "Meinongian argument") [Modal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontological_argument#Modal_versions_of_the_ontological_argument "Ontological argument") [Mulla Sadra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendent_theosophy "Transcendent theosophy") [Pascal's wager](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_wager "Pascal's wager") [Reason](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_reason "Argument from reason") [Proper basis and Reformed epistemology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformed_epistemology "Reformed epistemology") [Responses to the problem of evil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_responses_to_the_problem_of_evil "Religious responses to the problem of evil") [Teleological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleological_argument "Teleological argument") [Natural law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural-law_argument "Natural-law argument") [Watchmaker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmaker_analogy "Watchmaker analogy") [Testimony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God#Arguments_from_witnesses'_testimony "Existence of God") [Historical events](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God#Arguments_from_historical_events "Existence of God") [Historical personages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God#Arguments_from_the_authority_of_historical_personages "Existence of God") [Trademark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark_argument "Trademark argument") [Transcendental](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_argument_for_the_existence_of_God "Transcendental argument for the existence of God") |
| Arguments against |
| [747 gambit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Boeing_747_gambit "Ultimate Boeing 747 gambit") [Atheist's wager](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheist%27s_wager "Atheist's wager") [Creator of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_the_creator_of_God "Problem of the creator of God") [Evil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_evil "Problem of evil") [Evil God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_God_challenge "Evil God challenge") [Fate of the unlearned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fate_of_the_unlearned "Fate of the unlearned") [Free will](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_free_will "Argument from free will") [God of the gaps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_of_the_gaps "God of the gaps") [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_Hell "Problem of Hell") [Hitchens's razor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchens%27s_razor "Hitchens's razor") [Incompatible properties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incompatible-properties_argument "Incompatible-properties argument") [Inconsistency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_inconsistent_revelations "Argument from inconsistent revelations") [Nonbelief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_nonbelief "Argument from nonbelief") [Noncognitivism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_noncognitivism "Theological noncognitivism") [Omnipotence paradox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnipotence_paradox "Omnipotence paradox") [Poor design](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_poor_design "Argument from poor design") [Russell's teapot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%27s_teapot "Russell's teapot") |
| By religion |
| [Abrahamic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Abrahamic_religions "God in Abrahamic religions") [Baháʼí](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_the_Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith "God in the Baháʼí Faith") [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Christianity "God in Christianity") [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Islam "God in Islam") [Judaism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Judaism "God in Judaism") [Mormonism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Mormonism "God in Mormonism") [Mandaeism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayyi_Rabbi "Hayyi Rabbi") [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creator_in_Buddhism "Creator in Buddhism") [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Hinduism "God in Hinduism") [Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Jainism "God in Jainism") [Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Sikhism "God in Sikhism") [Wicca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiccan_views_of_divinity "Wiccan views of divinity") |
| [Theories of religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theories_about_religion "Theories about religion") [Acosmism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acosmism "Acosmism") [Agnosticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism "Agnosticism") [Animism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animism "Animism") [Antireligion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antireligion "Antireligion") [Atheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism "Atheism") [Creationism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creationism "Creationism") [Dharmism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma "Dharma") [Deism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism "Deism") [Divine command theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_command_theory "Divine command theory") [Dualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dualism_in_cosmology "Dualism in cosmology") [Esotericism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_esotericism "Western esotericism") [Exclusivism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusivism "Exclusivism") [Existentialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism "Existentialism") [atheist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheistic_existentialism "Atheistic existentialism") [Christian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_existentialism "Christian existentialism") [Feminist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_theology "Feminist theology") [Fundamentalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamentalism "Fundamentalism") [Gnosticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism "Gnosticism") [Henotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henotheism "Henotheism") [Humanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism "Humanism") [Christian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_humanism "Christian humanism") [religious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_humanism "Religious humanism") [secular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism "Secular humanism") [Inclusivism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inclusivism "Inclusivism") [Monism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism "Monism") [Monotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotheism "Monotheism") [Mysticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysticism "Mysticism") [Naturalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism_\(philosophy\) "Naturalism (philosophy)") [humanistic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanistic_naturalism "Humanistic naturalism") [metaphysical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysical_naturalism "Metaphysical naturalism") [religious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_naturalism "Religious naturalism") [New Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age "New Age") [Nondualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonduality_\(spirituality\) "Nonduality (spirituality)") [Nontheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontheism "Nontheism") [Pandeism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandeism "Pandeism") [Panentheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism "Panentheism") [Pantheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism "Pantheism") [Perennialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_philosophy "Perennial philosophy") [Polytheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism "Polytheism") [Process](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_theology "Process theology") [Secular Shrine Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_Shrine_Theory "Secular Shrine Theory") [Shendao shejiao](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shendao_shejiao "Shendao shejiao") [Spiritualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism_\(beliefs\) "Spiritualism (beliefs)") [Shamanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism "Shamanism") [Taoic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asian_religions "East Asian religions") [Theism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theism "Theism") [Transcendentalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendentalism "Transcendentalism") |
| [Ancient](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_philosophy "Ancient Greek philosophy") and [medieval](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_philosophy "Medieval philosophy") |
| [Anselm of Canterbury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anselm_of_Canterbury "Anselm of Canterbury") [Augustine of Hippo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo "Augustine of Hippo") [Avicenna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avicenna "Avicenna") [Averroes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Averroes "Averroes") [Boethius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boethius "Boethius") [Gaudapada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaudapada "Gaudapada") [Al-Ghazali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ghazali "Al-Ghazali") [Gaunilo of Marmoutiers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaunilo_of_Marmoutiers "Gaunilo of Marmoutiers") [Pico della Mirandola](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Pico_della_Mirandola "Giovanni Pico della Mirandola") [Heraclitus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraclitus "Heraclitus") [King James VI and I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_VI_and_I "James VI and I") [Marcion of Sinope](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcion_of_Sinope "Marcion of Sinope") [Maimonides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides "Maimonides") [Adi Shankara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara "Adi Shankara") [Thomas Aquinas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas "Thomas Aquinas") [William of Ockham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_of_Ockham "William of Ockham") |
| [Early modern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_modern_philosophy "Early modern philosophy") |
| [Augustin Calmet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Augustin_Calmet "Antoine Augustin Calmet") [René Descartes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes "René Descartes") [Blaise Pascal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaise_Pascal "Blaise Pascal") [Desiderius Erasmus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderius_Erasmus "Desiderius Erasmus") [Baruch Spinoza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Spinoza "Baruch Spinoza") [Nicolas Malebranche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Malebranche "Nicolas Malebranche") [Gottfried W Leibniz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottfried_Wilhelm_Leibniz "Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz") [William Wollaston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wollaston "William Wollaston") [Thomas Chubb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Chubb "Thomas Chubb") [David Hume](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hume "David Hume") [Baron d'Holbach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_d%27Holbach "Baron d'Holbach") [Immanuel Kant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant "Immanuel Kant") [Johann G Herder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Gottfried_Herder "Johann Gottfried Herder") |
| [19th-century](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th-century_philosophy "19th-century philosophy") |
| [Friedrich Schleiermacher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Schleiermacher "Friedrich Schleiermacher") [Karl C F Krause](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Christian_Friedrich_Krause "Karl Christian Friedrich Krause") [Georg W F Hegel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Wilhelm_Friedrich_Hegel "Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel") [Thomas Carlyle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Carlyle "Thomas Carlyle") [William Whewell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Whewell "William Whewell") [Ludwig Feuerbach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Feuerbach "Ludwig Feuerbach") [Søren Kierkegaard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard "Søren Kierkegaard") [Karl Marx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx "Karl Marx") [Albrecht Ritschl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrecht_Ritschl "Albrecht Ritschl") [Afrikan Spir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrikan_Spir "Afrikan Spir") [Usman dan Fodio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usman_dan_Fodio "Usman dan Fodio") [Ernst Haeckel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Haeckel "Ernst Haeckel") [W K Clifford](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Kingdon_Clifford "William Kingdon Clifford") [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Nietzsche "Friedrich Nietzsche") [Harald Høffding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harald_H%C3%B8ffding "Harald Høffding") [William James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James "William James") [Vladimir Solovyov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Solovyov_\(philosopher\) "Vladimir Solovyov (philosopher)") [Ernst Troeltsch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Troeltsch "Ernst Troeltsch") [Rudolf Otto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Otto "Rudolf Otto") [Lev Shestov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev_Shestov "Lev Shestov") [Ernst Cassirer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Cassirer "Ernst Cassirer") [Joseph Maréchal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mar%C3%A9chal "Joseph Maréchal") |
| [Contemporary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_philosophy "Contemporary philosophy") |
| [George Santayana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Santayana "George Santayana") [Bertrand Russell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Russell "Bertrand Russell") [Martin Buber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Buber "Martin Buber") [Sergei Bulgakov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Bulgakov "Sergei Bulgakov") [René Guénon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Gu%C3%A9non "René Guénon") [Paul Tillich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Tillich "Paul Tillich") [Karl Barth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Barth "Karl Barth") [Pavel Florensky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Florensky "Pavel Florensky") [Emil Brunner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Brunner "Emil Brunner") [Rudolf Bultmann](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Bultmann "Rudolf Bultmann") [Gabriel Marcel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Marcel "Gabriel Marcel") [Reinhold Niebuhr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinhold_Niebuhr "Reinhold Niebuhr") [Charles Hartshorne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hartshorne "Charles Hartshorne") [Mircea Eliade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mircea_Eliade "Mircea Eliade") [Frithjof Schuon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frithjof_Schuon "Frithjof Schuon") [J. L. Mackie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._L._Mackie "J. L. Mackie") [Walter Kaufmann](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Kaufmann_\(philosopher\) "Walter Kaufmann (philosopher)") [Martin Lings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Lings "Martin Lings") [Peter Geach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Geach "Peter Geach") [George I. Mavrodes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_I._Mavrodes "George I. Mavrodes") [William Alston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Alston "William Alston") [Antony Flew](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Flew "Antony Flew") [Kurt Gödel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_G%C3%B6del "Kurt Gödel") [Graham Oppy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Oppy "Graham Oppy") [J. L. Schellenberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._L._Schellenberg "J. L. Schellenberg") [Paul Draper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Draper_\(philosopher\) "Paul Draper (philosopher)") [William L. Rowe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_L._Rowe "William L. Rowe") [Dewi Z Phillips](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewi_Zephaniah_Phillips "Dewi Zephaniah Phillips") [Alvin Plantinga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga "Alvin Plantinga") [Anthony Kenny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Kenny "Anthony Kenny") [Nicholas Wolterstorff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Wolterstorff "Nicholas Wolterstorff") [Richard Swinburne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Swinburne "Richard Swinburne") [Robert Merrihew Adams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Merrihew_Adams "Robert Merrihew Adams") [Ravi Zacharias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravi_Zacharias "Ravi Zacharias") [Peter van Inwagen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_van_Inwagen "Peter van Inwagen") [Cornel West](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornel_West "Cornel West") [Loyal Rue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyal_Rue "Loyal Rue") [Herman Philipse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Philipse "Herman Philipse") [Kai Nielsen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Nielsen_\(philosopher\) "Kai Nielsen (philosopher)") [Jean-Luc Marion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Luc_Marion "Jean-Luc Marion") [William Lane Craig](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lane_Craig "William Lane Craig") [Ali Akbar Rashad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Akbar_Rashad "Ali Akbar Rashad") [Yujin Nagasawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yujin_Nagasawa "Yujin Nagasawa") [Alexander Pruss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Pruss "Alexander Pruss") [John Hick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hick "John Hick") |
| Related topics [Criticism of religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_religion "Criticism of religion") [Ethics in religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics_in_religion "Ethics in religion") [Exegesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exegesis "Exegesis") [Faith and rationality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_and_rationality "Faith and rationality") [History of religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_religion "History of religion") [Natural theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_theology "Natural theology") [Religion and science](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relationship_between_religion_and_science "Relationship between religion and science") [Religious philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_philosophy "Religious philosophy") [Theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology "Theology") |
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| [Anthropology of religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropology_of_religion "Anthropology of religion") |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Queue.svg) |
| Basic concepts [Afterlife]() [Animism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animism "Animism") [Augury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augury "Augury") [Communitas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communitas "Communitas") [Comparative religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_religion "Comparative religion") [Divination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divination "Divination") [Divine language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_language "Divine language") [Evolutionary origin of religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_origin_of_religion "Evolutionary origin of religion") [Fetishism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetishism "Fetishism") [Great Spirit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Spirit "Great Spirit") [Henotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henotheism "Henotheism") [Initiation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiation "Initiation") [Laying on of hands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laying_on_of_hands "Laying on of hands") [Liminality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liminality "Liminality") [Numinous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numinous "Numinous") [Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_\(supernatural\) "Magic (supernatural)") [Mana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mana_\(Oceanic_cultures\) "Mana (Oceanic cultures)") [Monotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotheism "Monotheism") [Nympholepsy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nympholepsy "Nympholepsy") [Oracle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle "Oracle") [Pilgrimage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrimage "Pilgrimage") [Polytheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism "Polytheism") [Rite of passage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rite_of_passage "Rite of passage") [Ritual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritual "Ritual") [Sacred language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_language "Sacred language") [Sacredness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacredness "Sacredness") / [Profane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Profane_\(religion\) "Profane (religion)") [Sacred site](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_site "Sacred site") [Shamanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism "Shamanism") [Soul dualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_dualism "Soul dualism") [Superstition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition "Superstition") [Theories about religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theories_about_religion "Theories about religion") [Totem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem "Totem") [Transtheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transtheism "Transtheism") [Veneration of the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneration_of_the_dead "Veneration of the dead") |
| Case studies Magic [Coral Gardens and Their Magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Gardens_and_Their_Magic "Coral Gardens and Their Magic") [Treatise on the Apparitions of Spirits and on Vampires or Revenants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trait%C3%A9_sur_les_apparitions_des_esprits_et_sur_les_vampires_ou_les_revenans_de_Hongrie,_de_Moravie,_%26c. "Traité sur les apparitions des esprits et sur les vampires ou les revenans de Hongrie, de Moravie, &c.") [Neo-Paganism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Feminism "Enchanted Feminism") Ritual [Angakkuq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angakkuq "Angakkuq") [Babaylan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babaylan "Babaylan") [Bobohizan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobohizan "Bobohizan") [Bomoh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomoh "Bomoh") [Bora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bora_\(Australian\) "Bora (Australian)") [Dukun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukun "Dukun") [Miko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko "Miko") [Jhākri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jh%C4%81kri "Jhākri") [Pawang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawang "Pawang") [Slametan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slametan "Slametan") [Wu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_\(shaman\) "Wu (shaman)") Revitalization movements [Cargo cult](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult "Cargo cult") [Ghost Dance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Dance "Ghost Dance") [Handsome Lake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handsome_Lake "Handsome Lake") |
| Related articles *[The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elementary_Forms_of_the_Religious_Life "The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life")* *[Purity and Danger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purity_and_Danger "Purity and Danger")* [Myth and ritual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myth_and_ritual "Myth and ritual") [Archaeology of religion and ritual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeology_of_religion_and_ritual "Archaeology of religion and ritual") [Poles in mythology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceremonial_pole "Ceremonial pole") [Lived religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lived_religion "Lived religion") [Elite religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_religion "Elite religion") |
| Major theorists [Akbar S. Ahmed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbar_Ahmed "Akbar Ahmed") [Talal Asad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talal_Asad "Talal Asad") [Joseph Campbell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell "Joseph Campbell") [Mary Douglas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Douglas "Mary Douglas") [Émile Durkheim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89mile_Durkheim "Émile Durkheim") [Mircea Eliade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mircea_Eliade "Mircea Eliade") [Arnold van Gennep](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_van_Gennep "Arnold van Gennep") [René Girard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Girard "René Girard") [E. E. Evans-Pritchard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._E._Evans-Pritchard "E. E. Evans-Pritchard") [James Frazer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_George_Frazer "James George Frazer") [Fustel de Coulanges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numa_Denis_Fustel_de_Coulanges "Numa Denis Fustel de Coulanges") [Clifford Geertz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifford_Geertz "Clifford Geertz") [Robin Horton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_W._G._Horton "Robin W. G. Horton") [Claude Lévi-Strauss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_L%C3%A9vi-Strauss "Claude Lévi-Strauss") [Robert Marett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ranulph_Marett "Robert Ranulph Marett") [Roy Rappaport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Rappaport "Roy Rappaport") [Saba Mahmood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saba_Mahmood "Saba Mahmood") [Marshall Sahlins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Sahlins "Marshall Sahlins") [Melford Spiro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melford_Spiro "Melford Spiro") [Stanley Tambiah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Jeyaraja_Tambiah "Stanley Jeyaraja Tambiah") [Victor Turner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Turner "Victor Turner") [Edward Burnett Tylor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Burnett_Tylor "Edward Burnett Tylor") [Daniel Martin Varisco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Martin_Varisco "Daniel Martin Varisco") [Anthony F. C. Wallace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_F._C._Wallace "Anthony F. C. Wallace") |
| Journals *[Folklore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Folklore_Society "The Folklore Society")* *[The Hibbert Journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hibbert_Journal "The Hibbert Journal")* *[The Journal of Religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Journal_of_Religion "The Journal of Religion")* *[Oceania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceania_\(journal\) "Oceania (journal)")* |
| [Religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religions_and_spiritual_traditions "List of religions and spiritual traditions") [Ethnic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_religion "Ethnic religion") and [folk religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_religion "Folk religion") [Afro-American religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro-American_religion "Afro-American religion") [Alaska Native religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Native_religion "Alaska Native religion") [Anito](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anito "Anito") [Atua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atua "Atua") [Böö mörgöl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_shamanism "Mongolian shamanism") [Chinese folk religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_folk_religion "Chinese folk religion") [Hanitu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanitu "Hanitu") [Hausa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hausa_animism "Hausa animism") [Kejawèn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kejaw%C3%A8n "Kejawèn") [Native American religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_religion "Native American religion") [Noaidi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noaidi "Noaidi") [Shindo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_shamanism "Korean shamanism") [Shamanism in Siberia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism_in_Siberia "Shamanism in Siberia") [Shinto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto "Shinto") [Tengrism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengrism "Tengrism") [African traditional religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_traditional_religions "African traditional religions") [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism") [Mahayana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana "Mahayana") [Nichiren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nichiren_Buddhism "Nichiren Buddhism") [Pure Land](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Land_Buddhism "Pure Land Buddhism") [Shingon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingon_Buddhism "Shingon Buddhism") [Theravada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada "Theravada") [Tiantai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiantai "Tiantai") [Tibetan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism "Tibetan Buddhism") [Vajrayana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana "Vajrayana") [Zen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen "Zen") [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity "Christianity") [Adventism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventism "Adventism") [Anglicanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglicanism "Anglicanism") [Armenian Apostolic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Apostolic_Church "Armenian Apostolic Church") [Baptists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptists "Baptists") [Calvinism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism "Calvinism") [Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church "Catholic Church") [Coptic Orthodoxy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_Orthodox_Church "Coptic Orthodox Church") [Eastern Orthodoxy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Church "Eastern Orthodox Church") [Ethiopian Orthodoxy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_Orthodox_Tewahedo_Church "Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church") [Greek Orthodoxy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Church "Greek Orthodox Church") [Lutheranism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheranism "Lutheranism") [Methodism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodism "Methodism") [Nestorianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestorianism "Nestorianism") [Oriental Orthodoxy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Orthodoxy "Oriental Orthodoxy") [Pentecostalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostalism "Pentecostalism") [Protestantism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism "Protestantism") [Quakers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakers "Quakers") [Russian Orthodoxy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Orthodox_Church "Russian Orthodox Church") [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism "Hinduism") [Hindu denominations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_denominations "Hindu denominations") [Shaivism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaivism "Shaivism") [Shaktism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaktism "Shaktism") [Smartism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartism "Smartism") [Vaishnavism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism "Vaishnavism") [Ayyavazhi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayyavazhi "Ayyavazhi") [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam "Islam") [Ahmadiyya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadiyya "Ahmadiyya") [Ibadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibadi "Ibadi") [Mahdavia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahdavia "Mahdavia") [Non-denominational](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-denominational_Muslim "Non-denominational Muslim") [Quranists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quranism "Quranism") [Shia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia_Islam "Shia Islam") [Sufism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism "Sufism") [Sunni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni_Islam "Sunni Islam") [Yazdânism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazd%C3%A2nism "Yazdânism") [Judaism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism "Judaism") [Conservative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Judaism "Conservative Judaism") [Haredi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haredi_Judaism "Haredi Judaism") [Hasidic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasidic_Judaism "Hasidic Judaism") [Haymanot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymanot "Haymanot") [Karaite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karaite_Judaism "Karaite Judaism") [Orthodox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Judaism "Orthodox Judaism") [Reform](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reform_Judaism "Reform Judaism") [Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism "Jainism") [Digambara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digambara "Digambara") [Śvetāmbara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Avet%C4%81mbara "Śvetāmbara") [Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism "Sikhism") |
| [Social](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_anthropology "Social anthropology") and [cultural anthropology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_anthropology "Cultural anthropology") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Anthropology_of_religion "Template:Anthropology of religion") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Anthropology_of_religion "Template talk:Anthropology of religion") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Anthropology_of_religion "Special:EditPage/Template:Anthropology of religion") |
The **afterlife** or **life after death** is a speculation concerning existence after death, in which the essential part of an individual's [stream of consciousness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream_of_consciousness_\(psychology\) "Stream of consciousness (psychology)") or [identity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identity "Personal identity") continues to exist after the death of their physical body. The surviving essential aspect varies between belief systems; it may be some partial element, or the entire [soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul "Soul") or spirit, which carries with it one's personal identity.
In some views, this continued existence takes place in a [spiritual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernatural "Supernatural") realm, while in others, the individual may be reborn into [this world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World#Religion "World") and begin the life cycle over again in a process referred to as [reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation"), likely with no memory of what they have done in the past. In this latter view, such rebirths and deaths may take place over and over again continuously until the individual gains entry to a spiritual realm or [otherworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otherworld "Otherworld"). Major views on the afterlife derive from religion, [esotericism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_esotericism "Western esotericism"), and [metaphysics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysics "Metaphysics").
Some belief systems, such as those in the [Abrahamic tradition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religion "Abrahamic religion"), hold that the dead go to a specific place (e.g., [paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise "Paradise") or [hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell")) after death, as determined by their god, based on their [actions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopraxy "Orthopraxy") and [beliefs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodoxy "Orthodoxy") during life. In contrast, in systems of reincarnation, such as those of the [Indian religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_religions "Indian religions"), the nature of the continued existence is determined directly by the actions of the individual in the ended life.
## Different metaphysical models
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=1 "Edit section: Different metaphysical models")\]
[Theist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theism "Theism") [immortalists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality "Immortality") generally believe some afterlife awaits people when they die. Members of some generally non-theistic religions believe in an afterlife without reference to a deity.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
Religions, such as [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity "Christianity"), [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam "Islam"), and various pagan belief systems, believe in the soul's existence in another world, while others, like many forms of [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism "Hinduism") and [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism"), believe in reincarnation. In both cases, these religions hold that one's status in the afterlife is determined by their conduct during life.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
### Reincarnation
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=2 "Edit section: Reincarnation")\]
Main article: [Reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation")
Reincarnation is the philosophical or religious conjecture that an aspect of a living being starts a new life in a different [physical body](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_body "Physical body") or form after each death. This concept is also known as rebirth or transmigration and is part of the [Saṃsāra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%83s%C4%81ra "Saṃsāra")/karma doctrine of cyclic existence. Samsara refers to the process in which souls ([jivas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiva "Jiva")) go through a sequence of human and animal forms. Traditional Hinduism teaches that each life helps the soul (jivas) learn until the soul becomes purified to the point of [liberation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha "Moksha").[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-1) All major [Indian religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_religions "Indian religions"), namely [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism"), [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism "Hinduism"), [Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism "Jainism"), and [Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism "Sikhism") have their own interpretations of the idea of reincarnation.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Gross1993p148-2) The human idea of reincarnation is found in many diverse ancient cultures,[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-3)[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-4) and a belief in rebirth/[metempsychosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metempsychosis "Metempsychosis") was held by historic Greek figures, such as [Pythagoras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagoras "Pythagoras") and [Plato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato "Plato").[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-5) It is a common belief of various ancient and modern religions, such as [Spiritism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardecist_spiritism "Kardecist spiritism"), [theosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy_\(Boehmian\) "Theosophy (Boehmian)"), and [Eckankar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckankar "Eckankar"). It is found as well in many tribal societies around the world, in places such as Australia, East Asia, [Siberia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberia "Siberia"), and South America.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-6)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Traditional_bhavachakra_wall_mural_of_Yama_holding_the_wheel_of_life,_Buddha_pointing_the_way_out.jpg)
The twelve nidanas in Buddhist artwork
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aztec_-_Mask_-_Walters_2009201.jpg)
Aztec mask depicting transformation and rebirth
Although the majority of denominations within the [Abrahamic religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religions "Abrahamic religions") of Judaism, Christianity, and [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam "Islam") do not believe that individuals reincarnate, particular groups within these religions do refer to reincarnation; these groups include the mainstream historical and contemporary followers of [Kabbalah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah "Kabbalah"), the [Cathars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharism "Catharism"), [Alawites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alawites "Alawites"), the [Druze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze "Druze"),[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-7) and the [Rosicrucians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosicrucians "Rosicrucians").[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-:1-8) The historical relations between these sects and the beliefs about reincarnation that were characteristic of [neoplatonism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoplatonism "Neoplatonism"), [Orphism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_\(religion\) "Orphism (religion)"), [Hermeticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism "Hermeticism"), [Manicheanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manicheanism "Manicheanism"), and [Gnosticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism "Gnosticism") of the [Roman era](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_era "Roman era") as well as the Indian religions have been the subject of scholarly research.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-9) [Unity Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_Church "Unity Church") and its founder [Charles Fillmore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fillmore_\(Unity_Church\) "Charles Fillmore (Unity Church)") teach reincarnation.
Rosicrucians[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-:1-8) speak of a [life review](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_review "Life review") period occurring immediately after death and before entering the afterlife's [planes of existence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_\(esotericism\) "Plane (esotericism)") (before the [silver cord](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_cord "Silver cord") is broken), followed by a [judgment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Judgment#Esoteric_Christian_traditions "Last Judgment"), more akin to a final review or end report over one's life.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-10)
### Heaven and Hell
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=3 "Edit section: Heaven and Hell")\]
Main articles: [Heaven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven "Heaven") and [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Georgin_Fran%C3%A7ois,_The_3_Roads_to_Eternity,_1825_Cornell_CUL_PJM_1040_01.jpg)
Georgin François, *The 3 Roads to Eternity*, 1825
[Heaven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven "Heaven"), the heavens, [Seven Heavens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Heavens "Seven Heavens"), [pure lands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_land "Pure land"), [Tian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian "Tian"), [Jannah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannah "Jannah"), [Valhalla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla "Valhalla"), or [the Summerland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Summerland "The Summerland"), is a common [religious, cosmological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_cosmology "Religious cosmology"), or [transcendent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendence_\(philosophy\) "Transcendence (philosophy)") place where beings such as [gods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deity "Deity"), [angels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel "Angel"), [jinn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn "Jinn"), [saints](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint "Saint"), or [venerated ancestors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneration_of_the_dead "Veneration of the dead") are said to originate, be [enthroned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throne "Throne"), or live. According to the beliefs of some religions, heavenly beings can descend to earth or [incarnate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation "Incarnation"), and earthly beings can ascend to heaven in the afterlife, or in exceptional cases, enter heaven alive.
Heaven is often described as a "higher place", the [holiest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred "Sacred") place, a [paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise "Paradise"), in contrast to hell or the [underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld") or the "low places", and [universally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_reconciliation "Universal reconciliation") or conditionally accessible by earthly beings according to various standards of [divinity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divinity "Divinity"), [goodness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_and_evil "Good and evil"), [piety](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piety "Piety"), [faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith "Faith") or other [virtues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue "Virtue") or [right beliefs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodoxy "Orthodoxy") or the [will of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_of_God "Will of God"). Some believe in the possibility of a heaven on Earth in a [world to come](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_to_come "World to come").
In [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism "Hinduism"), heaven is termed *[Svarga loka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svarga "Svarga")*. There are seven positive regions and seven negative regions to which the soul can go after death.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-11) After completing its stay in the respective region, the soul is subjected to [rebirth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation") in different living forms according to its *[karma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma "Karma")*. This cycle can be broken after a soul achieves *[Moksha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha "Moksha")* or *[Nirvana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana "Nirvana")*. Any place of existence, either of humans, souls or deities, outside the tangible world (heaven, hell, or other) is referred to as [otherworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otherworld "Otherworld").
[Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell"), in many religious and [folkloric](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore "Folklore") traditions, is a place of [torment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture "Torture") and [punishment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punishment "Punishment") in the afterlife. Religions with a [linear divine history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_history#Philosophy_of_chronology "Philosophy of history") often depict hell as an [eternal destination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_damnation "Eternal damnation"), while religions with a [cyclic history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation") often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations. Typically, these traditions locate hell in another dimension or under the Earth's surface and often include entrances to hell from the land of the living. Other afterlife destinations include [purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory") and [limbo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbo "Limbo").
Traditions that do not conceive of the afterlife as a place of punishment or reward merely describe hell as an [abode of the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosom_of_Abraham "Bosom of Abraham"), the grave, a neutral place (for example, [Sheol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheol "Sheol") or [Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades "Hades")) located under the surface of Earth.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-EECO_2018-12)
## Ancient religions
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=4 "Edit section: Ancient religions")\]
### Ancient Egyptian religion
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=5 "Edit section: Ancient Egyptian religion")\]
Main article: [Ancient Egyptian religion § Afterlife](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion#Afterlife "Ancient Egyptian religion")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osiris,_God_of_the_Dead.jpg)
Judgment of the Dead in [Duat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duat "Duat")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Weighing_of_the_Heart.svg)
This detail scene based from the [Papyrus of ani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papyrus_of_ani "Papyrus of ani") shows a heart being weighed on the scale of [Maat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maat "Maat") against the [feather of truth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather_of_truth "Feather of truth"), by the [jackal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackal "Jackal")\-headed [Anubis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anubis "Anubis"). The [ibis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibis "Ibis")\-headed [Thoth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoth "Thoth"), [scribe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scribe "Scribe") of the [gods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gods "Gods"), records the result. If the heart is lighter than the feather, a person is allowed to pass into the afterlife. If not, they are eaten by the waiting [Ammit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammit "Ammit"). [Vignettes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignette_\(graphic_design\) "Vignette (graphic design)") such as these were a common [illustration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illustration "Illustration") in Egyptian [books of the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_dead "Book of the dead").
The afterlife played an important role in [Ancient Egyptian religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion "Ancient Egyptian religion"), and its belief system is one of the earliest known in recorded history. When the body died, parts of its soul known as *ka* (body double) and the *ba* (personality) would go to the afterlife, which is known to Egyptians as the "Kingdom of the Dead". To sustain the ka, the living provided offerings of food and drink, which were believed to nourish the ka's spiritual needs.
The ka would reunite with the deceased's spirit and enjoy eternal life in the [Fields of Aaru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaru "Aaru"), a paradise reserved for the righteous. However, [Osiris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osiris "Osiris") demands work as restitution for the protection he provides. Statues were placed in the tombs to serve as substitutes for the deceased.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-13)
Arriving at one's reward in afterlife was a demanding ordeal, requiring a sin-free heart and the ability to recite the spells, passwords, and formulae of the [Book of the Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Dead "Book of the Dead"). In the Hall of Two Truths, the deceased's heart was weighed against the *Shu* feather of truth and justice taken from the headdress of the goddess [Ma'at](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27at "Ma'at").[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-14) If the heart was lighter than the feather, they could pass on, but if it were heavier they would be devoured by the demon [Ammit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammit "Ammit").[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-15)
Egyptians also believed that being mummified and put in a [sarcophagus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcophagus "Sarcophagus") (an ancient Egyptian "coffin" carved with complex symbols and designs, as well as pictures and hieroglyphs) was the only way to have an afterlife. What are referred to as the [Coffin Texts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_Texts "Coffin Texts"), are inscribed on a coffin and serve as a guide for the challenges in the afterlife. The Coffin texts are more or less a duplication of the [Pyramid Texts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_Texts "Pyramid Texts"), which would serve as a guide for Egyptian pharaohs or queens in the afterlife. Only if the corpse had been properly [embalmed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embalming "Embalming") and entombed in a [mastaba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastaba "Mastaba"), could the [dead live again](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_the_Dead "Resurrection of the Dead") in the Fields of Yalu and accompany the Sun on its daily ride. Due to the dangers the afterlife posed, the Book of the Dead was placed in the tomb with the body as well as food, jewelry, and 'curses'. They also used the "opening of the mouth".[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-16)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-17)
Ancient Egyptian civilization was based on religion. The belief in the rebirth after death became the driving force behind funeral practices; for them, death was a temporary interruption rather than complete cessation of life. Eternal life could be ensured by means like piety to the gods, preservation of the physical form through [mummification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummification "Mummification"), and the provision of statuary and other funerary equipment. Each human consisted of the physical body, the *ka*, the *ba*, and the *akh*. The Name and Shadow were also living entities. To enjoy the afterlife, all these elements had to be sustained and protected from harm.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-18)
On 30 March 2010, a spokesman for the Egyptian Culture Ministry claimed it had unearthed a large red granite door in Luxor with inscriptions by [User](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_\(ancient_Egyptian_official\) "User (ancient Egyptian official)"),[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-19) a powerful adviser to the [18th Dynasty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_Dynasty "18th Dynasty") Queen [Hatshepsut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut "Hatshepsut") who ruled between 1479 BC and 1458 BC, the longest of any woman. It believes the [false door](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_door "False door") is a 'door to the Afterlife'. According to the archaeologists, the door was reused in a structure in [Roman Egypt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Egypt "Roman Egypt").
### Ancient Greek and Roman religions
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=6 "Edit section: Ancient Greek and Roman religions")\]
Main article: [Greek underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_underworld "Greek underworld")
The Greek god [Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades "Hades") is known in [Greek mythology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_mythology "Greek mythology") as the king of the [underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld"), a place where souls live after death.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-20) The Greek god [Hermes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes "Hermes"), the messenger of the gods, would take the dead soul of a person to the underworld (sometimes called Hades or the House of Hades). Hermes would leave the soul on the banks of the River [Styx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx "Styx"), the river between life and death.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-21)
[Charon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charon_\(mythology\) "Charon (mythology)"), also known as the ferryman, would take the soul across the river to Hades, if the soul had gold: upon burial, the family of the dead soul would put coins under the deceased's tongue. Once crossed, the soul would be judged by [Aeacus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeacus "Aeacus"), [Rhadamanthus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhadamanthus "Rhadamanthus") and King [Minos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minos "Minos"). The soul would be sent to [Elysium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysium "Elysium"), [Tartarus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartarus "Tartarus"), or [Asphodel Fields](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphodel_Fields "Asphodel Fields"). The Elysian Fields were for the ones that lived pure lives. It consisted of green fields, valleys and mountains, everyone there was peaceful and contented, and the Sun always shone there. Tartarus was for the people that blasphemed against the gods or were rebellious and consciously evil.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-22) In Tartarus, the soul would be punished by being burned in lava or stretched on racks. The Asphodel Fields were for a varied selection of human souls including those whose sins equaled their goodness, those who were indecisive in their lives, and those who were not judged.
Some heroes of Greek legend are allowed to visit the underworld. The Romans had a similar belief system about the afterlife, with Hades becoming known as [Pluto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto_\(mythology\) "Pluto (mythology)"). In the ancient Greek myth about the [Labours of Heracles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labours_of_Heracles "Labours of Heracles"), the hero [Heracles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracles "Heracles") had to travel to the underworld to capture [Cerberus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerberus "Cerberus"), the three-headed guard dog, as one of his tasks.
In *[Dream of Scipio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_of_Scipio "Dream of Scipio")*, [Cicero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero "Cicero") describes what seems to be an [out of body experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_body_experience "Out of body experience"), of the [soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul "Soul") traveling high above the Earth, looking down at the small planet, from far away.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-23)
In Book VI of [Virgil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil "Virgil")'s *[Aeneid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeneid "Aeneid")*, the hero, [Aeneas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeneas "Aeneas"), travels to the underworld to see his father. By the River Styx, he sees the souls of those not given a proper burial, forced to wait by the river until someone buries them. While down there, along with the dead, he is shown the place where the wrongly convicted reside, the [fields of sorrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fields_of_sorrow "Fields of sorrow") where those who committed suicide and now regret it reside, including Aeneas' former lover, the warriors and shades, Tartarus (where the titans and powerful non-mortal enemies of the Olympians reside) where he can hear the groans of the imprisoned, the palace of [Pluto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto_\(mythology\) "Pluto (mythology)"), and the fields of Elysium where the descendants of the divine and bravest heroes reside. He sees the river of forgetfulness, [Lethe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethe "Lethe"), which the dead must drink to forget their life and begin anew. Lastly, his father shows him all of the future heroes of Rome who will live if Aeneas fulfills his destiny in founding the city.
Other eschatological views populate the ancient-Greek worldview. For instance, [Plato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato "Plato") argued for reincarnation in several dialogues, including the *[Timaeus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timaeus_\(dialogue\) "Timaeus (dialogue)")*.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-24)
### Norse religion
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=7 "Edit section: Norse religion")\]
Main article: [Death in Norse paganism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_in_Norse_paganism "Death in Norse paganism")
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The [Poetic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetic_Edda "Poetic Edda") and [Prose Eddas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prose_Edda "Prose Edda"), the oldest sources for information on the Norse concept of the afterlife, vary in their description of the several realms that are described as falling under this topic. The most well-known are:
- [Valhalla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla "Valhalla"): (lit. "Hall of the Slain" i.e. "the Chosen Ones") Half the warriors who die in battle join the god [Odin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odin "Odin") who rules over a majestic hall called Valhalla in [Asgard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asgard "Asgard").[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-25)
- [Fólkvangr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%B3lkvangr "Fólkvangr"): (
lit.
'Field of the Host') The other half join the goddess [Freyja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freyja "Freyja") in a great meadow known as Fólkvangr.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-26)
- [Niflhel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niflhel "Niflhel"): (lit. "The Dark" or "Misty Hel"). Niflhel is believed to be a place of punishment, where the oathbreakers and other wicked people go.
- [Hel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hel_\(realm\) "Hel (realm)"): (
lit.
'The Covered Hall'). Hel was the daughter of god Loki and her kingdom was located in downward and northward. Snorri Sturluson's *[Gylfaginning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gylfaginning "Gylfaginning")* tells of evil men going to Niflhel via Hel.
### Celtic religion
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=8 "Edit section: Celtic religion")\]
Main article: [Celtic Otherworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Otherworld "Celtic Otherworld")
In Celtic mythology, the Otherworld is the realm of the deities and possibly also the dead. It is described either as a parallel world that exists alongside our own, or as a heavenly land beyond the sea or under the earth.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-27) In [Gaelic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaels "Gaels") and [Brittonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Britons "Celtic Britons") myth it is usually a supernatural realm of everlasting youth, beauty, health, abundance and joy.
## Abrahamic religions
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=9 "Edit section: Abrahamic religions")\]
### Judaism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=10 "Edit section: Judaism")\]
Main article: [Jewish Eschatology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Eschatology "Jewish Eschatology")
#### Sheol
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=11 "Edit section: Sheol")\]
[Sheol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheol "Sheol"), in the [Hebrew Bible](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Bible "Hebrew Bible"), is a place of darkness ([Job 10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_10 "Job 10"):21–22) to which all the dead go—both the righteous and the unrighteous—regardless of the moral choices made in life ( [Book of Ezekiel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Ezekiel "Book of Ezekiel") 32; [Isaiah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Isaiah "Book of Isaiah") 16; [Job 30](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_30 "Job 30"):23), a place of stillness ([Psalm 88](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalm_88 "Psalm 88"):13, [94](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalm_94 "Psalm 94"):17; [Ecclesiastes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastes "Ecclesiastes") 9:10), at the longest possible distance from Heaven ([Job 11](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_11 "Job 11"):8; [Amos 9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_9 "Amos 9"):2; [Psalm 139](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalm_139 "Psalm 139"):8).[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-28)
The inhabitants of Sheol were the "shades" (*[rephaim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rephaim "Rephaim")*), entities without personality or strength. Under some circumstances, they were thought to be able to be contacted by the living (as the [Witch of Endor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_of_Endor "Witch of Endor") contacts the shade of [Samuel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel "Samuel") for [Saul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul "Saul")), but such practices were forbidden ([Deuteronomy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Deuteronomy "Book of Deuteronomy") 18:10).[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBerdichevsky201622-29)
Whereas the Hebrew Bible appears to describe Sheol as the permanent place of the dead, in the [Second Temple period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple_period "Second Temple period") (roughly 500 BC – 70 AD), a more diverse set of ideas developed. In some texts, Sheol is considered to be the home of both the righteous and the wicked, separated into respective compartments; in others, it was considered a place of punishment, meant for the wicked dead alone.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-:0-30) When the Hebrew scriptures were translated into [Greek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint "Septuagint") in ancient [Alexandria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria "Alexandria") around 200 BC, the word "[Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades "Hades")" (the [Greek underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_underworld "Greek underworld")) was substituted for Sheol. This is reflected in the [New Testament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament "New Testament") where Hades is both the underworld of the dead and the personification of the [evil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil "Evil") it represents.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-:0-30)[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-31)
#### World to Come
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=12 "Edit section: World to Come")\]
The [Talmud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud "Talmud") offers several thoughts relating to the afterlife. After death, the soul is brought for judgment. Those who have led pristine lives immediately enter the *Olam Haba* or [world to come](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_to_come "World to come"). Most do not enter the world to come immediately but experience a period of reflection on their earthly actions and are made aware of what they have done wrong. Some view this period as "re-schooling", with the soul gaining wisdom as one's errors are reviewed. Others view this period as spiritual discomfort caused by past wrongs. At the end of this period, not longer than one year, the soul then takes its place in the world to come. Although discomforts are made part of certain Jewish conceptions of the afterlife, the concept of eternal [damnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damnation "Damnation") is not a tenet of the Jewish afterlife. According to the Talmud, [extinction of the soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareth "Kareth") is reserved for a far smaller group of malicious and evil leaders whose very evil deeds go way beyond norms or who lead large groups of people to utmost evil.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-32)[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-33) This is also part of [Maimonides' 13 principles of faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_principles_of_faith#Maimonides'_13_principles_of_faith "Jewish principles of faith").[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-perek-helek-c-34)
[Maimonides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides "Maimonides") describes the *Olam Haba* in spiritual terms, relegating the prophesied physical resurrection to the status of a future miracle unrelated to the afterlife or the [Messianic era](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_era "Messianic era"). According to Maimonides, an afterlife continues for the soul of every human being: soul now separated from the body in which it was "housed" during its earthly existence.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-35)
The [Zohar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohar "Zohar") describes [Gehenna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gehenna "Gehenna") not as a place of punishment for the wicked but as a place of spiritual purification for souls.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-36)
#### Reincarnation in Jewish tradition
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=13 "Edit section: Reincarnation in Jewish tradition")\]
Although there is no reference to reincarnation in the Talmud or any prior writings,[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-37) according to rabbis such as Avraham Arieh Trugman, reincarnation is recognized as being part and parcel of Jewish tradition. Trugman explains that it is through oral tradition that the meanings of the Torah, its commandments, and stories are known and understood. The classic work of Jewish mysticism,[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-youtube.com-38) the Zohar, is quoted liberally in all Jewish learning; in the Zohar, the idea of reincarnation is mentioned repeatedly. Trugman states that in the last five centuries, the concept of reincarnation, which until then had been a much-hidden tradition within Judaism, was given open exposure.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-youtube.com-38)
[Shraga Simmons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shraga_Simmons "Shraga Simmons") commented that within the Bible itself, the idea \[of reincarnation\] is intimated in Deut. 25:5–10, Deut. 33:6 and Isaiah 22:14, 65:6.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-39)
Yirmiyahu Ullman wrote that reincarnation is an "ancient, mainstream belief in Judaism". The Zohar makes frequent and lengthy references to reincarnation. [Onkelos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onkelos "Onkelos"), a righteous convert and authoritative commentator of the same period, explained the verse, "Let Reuben live and not die ..." (Deuteronomy 33:6) to mean that Reuben should merit the World to Come directly and not have to die again as a result of being reincarnated. Torah scholar, commentator and kabbalist, [Nachmanides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nachmanides "Nachmanides") (Ramban 1195–1270), attributed Job's suffering to reincarnation, as hinted in Job's saying "God does all these things twice or three times with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit to... the light of the living' (Job 33:29–30)."[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-40)
Reincarnation, called *[gilgul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgul "Gilgul")*, became popular in [folk belief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_belief "Folk belief") and is found in much [Yiddish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yiddish "Yiddish") literature among [Ashkenazi Jews](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi_Jews "Ashkenazi Jews"). Among a few kabbalists, it was posited that some human souls could end up being reincarnated into non-human bodies. These ideas were found in several Kabbalistic works from the 13th century and among many mystics in the late 16th century. [Martin Buber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Buber "Martin Buber")'s early collection of stories of the [Baal Shem Tov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baal_Shem_Tov "Baal Shem Tov")'s life includes several that refer to people reincarnating in successive lives.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-41)
Among well-known (generally non-kabbalist or anti-kabbalist) rabbis who rejected the idea of reincarnation are [Saadia Gaon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saadia_Gaon "Saadia Gaon"), [David Kimhi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kimhi "David Kimhi"), [Hasdai Crescas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasdai_Crescas "Hasdai Crescas"), Yedayah Bedershi (early 14th century), [Joseph Albo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Albo "Joseph Albo"), [Abraham ibn Daud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_ibn_Daud "Abraham ibn Daud"), the [Rosh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asher_ben_Jehiel "Asher ben Jehiel") and [Leon de Modena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_de_Modena "Leon de Modena"). Saadia Gaon, in [Emunoth ve-Deoth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emunoth_ve-Deoth "Emunoth ve-Deoth") (Hebrew: "beliefs and opinions"), concludes Section VI with a refutation of the doctrine of [metempsychosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metempsychosis "Metempsychosis") (reincarnation). While rebutting reincarnation, Saadia Gaon further states that Jews who hold to reincarnation have adopted non-Jewish beliefs. By no means do all Jews today believe in reincarnation, but belief in reincarnation is not uncommon among many Jews, including Orthodox.
Other well-known rabbis who are reincarnationists include [Yonassan Gershom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonassan_Gershom "Yonassan Gershom"), [Abraham Isaac Kook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Isaac_Kook "Abraham Isaac Kook"), Talmud scholar Adin Steinsaltz, DovBer Pinson, David M. Wexelman, [Zalman Schachter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zalman_Schachter-Shalomi "Zalman Schachter-Shalomi"),[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-42) and many others. Reincarnation is cited by authoritative Biblical commentators, including Ramban (Nachmanides), Menachem Recanti, and Rabbenu Bachya.
Among the many volumes of Yitzchak Luria, most of which come down from the pen of his primary disciple, Chaim Vital, are insights explaining issues related to reincarnation. His *[Shaar HaGilgulim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaar_HaGilgulim "Shaar HaGilgulim")* ("The Gates of Reincarnation") is a book devoted exclusively to the subject of reincarnation in Judaism.
Rabbi Naftali Silberberg of The [Rohr Jewish Learning Institute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohr_Jewish_Learning_Institute "Rohr Jewish Learning Institute") notes that "Many ideas that originate in other religions and belief systems have been popularized in the media and are taken for granted by unassuming Jews."[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-43)
### Christianity
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=14 "Edit section: Christianity")\]
Main article: [Eternal life (Christianity)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_life_\(Christianity\) "Eternal life (Christianity)")
See also: [Heaven in Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven_in_Christianity "Heaven in Christianity") and [Christian views on Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_views_on_Hell "Christian views on Hell")
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| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg) | This section **relies excessively on [references](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability") to [primary sources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources "Wikipedia:No original research")**. Please improve this section by adding [secondary or tertiary sources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources "Wikipedia:No original research"). *Find sources:* ["Afterlife" Christianity](https://www.google.com/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22Afterlife%22+Christianity) – [news](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=%22Afterlife%22+Christianity+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1) **·** [newspapers](https://www.google.com/search?&q=%22Afterlife%22+Christianity&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks) **·** [books](https://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22Afterlife%22+Christianity+-wikipedia) **·** [scholar](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22Afterlife%22+Christianity) **·** [JSTOR](https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=%22Afterlife%22+Christianity&acc=on&wc=on) *(July 2017)* *([Learn how and when to remove this message](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal"))* |
[Mainstream Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainstream_Christianity "Mainstream Christianity") professes belief in the [Nicene Creed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed "Nicene Creed"), and [English versions of the Nicene Creed in current use](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_versions_of_the_Nicene_Creed_in_current_use "English versions of the Nicene Creed in current use") include the phrase: "We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."
When questioned by the [Sadducees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadducees "Sadducees") about the [resurrection of the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_the_dead "Resurrection of the dead") (in a context relating to who one's spouse would be if one had been married several times in life), Jesus said that marriage would be irrelevant after the resurrection as the resurrected will be like the [angels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels "Angels") in Heaven.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-44)[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Boulaouali_147%E2%80%93158-45)
Jesus also maintained that the time would come when the dead would hear the voice of the [Son of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_God "Son of God"), and all who were in the tombs would come out; those who have heard his "\[commandments\] and believes in the one who sent \[Him\]" to the "resurrection of life", but those who do not to the "resurrection of condemnation".[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-46)
The [Book of Enoch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Enoch "Book of Enoch") describes Sheol as divided into four compartments for four types of the dead: the faithful saints who await resurrection in [Paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise "Paradise"), the merely virtuous who await their reward, the wicked who await punishment, and the wicked who have already been punished and will not be resurrected on Judgment Day.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-47) The Book of Enoch is considered apocryphal by most denominations of Christianity and all of Judaism.
The [book of 2 Maccabees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Maccabees "2 Maccabees") clearly describes the dead waiting for future resurrection and judgment, along with [prayers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead "Prayer for the dead") and offerings for the deceased to alleviate their sins.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Domenico_Beccafumi_056.jpg)
[Domenico Beccafumi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domenico_Beccafumi "Domenico Beccafumi")'s *Inferno*: a Christian vision of hell
The author of the [Gospel of Luke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Luke "Gospel of Luke") recounts the story of [Lazarus and the rich man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_and_Dives "Lazarus and Dives"), which shows people in Hades awaiting the resurrection either in comfort or torment. The author of the [Book of Revelation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation "Book of Revelation") writes about God and the angels versus [Satan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan "Satan") and [demons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demons "Demons") in an epic battle at the end of times when all souls are judged. There is mention of ghostly bodies of the prophets and the [transfiguration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfiguration_of_Jesus "Transfiguration of Jesus").
The non-canonical [Acts of Paul and Thecla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Paul_and_Thecla "Acts of Paul and Thecla") speak of the efficacy of [prayer for the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead "Prayer for the dead") so that they might be "translated to a state of happiness".[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-48)
[Hippolytus of Rome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippolytus_of_Rome "Hippolytus of Rome") pictures the [underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld") ([Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_underworld "Greek underworld")) as a place where the righteous dead, waiting in the [bosom of Abraham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosom_of_Abraham "Bosom of Abraham") for their resurrection, rejoice at their future prospect; the unrighteous are tormented at the sight of the "[lake of unquenchable fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_of_fire "Lake of fire")" into which they are destined to be cast.
[Gregory of Nyssa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa "Gregory of Nyssa") discusses the long-before-believed possibility of purification of souls after death.[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-49)
Pope Gregory I repeats the concept, articulated over a century earlier by Gregory of Nyssa, that the saved suffer purification after death. In connection with this, he wrote of "purgatorial flames."
The noun ["purgatorium"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory") (Latin: place of cleansing[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-50)) is used for the first time to describe a state of painful purification of the saved afterlife. The same word in adjectival form (*purgatorius -a -um*, cleansing), which appears also in non-religious writing,[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-51) was already used by Christians such as Augustine of Hippo and [Pope Gregory I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_I "Pope Gregory I") to refer to an after-death cleansing.
Theologians and philosophers presented various philosophies and beliefs during the [Age of Enlightenment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment "Age of Enlightenment"). A notable example is [Emanuel Swedenborg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Swedenborg "Emanuel Swedenborg") who wrote some 18 theological works which describe in detail the nature of the afterlife according to his claimed spiritual experiences, the most famous of which is *[Heaven and Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven_and_Hell_\(Swedenborg\) "Heaven and Hell (Swedenborg)")*.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-swedenborgdigitallibrary.org-52) His report of life there covers a wide range of topics, such as marriage in heaven (where all [angels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels "Angels") are married), children in heaven (where they are raised by angel parents), time and [space](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space "Space") in heaven (there are none), the after-death awakening process in the World of Spirits (a place halfway between Heaven and Hell and where people first wake up after death), the allowance of a free will choice between Heaven or Hell (as opposed to being sent to either one by God), the [eternity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternity "Eternity") of [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell") (one could leave but would never want to), and that all angels or devils were once people on earth.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-swedenborgdigitallibrary.org-52)
#### The Catholic Church
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=15 "Edit section: The Catholic Church")\]
The Catholic conception of the afterlife teaches that [after the body dies, the soul is judged](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particular_judgment "Particular judgment"), the righteous and free of sin enter Heaven. However, those who die in unrepented [mortal sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortal_sin "Mortal sin") go to hell. In the 1990s, the [Catechism of the Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechism_of_the_Catholic_Church "Catechism of the Catholic Church") defined hell not as punishment imposed on the sinner but rather as the sinner's self-exclusion from God. Unlike other Christian groups, the Catholic Church teaches that those who die in a state of grace but still carry [venial sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venial_sin "Venial sin") go to a place called [Purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory"), where they undergo purification to enter Heaven.
#### Limbo
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=16 "Edit section: Limbo")\]
Main article: [Limbo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbo "Limbo")
Despite popular opinion, Limbo, which was elaborated upon by theologians beginning in the Middle Ages, was never recognized as a [dogma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogma "Dogma") of the [Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church "Catholic Church"), yet, at times, it has been a very popular theological theory within the Church. Limbo is a theory that [unbaptized](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism "Baptism") but innocent souls, such as those of infants or [virtuous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue#Christianity "Virtue") individuals who lived before [Jesus Christ was born](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_of_Jesus "Nativity of Jesus"), exist in neither Heaven nor Hell proper. Therefore, these souls neither merit the [beatific vision](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatific_vision "Beatific vision") nor are subjected to any punishment because they are not guilty of any personal [sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin "Sin") although they have not received baptism, so they still bear [original sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_sin "Original sin"). So, they are generally seen as existing in a state of natural, but not supernatural, happiness until the end of time.
In other [Christian denominations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_denominations "Christian denominations"), it has been described as an [intermediate place](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_state_\(Christianity\) "Intermediate state (Christianity)") or state of confinement in oblivion and neglect.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-53)
#### Purgatory
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=17 "Edit section: Purgatory")\]
Main article: [Purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory")
The notion of [purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory") is associated mainly with the [Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church "Catholic Church"). In the Catholic Church, all those who die in God's grace and friendship but are still imperfectly purified are indeed assured of their eternal salvation. Still, after death, they undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven or the final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The tradition of the church, by reference to specific texts of scripture, speaks of a "cleansing fire", but it is not always called purgatory.
[Anglicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican "Anglican") of the [Anglo-Catholic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Catholic "Anglo-Catholic") tradition generally also hold to the belief. [John Wesley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley "John Wesley"), the founder of [Methodism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodism "Methodism"), believed in an [intermediate state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_state_\(Christianity\) "Intermediate state (Christianity)") between death and the [resurrection of the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_the_dead "Resurrection of the dead") and in the possibility of "continuing to grow in holiness there", but Methodism does not officially affirm this belief and denies the possibility of [helping by prayer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead "Prayer for the dead") any who may be in that state.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-54)
#### Orthodox Christianity
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=18 "Edit section: Orthodox Christianity")\]
The Orthodox Church is intentionally reticent about the afterlife, as it acknowledges the mystery, especially of things that have not yet occurred. Beyond the second coming of Jesus, bodily resurrection, and final judgment, all of which are affirmed in the [Nicene Creed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed "Nicene Creed") (325 AD), Orthodoxy does not teach much else in any definitive manner. Unlike Western forms of Christianity, however, Orthodoxy is traditionally non-dualist and does not teach that there are two separate literal locations of heaven and hell, but instead acknowledges that "the 'location' of one's final destiny—heaven or hell—as being figurative."[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Andrew_P._Klager_2011-55)
Instead, Orthodoxy teaches that the final judgment is one's uniform encounter with divine love and mercy, but this encounter is experienced multifariously depending on the extent to which one has been transformed, partaken of divinity, and is therefore compatible or incompatible with God. "The monadic, immutable, and ceaseless object of eschatological encounter is therefore the love and mercy of God, his glory which infuses the heavenly temple, and it is the subjective human reaction which engenders multiplicity or any division of experience."[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Andrew_P._Klager_2011-55) For instance, [St. Isaac the Syrian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Isaac_the_Syrian "St. Isaac the Syrian") observes in his *[Ascetical Homilies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ascetical_Homilies_of_Isaac_the_Syrian "The Ascetical Homilies of Isaac the Syrian")* that "those who are punished in Gehenna, are scourged by the scourge of love. ... The power of love works in two ways: it torments sinners ... \[as\] bitter regret. But love inebriates the souls of the sons of Heaven by its delectability."[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-56) In this sense, the divine action is always, immutably, and uniformly love, and if one experiences this love negatively, the experience is then one of self-condemnation because of free will rather than condemnation by God.
Orthodoxy therefore uses the description of Jesus' judgment in John 3:19–21 as their model: "19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." As a characteristically Orthodox understanding, then, Fr. [Thomas Hopko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hopko "Thomas Hopko") writes, "\[I\]t is precisely the presence of God's mercy and love which cause the torment of the wicked. God does not punish; he forgives... In a word, God has mercy on all, whether all like it or not. If we like it, it is paradise; if we do not, it is hell. Every knee will bend before the Lord. Everything will be subject to Him. God in Christ will indeed be 'all and in all,' with boundless mercy and unconditional pardon. But not all will rejoice in God's gift of forgiveness, and that choice will be judgment, the self-inflicted source of their sorrow and pain."[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-57)
Moreover, Orthodoxy includes a prevalent tradition of *[apokatastasis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apokatastasis "Apokatastasis")*, or the restoration of all things in the end. This has been taught most notably by [Origen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origen "Origen"), but also many other Church fathers and Saints, including [Gregory of Nyssa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa "Gregory of Nyssa"). The [Second Council of Constantinople](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Council_of_Constantinople "Second Council of Constantinople") (553 AD) affirmed the orthodoxy of Gregory of Nyssa while simultaneously condemning Origen's brand of universalism because it taught the restoration back to our pre-existent state, which Orthodoxy does not teach. It is also a teaching of such eminent Orthodox theologians as [Olivier Clément](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivier_Cl%C3%A9ment "Olivier Clément"), Metropolitan [Kallistos Ware](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallistos_Ware "Kallistos Ware"), and Bishop [Hilarion Alfeyev](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilarion_Alfeyev "Hilarion Alfeyev").[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-58) Although apokatastasis is not a dogma of the church but instead a [theologoumenon](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/theologoumenon#English "wikt:theologoumenon"), it is no less a teaching of the Orthodox Church than its rejection. As Met. Kallistos Ware explains, "It is heretical to say that all must be saved, for this is to deny free will; but, it is legitimate to hope that all may be saved,"[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-59) as insisting on torment without end also denies free will.
#### The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=19 "Edit section: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints")\]
Main articles: [Plan of salvation (Latter Day Saints)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_of_salvation_\(Latter_Day_Saints\) "Plan of salvation (Latter Day Saints)"), [Exaltation (Mormonism)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exaltation_\(Mormonism\) "Exaltation (Mormonism)"), and [Degrees of glory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degrees_of_glory "Degrees of glory")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:000_preach-my-gospel_1207575_tmb.jpg)
Plan of Salvation in LDS Religion
[Joseph F. Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_F._Smith "Joseph F. Smith") of [the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints") presents an elaborate vision of the afterlife. It is revealed as the scene of an extensive missionary effort by righteous spirits in paradise to redeem those still in darkness—a spirit prison or "hell" where the souls of the dead remain until judgment. It is divided into two parts: Spirit Prison and Paradise. These are also known as the [Spirit World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_world_\(Latter_Day_Saints\) "Spirit world (Latter Day Saints)") (also Abraham's Bosom; see Luke 16:19–25). They believe that Christ visited the spirit prison [(1 Peter 3:18–20)](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-pet/3.18-20?lang=eng) and opened the gate for those who repent to cross over to Paradise. This is similar to the [Harrowing of Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrowing_of_Hell "Harrowing of Hell") doctrine of some mainstream Christian faiths.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-60) Both Spirit Prison and Paradise are temporary according to Latter-day Saint beliefs. After the resurrection, spirits are assigned "permanently" to three degrees of heavenly glory, determined by how they lived – Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial. (1 Cor 15:44–42; Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76) [Sons of Perdition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_perdition_\(Mormonism\) "Son of perdition (Mormonism)"), or those who have known and seen God and deny it, will be sent to the realm of [Satan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan "Satan"), which is called Outer Darkness, where they shall live in misery and agony forever.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-61) However, according to the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, most persons lack the amount of knowledge to commit the [Eternal sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_sin "Eternal sin") and are therefore incapable of becoming sons of perdition.[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-62)
The Celestial Kingdom is believed to be where the righteous can live eternally with their families. Progression does not end once one has entered the Celestial Kingdom but extends eternally. According to "True to the Faith" (a handbook on doctrines in the LDS faith), "The celestial kingdom is the place prepared for those who have "received the testimony of Jesus" and been "made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood" (Doctrine and Covenants, 76:51, 69). To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins."[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-63)
#### Jehovah's Witnesses
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=20 "Edit section: Jehovah's Witnesses")\]
[Jehovah's Witnesses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses "Jehovah's Witnesses") occasionally use terms such as "afterlife"[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-64) to refer to any hope for the dead, but they understand [Ecclesiastes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastes "Ecclesiastes") 9:5 to preclude belief in an immortal soul.[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-65) Individuals judged by God to be wicked, such as in the [Great Flood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Flood "Great Flood") or at [Armageddon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armageddon "Armageddon"), are given no hope of an afterlife. However, they believe that after Armageddon, there will be a bodily resurrection of "both righteous and unrighteous" dead (but not the "wicked"). Survivors of Armageddon and those who are resurrected are then to restore the Earth to a paradise gradually.[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-66) After Armageddon, unrepentant sinners are punished with eternal death (non-existence).
#### Seventh-day Adventists
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=21 "Edit section: Seventh-day Adventists")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Life_And_Death_Equation.jpg)
Creation and Death Equation
The Seventh-day Adventist Church's beliefs regarding the afterlife differ from those of other Christian churches. Rather than ascend to Heaven or descend to Hell, Adventists believe the dead "remain unconscious until the return of Christ in judgement". The concept that the dead remain dead until resurrection is one of the fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventism.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-67) Adventists believe that death is an unconscious state (a "sleep"). This is based on Matt. 9:24; Mark 5:39; John 11:11–14; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; 1 Thess. 4:13–17; 2 Peter 3:4; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10. At death, all consciousness ends. The dead person does not know anything and does not do anything.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-68) They believe that death is a decreation, or an undoing of what was created. This is described in Ecclesiastes 12:7: "When a person dies, the body turns to dust again, and the spirit goes back to God, who gave it." The spirit of every person who dies—whether saved or unsaved—returns to God at death. The spirit that returns to God at death is the breath of life.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-69)
### Islam
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=22 "Edit section: Islam")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Muhammad_and_%22shameless_women%22_in_Hell.jpg)
15th century Persian depiction of [Muhammad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad "Muhammad"), [Buraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buraq "Buraq"), and [Gabriel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel "Gabriel") visiting Hell, where "shameless women" are burning for inciting lust in men by exposing their hair in public.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
Main article: [Akhirah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhirah "Akhirah")
The [Quran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran "Quran") (the holy book of Islam) emphasizes the insignificance of worldly life (*ḥayāt ad-dunyā* usually translated as "this world") vis-à-vis the hereafter.[\[Note 1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-70) A central doctrine of Islamic faith is the [Judgement Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judgement_Day_in_Islam "Judgement Day in Islam") (*al-yawm al-ākhir*, also known by other names),[\[Note 2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-72) on which the world will come to an end and God will raise all mankind (as well as the *[jinn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn "Jinn")*) from the dead and evaluate their worldly actions. The resurrected will be judged according to their deeds, records of which are kept on two books compiled for every human being—one for their good deeds and one for their evil ones.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Britannica-73)[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Boulaouali_147%E2%80%93158-45)
Having been judged, the resurrected will cross the bridge of [As-Sirāt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Sir%C4%81t "As-Sirāt") over the pit of hell; when the condemned attempt to cross, they will be made to fall off into hellfire below, while the righteous will have no trouble and continue on to their eternal abode of heaven.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-74)
Afterlife in Islam actually begins before the Last Day. After death, humans will be questioned about their faith by two angels, [Munkar and Nakīr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munkar_and_Nakir "Munkar and Nakir"). Those who die as martyrs go immediately to paradise.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Britannica-73) Others who have died and been buried will receive a taste of their eternal reward from the *al-qabr* or "the grave" (compare the [Jewish concept](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Judaism) of [Sheol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheol "Sheol")). Those bound for hell will suffer "[Punishment of the Grave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punishment_of_the_Grave "Punishment of the Grave")", while those bound for heaven will find the grave "peaceful and blessed".[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-JACBMM2014:46-75)
Islamic scripture—the Quran and [hadith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith "Hadith") (reports of the words and deeds of the Islamic Prophet [Muhammad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad "Muhammad") who is believed to have visited heaven and hell during his [Isra and Mi'raj](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isra_and_Mi%27raj "Isra and Mi'raj") journey) – give vivid descriptions of the pleasures of paradise ([Jannah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannah "Jannah")) and sufferings of hell (*[Jahannam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahannam "Jahannam")*). The gardens of Jannah have cool shade,\[Quran [36:56–57](https://quran.com/36?startingVerse=56)\] adorned couchs and cushions,\[ [18:31](https://quran.com/18?startingVerse=31)\] rich carpets spread out, cups\[ [88:10–16](https://quran.com/88?startingVerse=10)\] full of wine,\[ [52:23](https://quran.com/52?startingVerse=23)\] and every meat\[ [52:22](https://quran.com/52?startingVerse=22)\] and fruit\[ [36:56–57](https://quran.com/36?startingVerse=56)\]. Men will be provided with perpetually youthful, beautiful *[ḥūr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houri "Houri")*, "untouched beforehand by man or jinn",[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Rustomji_2017-76)\[ [55:56](https://quran.com/55?startingVerse=56)\] with large, beautiful eyes\[ [37:48](https://quran.com/37?startingVerse=48)\]. (In recent years some have argued that the term *ḥūr* refers both to pure men and pure women,[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-dawn-houri-20-77) and/or that Quranic references to "immortal boys" ([56:17](https://quran.com/56?startingVerse=17), [76:19](https://quran.com/76?startingVerse=19)) or "young men" ([52:24](https://quran.com/52?startingVerse=24)) (*[ghilmān](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghilman "Ghilman")*, *wildān*, and *suqāh*) who serve [wine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine#Islam "Wine") and meals to the [blessed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessing#Islam "Blessing"), are the male equivalents of hur.)[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Rustomji_2017-76)
In contrast, those in [Jahannam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahannam "Jahannam") will dwell in a land infested with thousands of serpents and scorpions;[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-78) be "burnt" by "scorching fire" \[ [88:1-7](https://quran.com/88?startingVerse=1)\] and when "their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins" to repeat the process forever \[ [4:56](https://quran.com/4?startingVerse=56)\]; they will have nothing to drink but "boiling water and running sores"\[ [78:21–30](https://quran.com/78?startingVerse=21)\];[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-hughes-DoI-79) their cries of remorse and pleading for forgiveness will be in vain\[ [26:96–106](https://quran.com/26?startingVerse=96)\].[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-ItQ-233-80)[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-81)
Traditionally, *Jannah* and *Jahannam* are thought to have different levels. Eight gates and eight levels in *Jannah*, where the higher the level the better it is and the happier you are. *Jahannam* possess seven layers. Each layer more horrible than the one above.
The Quran teaches that the purpose of Man's creation is to worship God and God alone.[\[Note 3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-82) Those it describes as being punished in hell are "most typically" unbelievers, including those who worship others besides Allah\[ [10:24](https://quran.com/10?startingVerse=24)\], those who deny the divine origin of the Quran \[ [74:16–26](https://quran.com/74?startingVerse=16)\], or the coming of Judgement Day\[ [25:11–14](https://quran.com/25?startingVerse=11)\].[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-83)[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-ETISN2009-84): 404
Straightforward crimes/sins against other people are also grounds for going to hell: the murder of a believer\[ [4:93](https://quran.com/4?startingVerse=93)\]\[ [3:21](https://quran.com/3?startingVerse=21)\], usury (Q.2:275)\[ [2:275](https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=275)\], devouring the property of an orphan \[ [4:10](https://quran.com/4?startingVerse=10)\], and slander \[Quran [104](https://quran.com/104?startingVerse=)\], particularly of a chaste woman\[ [24:23](https://quran.com/24?startingVerse=23)\].[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-ETISN2009:405-85) However, it is a common belief among Muslims that whatever crimes/sins Muslims may have committed, their punishment in hell will be temporary. Only unbelievers will reside in hell permanently.[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-ReferenceA-86)[\[Note 4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-89) Thus Jahannam combines both the concept of an eternal hell (for unbelievers), and what is known in Christian Catholicism as [purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory") (for believers eventually destined for heaven after punishment for their sins).[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-90)
The common belief holds that *Jahannam* coexists with the temporal world.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Islamic_Traditions_p._12-91) Mainstream Islam teaches the continued existence of the soul and a transformed physical existence after death. The resurrection that will take place on the Last Day is physical, and is explained by suggesting that God will recreate the decayed body ("Have they not realized that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, can ˹easily˺ re-create them?" \[ [17:99](https://quran.com/17?startingVerse=99)\]).
#### Ahmadiyya
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=23 "Edit section: Ahmadiyya")\]
[Ahmadi Muslims](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadiyya "Ahmadiyya") believe that the afterlife is not material but of a spiritual nature. According to [Mirza Ghulam Ahmad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirza_Ghulam_Ahmad "Mirza Ghulam Ahmad"), founder of the [Ahmadiyya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadiyya "Ahmadiyya"), the soul will give birth to another rarer entity and will resemble the life on this earth in the sense that this entity will bear a similar relationship to the soul as the soul bears relationship with the human existence on earth. On earth, if a person leads a righteous life and submits to the will of God, his or her tastes become attuned to enjoying spiritual pleasures as opposed to carnal desires. With this, an "embryonic soul" begins to take shape. Different tastes are said to be born which a person given to carnal passions finds no enjoyment. For example, sacrifice of one's own rights over that of others becomes enjoyable, or that forgiveness becomes second nature. In such a state a person finds contentment and peace at heart and at this stage, according to Ahmadiyya beliefs, it can be said that a soul within the soul has begun to take shape.[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-92)
#### Sufism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=24 "Edit section: Sufism")\]
Main article: [Sufism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism "Sufism")
The [Sufi Muslim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufi_Islam "Sufi Islam") scholar [Ibn 'Arabi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_%27Arabi "Ibn 'Arabi") defined [Barzakh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barzakh#Sufism "Barzakh") as the intermediate realm or "isthmus". It is between the world of corporeal bodies and the world of spirits, and is a means of contact between the two worlds. Without it, there would be no contact between the two and both would cease to exist. He described it as simple and luminous, like the world of spirits, but also able to take on many different forms just like the world of corporeal bodies can. In broader terms Barzakh, "is anything that separates two things". It has been called the dream world in which the dreamer is in both life and death.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Ibn_Al-Arabi_2006_29n,_50n,_59,_64%E2%80%9368,_73,_75%E2%80%9378,_82,_102-93)
### Baháʼí Faith
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=25 "Edit section: Baháʼí Faith")\]
Main article: [Baháʼí Faith on life after death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith_on_life_after_death "Baháʼí Faith on life after death")
The teachings of the [Baháʼí Faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith "Baháʼí Faith") state that the nature of the afterlife is beyond the understanding of those living, just as an unborn fetus cannot understand the nature of the world outside of the [womb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Womb "Womb"). The [Baháʼí writings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_literature "Baháʼí literature") state that the soul is immortal and after death it will continue to progress until it finally attains [God's presence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_the_Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith "God in the Baháʼí Faith").[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-94) In Baháʼí belief, souls in the afterlife will continue to retain their individuality and consciousness and will be able to recognize and communicate spiritually with other souls whom they have made deep profound friendships with, such as their spouses.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-PSmith-95)
The Baháʼí scriptures also state there are distinctions between souls in the afterlife, and that souls will recognize the worth of their own deeds and understand the consequences of their actions. It is explained that those souls that have turned toward God will experience gladness, while those who have lived in error will become aware of the opportunities they have lost. Also, in the Baháʼí view, souls will be able to recognize the accomplishments of the souls that have reached the same level as themselves, but not those that have achieved a rank higher than them.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-PSmith-95)
## Indian religions
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=26 "Edit section: Indian religions")\]
Main article: [Indian religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_religions "Indian religions")
Early Indian religions were characterized by the belief in an afterlife, [ancestor worship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancestor_worship "Ancestor worship"), and related rites. These concepts started to significantly change after the period of the [Upanishads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanishads "Upanishads").[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-96)
### Buddhism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=27 "Edit section: Buddhism")\]
Main article: [Buddhist eschatology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_eschatology "Buddhist eschatology")
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Afterlife in Buddhism consists of intermediated spirit realm that's beyond spatial means, which includes the six realms of existence, the 31 planes of existence, Naraka, Tengoku and the [pure land](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_land "Pure land") after achieving [enlightenment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlightenment_in_Buddhism "Enlightenment in Buddhism"). [Ancestor worship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancestor_worship "Ancestor worship"), and links to one's ancestors, was once an important component of early Buddhism, but became less relevant already before the formation of the different Buddhist streams. The concepts and importance of afterlife vary among modern Buddhist teachings.[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Sayers-97)[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-98)
Buddhists maintain that [rebirth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebirth_\(Buddhism\) "Rebirth (Buddhism)") takes place without an unchanging [self](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atman_\(Buddhism\) "Atman (Buddhism)") or soul passing from one form to another.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-99) The type of rebirth will be conditioned by the moral tone of the person's actions ([kamma or karma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_in_Buddhism "Karma in Buddhism")). For example, if a person has committed harmful actions by body, speech and mind based on greed, hate and delusion, would have his/her rebirth in a lower realm, i.e. an animal, a [hungry ghost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preta "Preta") or a hell realm, is to be expected. On the other hand, where a person has performed skillful actions based on generosity, loving-kindness ([metta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitr%C4%AB "Maitrī")), compassion and wisdom, rebirth in a happy realm, i.e. human or one of the many heavenly realms, can be expected.[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-100)
However, the mechanism of rebirth with Kamma is not deterministic. It depends on various levels of kamma. The most important moment that determines where a person is reborn into is the last thought moment. At that moment, heavy kamma would ripen if there were performed. If not, near death kamma would ripen, and if not death kamma, then habitual kamma would ripen. Finally if none of the above happened, then residual kamma from previous actions can ripen.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-101) According to [Theravada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada "Theravada") Buddhism, there are 31 realms of existence that one can be reborn into. According to these, 31 existences comprise 20 existences of supreme deities (Brahmas); 6 existences of deities (Devas); the human existence (Manussa); and, lastly, 4 existences of deprivation or unhappiness (Apaya).
[Pure Land Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Land_Buddhism "Pure Land Buddhism") of [Mahayana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana "Mahayana") believes in a special place apart from the 31 planes of existence called [Pure Land](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Land "Pure Land"). It is believed that each Buddha has their own pure land, created out of their merits for the sake of sentient beings who recall them mindfully to be able to be reborn in their pure land and train to become a Buddha there. Thus the main practice of pure land Buddhism is to chant a Buddha's name.
In [Tibetan Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism "Tibetan Buddhism") the [Tibetan Book of the Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardo_Thodol "Bardo Thodol") explains the intermediate state of humans between death and reincarnation. The deceased will find the bright light of wisdom, which shows a straightforward path to move upward and leave the cycle of reincarnation. There are various reasons why the deceased do not follow that light. Some had no briefing about the intermediate state in the former life. Others only used to follow their basic instincts like animals. And some have fear, which results from foul deeds in the former life or from insistent haughtiness. In the intermediate state the awareness is very flexible, so it is important to be virtuous, adopt a positive attitude, and avoid negative ideas. Ideas which are rising from subconsciousness can cause extreme tempers and cowing visions. In this situation they have to understand, that these manifestations are just reflections of the inner thoughts. No one can really hurt them, because they have no more material body. The deceased get help from different [Buddhas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhahood "Buddhahood") who show them the path to the bright light. The ones who do not follow the path after all will get hints for a better reincarnation. They have to release the things and beings on which or whom they still hang from the life before. It is recommended to choose a family where the parents trust in the [Dharma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma_\(Buddhism\) "Dharma (Buddhism)") and to reincarnate with the will to care for the welfare of all beings.
### Hinduism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=28 "Edit section: Hinduism")\]
Main article: [Hindu eschatology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_eschatology "Hindu eschatology")
There are two major views of an afterlife in Hinduism: the philosophical and the mythical.
The philosophical view considers that each individual consists of [three bodies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_bodies_doctrine "Three bodies doctrine"): a physical body composed of water and biomatter, (*sthūla śarīra*); an energetic/psychic/mental/subtle body, (*sūkṣma-śarīra*); and a causal body comprising subliminal and mental impressions, (*kāraṇa śarīra*).[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-102)
In this three bodies doctrine, the individual is considered a stream of consciousness ([*Ātman*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80tman_\(Hinduism\) "Ātman (Hinduism)")), which flows through all the physical changes of the body in life. At the death of their physical body (*sthūla śarīra*), the stream flows on into another physical body. The two components that transmigrate are the subtle body (*sūkṣma-śarīra*) and the causal body (*kāraṇa śarīra*). The thought that occupies a person's mind at the time of their death determines the quality of their rebirth (*antim smaraṇa*), and hence Hinduism advises practitioners to be mindful of one's thoughts and cultivate positive wholesome thoughts. [Mantra chanting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japa "Japa") is a common practice to develop such mindfulness.
The mythical view encapsulates the above philosophical doctrine, and supplements this with myths of heaven and hell, as elaborated in the [Puranas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puranas "Puranas") and particularly in the *[Garuda Purana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garuda_Purana "Garuda Purana")*. In this tradition, when a being leaves their physical body at death, their soul appears for an exit interview at [the divine court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaloka "Yamaloka") of [Yama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yama_\(Hinduism\) "Yama (Hinduism)") (the god of death and justice). Presiding over this court's judgement is a three-deity panel consisting of: King Yama; the cosmic accountant [Chitragupta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitragupta "Chitragupta"); and the cosmic intelligence officer [Varuna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varuna "Varuna"). The registar-deity Chitragupta reads from a book that contains the history of the dead person's choices and mistakes, and the Panel counsels the deceased on their life achievements and failures while showing them a mirror in which their entire life is reflected.
Upon reaching a verdict, Yama sends the deceased to an appropriate spiritual realm in accordance with their *[karma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma "Karma")*. If they had been exceptionally benevolent and beneficient in life, the deceased is sent to a heavenly realm ([Svarga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svarga "Svarga")) for a period of rest and recreation. This period is limited in time by the weight of their [good deeds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punya_\(Hinduism\) "Punya (Hinduism)"). If they had been exceptionally malevolent and caused immense suffering to other beings, then they are instead sent to a hell realm, ([Naraka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naraka_\(Hinduism\) "Naraka (Hinduism)")) to suffer the weight of their [sins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81pa "Pāpa").
After the desceased have exhausted their *karma* in either Heaven or Hell, they are reborn anew and continue their [spiritual evolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%83s%C4%81ra "Saṃsāra"). Rebirth can take place as an animal (tiryak), as a human (manuṣya), or even as god ([deva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_\(Hinduism\) "Deva (Hinduism)")). It is generally taught that the spiritual evolution through cycles of rebirth has a directionality from lower to higher lifeforms or beings. In certain cases of traumatic death, a person may instead take the form of a [hungry ghost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preta "Preta") and remains in an earth-bound state interminably, until and unless certain ceremonies are performed to liberate them.
This belief in rebirth was not original to the early Vedic religions and texts, but developed by later [Hindu sages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishi "Rishi"), to complexify ideas of one's lifespan in challenge to earlier notions. And in the philosophical view, this mythical judgement could be considered projections of the deceased's mind during the transmigration of their mental and causal bodies into a new physical form.
The [Upanishads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanishads "Upanishads") are the first scriptures in Hinduism which explicitly mention the afterlife.[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-103) The *[Bhagavad Gita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita "Bhagavad Gita")*, a famous Hindu scripture, says that just as a man discards his old clothes and wears new ones; similarly the Atman discards the old body and takes on a new one. In Hinduism, the belief is that the body is nothing but a shell, the consciousness inside is immutable and indestructible and takes on different lives in a cycle of birth and death. The end of this cycle is called *mukti* ([Sanskrit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit_language "Sanskrit language"): मुक्ति) and staying finally with the [ultimate reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman "Brahman") forever is *[moksha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha "Moksha")* (Sanskrit: मोक्ष) or liberation.
The (diverse) views of modern Hinduism in part differ significantly from the [Historical Vedic religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Vedic_religion "Historical Vedic religion").[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Sayers-97)
### Jainism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=29 "Edit section: Jainism")\]
[Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism "Jainism") also believes in the afterlife. They believe that the soul takes on a body form based on previous karmas or actions performed by that soul through eternity. Jains believe the soul is eternal and that the freedom from the cycle of reincarnation is the means to attain eternal bliss.[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-104)
### Sikhism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=30 "Edit section: Sikhism")\]
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The essential doctrine of [Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism "Sikhism") is to experience the divine through simple living, meditation, and contemplation while being alive. Sikhism also has the belief of being in union with God while living. Accounts of afterlife are considered to be aimed at the popular prevailing views of the time so as to provide a referential framework without necessarily establishing a belief in the afterlife. Thus while it is also acknowledged that living the life of a householder is above the metaphysical truth, Sikhism can be considered agnostic to the question of an afterlife. Some scholars also interpret the mention of reincarnation to be naturalistic akin to the [biogeochemical cycles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogeochemical_cycle "Biogeochemical cycle").[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-105)
But if one analyses the Sikh Scriptures carefully, one may find that on many occasions the afterlife and the existence of heaven and hell are mentioned and criticised in *[Guru Granth Sahib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Granth_Sahib "Guru Granth Sahib")* and in *[Dasam Granth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasam_Granth "Dasam Granth")* as non-true man made ideas, so from that it can be concluded that Sikhism does not believe in the existence of heaven and hell; however, heaven and hell are created to temporarily reward and punish, and one will then take birth again until one merges in God. According to the Sikh scriptures, the human form is the closet form to God if the Guru is read and understood,[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-106)[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-107) and the best opportunity for a human being to attain salvation and merge back with God and fully understand Him. Sikh Gurus said that nothing dies, nothing is born, everything is ever present, and it just changes forms. Like standing in front of a wardrobe, you pick up a dress and wear it and then you discard it. You wear another one. Thus, in the view of Sikhism, your soul is never born and never dies. Your soul is a part of God and hence lives forever.[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-108)
## Others
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=31 "Edit section: Others")\]
### Confucianism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=32 "Edit section: Confucianism")\]
[Confucius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius "Confucius") did not directly discuss the afterlife. Nonetheless, [Chinese folk religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_folk_religion "Chinese folk religion") has had a strong influence on [Confucianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism "Confucianism"), so adherents believe that their ancestors become deified spirits after death.[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-109) [Ancestor veneration in China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancestor_veneration_in_China "Ancestor veneration in China") is widespread.
### Gnosticism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=33 "Edit section: Gnosticism")\]
In [Gnostic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism "Gnosticism") teachings humans contain a [divine spark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_spark "Divine spark") within them said to have been trapped in their bodies by the creator of the material universe known as the [Demiurge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demiurge#Gnosticism "Demiurge"). It was believed that this spark could be released from the material world and enter into the heavenly spiritual world beyond it if special knowledge or [gnosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosis#Gnosticism "Gnosis") was attained.[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-110) The [Cathars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharism "Catharism"), for example, viewed [reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation") as a trap made by [Satan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan "Satan"), who tricked [angels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel "Angel") from the heavenly realm into entering the physical bodies of humans. They viewed the purpose of life as a way to escape the constant cycle of spiritual incarnations by letting go of worldly attachments.[\[107\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-111)
### Shinto
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=34 "Edit section: Shinto")\]
Further information: [Shinto § Cosmology and afterlife](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto#Cosmology_and_afterlife "Shinto")
It is common for families to participate in ceremonies for children at a shrine, yet have a [Buddhist funeral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_funeral "Japanese funeral") at the time of death. In old Japanese legends, it is often claimed that the dead go to a place called *[yomi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomi "Yomi")* (黄泉), a gloomy underground realm with a river separating the living from the dead mentioned in the legend of Izanami and Izanagi. This *yomi* very closely resembles the Greek [Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_underworld "Greek underworld"); however, later myths include notions of resurrection and even [Elysium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysium "Elysium")\-like descriptions such as in the legend of [Ōkuninushi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Ckuninushi "Ōkuninushi") and [Susanoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanoo-no-Mikoto "Susanoo-no-Mikoto"). Shinto tends to hold negative views on death and corpses as a source of pollution called *kegare*. However, death is also viewed as a path towards [apotheosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis "Apotheosis") in Shintoism as can be evidenced by how legendary individuals become enshrined after death. Perhaps the most famous would be [Emperor Ōjin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_%C5%8Cjin "Emperor Ōjin") who was enshrined as [Hachiman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachiman "Hachiman") the God of War after his death.[\[108\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-112)
### Spiritualism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=35 "Edit section: Spiritualism")\]
The [spirit world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_world_\(Spiritualism\) "Spirit world (Spiritualism)"), according to [spiritualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism_\(beliefs\) "Spiritualism (beliefs)"), is the world or realm inhabited by [spirits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-physical_entity "Non-physical entity"), both good or evil of various spiritual manifestations. This spirit world is regarded as an external environment for spirits.[\[109\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-113) The Spiritualism religious [movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_movement "Social movement") in the [nineteenth century](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_nineteenth_century "Long nineteenth century") espoused a belief in an afterlife where individual's awareness persists beyond [death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death "Death").[\[110\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-114)
### Taoism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=36 "Edit section: Taoism")\]
[Taoism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism "Taoism") views life as an illusion and death as a transformation into immortality. Taoists believe that immortality of the soul can be achieved by living a virtuous life in harmony with the [Tao](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao "Tao"). They are taught not to fear death, as it is simply part of nature.[\[111\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-115)
### Traditional African religions
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=37 "Edit section: Traditional African religions")\]
[Traditional African religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_African_religion "Traditional African religion") are diverse in their beliefs in an afterlife. [Hunter-gatherer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter-gatherer "Hunter-gatherer") societies such as the [Hadza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadza_people "Hadza people") have no particular belief in an afterlife, and the death of an individual is a straightforward end to their existence.[\[112\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-116) [Ancestor cults](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneration_of_the_dead "Veneration of the dead") are found throughout [Sub-Saharan Africa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub-Saharan_Africa "Sub-Saharan Africa"), including cultures like the [Yombe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yombe_people_\(Congo_and_Angola\) "Yombe people (Congo and Angola)"),[\[113\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-117) [Beng](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mand%C3%A9_peoples_of_Africa "List of Mandé peoples of Africa"),[\[114\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-118) [Yoruba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_people "Yoruba people") and [Ewe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewe_people "Ewe people"), "\[T\]he belief that the dead come back into life and are reborn into their families is given concrete expression in the personal names that are given to children....What is reincarnated are some of the dominant characteristics of the ancestor and not his soul. For each soul remains distinct and each birth represents a new soul."[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Opoku-119) The Yoruba, [Dogon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogon_people "Dogon people") and LoDagoa have eschatological ideas similar to Abrahamic religions, "but in most African societies, there is a marked absence of such clear-cut notions of heaven and hell, although there are notions of God judging the soul after death."[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Opoku-119) In some societies like the [Mende](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mende_people "Mende people"), multiple beliefs coexist. The Mende believe that people die twice: once during the process of joining the [secret society](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mende_people#Secret_societies "Mende people"), and again during biological death after which they become ancestors. However, some Mende also believe that after people are created by God they live ten consecutive lives, each in progressively descending worlds.[\[116\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-120) One cross-cultural theme is that the ancestors are part of the world of the living, interacting with it regularly.[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-121)[\[118\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-122)[\[119\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-123)
### Unitarian Universalism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=38 "Edit section: Unitarian Universalism")\]
Some [Unitarian Universalists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarian_Universalist "Unitarian Universalist") believe in [universalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universalism "Universalism"): that all souls will ultimately be saved and that there are no torments of hell.[\[120\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-124) Unitarian Universalists differ widely in their theology hence there is no exact same stance on the issue.[\[121\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-125) Although Unitarians historically believed in a literal hell, and Universalists historically believed that everyone goes to heaven, modern Unitarian Universalists can be categorized into those believing in a heaven, reincarnation and oblivion. Most Unitarian Universalists believe that heaven and hell are symbolic places of consciousness and the faith is largely focused on the worldly life rather than any possible afterlife.[\[122\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-126)
### Wicca
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=39 "Edit section: Wicca")\]
The Wiccan afterlife is most commonly described as [The Summerland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Summerland "The Summerland"). Here, souls rest, recuperate from life, and reflect on the experiences they had during their lives. After a period of rest, the souls are reincarnated, and the memory of their previous lives is erased. Many Wiccans see The Summerland as a place to reflect on their life actions. It is not a place of reward, but rather the end of a life journey at an end point of incarnations.[\[123\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-127)
### Zoroastrianism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=40 "Edit section: Zoroastrianism")\]
Main article: [Frashokereti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frashokereti "Frashokereti")
Zoroastrianism states that the *urvan*, the disembodied spirit, lingers on earth for three days before departing downward to the kingdom of the dead that is ruled by Yima.[\[124\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-128) For the three days that it rests on Earth, righteous souls sit at the head of their body, chanting the [Ustavaiti Gathas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gathas "Gathas") with joy, while a wicked person sits at the feet of the corpse, wails and recites the [Yasna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasna "Yasna"). Zoroastrianism states that for the righteous souls, a beautiful maiden, which is the personification of the soul's good thoughts, words and deeds, appears. For a wicked person, a very old, ugly, naked hag appears. After three nights, the soul of the wicked is taken by the demon [Vizaresa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vizaresa&action=edit&redlink=1 "Vizaresa (page does not exist)") (Vīzarəša), to Chinvat bridge, and is made to go to darkness ([hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell")).
[Yima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamshid "Jamshid") is believed to have been the first king on earth to rule, as well as the first man to die. Inside of Yima's realm, the spirits live a shadowy existence, and are dependent on their own descendants which are still living on Earth. Their descendants are to satisfy their hunger and clothe them, through rituals done on earth.
Rituals which are done on the first three days are vital and important, as they protect the soul from evil powers and give it strength to reach the underworld. After three days, the soul crosses [Chinvat bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinvat_bridge "Chinvat bridge") which is the [Final Judgment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Judgment "Final Judgment") of the soul. Rashnu and [Sraosha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sraosha "Sraosha") are present at the final judgment. The list is expanded sometimes, and include [Vahman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahman "Bahman") and [Ormazd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahura_Mazda "Ahura Mazda"). [Rashnu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashnu "Rashnu") is the [yazata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazata "Yazata") who holds the scales of justice. If the good deeds of the person outweigh the bad, the soul is worthy of paradise. If the bad deeds outweigh the good, the bridge narrows down to the width of a blade-edge, and a horrid hag pulls the soul in her arms, and takes it down to hell with her.
Misvan Gatu is the "place of the mixed ones" where the souls lead a gray existence, lacking both joy and sorrow. A soul goes here if his/her good deeds and bad deeds are equal, and Rashnu's scale is equal.
## Parapsychology
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=41 "Edit section: Parapsychology")\]
Main article: [Parapsychology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parapsychology "Parapsychology")
The [Society for Psychical Research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_Psychical_Research "Society for Psychical Research") was founded in 1882 with the express intention of investigating phenomena relating to Spiritualism and the afterlife. Its members continue to conduct scientific research on the paranormal to this day. Some of the earliest attempts to apply [scientific methods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method "Scientific method") to the study of phenomena relating to an afterlife were conducted by this organization. Its earliest members included noted scientists like [William Crookes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Crookes "William Crookes"), and philosophers such as [Henry Sidgwick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Sidgwick "Henry Sidgwick") and [William James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James "William James").[\[125\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-129)
Parapsychological investigation of the afterlife includes the study of [haunting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haunting "Haunting"), [apparitions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparitional_experience "Apparitional experience") of the deceased, instrumental trans-communication, [electronic voice phenomena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_voice_phenomenon "Electronic voice phenomenon"), and [mediumship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediumship "Mediumship").[\[126\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-130)
A [study](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_grams_experiment "21 grams experiment") conducted in 1901 by physician [Duncan MacDougall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_MacDougall_\(doctor\) "Duncan MacDougall (doctor)") sought to measure the weight lost by a human when the [soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul "Soul") "departed the body" upon death.[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-131) MacDougall weighed dying patients in an attempt to prove that the soul was material, tangible and thus measurable. Although MacDougall's results varied considerably from "21 grams", for some people this figure has become synonymous with the measure of a soul's mass.[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-132) The title of the 2003 movie *[21 Grams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_Grams "21 Grams")* is a reference to MacDougall's findings. His results have never been reproduced, and are generally regarded either as meaningless or considered to have had little if any scientific merit.[\[129\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-133)
[Frank Tipler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Tipler "Frank Tipler") has argued that physics can explain immortality, although such arguments are not [falsifiable](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifiability "Falsifiability") and, in [Karl Popper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Popper "Karl Popper")'s views, they do not qualify as science.[\[130\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-134)
After 25 years of parapsychological research [Susan Blackmore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Blackmore "Susan Blackmore") came to the conclusion that, according to her experiences, there is not enough [empirical evidence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical_evidence "Empirical evidence") for many of these cases.[\[131\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-135)[\[132\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-136)
### Mediumship
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=42 "Edit section: Mediumship")\]
Mediums purportedly act as a vessel for communications from spirits in other realms. [Mediumship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediumship "Mediumship") is not specific to one culture or religion; it can be identified in several belief systems, most notably [Spiritualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism_\(movement\) "Spiritualism (movement)"). While the practice gained popularity in Europe and North America in the 19th century, evidence of mediumship dates back thousands of years in Asia.[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-137)[\[134\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-138)[\[135\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-139) Mediums who claim to have contact with deceased people include [Tyler Henry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Henry "Tyler Henry") and [Pascal Voggenhuber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Voggenhuber "Pascal Voggenhuber").
### Near death research
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=43 "Edit section: Near death research")\]
See also: [Near-death studies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-death_studies "Near-death studies"), [Near death experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_death_experience "Near death experience"), and [Deathbed phenomena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathbed_phenomena "Deathbed phenomena")
Research also includes the study of the near death experience. Scientists who have worked in this area include [Elisabeth Kübler-Ross](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_K%C3%BCbler-Ross "Elisabeth Kübler-Ross"), [Raymond Moody](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Moody "Raymond Moody"), [Sam Parnia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Parnia "Sam Parnia"), [Michael Sabom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Sabom "Michael Sabom"), [Bruce Greyson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Greyson "Bruce Greyson"), [Peter Fenwick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Fenwick_\(neuropsychologist\) "Peter Fenwick (neuropsychologist)"), [Jeffrey Long](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Long "Jeffrey Long"), [Susan Blackmore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Blackmore "Susan Blackmore"), [Charles Tart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Tart "Charles Tart"), [William James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James "William James"), [Ian Stevenson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Stevenson "Ian Stevenson"), [Michael Persinger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Persinger "Michael Persinger"), [Pim van Lommel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pim_van_Lommel "Pim van Lommel"), [Penny Sartori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Sartori "Penny Sartori"), [Walter van Laack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_van_Laack "Walter van Laack") among others.[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-140)[\[137\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-141)
### Past life regression
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=44 "Edit section: Past life regression")\]
Main article: [Past life regression](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Past_life_regression "Past life regression")
**Past life regression** is a method that uses [hypnosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnosis "Hypnosis") to recover what practitioners believe are [memories of past lives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Past_life_memory "Past life memory") or [incarnations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation"). The technique used during past-life regression involves the subject answering a series of questions while hypnotized to reveal identity and events of alleged past lives, a method similar to that used in [recovered memory therapy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovered_memory_therapy "Recovered memory therapy") and one that, similarly, often misrepresents memory as a faithful recording of previous events rather than a constructed set of recollections.
However, medical experts and practitioners do not agree that the past life memories gained from past life regressions are truly from past lives; experts generally regard claims of recovered memories of past lives as fantasies or delusions or a type of [confabulation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confabulation "Confabulation"), because the use of hypnosis and [suggestive questions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suggestive_question "Suggestive question") can tend to leave the subject particularly likely to hold distorted or false memories.[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Skepdic-142)[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Cordon-143)[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-encyclopedia-144)
## Philosophy
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=45 "Edit section: Philosophy")\]
### Modern philosophy
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=46 "Edit section: Modern philosophy")\]
There is a view based on the philosophical question of [personal identity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identity "Personal identity"), termed [open individualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_individualism "Open individualism") by [Daniel Kolak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Kolak "Daniel Kolak"), that concludes that individual conscious experience is illusory, and because consciousness continues after death in all conscious beings, *you* do not die. This position has allegedly been supported by physicists such as [Erwin Schrödinger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_Schr%C3%B6dinger "Erwin Schrödinger") and [Freeman Dyson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeman_Dyson "Freeman Dyson").[\[141\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-145)
Certain problems arise with the idea of a particular person continuing after death. [Peter van Inwagen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_van_Inwagen "Peter van Inwagen"), in his argument regarding resurrection, notes that the materialist must have some sort of physical continuity.[\[142\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-146) [John Hick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hick "John Hick") also raises questions regarding personal identity in his book, *Death and Eternal Life*, using an example of a person ceasing to exist in one place while an exact replica appears in another. If the replica had all the same experiences, traits, and physical appearances of the first person, we would all attribute the same identity to the second, according to Hick.[\[143\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-147)
Some philosophers have used [Occam's razor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor "Occam's razor") to argue against the existence of an afterlife.[\[144\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-148)[\[145\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-149)[\[146\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-150)
### Process philosophy
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=47 "Edit section: Process philosophy")\]
In the [panentheistic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheistic "Panentheistic") model of [process philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_philosophy "Process philosophy") and theology the writers [Alfred North Whitehead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_North_Whitehead "Alfred North Whitehead") and [Charles Hartshorne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hartshorne "Charles Hartshorne") rejected the idea that the universe was made of [substance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matter "Matter"), instead saying reality is composed of living experiences (occasions of experience). According to Hartshorne people do not experience subjective (or personal) immortality in the afterlife, but they do have objective immortality because their experiences live on forever in God, who contains all that was. However other process philosophers such as [David Ray Griffin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ray_Griffin "David Ray Griffin") have written that people may have subjective experience after death.[\[147\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-151)[\[148\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-152)[\[149\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-153)[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-154)
## Science
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=48 "Edit section: Science")\]
Psychological proposals for the origin of a belief in an afterlife include cognitive disposition, cultural learning, and as an intuitive religious idea.[\[151\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-155) [Fear of death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_death "Fear of death") or death anxiety is hypothesized to be a primary motivator for afterlife beliefs.[\[152\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-156)[\[153\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-157)[\[154\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-158)[\[155\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-159) Jamin Halberstadt finds that one function of religion is to alleviate death anxiety via afterlife beliefs.[\[156\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-160) There also is research about afterlife beliefs from an evolutionary perspective, i.e. in the context of [group selection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_selection "Group selection").[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-161)[\[158\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-162)
### Near-death experiences
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=49 "Edit section: Near-death experiences")\]
See also: [Near-death experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-death_experience "Near-death experience") and [Deathbed phenomena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathbed_phenomena "Deathbed phenomena")
In 2008, a large-scale study conducted by the University of Southampton involving 2,060 patients from 15 hospitals in the United Kingdom, United States and Austria was launched. The AWARE (AWAreness during REsuscitation) study examined the broad range of mental experiences in relation to death. In a large study, researchers also tested the validity of conscious experiences for the first time using objective markers, to determine whether claims of awareness compatible with out-of-body experiences correspond with real or hallucinatory events.[\[159\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-163) The results revealed that 40% of those who survived a cardiac arrest were aware during the time that they were clinically dead and before their hearts were restarted. One patient also had a verified out-of-body experience (over 80% of patients did not survive their cardiac arrest or were too sick to be interviewed), but his cardiac arrest occurred in a room without markers. Dr. Parnia in the interview stated, "The evidence thus far suggests that in the first few minutes after death, consciousness is not annihilated."[\[160\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-164) The AWARE study drew the following primary conclusions:
1. In some cases of cardiac arrest, memories of visual awareness compatible with so called out-of-body experiences may correspond with actual events.
2. A number of NDErs may have vivid death experiences, but do not recall them due to the effects of brain injury or sedative drugs on memory circuits.
3. The recalled experience surrounding death merits a genuine investigation without prejudice.[\[161\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-165)
Studies have also been done on the widely reported phenomenon of [near-death experiences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_death_experiences "Near death experiences") (NDE). Experiencers commonly report being transported to a different "realm" or "plane of existence" and they have been shown to display a lasting positive aftereffect on most experiencers.[\[162\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-166)
## See also
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=50 "Edit section: See also")\]
- [Allegory of the long spoons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_long_spoons "Allegory of the long spoons")
- [Astral plane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_plane "Astral plane")
- [Bardo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardo "Bardo")
- [Brig of Dread](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brig_of_Dread "Brig of Dread") (Bridge of Dread)
- [Empiricism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empiricism "Empiricism")
- [Epistemology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology "Epistemology")
- [Eternal oblivion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_oblivion "Eternal oblivion")
- [Exaltation (Mormonism)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exaltation_\(Mormonism\) "Exaltation (Mormonism)")
- [Fate of the unlearned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fate_of_the_unlearned "Fate of the unlearned")
- [Heaven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven "Heaven")
- [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell")
- [Immortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality "Immortality")
- [Mictlan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mictlan "Mictlan")
- [Mind uploading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_uploading "Mind uploading")
- [Nirvana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana "Nirvana")
- [Omega Point](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Point "Omega Point")
- [Paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise "Paradise")
- [Phowa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phowa "Phowa")
- [Pre-existence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-existence "Pre-existence")
- [Purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory")
- [Rebirth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebirth_\(Buddhism\) "Rebirth (Buddhism)")
- [Reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation")
- [Soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul "Soul")
- [Soul flight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_flight "Soul flight")
- [Soul retrieval](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_retrieval "Soul retrieval")
- *[Spiritism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritism_\(book\) "Spiritism (book)")*
- [Suspended animation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspended_animation "Suspended animation")
- [Spirit World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_world_\(Spiritualism\) "Spirit world (Spiritualism)")
- [Undead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undead "Undead")
- [Underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld")
## References
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=51 "Edit section: References")\]
### Explanatory notes
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=52 "Edit section: Explanatory notes")\]
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-70)**
some of the verses are:
- "... but compared with the Hereafter the life of this world is but a \[trifling\] enjoyment" \[Quran [13:26](https://quran.com/13?startingVerse=26)\]
- " ...The life of this world is nothing but the wares of delusion." \[Quran [3:185–186](https://quran.com/3?startingVerse=185)\]
- " ...Know that the life of this world is mere diversion and play, glamour and mutual vainglory among you and rivalry for wealth and children" (Q.57:20)\[Quran [57:20](https://quran.com/57?startingVerse=20)\]
- " ...Seek the abode of the Hereafter by means of what Allah has given you, while not forgetting your share of this world. \[Quran [28:77](https://quran.com/28?startingVerse=77)\]
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-72)** The Last Day has a number of other names. It is also called the Encompassing Day (*al-yawm al-muḥīṭ*), more commonly known as the "[Day of Resurrection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Resurrection "Day of Resurrection")" (*yawm al-qiyāma*), "[Day of Judgment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Judgment "Day of Judgment")" (*yawm ad-dīn*), and "Day of Reckoning" (*yawm al-ḥisāb*), as well as both the "Day of Separation" (*yawm al-faṣl*) and "Day of Gathering" (*yawm al-jamʿ*), and is also referred to as *as-Sāʿah*, meaning "the Hour" signaled by the blowing of the horn/trumpet.[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-71)
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-82)** "I have created the jinn and humankind only for My worship."\[ [51:56](https://quran.com/51?startingVerse=56)\]
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-89)** "One should note there was a near consensus among Muslim theologians of the later periods that punishment for Muslim grave sinners would only be temporary; eventually after a purgatory sojourn in hell's top layer they would be admitted into paradise."[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-CLLHiIT2016:7-87) Prior to that, theologians of the Kharijite and Mu'tazilite schools insisted that the "sinful" and "unrepentant" should be punished even if they were believers, but this position has been "lastingly defeated and erased" by mainstream Islam.[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-CLLHiIT2016:8-88)
### Citations
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=53 "Edit section: Citations")\]
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-1)**
Aiken, Lewis R. (2000). [*Dying, death, and bereavement*](https://archive.org/details/dyingdeathbereav0000aike_h4a8) (4th ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-585-30171-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-585-30171-9 "Special:BookSources/0-585-30171-9")
. [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [45729833](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/45729833).
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Gross1993p148_2-0)**
Rita M. Gross (1993). [*Buddhism After Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism*](https://archive.org/details/buddhismafterpat00gros). State University of New York Press. p. [148](https://archive.org/details/buddhismafterpat00gros/page/148). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-4384-0513-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4384-0513-1 "Special:BookSources/978-1-4384-0513-1")
.
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-3)**
Anakwue, Nicholas Chukwudike (22 February 2018). ["The African Origins of Greek Philosophy: Ancient Egypt in Retrospect"](https://doi.org/10.25159%2F2413-3086%2F2361). *Phronimon*. **18**: 167–180\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.25159/2413-3086/2361](https://doi.org/10.25159%2F2413-3086%2F2361). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2413-3086](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2413-3086).
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-4)**
McClelland, Norman (2018). [*Encyclopedia of Reincarnation and Karma*](https://books.google.com/books?id=S_Leq4U5ihkC). McFarland. pp. 1–320\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0786456758](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0786456758 "Special:BookSources/978-0786456758")
.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-5)** see Charles Taliaferro, Paul Draper, Philip L. Quinn, *A Companion to Philosophy of Religion*. John Wiley and Sons, 2010, p. 640, [Google Books](https://books.google.com/books?id=SSCx-67Tk6cC&pg=PA640) For Plato, see Kamtekar 2016 and Campbell 2022. Kamtekar, Rachana. "The Soul's (After-) Life," *Ancient Philosophy* 36 (2016): 1–18. Campbell, Douglas R. "Plato's Theory of Reincarnation: Eschatology and Natural Philosophy," *Review of Metaphysics* 75 4 (2022): 643–665.
6. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-6)** Gananath Obeyesekere, *Imagining Karma: Ethical Transformation in Amerindian, Buddhist, and Greek Rebirth*. University of California Press, 2002, p. 15.
7. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-7)**
Hitti, Philip K (2007) \[1924\]. *[Origins of the Druze People and Religion, with Extracts from their Sacred Writings (New Edition)](https://archive.org/details/originsofdruzepe0000hitt "iarchive:originsofdruzepe0000hitt")*. Columbia University Oriental Studies. **28**. London: Saqi. pp. 13–14.
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-86356-690-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-86356-690-1 "Special:BookSources/0-86356-690-1")
8. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-:1_8-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-:1_8-1)
[Heindel, Max](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Heindel "Max Heindel") (1985) \[1939, 1908\] *[The Rosicrucian Christianity Lectures (Collected Works)](https://archive.org/details/rosicrucianchris0000hein "iarchive:rosicrucianchris0000hein")*: [The Riddle of Life and Death](http://www.rosicrucian.com/rcl/rcleng01.htm#lecture1) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100629063357/http://www.rosicrucian.com/rcl/rcleng01.htm#lecture1) 29 June 2010 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"). Oceanside, California. 4th edition.
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-911274-84-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-911274-84-7 "Special:BookSources/0-911274-84-7")
9. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-9)** An important recent work discussing the mutual influence of ancient Greek and Indian philosophy regarding these matters is *[The Shape of Ancient Thought](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shape_of_Ancient_Thought "The Shape of Ancient Thought")* by [Thomas McEvilley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_McEvilley "Thomas McEvilley").
10. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-10)** Max Heindel, [Death and Life in Purgatory](http://www.rosicrucian.com/zineen/death5.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060711223116/http://www.rosicrucian.com/zineen/death5.htm) 11 July 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")—[Life and Activity in Heaven](http://www.rosicrucian.com/zineen/death6.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060711223133/http://www.rosicrucian.com/zineen/death6.htm) 11 July 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
11. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-11)**
["Life After Death Revealed – What Really Happens in the Afterlife"](https://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritual-research/afterlife/life-after-death/). *Spiritual Science Research Foundation*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141042/https://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritual-research/afterlife/life-after-death/) from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
12. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-EECO_2018_12-0)**
Somov, Alexey (2018). "Afterlife". In Hunter, David G.; van Geest, Paul J. J.; Lietaert Peerbolte, Bert Jan (eds.). *Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online*. [Leiden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiden "Leiden") and [Boston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston "Boston"): [Brill Publishers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_Publishers "Brill Publishers"). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1163/2589-7993\_EECO\_SIM\_00000067](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F2589-7993_EECO_SIM_00000067). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2589-7993](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2589-7993).
13. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-13)**
Richard P. Taylor, *Death and the afterlife: A Cultural Encyclopedia*, ABC-CLIO, 2000,
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-87436-939-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87436-939-8 "Special:BookSources/0-87436-939-8")
14. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-14)**
Bard, Katheryn (1999). *Encyclopedia of the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt*. Routledge.
15. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-15)** Kathryn Demeritt, *Ptah's Travels: Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt*, 2005, p. 82
16. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-16)** Glennys Howarth, Oliver Leaman, *Encyclopedia of death and dying*, 2001, p. 238
17. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-17)** Natalie Lunis, *Tut's Deadly Tomb*, 2010, p. 11
18. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-18)** Fergus Fleming, Alan Lothian, *Ancient Egypt's Myths and Beliefs*, 2011, p. 96
19. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-19)**
["Door to Afterlife found in Egyptian tomb"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110706110016/http://www.meeja.com.au/articles/door-to-afterlife-found-in-egyptian-tomb). meeja.com.au. 30 March 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.meeja.com.au/articles/door-to-afterlife-found-in-egyptian-tomb) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2008.
20. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-20)** F. P. Retief and L. Cilliers, "Burial customs, the afterlife and the pollution of death in ancient Greece", *Acta Theologica* **26**(2), 2006, p. 45 ([PDF](http://www.ajol.info/index.php/actat/article/viewFile/52560/41166) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083809/http://www.ajol.info/index.php/actat/article/viewFile/52560/41166) 6 October 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")).
21. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-21)** Social Studies School Service, *Ancient Greece*, 2003, pp. 49–51
22. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-22)** Perry L. Westmoreland, *Ancient Greek Beliefs*, 2007, pp. 68–70
23. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-23)** N. Sabir, *Heaven Hell Or*, 2010, p. 147
24. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-24)** See *Timaeus* 90–92. For a recent scholarly treatment, see Douglas R. Campbell, "Plato's Theory of Reincarnation: Eschatology and Natural Philosophy," *Review of Metaphysics* 75 (4): 643–665. 2022.
25. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-25)**
["Norse Mythology \| The Nine Worlds"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160515211313/http://www.viking-mythology.com/theNineWorlds.php). *www.viking-mythology.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.viking-mythology.com/theNineWorlds.php) on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
26. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-26)**
["Fólkvangr, Freyja welcomes you to the Field of the Host"](http://spangenhelm.com/folkvangr-freyjas-field-warriors/). *Spangenhelm*. 20 May 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170915104336/http://spangenhelm.com/folkvangr-freyjas-field-warriors/) from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
27. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-27)** Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, 2006. p. 1671
28. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-28)**
["SHEOL - JewishEncyclopedia.com"](http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13563-sheol). *www.jewishencyclopedia.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150918204814/http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13563-sheol) from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
29. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBerdichevsky201622_29-0)** [Berdichevsky 2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#CITEREFBerdichevsky2016), p. 22.
30. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-:0_30-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-:0_30-1)
Pearson, Fred (1938). "Sheol and Hades in Old and New Testament". *Review & Expositor*. **35** (3): 304–314\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1177/003463733803500304](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F003463733803500304). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [147690674](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:147690674) – via SAGE journals.
31. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-31)**
Berdichevsky, Norman (2016). [*Modern Hebrew: The Past and Future of a Revitalized Language*](https://books.google.com/books?id=f1_TCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA23). McFarland. p. 23. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-4766-2629-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4766-2629-1 "Special:BookSources/978-1-4766-2629-1")
.
32. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-32)**
["Tractate Sanhedrin: Interpolated Section: Those Who have no Share in the World to Come"](http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/tsa/tsa37.htm). Sacred-texts.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191020131637/https://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/tsa/tsa37.htm) from the original on 20 October 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
33. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-33)**
["Jehoiakim"](https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0011_0_10049.html). Jewishvirtuallibrary.org. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161109045833/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0011_0_10049.html) from the original on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
34. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-perek-helek-c_34-0)** Maimonides' Introduction to Perek Helek, publ. and transl. by [Maimonides Heritage Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides_Heritage_Center "Maimonides Heritage Center"), p. 22-23.
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Paull Raphael, Simcha (2019). [*Jewish Views of the Afterlife*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ESOJDwAAQBAJ&q=maimonides+olam+haba&pg=PA178). Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 177–180\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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36. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-36)**
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37. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-37)** Saadia Gaon in Emunoth ve-Deoth Section vi
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Yirmiyahu, Rabbi (12 July 2003). ["Reincarnation " Ask! " Ohr Somayach"](http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/1077). Ohr.edu. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140309003907/http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/1077) from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
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Boulaouali, Tijani (3 November 2022). ["Biblical Eschatology and Qur'anic 'Ākhirāh: A Comparative Approach of the Concepts Afterlife, Death and the Day of Judgement"](https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/kt/article/view/19851). *Khazanah Theologia*. **4** (3): 147–158\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.15575/kt.v4i3.19851](https://doi.org/10.15575%2Fkt.v4i3.19851). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2715-9701](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2715-9701). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [255287161](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:255287161). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230108124609/https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/kt/article/view/19851) from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
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47. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-47)** [Fosdick, Harry Emerson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Emerson_Fosdick "Harry Emerson Fosdick"). A guide to understanding the Bible. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1956. p. 276.
48. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-48)** [Acts of Paul and Thecla](http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/thecla.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070606225812/http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/thecla.html) 6 June 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") 8:5
49. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-49)** He wrote that a person "may afterward in a quite different manner be very much interested in what is better, when, *after his departure out of the body*, he gains knowledge of the difference between virtue and vice and finds that he is not able to partake of divinity until he has been *purged of the filthy contagion in his soul by the purifying fire*" (emphasis added)—Sermon on the Dead, AD 382, quoted in [The Roots of Purgatory](http://www.catholic.com/library/Roots_of_Purgatory.asp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070527235028/http://www.catholic.com/library/Roots_of_Purgatory.asp) 27 May 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
50. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-50)** ["purgatory"](http://www.answers.com/topic/purgatory) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070317200253/http://www.answers.com/topic/purgatory) 17 March 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia University Press., 2003. Answers.com 6 June 2007.
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["Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, *A Latin Dictionary*"](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3D%2339625). Perseus.tufts.edu. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080221225206/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3D%2339625) from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
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Swedenborg, E. (2000). ["Heaven and Hell"](https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/heaven-and-hell-dole/contents/10). Swedenborg Foundation. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171208175232/https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/heaven-and-hell-dole/contents/10) from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
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54. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-54)** Ted Campbell, Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials (Abingdon 1999), quoted in [Feature article by *United Methodist Reporter* Managing Editor Robin Russell](http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=5101) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110722154244/http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=5101) 22 July 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") and in [FAQ Belief: What happens immediately after a person dies?](http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4746355&content_id=%7B94F6F768-0EA6-4C1B-B6B6-0C88EC04E8A2%7D¬oc=1) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160613074435/http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4746355&content_id=%7B94F6F768-0EA6-4C1B-B6B6-0C88EC04E8A2%7D¬oc=1) 13 June 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
55. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Andrew_P._Klager_2011_55-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Andrew_P._Klager_2011_55-1)
["Andrew P. Klager, "Orthodox Eschatology and St. Gregory of Nyssa's *De vita Moysis*: Transfiguration, Cosmic Unity, and Compassion," In *Compassionate Eschatology: The Future as Friend*, eds. Ted Grimsrud & Michael Hardin, 230–52 (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2011), 245"](http://www.clarion-journal.com/files/new-klager-compassionate-eschatology-with-biblioklager-1.pdf#page=19) (PDF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160325232147/http://www.clarion-journal.com/files/new-klager-compassionate-eschatology-with-biblioklager-1.pdf#page=19) (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
56. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-56)** St. Isaac the Syrian, "Homily 28," In *The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian,* trans. Dana Miller (Brookline, MA: Holy Transfiguration Monastery Press, 1984), 141.
57. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-57)** Fr. Thomas Hopko, "Foreword," in *The Orthodox Church*, Sergius Bulgakov (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1988), xiii.
58. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-58)**
["Andrew P. Klager, "Orthodox Eschatology and St. Gregory of Nyssa's *De vita Moysis*: Transfiguration, Cosmic Unity, and Compassion," In *Compassionate Eschatology: The Future as Friend*, eds. Ted Grimsrud & Michael Hardin, 230–52 (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2011), 251"](http://www.clarion-journal.com/files/new-klager-compassionate-eschatology-with-biblioklager-1.pdf#page=25) (PDF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160325232147/http://www.clarion-journal.com/files/new-klager-compassionate-eschatology-with-biblioklager-1.pdf#page=25) (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
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Paulsen, David L.; Cook, Roger D.; Christensen, Kendel J. (2010). ["The Harrowing of Hell: Salvation for the Dead in Early Christianity"](https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol19/iss1/7). *Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture*. **19** (1): 56–77\. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [1948-7487](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1948-7487). [JSTOR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSTOR_\(identifier\) "JSTOR (identifier)") [10\.5406/jbookmormotheres.19.1.0056](https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jbookmormotheres.19.1.0056). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [171733241](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:171733241). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221128015024/https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol19/iss1/7/) from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
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62. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-62)** [Spencer W. Kimball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_W._Kimball "Spencer W. Kimball"): The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 123.
63. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-63)**
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71. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Britannica_73-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Britannica_73-1)
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73. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-JACBMM2014:46_75-0)** [J. A. C. Brown, *Misquoting Muhammad*, 2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#JACBMM2014): p. 46
74. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Rustomji_2017_76-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Rustomji_2017_76-1)
Rustomji, Nerina (2017). ["Beauty in the Garden: Aesthetics and the *Wildān*, *Ghilmān*, and *Ḥūr*"](https://books.google.com/books?id=5_MoDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA297). In Günther, Sebastian; Lawson, Todd (eds.). *Roads to Paradise: Eschatology and Concepts of the Hereafter in Islam*. Islamic History and Civilization. Vol. 136. [Leiden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiden "Leiden") and [Boston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston "Boston"): [Brill Publishers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_Publishers "Brill Publishers"). pp. 297–307\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1163/9789004333154\_014](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F9789004333154_014). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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76. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-78)**
Ghazālī, Iḥyāʾ, v.157, trans. Winter p.221-2; quoted in
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77. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-hughes-DoI_79-0)**
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79. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-81)** [Surah Ash-Shu'ara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash-Shu%27ara "Ash-Shu'ara") [26:96-102](https://quran.com/26?startingVerse=96), [Surah Fussilat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fussilat "Fussilat") [41:24](https://quran.com/41?startingVerse=24)
80. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-83)** [Quran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran "Quran") [17:10](https://quran.com/17?startingVerse=10)
81. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-ETISN2009_84-0)**
Thomassen, Einar (2009). "Islamic Hell". *Numen*. **56** (2–3\): 401–416\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1163/156852709X405062](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F156852709X405062). [JSTOR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSTOR_\(identifier\) "JSTOR (identifier)") [27793798](https://www.jstor.org/stable/27793798).
82. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-ETISN2009:405_85-0)** [Thomassen, "Islamic Hell", Numen, 56, 2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#ETISN2009): p.405
83. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-ReferenceA_86-0)**
A F Klein *Religion Of Islam* Routledge 2013
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84. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-CLLHiIT2016:7_87-0)** [Lange, "Introducing Hell in Islamic Studies", 2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#CLLHiIT2016): p.7
85. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-CLLHiIT2016:8_88-0)** [Lange, "Introducing Hell in Islamic Studies", 2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#CLLHiIT2016): p.8
86. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-90)**
John Renard The Handy Islam Answer Book Visible Ink Press 2015
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[978-1-578-59544-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-578-59544-0 "Special:BookSources/978-1-578-59544-0")
87. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Islamic_Traditions_p._12_91-0)**
Lange, Christian (2016). "Introducing Hell in Islamic Studies". *Locating Hell in Islamic Traditions*. BRILL. p. 12. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-90-04-30121-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-04-30121-4 "Special:BookSources/978-90-04-30121-4")
. [JSTOR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSTOR_\(identifier\) "JSTOR (identifier)") [10\.1163/j.ctt1w8h1w3.7](https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1163/j.ctt1w8h1w3.7).
88. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-92)**
Mirza Tahir Ahmad (1997). [*An Elementary Study of Islam*](https://books.google.com/books?id=iU1Yn4sSXEkC&q=elementary%20study%20of%20islam). Islam International Publications. p. 50. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231230123256/https://books.google.com/books?id=iU1Yn4sSXEkC&q=elementary%20study%20of%20islam#v=snippet&q=elementary%20study%20of%20islam&f=false) from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
89. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Ibn_Al-Arabi_2006_29n,_50n,_59,_64%E2%80%9368,_73,_75%E2%80%9378,_82,_102_93-0)**
Ibn Al-Arabi, Muhyiddin (2006). Angela Jaffray (ed.). *The Universal Tree and The Four Birds*. Anqa Publishing. pp. 29n, 50n, 59, 64–68, 73, 75–78, 82, 102.
90. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-94)** [Baháʼu'lláh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BCu%27ll%C3%A1h "Baháʼu'lláh"), [Gleanings from the Writings of Baháʼu'lláh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleanings_from_the_Writings_of_Bah%C3%A1%CA%BCu%27ll%C3%A1h "Gleanings from the Writings of Baháʼu'lláh"), ed. by US Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1990, pp. 155–156.
91. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-PSmith_95-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-PSmith_95-1)
Smith, Peter (2000). ["burial, "death and afterlife", evil, evil spirits, sin"](https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/96). *A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith*. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. [96–97, 118–19, 135–36, 322–23](https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/96). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-85168-184-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-85168-184-6 "Special:BookSources/978-1-85168-184-6")
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92. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-96)**
Sayers, Matthew R. (12 September 2013). [*Feeding the Dead: Ancestor Worship in Ancient India*](https://books.google.com/books?id=3AOBwiZBjRMC). OUP USA. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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93. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Sayers_97-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Sayers_97-1)
Sayers, Matthew R. (May 2008). [*Feeding the ancestors: ancestor worship in ancient Hinduism and Buddhism*](https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/3945) (Thesis thesis). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163432/https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/3945) from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
94. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-98)** Dying, Death and the Afterlife in Dharma Traditions and Western Religions (pp.29–44) Deepak Heritage Books, January 2006
95. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-99)**
Becker, Carl B. (1993). *Breaking the circle: death and the afterlife in Buddhism*. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. p. viii. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-585-03949-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-585-03949-7 "Special:BookSources/978-0-585-03949-7")
. "Buddhists believe in karma and rebirth, and yet they deny the existence of permanent souls."
96. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-100)**
["The Buddhist Society: Kamma – Actions and Results"](https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/page/kamma-actions-and-results). *www.thebuddhistsociety.org*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211120071730/https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/page/kamma-actions-and-results) from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
97. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-101)**
["ORDER OF EFFECT \| Dhamma Earth 法域"](https://tusitainternational.net/zh/workings-of-kamma-rev2-chapter-iii-order-of-effect/) (in Chinese (China)). 24 January 2011. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211120071729/https://tusitainternational.net/zh/workings-of-kamma-rev2-chapter-iii-order-of-effect/) from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
98. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-102)**
["The Hindu Concept of Three Bodies – Body, Mind and Existence"](https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/indian-religions/hinduism/hindu-concept-three-bodies-body-mind-existence/). *Sanskriti – Hinduism and Indian Culture Website*. 6 April 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211120220631/https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/indian-religions/hinduism/hindu-concept-three-bodies-body-mind-existence/) from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
99. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-103)** "When the body becomes weak and goes into oblivion as it were, the *Ātman* departs, and following it, the vital breath departs ... he becomes a pure consciousness, and with this consciousness, he proceeds. His past learning and deeds as well subtle memory accompany him. Just as a worm upon reaching the tip of a blade of grass, reaches out towards another blade of grass by way of support, so also does this Jiva end this body, becomes imperceptible, and then obtains another body by way of support, and pulls itself together." – Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4
100. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-104)**
Jhaveri, Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai. ["Death the Awakener"](http://www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/pujya-gurudevshri/pearls-of-wisdom/death-the-awakener-2110.htm). *Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191026171833/http://www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/pujya-gurudevshri/pearls-of-wisdom/death-the-awakener-2110.htm) from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
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["Concept of reincarnation in Guru Nanak's philosophy"](http://www.iuscanada.com/journal/archives/2011/j1312p52.pdf) (PDF). *Understanding Sikhism – the Research Journal*. **13** (1–2\). IUS Canada: 52–9\. 2011. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.iuscanada.com/journal/archives/2011/j1312p52.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022.
102. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-106)** see [God in Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Sikhism "God in Sikhism")
103. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-107)**
[*Sentence By Sentence English Translation & Transliteration of Siri Guru Granth Sahib*](http://www.khalsadarbar.com/PDFs/SriGuruGranthSahibJiDarpanEnglish.pdf) (PDF). Translated by Khalsa, Singh Sahib Sant Singh. p. 267. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220720021817/http://khalsadarbar.com/PDFs/SriGuruGranthSahibJiDarpanEnglish.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
104. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-108)**
["Sikhism: What happens after death?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220107165521/http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1248308791&ucat=7). Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
105. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-109)**
Lemmon, Cheyenne (12 February 2023). ["Hachiman, Japanese God of War \| History & Symbol"](https://study.com/academy/lesson/hachiman-japanese-god-war-mythology-symbol.html). *Study.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231030140229/https://study.com/academy/lesson/hachiman-japanese-god-war-mythology-symbol.html) from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
106. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-110)**
Rossbach, Stefan (7 August 2019) \[1999\]. *Gnostic Wars*. [Edinburgh University Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_University_Press "Edinburgh University Press"). p. 49. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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107. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-111)**
J. Mark, Joshua (2 April 2019). ["Cathars"](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cathars/). [World History Encyclopedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_History_Encyclopedia "World History Encyclopedia"). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220923052100/https://www.worldhistory.org/Cathars/) from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
108. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-112)**
says, Ōmiya Hachiman-Schrein\| Ways to Japan (16 July 2015). ["Ōmiya Hachiman-Shrine (大宮八幡宮) (Engl.)"](https://thomasgittel.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/omiya-hachiman-shrine-%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%AE%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E5%AE%AE-engl/). *Ways to Japan*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231030140230/https://thomasgittel.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/omiya-hachiman-shrine-%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%AE%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E5%AE%AE-engl/) from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
109. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-113)**
Hill, J. Arthur (1918). *Spiritualism - Its History, Phenomena, And Doctrine*. London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Ltd. p. 211. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[1-4067-0162-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-4067-0162-9 "Special:BookSources/1-4067-0162-9")
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`{{cite book}}`: ISBN / Date incompatibility ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#invalid_isbn_date "Help:CS1 errors"))
110. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-114)**
[Melton, J. Gordon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Gordon_Melton "J. Gordon Melton"), ed. (2001). [*Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology*](https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofoc0002unse_h4m2/page/1463/mode/1up). Vol. 2 (5th ed.). US: Gale Group. p. 1463. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0810394898](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0810394898 "Special:BookSources/0810394898")
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111. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-115)**
Wong, Eva (1997). *The Shambhala guide to Taoism* (First ed.). Boston: Shambhala. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[1570621691](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1570621691 "Special:BookSources/1570621691")
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112. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-116)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "The entire process of death and burial is simple, without elaborate rituals and beliefs in an afterlife. The social and spiritual existence of the person ends with the burial of the corpse."
113. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-117)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "The belief in the ancestors remains a strong and active spiritual and moral force in the daily lives of the Yombe; the ancestors are thought to intervene in the affairs of the living.... The afterlife is this world."
114. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-118)**
Gottlieb, Alma; Graham, Philip; Gottlieb-Graham, Nathaniel (1998). ["Infants, Ancestors, and the Afterlife: Fieldwork's Family Values in Rural West Africa"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200218175427/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a12b/7183cff1ee6eba57710ad30325152762e481.pdf) (PDF). *Anthropology and Humanism*. **23** (2): 121. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1525/ahu.1998.23.2.121](https://doi.org/10.1525%2Fahu.1998.23.2.121). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [154032549](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:154032549). Archived from [the original](https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a12b/7183cff1ee6eba57710ad30325152762e481.pdf) (PDF) on 18 February 2020. "But Kokora Kouassi, an old friend and respected Master of the Earth in the village of Asagbé, came to our compound early one morning to describe the dream he had just had: he had been visited by the revered and ancient founder of his matriclan, Denju, who confided that Nathaniel was his reincarnation and so should be given his name. The following morning a small ritual was held, and Nathaniel was officially announced to the world not only as Denju but as N'zri Denju—Grandfather Denju—an honorific that came to be used even by Nathaniel's closest playing companions."
115. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Opoku_119-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Opoku_119-1)
Opoku, Kofi Asare (1987). "Death and Immortality in the African Religious Heritage". In Badham, Paul; Badham, Linda (eds.). *Death and Immortality in the Religions of the World*. New York: Paragon House. pp. 9–23\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-913757-54-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-913757-54-3 "Special:BookSources/978-0-913757-54-3")
. [OL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OL_\(identifier\) "OL (identifier)") [25695134M](https://openlibrary.org/books/OL25695134M).
116. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-120)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "The process of being born, dying, and moving to a lower level of earth continues through ten lives."
117. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-121)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "The ancestors are of people, whereas God is external to creation. They are of this world and close to the living. The Yombe believe that the afterlife of the ancestors lies in this world and that they are a spiritual and moral force within it."
118. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-122)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "Death represents a transition from corporeal to incorporeal life in the religious heritage of Africa and the incorporeal life is taken to be as real as the corporeal."
119. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-123)**
Ephirim-Donkor, Anthony (2012). [*African Religion Defined a Systematic Study of Ancestor Worship among the Akan*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ndxOAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA26) (2nd ed.). Lanham: University Press of America. p. 26. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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120. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-124)**
Bond, Jon (13 June 2004). ["Unitarians: unitarian view of afterlife, unitarian universalist association uua, unitarian universalist association"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151106125811/http://en.allexperts.com/q/Unitarians-945/unitarian-view-afterlife.htm). En.allexperts.com. Archived from [the original](http://en.allexperts.com/q/Unitarians-945/unitarian-view-afterlife.htm) on 6 November 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
121. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-125)** Mark W. Harris (2009). *The A to Z of Unitarian Universalism*. p. 147
122. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-126)** Robyn E. Lebron (2012). *Searching for Spiritual Unity ... Can There Be Common Ground?* p. 582,
123. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-127)** *Solitary Wicca For Life: Complete Guide to Mastering the Craft on Your Own* p. 162, Arin Murphy-Hiscock (2005)
124. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-128)**
Hintze, Almut (18 May 2017), Moreman, Christopher M. (ed.), ["Zoroastrian afterlife beliefs and funerary practices"](https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781317528883/chapters/10.4324/9781315723747-10), *The Routledge Companion to Death and Dying* (1 ed.), Routledge, pp. 86–97, [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.4324/9781315723747-10](https://doi.org/10.4324%2F9781315723747-10), [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-315-72374-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-315-72374-7 "Special:BookSources/978-1-315-72374-7")
, retrieved 25 October 2024
`{{citation}}`: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_work_parameter_with_ISBN "Category:CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN"))
125. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-129)**
Resende, Pedro Henrique Costa de; Moreira-Almeida, Alexander; Schubert Coelho, Humberto (September 2023). ["The epistemologies of research on the survival of consciousness after death in the golden era of the Society for Psychical Research (1882–1930)"](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0957154X231175575). *History of Psychiatry*. **34** (3): 287–304\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1177/0957154X231175575](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0957154X231175575). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0957-154X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0957-154X). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [37272412](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37272412).
126. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-130)** David Fontana (2005): Is there an afterlife. A comprehensive overview of the evidence.
127. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-131)**
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128. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-132)** [Urban Legends](http://www.snopes.com/religion/soulweight.asp) [Deprecated link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Archive.today_guidance "Wikipedia:Archive.today guidance") archived 30 June 2014 at [archive.today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archive.today "Archive.today") – Reference Page (Soul man).
129. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-133)**
Park, Robert Ezra (2010). *Superstition: Belief in the Age of Science*. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 90. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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130. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-134)**
Tipler, Franl J. (1997). *The Physics of Immortality – Modern Cosmology, God and the Resurrection of the Dead*. Anchor. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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131. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-135)**
["Skeptical Odysseys: Personal Accounts by the World's Leading Paranormal Inquirers pp. 85–94"](http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Chapters/Kurtz.htm). Susanblackmore.co.uk. 25 March 2002. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140406225824/http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Chapters/Kurtz.htm) from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
132. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-136)**
Kurtz, Paul (2001). *Skeptical Odysseys: Personal Accounts by the World's Leading Paranormal Inquirers*. Prometheus Books. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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133. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-137)**
[David Marks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Marks_\(psychologist\) "David Marks (psychologist)"). (2000). *The Psychology of the Psychic*. Prometheus Books.
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-57392-798-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-57392-798-7 "Special:BookSources/978-1-57392-798-7")
134. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-138)**
Nicola Holt, Christine Simmonds-Moore, David Luke, [Christopher French](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_French "Chris French"). (2012). *Anomalistic Psychology (Palgrave Insights in Psychology)*. Palgrave Macmillan.
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-230-30150-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-230-30150-4 "Special:BookSources/978-0-230-30150-4")
135. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-139)**
[Millais Culpin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millais_Culpin "Millais Culpin"). (1920). *Spiritualism and the New Psychology, an Explanation of Spiritualist Phenomena and Beliefs in Terms of Modern Knowledge*. Kennelly Press.
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-4460-5651-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4460-5651-6 "Special:BookSources/978-1-4460-5651-6")
136. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-140)**
["Near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective study in the Netherlands"](http://profezie3m.altervista.org/archivio/TheLancet_NDE.htm). Profezie3m.altervista.org. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140713092829/http://profezie3m.altervista.org/archivio/TheLancet_NDE.htm) from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
137. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-141)**
["Nurse writes book on near-death"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7463606.stm). *BBC News*. 19 June 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090331144411/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7463606.stm) from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
138. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Skepdic_142-0)**
[Carroll RT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Todd_Carroll "Robert Todd Carroll") (2003). [*The Skeptic's Dictionary: A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Skeptic%27s_Dictionary "The Skeptic's Dictionary"). New York: Wiley. pp. [276–7](https://books.google.com/books?id=6FPqDFx40vYC&pg=PA276). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-471-27242-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-471-27242-7 "Special:BookSources/978-0-471-27242-7")
.
139. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Cordon_143-0)**
Cordón LA (2005). [*Popular Psychology: An Encyclopedia*](https://archive.org/details/popularpsycholog0000cord/page/183). Westport, Conn.: [Greenwood Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwood_Publishing_Group "Greenwood Publishing Group"). pp. [183–5](https://archive.org/details/popularpsycholog0000cord/page/183). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-32457-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-32457-4 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-32457-4")
.
140. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-encyclopedia_144-0)**
Linse P, Shermer M (2002). [*The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Gr4snwg7iaEC&pg=PA206). Santa Barbara, Calif.: [ABC-CLIO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC-CLIO "ABC-CLIO"). pp. 206–7\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-57607-653-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-57607-653-8 "Special:BookSources/978-1-57607-653-8")
. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231230123318/https://books.google.com/books?id=Gr4snwg7iaEC&pg=PA206) from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
141. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-145)**
Kolak, Daniel (2005). [*I Am You: The Metaphysical Foundations for Global Ethics*](https://archive.org/details/springer_10.1007-978-1-4020-3014-7). Springer. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-4020-2999-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4020-2999-8 "Special:BookSources/978-1-4020-2999-8")
.
142. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-146)**
Peter van Inwagen. ["I Look for the Resurrection of the Dead and the Life of the World to Come"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070610012631/http://philosophy.nd.edu/people/all/profiles/van-inwagen-peter/documents/Resurrection.doc). Archived from [the original](http://philosophy.nd.edu/people/all/profiles/van-inwagen-peter/documents/Resurrection.doc) on 10 June 2007.
143. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-147)**
Hick, John (1994). *Death and eternal life*. Westminster/J. Knox Press. pp. 279–294\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-664-25509-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-664-25509-1 "Special:BookSources/978-0-664-25509-1")
. [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [878755693](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/878755693).
144. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-148)**
Fisher, Justin C. ["The Possibility of an Afterlife"](https://www.physics.smu.edu/scalise/P3333fa16/afterlife/). *SMU Philosophy*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250702081155/https://www.physics.smu.edu/scalise/P3333fa16/afterlife/) from the original on 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
145. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-149)**
Shneour, Elie A. (1986). ["Occam's Razor"](https://centerforinquiry.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/1986/07/22165325/p24.pdf) (PDF). *Skeptical Inquirer*. 10th Anniversary Essays.
146. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-150)**
Ohnemus, Alexander (2023). "Respectfully and Unfortunately, The Improbability of, and Danger in Believing in, Reincarnation". *Ohnemus University*.
147. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-151)** Charles Hartshorne, Omnipotence and Other Theological Mistakes (Albany: State University of New York, 1984) p. 32–36
148. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-152)** David Griffin, "The Possibility of Subjective Immortality in Whitehead's Philosophy," in The Modern Schoolman, LIII, November. 1975, pp. 39–51.
149. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-153)** [What Is Process Theology? by Robert B. Mellert](http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=3040&C=2598) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130109062948/http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=3040&C=2598) 9 January 2013 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
150. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-154)** [A Whiteheadian Conception of Immortality by Forrest Wood, Jr.](http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=2736&C=2480) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111205005800/http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=2736&C=2480) 5 December 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
151. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-155)**
Pereira, Vera; Faísca, Luís; de Sá-Saraiva, Rodrigo (1 January 2012). ["Immortality of the Soul as an Intuitive Idea: Towards a Psychological Explanation of the Origins of Afterlife Beliefs"](http://sapientia.ualg.pt/bitstream/10400.1/4894/1/Immortality%20of%20the%20soul%20as%20an%20intuitive%20idea.%20Towards%20a%20psychological%20explanation%20of%20the%20origins%20of%20afterlife%20beliefs.pdf) (PDF). *Journal of Cognition and Culture*. **12** (1): 121. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1163/156853712X633956](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F156853712X633956). [hdl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdl_\(identifier\) "Hdl (identifier)"):[10400\.1/4894](https://hdl.handle.net/10400.1%2F4894). [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://sapientia.ualg.pt/bitstream/10400.1/4894/1/Immortality%20of%20the%20soul%20as%20an%20intuitive%20idea.%20Towards%20a%20psychological%20explanation%20of%20the%20origins%20of%20afterlife%20beliefs.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022.
152. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-156)**
Jong, Jonathan (1 August 2021). "Death anxiety and religion". *Current Opinion in Psychology*. **40**: 40–44\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1016/j.copsyc.2020.08.004](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.copsyc.2020.08.004). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2352-250X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2352-250X). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [32942111](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32942111).
153. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-157)**
Jong, Jonathan; Ross, Robert; Philip, Tristan; Chang, Si-Hua; Simons, Naomi; Halberstadt, Jamin (2 January 2018). ["The religious correlates of death anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis"](https://pureportal.coventry.ac.uk/en/publications/520096e6-013e-47c2-b2f3-a275ed9952ee). *Religion, Brain & Behavior*. **8** (1): 4–20\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1080/2153599X.2016.1238844](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F2153599X.2016.1238844). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2153-599X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2153-599X).
154. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-158)**
Gulliford, Liz (2 October 2018). ["Death anxiety and religious belief: an existential psychology of religion"](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13617672.2018.1454246). *Journal of Beliefs & Values*. **39** (4): 525–526\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1080/13617672.2018.1454246](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F13617672.2018.1454246).
155. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-159)**
["Facing Death without Religion \| Harvard Divinity Bulletin"](https://bulletin.hds.harvard.edu/facing-death-without-religion/). *bulletin.hds.harvard.edu*. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
156. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-160)**
["Why almost everyone believes in an afterlife – even atheists"](https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24432570-500-why-almost-everyone-believes-in-an-afterlife-even-atheists/). *New Scientist*. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
157. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-161)**
["Afterlife Beliefs: An Evolutionary Perspective"](https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/5xajk). *osf.io*. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
158. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-162)**
Atkinson, Quentin D.; Bourrat, Pierrick (1 January 2011). "Beliefs about God, the afterlife and morality support the role of supernatural policing in human cooperation". *Evolution and Human Behavior*. **32** (1): 41–49\. [Bibcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibcode_\(identifier\) "Bibcode (identifier)"):[2011EHumB..32...41A](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011EHumB..32...41A). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2010.07.008](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.evolhumbehav.2010.07.008). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [1090-5138](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1090-5138).
159. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-163)**
["Results of world's largest Near Death Experiences"](https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2014/10/07-worlds-largest-near-death-experiences-study.page). 7 October 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200740/https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2014/10/07-worlds-largest-near-death-experiences-study.page) from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
160. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-164)**
["Consciousness after clinical death. The biggest ever scientific study published"](https://bioethics.georgetown.edu/2015/07/consciousness-after-clinical-death-the-biggest-ever-scientific-study-published/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190116150054/https://bioethics.georgetown.edu/2015/07/consciousness-after-clinical-death-the-biggest-ever-scientific-study-published/) from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
161. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-165)** [AWARE STUDY INITIAL RESULTS ARE PUBLISHED\!](https://iands.org/news/news/front-page-news/1060-aware-study-initial-results-are-published.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220708230558/https://iands.org/news/news/front-page-news/1060-aware-study-initial-results-are-published.html) 8 July 2022 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Retrieved 8 July 2022
162. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-166)**
Greyson, Bruce (2003). "Near-Death Experiences in a Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic Population". *Psychiatric Services*. **54** (12): 1649–1651\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1176/appi.ps.54.12.1649](https://doi.org/10.1176%2Fappi.ps.54.12.1649). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [14645808](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14645808).
## Bibliography
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=54 "Edit section: Bibliography")\]
- Philip C Almond, *Afterlife: A History of Life after Death*, London and Ithaca NY: I.B. Tauris and Cornell University Press, 2015.
- Berdichevsky, Norman (2014). [*Modern Hebrew: The Past and Future of a Revitalized Language*](https://books.google.com/books?id=f1_TCwAAQBAJ). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-47662-629-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-47662-629-1 "Special:BookSources/978-1-47662-629-1")
.
- Brown, Jonathan A.C. (2014). [*Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet's Legacy*](https://archive.org/stream/misquoting-muhammad-pbuh/misquoting-muhammad-pbuh_djvu.txt). [Oneworld Publications](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oneworld_Publications "Oneworld Publications"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1780744209](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1780744209 "Special:BookSources/978-1780744209")
. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- Campbell, Douglas R. "Plato's Theory of Reincarnation: Eschatology and Natural Philosophy," *Review of Metaphysics* 75 (4): 643–665. 2022.
- [Dan Cohn-Sherbok](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Cohn-Sherbok "Dan Cohn-Sherbok") and Christopher Lewis, (eds.), *Beyond Death: Theological and Philosophical Reflections on Life after Death*, Pelgrave-MacMillan, 1995.
- David Fontana, *Is there an afterlife: a comprehensive overview of the evidence*, O Books 2005.
- Jane Idelman Smith and Yazbeck Haddad, *The Islamic Understanding of Death and Resurrection*. Oxford UP, 2002.
- [Michael Martin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Martin_\(philosopher\) "Michael Martin (philosopher)") and Keith Augustine (eds.), *The Myth of an Afterlife: The Case against Life After Death*, Rowman & Littlefield, 2015.
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-8108-8677-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8108-8677-3 "Special:BookSources/978-0-8108-8677-3")
.
- John J. McGraw, *Brain & Belief: An Exploration of the Human Soul*, Aegis Press, 2004.
- Mark Mirabello, *A Traveler's Guide to the Afterlife: Traditions and Beliefs on Death, Dying, and What Lies Beyond*, Inner Traditions. 2016.
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-62055-597-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-62055-597-2 "Special:BookSources/978-1-62055-597-2")
- Christopher M. Moreman, *Beyond the Threshold: Afterlife Beliefs and Experiences in World Religions*, Rowman & Littlefield, 2008.
- Robert A. Morey, *Death and the Afterlife*, Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House Publishers, 1984. 315 p.
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-87123-433-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87123-433-5 "Special:BookSources/0-87123-433-5")
- Hiroshi Obayashi (ed.), *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*, Praeger, 1991.
- [Ratzinger, Joseph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Ratzinger "Joseph Ratzinger") (1988) \[1977\]. ["Part II: Death and Immortality – The Individual Dimension of Eschatology"](https://books.google.com/books?id=BH_pDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA67). *[Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology:_Death_and_Eternal_Life "Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life")* (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: [The Catholic University of America Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catholic_University_of_America_Press "The Catholic University of America Press"). pp. 67–163\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9780813216447](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780813216447 "Special:BookSources/9780813216447")
.
- [Alan F. Segal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_F._Segal "Alan F. Segal"), *Life After Death: A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion*, Doubleday, 2004.
## Further reading
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=55 "Edit section: Further reading")\]
- *[The Destiny of the Soul: A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future Life](https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/19082)* at [Project Gutenberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Gutenberg "Project Gutenberg") (Extensive 1878 text by [William Rounseville Alger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rounseville_Alger "William Rounseville Alger"))
- Jennings, Ken (2023). *100 Places to See After You Die: A Travel Guide to the Afterlife*. New York: Scribner. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9781501131585](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781501131585 "Special:BookSources/9781501131585")
. [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [1347430851](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1347430851).
## External links
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=56 "Edit section: External links")\]
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Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Afterlife](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Afterlife "q:Afterlife")***.
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Look up ***[afterlife](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/afterlife "wiktionary:afterlife")*** or ***[hereafter](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hereafter "wiktionary:hereafter")*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
- Hasker, William. ["Afterlife"](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/afterlife/). In [Zalta, Edward N.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_N._Zalta "Edward N. Zalta") (ed.). *[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_Encyclopedia_of_Philosophy "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy")*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [1095-5054](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1095-5054). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [429049174](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/429049174).
- [Vatican.va: Catechism of the Catholic Church](https://www.vatican.va/archive-ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a12.htm)
- [Islamic Guide: Life After Death](http://www.islam-guide.com/life-after-deaty-by-wamy.htm)
- [Judaism 101: Olam Ha-Ba: The Afterlife](http://www.jewfaq.org/olamhaba.htm)
- [Stewart Salmond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Salmond "Stewart Salmond"), [*Christian Doctrine of Immortality*](https://archive.org/details/christiandoctri04salmgoog)
- [*Dictionary of the History of Ideas*: "Death and Immortality"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070311081839/http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv1-76)
- [Online searchable edition of Swedenborg's *Heaven and Hell*](https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/heaven-and-hell-dole/contents/10) (Swedenborg Foundation 2000)
- [Collection: Heaven, Hell, and Afterlives](https://exchange.umma.umich.edu/resources/23935) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220812120714/https://exchange.umma.umich.edu/resources/23935) 12 August 2022 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") from the [University of Michigan Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Michigan_Museum_of_Art "University of Michigan Museum of Art")
| Articles related to an afterlife | |
|---|---|
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Afterlife "Template:Afterlife") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Afterlife "Template talk:Afterlife") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Afterlife "Special:EditPage/Template:Afterlife")[Afterlife]() locations | |
| [Abrahamic religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religions "Abrahamic religions") | |
| | |
| [Judaism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism "Judaism") | [Gan Eden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Eden#Other_views "Garden of Eden") [Gehinnom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gehinnom "Gehinnom") [Sheol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheol "Sheol") |
| [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity "Christianity") | [Heaven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven_in_Christianity "Heaven in Christianity") [Seven heavens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_heavens "Seven heavens") [Third Heaven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Heaven "Third Heaven") [Throne of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throne_of_God "Throne of God") [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell") [Limbo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbo "Limbo") [Kingdom of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingship_and_kingdom_of_God "Kingship and kingdom of God") [Garden of Eden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Eden "Garden of Eden") [Paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise "Paradise") [Purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory") [New Jerusalem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jerusalem "New Jerusalem") [Pearly gates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearly_gates "Pearly gates") [Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_views_on_Hades "Christian views on Hades") |
| [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam "Islam") | [Araf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araf_\(Islam\) "Araf (Islam)") [As-Sirāt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Sir%C4%81t "As-Sirāt") [Barzakh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barzakh "Barzakh") [Jahannam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahannam "Jahannam") [Jannah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannah "Jannah") [Malakut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malakut "Malakut") [Sidrat al-Muntaha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidrat_al-Muntaha "Sidrat al-Muntaha") |
| [Mormonism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism "Mormonism") | [Celestial Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degrees_of_glory#Celestial_kingdom "Degrees of glory") [Terrestrial Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degrees_of_glory#Terrestrial_kingdom "Degrees of glory") [Telestial Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degrees_of_glory#Telestial_kingdom "Degrees of glory") [Spirit world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_world_\(Latter_Day_Saints\) "Spirit world (Latter Day Saints)") |
| [Mandaeism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandaeism "Mandaeism") | [World of Light](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Light "World of Light") [World of Darkness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Darkness_\(Mandaeism\) "World of Darkness (Mandaeism)") |
| [European mythologies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Europe "Religion in Europe") | |
| | |
| [Celtic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_mythology "Celtic mythology") | [Otherworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Otherworld "Celtic Otherworld") [Annwn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annwn "Annwn") [Tír na nÓg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%ADr_na_n%C3%93g "Tír na nÓg") [Mag Mell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mag_Mell "Mag Mell") [Tech Duinn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donn "Donn") |
| [Finnic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnic_mythologies "Finnic mythologies") | [Tuonela](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuonela "Tuonela") |
| [Germanic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_mythology "Germanic mythology") | [Asgard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asgard "Asgard") [Fólkvangr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%B3lkvangr "Fólkvangr") [Valhalla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla "Valhalla") [Neorxnawang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neorxnawang "Neorxnawang") [Gimlé](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giml%C3%A9 "Gimlé") [Hel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hel_\(location\) "Hel (location)") |
| [Greek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_mythology "Greek mythology")/[Italic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etruscan_mythology "Etruscan mythology") | [Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_underworld "Greek underworld") [Elysium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysium "Elysium") [Erebus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erebus "Erebus") [Orcus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orcus "Orcus") [Asphodel Meadows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphodel_Meadows "Asphodel Meadows") [Myth of Er](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myth_of_Er "Myth of Er") [Empyrean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empyrean "Empyrean") [Tartarus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartarus "Tartarus") [Fortunate Isles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortunate_Isles "Fortunate Isles") |
| [Slavic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavic_paganism "Slavic paganism") | [Iriy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iriy "Iriy") [Nav](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nav_\(Slavic_folklore\) "Nav (Slavic folklore)") [Vyraj](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyraj "Vyraj") |
| [Eastern/Asian religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_religions "Eastern religions") | |
| | |
| [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism") | [Desire Realm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_realm "Desire realm") [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naraka_\(Buddhism\) "Naraka (Buddhism)") [Pretaloka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preta "Preta") [Animal world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animals_in_Buddhism "Animals in Buddhism") [Human world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_beings_in_Buddhism "Human beings in Buddhism") [Asura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asura_\(Buddhism\) "Asura (Buddhism)") [Heaven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_\(Buddhism\) "Deva (Buddhism)") [Yāma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C4%81ma "Yāma") [Form Realm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_cosmology#Form_Realm_\(R%C5%ABpadh%C4%81tu\) "Buddhist cosmology") [Brahmā worlds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahm%C4%81_\(Buddhism\) "Brahmā (Buddhism)") [Formless Realm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_cosmology#Formless_Realm_\(%C4%80r%C5%ABpyadh%C4%81tu\) "Buddhist cosmology") [Nirvana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana "Nirvana") [Pure Land](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Land "Pure Land") [Sukhavati](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhavati "Sukhavati") |
| [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_cosmology "Hindu cosmology") | [14 planetary systems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loka "Loka") [Ādi Śeṣa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shesha "Shesha") [Svarga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svarga "Svarga") [Naraka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naraka_\(Hinduism\) "Naraka (Hinduism)") [Vaikuntha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaikuntha "Vaikuntha") [Kailash](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kailash "Mount Kailash") [Goloka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goloka "Goloka") [Akshardham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akshardham_\(religion\) "Akshardham (religion)") |
| [Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jain_cosmology "Jain cosmology") | [Three Worlds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilok_\(Jainism\) "Trilok (Jainism)") [Urdhva Loka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jain_cosmology#Urdhva_Loka,_the_upper_world "Jain cosmology") [Madhya Loka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jain_cosmology#Madhya_Loka,_the_middle_world "Jain cosmology") [Adho Loka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naraka_\(Jainism\) "Naraka (Jainism)") |
| [Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism "Sikhism") | [Sach Khand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sach_Khand "Sach Khand") |
| [Taoism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism "Taoism") | [Grotto-heavens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grotto-heavens "Grotto-heavens") |
| [Chinese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_mythology "Chinese mythology") | [Tian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian "Tian") [Diyu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diyu "Diyu") [Youdu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youdu "Youdu") |
| [Japanese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_mythology "Japanese mythology") | [Yomi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomi "Yomi") |
| [Zoroastrianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism "Zoroastrianism") | [Chinvat Bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinvat_Bridge "Chinvat Bridge") [Hamistagan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamistagan "Hamistagan") |
| [Tengrism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengrism "Tengrism") | [Uçmag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U%C3%A7mag "Uçmag") [Tamağ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamag "Tamag") |
| [Others](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_religious_groups "Major religious groups") | |
| | |
| [Mesoamerican](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerica "Mesoamerica") | [Mictlān](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mictl%C4%81n "Mictlān") [Tamoanchan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamoanchan "Tamoanchan") [Thirteen Heavens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Heavens "Thirteen Heavens") [Tlālōcān](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tl%C4%81l%C5%8Dc%C4%81n "Tlālōcān") [Xibalba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xibalba "Xibalba") |
| [Plains Indians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plains_Indians "Plains Indians") | [Happy hunting ground](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_hunting_ground "Happy hunting ground") |
| [Tupi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupi_people "Tupi people")\-[Guarani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guaran%C3%AD_people "Guaraní people") | [Yvy marã e'ỹ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvy_mar%C3%A3_e%27%E1%BB%B9 "Yvy marã e'ỹ") [Guajupiá](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvy_mar%C3%A3_e%27%E1%BB%B9#Relationship_with_Guajupi%C3%A1 "Yvy marã e'ỹ") |
| [Wicca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca "Wicca") | [The Summerland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Summerland#Summerland_in_Wicca "The Summerland") |
| [Theosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy "Theosophy") | [Summerland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Summerland#Summerland_in_Theosophy "The Summerland") [Devachan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devachan "Devachan") [Nirvana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana "Nirvana") |
| [Ancient Egyptian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion#Mythology "Ancient Egyptian religion") | [Aaru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaru "Aaru") [Duat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duat "Duat") |
| [Avalon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon "Avalon") [Existential planes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_\(esotericism\) "Plane (esotericism)") [Guf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guf "Guf") [Heaven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven "Heaven") [Millennialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennialism "Millennialism") [Mythological places](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mythological_places "List of mythological places") [Otherworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otherworld "Otherworld") [Spirits in prison](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirits_in_prison "Spirits in prison") [Underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld") [Utopianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopianism "Utopianism") [Well of Souls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Well_of_Souls "Well of Souls") | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Philosophy_of_religion "Template:Philosophy of religion") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Philosophy_of_religion "Template talk:Philosophy of religion") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Philosophy_of_religion "Special:EditPage/Template:Philosophy of religion")[Philosophy of religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_religion "Philosophy of religion") | |
| [Conceptions of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptions_of_God "Conceptions of God") | |
| | |
| [Brahman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman "Brahman") [Demiurge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demiurge "Demiurge") [Divine simplicity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_simplicity "Divine simplicity") [Egoism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoism "Ethical egoism") [God Speaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Speaks "God Speaks") [Holy Spirit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit "Holy Spirit") [Misotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misotheism "Misotheism") [Pandeism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandeism "Pandeism") [Personal god](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_god "Personal god") [Process theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_theology "Process theology") [Supreme Being](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God "God") [Unmoved mover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmoved_mover "Unmoved mover") | |
| God in | [Abrahamic religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Abrahamic_religions "God in Abrahamic religions") [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creator_in_Buddhism "Creator in Buddhism") [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Christianity "God in Christianity") [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Hinduism "God in Hinduism") [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Islam "God in Islam") [Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Jainism "God in Jainism") [Judaism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Judaism "God in Judaism") [Mormonism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Mormonism "God in Mormonism") [Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Sikhism "God in Sikhism") [Baháʼí Faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_the_Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith "God in the Baháʼí Faith") [Wicca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiccan_views_of_divinity "Wiccan views of divinity") |
| [Existence of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God "Existence of God") | |
| | |
| For | [Beauty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_beauty "Argument from beauty") [Christological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christological_argument "Christological argument") [Trilemma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis%27_trilemma "Lewis' trilemma") [Resurrection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_Jesus "Resurrection of Jesus") [Consciousness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_consciousness "Argument from consciousness") [Cosmological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_argument "Cosmological argument") [Kalam cosmological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalam_cosmological_argument "Kalam cosmological argument") [Contingency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_argument#Aquinas's_argument_from_contingency "Cosmological argument") [Metaphysical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_argument#Duns_Scotus's_metaphysical_argument "Cosmological argument") [Degree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_degree "Argument from degree") [Desire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_desire "Argument from desire") [Experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_religious_experience "Argument from religious experience") [Existential choice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_of_faith "Leap of faith") [Fine-tuned universe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine-tuned_universe "Fine-tuned universe") [Knowledge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontological_argument#Baruch_Spinoza "Ontological argument") [Love](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_love "Argument from love") [Mathematics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematics_and_God "Mathematics and God") [Miracles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_miracles "Argument from miracles") [Morality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_morality "Argument from morality") [Mystical idealism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Berkeley#Theology "George Berkeley") [Natural-law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural-law_argument "Natural-law argument") [Necessary existent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_of_the_Truthful "Proof of the Truthful") [Seddiqin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seddiqin_argument "Seddiqin argument") [Nyayakusumanjali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyayakusumanjali "Nyayakusumanjali") [Ontological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontological_argument "Ontological argument") [Anselm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proslogion "Proslogion") [Gödel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6del%27s_ontological_proof "Gödel's ontological proof") [Meinongian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meinongian_argument "Meinongian argument") [Modal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontological_argument#Modal_versions_of_the_ontological_argument "Ontological argument") [Mulla Sadra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendent_theosophy "Transcendent theosophy") [Pascal's wager](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_wager "Pascal's wager") [Reason](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_reason "Argument from reason") [Proper basis and Reformed epistemology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformed_epistemology "Reformed epistemology") [Responses to the problem of evil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_responses_to_the_problem_of_evil "Religious responses to the problem of evil") [Teleological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleological_argument "Teleological argument") [Natural law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural-law_argument "Natural-law argument") [Watchmaker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmaker_analogy "Watchmaker analogy") [Testimony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God#Arguments_from_witnesses'_testimony "Existence of God") [Historical events](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God#Arguments_from_historical_events "Existence of God") [Historical personages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God#Arguments_from_the_authority_of_historical_personages "Existence of God") [Trademark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark_argument "Trademark argument") [Transcendental](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_argument_for_the_existence_of_God "Transcendental argument for the existence of God") |
| Against | [747 gambit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Boeing_747_gambit "Ultimate Boeing 747 gambit") [Atheist's Wager](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheist%27s_Wager "Atheist's Wager") [Evil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_evil "Problem of evil") [Free will](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_free_will "Argument from free will") [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_Hell "Problem of Hell") [Inconsistent revelations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_inconsistent_revelations "Argument from inconsistent revelations") [Nonbelief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_nonbelief "Argument from nonbelief") [Noncognitivism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_noncognitivism "Theological noncognitivism") [Occam's razor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor "Occam's razor") [Omnipotence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnipotence_paradox "Omnipotence paradox") [Poor design](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_poor_design "Argument from poor design") [Russell's teapot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%27s_teapot "Russell's teapot") |
| [Theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology "Theology") | [Acosmism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acosmism "Acosmism") [Agnosticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism "Agnosticism") [Animism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animism "Animism") [Antireligion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antireligion "Antireligion") [Atheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism "Atheism") [Creationism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creationism "Creationism") [Dharmism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma "Dharma") [Deism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism "Deism") [Demonology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demonology "Demonology") [Divine command theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_command_theory "Divine command theory") [Dualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dualism_in_cosmology "Dualism in cosmology") [Esotericism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_esotericism "Western esotericism") [Exclusivism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusivism "Exclusivism") [Existentialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism "Existentialism") [Christian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_existentialism "Christian existentialism") [Atheistic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheistic_existentialism "Atheistic existentialism") [Feminist theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_theology "Feminist theology") [Thealogy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thealogy "Thealogy") [Womanist theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Womanist_theology "Womanist theology") [Fideism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fideism "Fideism") [Fundamentalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamentalism "Fundamentalism") [Gnosticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism "Gnosticism") [Henotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henotheism "Henotheism") [Humanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism "Humanism") [Religious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_humanism "Religious humanism") [Secular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_humanism "Secular humanism") [Christian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_humanism "Christian humanism") [Inclusivism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inclusivism "Inclusivism") [Theories about religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theories_about_religions "Theories about religions") [Monism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism "Monism") [Monotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotheism "Monotheism") [Mysticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysticism "Mysticism") [Naturalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism_\(philosophy\) "Naturalism (philosophy)") [Metaphysical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysical_naturalism "Metaphysical naturalism") [Religious](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_naturalism "Religious naturalism") [Humanistic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanistic_naturalism "Humanistic naturalism") [New Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age "New Age") [Nondualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nondualism "Nondualism") [Nontheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontheism "Nontheism") [Pandeism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandeism "Pandeism") [Panentheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism "Panentheism") [Pantheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism "Pantheism") [Perennialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_philosophy "Perennial philosophy") [Polytheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism "Polytheism") [Possibilianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possibilianism "Possibilianism") [Process theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_theology "Process theology") [Religious skepticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_skepticism "Religious skepticism") [Spiritualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism_\(beliefs\) "Spiritualism (beliefs)") [Shamanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism "Shamanism") [Taoic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asian_religions "East Asian religions") [Theism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theism "Theism") [Transcendentalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendentalism "Transcendentalism") |
| [Philosophers of religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Philosophers_of_religion "Category:Philosophers of religion") (by date active) | |
| | |
| [Ancient](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_philosophy "Ancient Greek philosophy") and [medieval](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_philosophy "Medieval philosophy") | [Anselm of Canterbury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anselm_of_Canterbury "Anselm of Canterbury") [Augustine of Hippo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo "Augustine of Hippo") [Avicenna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avicenna "Avicenna") [Averroes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Averroes "Averroes") [Boethius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boethius "Boethius") [Gaudapada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaudapada "Gaudapada") [Gaunilo of Marmoutiers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaunilo_of_Marmoutiers "Gaunilo of Marmoutiers") [Pico della Mirandola](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Pico_della_Mirandola "Giovanni Pico della Mirandola") [Heraclitus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraclitus "Heraclitus") [King James VI and I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_VI_and_I "James VI and I") [Marcion of Sinope](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcion_of_Sinope "Marcion of Sinope") [Maimonides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides "Maimonides") [Adi Shankara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara "Adi Shankara") [Thomas Aquinas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas "Thomas Aquinas") [William of Ockham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_of_Ockham "William of Ockham") |
| [Early modern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_modern_philosophy "Early modern philosophy") | [Augustin Calmet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Augustin_Calmet "Antoine Augustin Calmet") [René Descartes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes "René Descartes") [Blaise Pascal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaise_Pascal "Blaise Pascal") [Desiderius Erasmus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasmus "Erasmus") [Baruch Spinoza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Spinoza "Baruch Spinoza") [Nicolas Malebranche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Malebranche "Nicolas Malebranche") [Gottfried W Leibniz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottfried_Wilhelm_Leibniz "Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz") [William Wollaston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wollaston "William Wollaston") [Thomas Chubb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Chubb "Thomas Chubb") [David Hume](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hume "David Hume") [Baron d'Holbach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_d%27Holbach "Baron d'Holbach") [Immanuel Kant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant "Immanuel Kant") [Johann G Herder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Gottfried_Herder "Johann Gottfried Herder") |
| 1800 1850 | [Friedrich Schleiermacher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Schleiermacher "Friedrich Schleiermacher") [Karl C F Krause](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Christian_Friedrich_Krause "Karl Christian Friedrich Krause") [Georg W F Hegel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Wilhelm_Friedrich_Hegel "Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel") [Thomas Carlyle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Carlyle "Thomas Carlyle") [William Whewell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Whewell "William Whewell") [Ludwig Feuerbach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Feuerbach "Ludwig Feuerbach") [Søren Kierkegaard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%B8ren_Kierkegaard "Søren Kierkegaard") [Karl Marx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx "Karl Marx") [Albrecht Ritschl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrecht_Ritschl "Albrecht Ritschl") [Afrikan Spir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrikan_Spir "Afrikan Spir") |
| 1880 1900 | [Ernst Haeckel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Haeckel "Ernst Haeckel") [W K Clifford](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Kingdon_Clifford "William Kingdon Clifford") [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Nietzsche "Friedrich Nietzsche") [Harald Høffding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harald_H%C3%B8ffding "Harald Høffding") [William James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James "William James") [Vladimir Solovyov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Solovyov_\(philosopher\) "Vladimir Solovyov (philosopher)") [Ernst Troeltsch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Troeltsch "Ernst Troeltsch") [Rudolf Otto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Otto "Rudolf Otto") [Lev Shestov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev_Shestov "Lev Shestov") [Sergei Bulgakov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Bulgakov "Sergei Bulgakov") [Pavel Florensky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Florensky "Pavel Florensky") [Ernst Cassirer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Cassirer "Ernst Cassirer") [Joseph Maréchal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mar%C3%A9chal "Joseph Maréchal") |
| 1920 postwar | [George Santayana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Santayana "George Santayana") [Bertrand Russell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Russell "Bertrand Russell") [Martin Buber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Buber "Martin Buber") [René Guénon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Gu%C3%A9non "René Guénon") [Paul Tillich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Tillich "Paul Tillich") [Karl Barth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Barth "Karl Barth") [Emil Brunner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Brunner "Emil Brunner") [Rudolf Bultmann](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Bultmann "Rudolf Bultmann") [Gabriel Marcel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Marcel "Gabriel Marcel") [Reinhold Niebuhr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinhold_Niebuhr "Reinhold Niebuhr") [Charles Hartshorne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hartshorne "Charles Hartshorne") [Mircea Eliade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mircea_Eliade "Mircea Eliade") [Frithjof Schuon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frithjof_Schuon "Frithjof Schuon") [J L Mackie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._L._Mackie "J. L. Mackie") [Walter Kaufmann](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Kaufmann_\(philosopher\) "Walter Kaufmann (philosopher)") [Martin Lings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Lings "Martin Lings") [Peter Geach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Geach "Peter Geach") [George I Mavrodes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_I._Mavrodes "George I. Mavrodes") [William Alston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Alston "William Alston") [Antony Flew](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Flew "Antony Flew") |
| 1970 1990 2010 | [William L Rowe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_L._Rowe "William L. Rowe") [Dewi Z Phillips](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewi_Zephaniah_Phillips "Dewi Zephaniah Phillips") [Alvin Plantinga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Plantinga "Alvin Plantinga") [Anthony Kenny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Kenny "Anthony Kenny") [Nicholas Wolterstorff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Wolterstorff "Nicholas Wolterstorff") [Richard Swinburne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Swinburne "Richard Swinburne") [Robert Merrihew Adams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Merrihew_Adams "Robert Merrihew Adams") [Ravi Zacharias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravi_Zacharias "Ravi Zacharias") [Peter van Inwagen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_van_Inwagen "Peter van Inwagen") [Daniel Dennett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Dennett "Daniel Dennett") [Loyal Rue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loyal_Rue "Loyal Rue") [Jean-Luc Marion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Luc_Marion "Jean-Luc Marion") [William Lane Craig](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lane_Craig "William Lane Craig") [Ali Akbar Rashad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Akbar_Rashad "Ali Akbar Rashad") [Alexander Pruss](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Pruss "Alexander Pruss") |
| Related topics | [Criticism of religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_religion "Criticism of religion") [Desacralization of knowledge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desacralization_of_knowledge "Desacralization of knowledge") [Ethics in religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics_in_religion "Ethics in religion") [Exegesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exegesis "Exegesis") [History of religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_religion "History of religion") [Religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion "Religion") [Religious language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_religious_language "Problem of religious language") [Religious philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_philosophy "Religious philosophy") [Relationship between religion and science](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relationship_between_religion_and_science "Relationship between religion and science") [Faith and rationality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_and_rationality "Faith and rationality") |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Symbol_portal_class.svg "Portal") [Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Philosophy "Portal:Philosophy")  [Category](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Philosophy_of_religion "Category:Philosophy of religion") | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Death "Template:Death") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Death "Template talk:Death") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Death "Special:EditPage/Template:Death")[Death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death "Death") | |
| In medicine | |
| | |
| [Cell death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_death "Cell death") | [Abortion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion "Abortion") [Necrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrosis "Necrosis") [Avascular necrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avascular_necrosis "Avascular necrosis") [Coagulative necrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coagulative_necrosis "Coagulative necrosis") [Liquefactive necrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefactive_necrosis "Liquefactive necrosis") [Gangrenous necrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangrene "Gangrene") [Caseous necrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caseous_necrosis "Caseous necrosis") [Fat necrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat_necrosis "Fat necrosis") [Fibrinoid necrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibrinoid_necrosis "Fibrinoid necrosis") [Temporal lobe necrosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporal_lobe_necrosis "Temporal lobe necrosis") [Programmed cell death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programmed_cell_death "Programmed cell death") [AICD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activation-induced_cell_death "Activation-induced cell death") [Anoikis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anoikis "Anoikis") [Apoptosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apoptosis "Apoptosis") [Autophagy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autophagy "Autophagy") [Intrinsic apoptosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrinsic_apoptosis "Intrinsic apoptosis") [Necroptosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necroptosis "Necroptosis") [Paraptosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraptosis "Paraptosis") [Parthanatos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthanatos "Parthanatos") [Phenoptosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenoptosis "Phenoptosis") [Pseudoapoptosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoapoptosis "Pseudoapoptosis") [Pyroptosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroptosis "Pyroptosis") [Autolysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autolysis_\(biology\) "Autolysis (biology)") [Autoschizis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoschizis "Autoschizis") [Eschar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschar "Eschar") [Immunogenic cell death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunogenic_cell_death "Immunogenic cell death") [Ischemic cell death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischemic_cell_death "Ischemic cell death") [Pyknosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyknosis "Pyknosis") [Karyorrhexis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karyorrhexis "Karyorrhexis") [Karyolysis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karyolysis "Karyolysis") [Mitotic catastrophe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitotic_catastrophe "Mitotic catastrophe") [Suicide gene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_gene "Suicide gene") |
| [Accidental death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accidental_death "Accidental death") [Autopsy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autopsy "Autopsy") [Brain death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_death "Brain death") [Brainstem death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstem_death "Brainstem death") [Clinical death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_death "Clinical death") [DOA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_on_arrival "Dead on arrival") [Death by natural causes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manner_of_death "Manner of death") [Death rattle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_rattle "Death rattle") [Dysthanasia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysthanasia "Dysthanasia") [End-of-life care](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End-of-life_care "End-of-life care") [Euthanasia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia "Euthanasia") [Animal euthanasia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_euthanasia "Animal euthanasia") [Euthanasia for mental illness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_for_mental_illness "Euthanasia for mental illness") [Involuntary euthanasia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Involuntary_euthanasia "Involuntary euthanasia") [Voluntary euthanasia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voluntary_euthanasia "Voluntary euthanasia") [Lazarus sign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_sign "Lazarus sign") [Lazarus syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_syndrome "Lazarus syndrome") [Medical declaration of death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_death#Medical_declaration "Legal death") [Organ donation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_donation "Organ donation") [Terminal illness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_illness "Terminal illness") [Unnatural death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manner_of_death "Manner of death") | |
| [Lists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Death-related_lists "Category:Death-related lists") | [Causes of death by rate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_causes_of_death_by_rate "List of causes of death by rate") [Notable deaths by year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_deaths_by_year "Lists of deaths by year") [Expressions related to death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_expressions_related_to_death "List of expressions related to death") [Natural disasters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_natural_disasters_by_death_toll "List of natural disasters by death toll") [People by cause of death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_people_by_cause_of_death "Lists of people by cause of death") [Premature obituaries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_premature_obituaries "List of premature obituaries") [Preventable causes of death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventable_causes_of_death "Preventable causes of death") [Unusual deaths](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unusual_deaths "List of unusual deaths") [List of ways people dishonor the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ways_people_dishonor_the_dead "List of ways people dishonor the dead") [List of ways people honor the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ways_people_honor_the_dead "List of ways people honor the dead") |
| Mortality | [Birthday effect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_effect "Birthday effect") [Child mortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_mortality "Child mortality") [Adult mortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_mortality "Adult mortality") [Excess mortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excess_mortality "Excess mortality") [Gompertz–Makeham law of mortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gompertz%E2%80%93Makeham_law_of_mortality "Gompertz–Makeham law of mortality") [Infant mortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_mortality "Infant mortality") [Karoshi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karoshi "Karoshi") [Maternal death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maternal_death "Maternal death") [Maternal mortality in fiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maternal_mortality_in_fiction "Maternal mortality in fiction") *[Memento mori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori "Memento mori")* [Micromort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micromort "Micromort") [Mortality rate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortality_rate "Mortality rate") [RAMR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_adjusted_mortality_rate "Risk adjusted mortality rate") [Mortality salience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortality_salience "Mortality salience") [Perinatal mortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perinatal_mortality "Perinatal mortality") |
| After death | |
| | |
| **[Body](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadaver "Cadaver")** | |
| | |
| Stages | [Pallor mortis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallor_mortis "Pallor mortis") [Livor mortis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livor_mortis "Livor mortis") [Algor mortis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algor_mortis "Algor mortis") [Rigor mortis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigor_mortis "Rigor mortis") [Putrefaction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putrefaction "Putrefaction") [Decomposition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decomposition "Decomposition") [Skeletonization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletonization "Skeletonization") [Fossilization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil "Fossil") |
| Preservation | [Cryopreservation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryopreservation "Cryopreservation") [Cryonics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryonics "Cryonics") [Neuropreservation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropreservation "Neuropreservation") [Embalming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embalming "Embalming") [Maceration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maceration_\(bone\) "Maceration (bone)") [Mummification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummy "Mummy") [Plastination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastination "Plastination") [Prosection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosection "Prosection") [Taxidermy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxidermy "Taxidermy") |
| [Disposal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disposal_of_human_corpses "Disposal of human corpses") | [Burial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial "Burial") [Natural burial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_burial "Natural burial") [Sky burial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_burial "Sky burial") [Ocean burial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_at_sea "Burial at sea") [Cremation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremation "Cremation") [Dismemberment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dismemberment "Dismemberment") [Excarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excarnation "Excarnation") [Promession](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promession "Promession") [Resomation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_cremation "Water cremation") |
| [Beating heart cadaver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beating_heart_cadaver "Beating heart cadaver") [Body donation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_donation "Body donation") [Cadaveric spasm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadaveric_spasm "Cadaveric spasm") [Coffin birth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_birth "Coffin birth") [Death erection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_erection "Death erection") [Dissection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissection "Dissection") [Gibbeting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibbeting "Gibbeting") [Postmortem caloricity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmortem_caloricity "Postmortem caloricity") [Post-mortem interval](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-mortem_interval "Post-mortem interval") | |
| **Other aspects** | [Carrion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrion "Carrion") [Cemetery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cemetery "Cemetery") [Consciousness after death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness_after_death "Consciousness after death") [Afterlife]() [Tukdam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tukdam "Tukdam") [Customs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Death_customs "Category:Death customs") [Crematorium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crematorium "Crematorium") [Desecration of graves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desecration_of_graves "Desecration of graves") [Eternal oblivion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_oblivion "Eternal oblivion") [Examination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_examiner "Medical examiner") [Funeral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral "Funeral") [Grief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grief "Grief") [Internet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_and_the_Internet "Death and the Internet") [Midwife](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_midwife "Death midwife") [Mourning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourning "Mourning") [Online mourning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_mourning "Online mourning") [Obituary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obituary "Obituary") [Reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation") [Palingenesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palingenesis "Palingenesis") [Saṃsāra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%83s%C4%81ra "Saṃsāra") [Resurrection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection "Resurrection") [Underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld") [Viewing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viewing_\(funeral\) "Viewing (funeral)") [Vigil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigil "Vigil") [Wake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_\(ceremony\) "Wake (ceremony)") |
| Paranormal | [Ghosts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost "Ghost") [Near-death experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-death_experience "Near-death experience") [Near-death studies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-death_studies "Near-death studies") [Necromancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necromancy "Necromancy") [Out-of-body experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out-of-body_experience "Out-of-body experience") [Reincarnation research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Reincarnation_research "Template:Reincarnation research") [Séance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9ance "Séance") |
| Legal | [Abortion law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_law "Abortion law") [Administration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administration_\(probate_law\) "Administration (probate law)") [Capital punishment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment "Capital punishment") [Cause of death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cause_of_death "Cause of death") [Civil death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_death "Civil death") [Coroner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coroner "Coroner") [Death-qualified jury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death-qualified_jury "Death-qualified jury") [Death certificate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_certificate "Death certificate") [Declared death *in absentia*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumption_of_death "Presumption of death") [Death row](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_row "Death row") [Dying declaration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying_declaration "Dying declaration") [Inquest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquest "Inquest") [Legal death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_death "Legal death") [Murder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder "Murder") [Necropolitics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necropolitics "Necropolitics") [Prohibition of dying](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_of_dying "Prohibition of dying") [Right to die](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_die "Right to die") [Suspicious death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspicious_death "Suspicious death") [Trust law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust_\(law\) "Trust (law)") [Will](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_and_testament "Will and testament") |
| Fields | [Death tech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_tech "Death tech") [Forensic pathology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_pathology "Forensic pathology") [Funeral director](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_director "Funeral director") [Mortuary science](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortuary_science "Mortuary science") [Necrobiology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_death "Cell death") [Post-mortem chemistry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-mortem_chemistry "Post-mortem chemistry") [Post-mortem photography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-mortem_photography "Post-mortem photography") [Taphonomy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taphonomy "Taphonomy") [Biostratinomy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biostratinomy "Biostratinomy") [Thanatology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatology "Thanatology") |
| Other | [Apparent death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_death "Apparent death") [Chinese burial money](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_burial_money "Chinese burial money") [Coins for the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coins_for_the_dead "Coins for the dead") [Coup de grâce](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup_de_gr%C3%A2ce "Coup de grâce") [Dark tourism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_tourism "Dark tourism") [Darwin Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_Awards "Darwin Awards") [Death and culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_and_culture "Death and culture") [Death anniversary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_anniversary "Death anniversary") [Death anxiety](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_anxiety "Death anxiety") [Death deity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_death_deities "List of death deities") [Personification of death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personifications_of_death "Personifications of death") [Dying-and-rising god](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying-and-rising_deity "Dying-and-rising deity") [Psychopomp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopomp "Psychopomp") [Death camp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extermination_camp "Extermination camp") [Death drive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_drive "Death drive") [Death education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_education "Death education") [Death from laughter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_from_laughter "Death from laughter") [Death hoax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_hoax "Death hoax") [Death knell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_knell "Death knell") [Death march](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_march "Death march") [Death messenger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_messenger "Death messenger") [Death notification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_notification "Death notification") [Death panel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_panel "Death panel") [Death poem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_poem "Death poem") [Death pose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opisthotonic_death_pose "Opisthotonic death pose") [Death-positive movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death-positive_movement "Death-positive movement") [Death squad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_squad "Death squad") [Death threat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_threat "Death threat") [Death trajectory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_trajectory "Death trajectory") [Dignified death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dignified_death "Dignified death") [Extinction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction "Extinction") [Festival of the Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_of_the_Dead "Festival of the Dead") [Fascination with death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascination_with_death "Fascination with death") [Hierarchy of death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierarchy_of_death "Hierarchy of death") [Homicide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homicide "Homicide") [Immortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality "Immortality") [Last rites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_rites "Last rites") [Longevity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longevity "Longevity") [Martyr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyr "Martyr") [Museum of Death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Death "Museum of Death") [Necronym](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necronym "Necronym") [Necrophilia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrophilia "Necrophilia") [Necrophobia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrophobia "Necrophobia") [Philosophy of death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_death "Philosophy of death") [Predation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predation "Predation") [Sacrifice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrifice "Sacrifice") [human](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice "Human sacrifice") [Suicide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide "Suicide") [Assisted suicide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_suicide "Assisted suicide") [Thanabot](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thanabot&action=edit&redlink=1 "Thanabot (page does not exist)") \[[ca](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grief_bot "ca:Grief bot")\] [Thanatosensitivity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatosensitivity "Thanatosensitivity") |
|  [Category](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Death "Category:Death")  [Outline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_death "Outline of death") | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Theology "Template:Theology") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Theology "Template talk:Theology") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Theology "Special:EditPage/Template:Theology")[Theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology "Theology") | |
| [Conceptions of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptions_of_God "Conceptions of God") | |
| | |
| [Theism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theism "Theism") | |
| | |
| Forms | [Deism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism "Deism") [Dystheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dystheism "Dystheism") [Henotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henotheism "Henotheism") [Hermeticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism "Hermeticism") [Kathenotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathenotheism "Kathenotheism") [Nontheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontheism "Nontheism") [Monolatry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monolatry "Monolatry") [Monotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotheism "Monotheism") [Urmonotheismus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urmonotheismus "Urmonotheismus") [Mysticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysticism "Mysticism") [Panentheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism "Panentheism") [Pandeism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandeism "Pandeism") [Pantheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism "Pantheism") [Polydeism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism "Polytheism") [Polytheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism "Polytheism") [Spiritualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism_\(movement\) "Spiritualism (movement)") [Theistic finitism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theistic_finitism "Theistic finitism") [Theopanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theopanism "Theopanism") |
| Concepts | [Deity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deity "Deity") [Divinity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divinity "Divinity") [Gender of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_of_God "Gender of God") *and gods* [Goddess](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goddess "Goddess") [Numen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numen "Numen") |
| [Singular god](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God "God") theologies | |
| | |
| By faith | [Abrahamic religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Abrahamic_religions "God in Abrahamic religions") [Baháʼí Faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_the_Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith "God in the Baháʼí Faith") [Judaism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Judaism "God in Judaism") [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Christianity "God in Christianity") [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Islam "God in Islam") [Rastafari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafari#Jah_and_Jesus_Christ "Rastafari") [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creator_in_Buddhism "Creator in Buddhism") [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Hinduism "God in Hinduism") [Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Jainism "God in Jainism") [Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Sikhism "God in Sikhism") [Tenrikyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Tenrikyo "God in Tenrikyo") [Zoroastrianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahura_Mazda "Ahura Mazda") |
| Concepts | [Absolute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_\(philosophy\) "Absolute (philosophy)") [Brahman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman "Brahman") [Emanationism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanationism "Emanationism") [Logos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logos "Logos") [Supreme Being](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God "God") |
| God as | [Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zurvanism "Zurvanism") [Good](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good "Good") ([Ahura Mazda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahura_Mazda "Ahura Mazda"), [Father of Greatness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_of_Greatness "Father of Greatness")) |
| [Trinitarianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity "Trinity") | [Athanasian Creed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasian_Creed "Athanasian Creed") [Comma Johanneum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannine_Comma "Johannine Comma") [Consubstantiality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consubstantiality "Consubstantiality") [Homoousian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homoousion "Homoousion") [Homoiousian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homoiousian "Homoiousian") [Hypostasis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypostasis_\(philosophy_and_religion\) "Hypostasis (philosophy and religion)") [Perichoresis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perichoresis "Perichoresis") [Shield of the Trinity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shield_of_the_Trinity "Shield of the Trinity") [Trinitarian formula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinitarian_formula "Trinitarian formula") [Trinity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity "Trinity") [Trinity of the Church Fathers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinitarianism_in_the_Church_Fathers "Trinitarianism in the Church Fathers") [Trinitarian universalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinitarian_universalism "Trinitarian universalism") |
| [Eschatology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology "Eschatology") | |
| | |
| By religion | [Buddhist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_eschatology "Buddhist eschatology") [Christian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_eschatology "Christian eschatology") [Hindu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_eschatology "Hindu eschatology") [Islamic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_eschatology "Islamic eschatology") [Jewish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_eschatology "Jewish eschatology") [Taoist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Incantations_Scripture "Divine Incantations Scripture") [Zoroastrian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frashokereti "Frashokereti") |
| [Feminist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_theology "Feminist theology") | [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Buddhism "Women in Buddhism") [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_feminism "Christian feminism") [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Hinduism "Women in Hinduism") [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_feminism "Islamic feminism") [Judaism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_feminism "Jewish feminism") [Mormonism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism_and_women "Mormonism and women") [Goddesses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goddess "Goddess") |
| Other concepts | [Attributes of God in Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attributes_of_God_in_Christianity "Attributes of God in Christianity") / [in Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Islam "God in Islam") [Binitarianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binitarianism "Binitarianism") [Demiurge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demiurge "Demiurge") [Divine simplicity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_simplicity "Divine simplicity") [Divine presence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_presence "Divine presence") [Egotheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egotheism "Egotheism") [Exotheology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exotheology "Exotheology") [Hermeneutics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_hermeneutics "Theological hermeneutics") [Holocaust](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust_theology "Holocaust theology") [Godhead in Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godhead_in_Christianity "Godhead in Christianity") [Latter Day Saints](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Mormonism "God in Mormonism") [Great Architect of the Universe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Architect_of_the_Universe "Great Architect of the Universe") [Great Spirit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Spirit "Great Spirit") [Apophatic theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apophatic_theology "Apophatic theology") [Olelbis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olelbis "Olelbis") [Open theism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_theism "Open theism") [Personal god](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_god "Personal god") [Phenomenological definition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenomenological_definition_of_God "Phenomenological definition of God") [Philo's view](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo%27s_view_of_God "Philo's view of God") [Process](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_theology "Process theology") [Tian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian "Tian") [Unmoved mover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmoved_mover "Unmoved mover") |
| [Names of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God "Names of God") in | [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Christianity "Names of God in Christianity") [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_titles_and_names_of_Krishna "List of titles and names of Krishna") [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Islam "Names of God in Islam") [Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirthankara "Tirthankara") [Judaism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Judaism "Names of God in Judaism") |
| By faith | |
| | |
| [Christian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_theology "Christian theology") | [History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Christian_theology "History of Christian theology") [Outline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_Christian_theology "Outline of Christian theology") [Biblical canon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_canon "Biblical canon") [Glossary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_Christianity "Glossary of Christianity") [Paterology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paterology "Paterology") [Christology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christology "Christology") [Pneumatology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatology "Pneumatology") [Cosmology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_cosmology "Biblical cosmology") [Ecclesiology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiology "Ecclesiology") [Eschatology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_eschatology "Christian eschatology") [Ethics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_ethics "Christian ethics") [Hamartiology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin "Sin") [Messianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianism "Messianism") [Philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_philosophy "Christian philosophy") [Political](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_theology "Political theology") [Practical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Practical_theology "Practical theology") [Public](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_theology "Public theology") [Sophiology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophiology "Sophiology") [Soteriology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation_in_Christianity "Salvation in Christianity") |
| [Hindu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80stika_and_n%C4%81stika "Āstika and nāstika") | [Ayyavazhi theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayyavazhi_theology "Ayyavazhi theology") [Krishnology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism "Vaishnavism") |
| [Islamic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Islamic_theology "Schools of Islamic theology") | [Oneness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawhid "Tawhid") of [God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Islam "God in Islam") [Prophets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophets_and_messengers_in_Islam "Prophets and messengers in Islam") [Holy Scriptures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_holy_books "Islamic holy books") [Angels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_in_Islam "Angels in Islam") [Predestination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predestination_in_Islam "Predestination in Islam") [Last Judgment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_eschatology "Islamic eschatology") |
| [Jewish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Jewish_theology "Category:Jewish theology") | [Abrahamic prophecy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevi%27im "Nevi'im") [Aggadah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggadah "Aggadah") [Denominations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_religious_movements "Jewish religious movements") [Kabbalah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah "Kabbalah") [Philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_philosophy "Jewish philosophy") |
| [Pagan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Modern_pagan_theology "Category:Modern pagan theology") | [Slavic Native Faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavic_Native_Faith%27s_theology_and_cosmology "Slavic Native Faith's theology and cosmology") [Wiccan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiccan_views_of_divinity "Wiccan views of divinity") |
| East Asian | [Tenrikyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenrikyo_theology "Tenrikyo theology") |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Symbol_portal_class.svg "Portal") [Religion portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Religion "Portal:Religion") | |
| | |
|---|---|
| [Authority control databases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Authority_control "Help:Authority control"): National [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q623282#identifiers "Edit this at Wikidata") | [United States](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/sh85052611) [France](https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb11933750p) [BnF data](https://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb11933750p) [Czech Republic](https://aleph.nkp.cz/F/?func=find-c&local_base=aut&ccl_term=ica=ph115824&CON_LNG=ENG) [Israel](https://www.nli.org.il/en/authorities/987007555557005171) |
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Afterlife
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[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Idris_the_prophet.jpg)
A depiction of [Idris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idris_\(prophet\) "Idris (prophet)") visiting Heaven and Hell from a Persian [illuminated manuscript](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminated_manuscript "Illuminated manuscript") version of the Islamic text *[Stories of the Prophets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stories_of_the_Prophets "Stories of the Prophets")* (1577)
The **afterlife** or **life after death** is a speculation concerning existence after death, in which the essential part of an individual's [stream of consciousness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream_of_consciousness_\(psychology\) "Stream of consciousness (psychology)") or [identity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identity "Personal identity") continues to exist after the death of their physical body. The surviving essential aspect varies between belief systems; it may be some partial element, or the entire [soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul "Soul") or spirit, which carries with it one's personal identity.
In some views, this continued existence takes place in a [spiritual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernatural "Supernatural") realm, while in others, the individual may be reborn into [this world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World#Religion "World") and begin the life cycle over again in a process referred to as [reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation"), likely with no memory of what they have done in the past. In this latter view, such rebirths and deaths may take place over and over again continuously until the individual gains entry to a spiritual realm or [otherworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otherworld "Otherworld"). Major views on the afterlife derive from religion, [esotericism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_esotericism "Western esotericism"), and [metaphysics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysics "Metaphysics").
Some belief systems, such as those in the [Abrahamic tradition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religion "Abrahamic religion"), hold that the dead go to a specific place (e.g., [paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise "Paradise") or [hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell")) after death, as determined by their god, based on their [actions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopraxy "Orthopraxy") and [beliefs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodoxy "Orthodoxy") during life. In contrast, in systems of reincarnation, such as those of the [Indian religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_religions "Indian religions"), the nature of the continued existence is determined directly by the actions of the individual in the ended life.
[Theist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theism "Theism") [immortalists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality "Immortality") generally believe some afterlife awaits people when they die. Members of some generally non-theistic religions believe in an afterlife without reference to a deity.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
Religions, such as [Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity "Christianity"), [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam "Islam"), and various pagan belief systems, believe in the soul's existence in another world, while others, like many forms of [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism "Hinduism") and [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism"), believe in reincarnation. In both cases, these religions hold that one's status in the afterlife is determined by their conduct during life.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
Reincarnation is the philosophical or religious conjecture that an aspect of a living being starts a new life in a different [physical body](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_body "Physical body") or form after each death. This concept is also known as rebirth or transmigration and is part of the [Saṃsāra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%83s%C4%81ra "Saṃsāra")/karma doctrine of cyclic existence. Samsara refers to the process in which souls ([jivas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiva "Jiva")) go through a sequence of human and animal forms. Traditional Hinduism teaches that each life helps the soul (jivas) learn until the soul becomes purified to the point of [liberation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha "Moksha").[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-1) All major [Indian religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_religions "Indian religions"), namely [Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism"), [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism "Hinduism"), [Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism "Jainism"), and [Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism "Sikhism") have their own interpretations of the idea of reincarnation.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Gross1993p148-2) The human idea of reincarnation is found in many diverse ancient cultures,[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-3)[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-4) and a belief in rebirth/[metempsychosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metempsychosis "Metempsychosis") was held by historic Greek figures, such as [Pythagoras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagoras "Pythagoras") and [Plato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato "Plato").[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-5) It is a common belief of various ancient and modern religions, such as [Spiritism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardecist_spiritism "Kardecist spiritism"), [theosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy_\(Boehmian\) "Theosophy (Boehmian)"), and [Eckankar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckankar "Eckankar"). It is found as well in many tribal societies around the world, in places such as Australia, East Asia, [Siberia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberia "Siberia"), and South America.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-6)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Traditional_bhavachakra_wall_mural_of_Yama_holding_the_wheel_of_life,_Buddha_pointing_the_way_out.jpg)
The twelve nidanas in Buddhist artwork
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aztec_-_Mask_-_Walters_2009201.jpg)
Aztec mask depicting transformation and rebirth
Although the majority of denominations within the [Abrahamic religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religions "Abrahamic religions") of Judaism, Christianity, and [Islam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam "Islam") do not believe that individuals reincarnate, particular groups within these religions do refer to reincarnation; these groups include the mainstream historical and contemporary followers of [Kabbalah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah "Kabbalah"), the [Cathars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharism "Catharism"), [Alawites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alawites "Alawites"), the [Druze](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze "Druze"),[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-7) and the [Rosicrucians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosicrucians "Rosicrucians").[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-:1-8) The historical relations between these sects and the beliefs about reincarnation that were characteristic of [neoplatonism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoplatonism "Neoplatonism"), [Orphism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_\(religion\) "Orphism (religion)"), [Hermeticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism "Hermeticism"), [Manicheanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manicheanism "Manicheanism"), and [Gnosticism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism "Gnosticism") of the [Roman era](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_era "Roman era") as well as the Indian religions have been the subject of scholarly research.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-9) [Unity Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_Church "Unity Church") and its founder [Charles Fillmore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fillmore_\(Unity_Church\) "Charles Fillmore (Unity Church)") teach reincarnation.
Rosicrucians[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-:1-8) speak of a [life review](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_review "Life review") period occurring immediately after death and before entering the afterlife's [planes of existence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_\(esotericism\) "Plane (esotericism)") (before the [silver cord](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_cord "Silver cord") is broken), followed by a [judgment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Judgment#Esoteric_Christian_traditions "Last Judgment"), more akin to a final review or end report over one's life.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-10)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Georgin_Fran%C3%A7ois,_The_3_Roads_to_Eternity,_1825_Cornell_CUL_PJM_1040_01.jpg)
Georgin François, *The 3 Roads to Eternity*, 1825
[Heaven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven "Heaven"), the heavens, [Seven Heavens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Heavens "Seven Heavens"), [pure lands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_land "Pure land"), [Tian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian "Tian"), [Jannah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannah "Jannah"), [Valhalla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla "Valhalla"), or [the Summerland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Summerland "The Summerland"), is a common [religious, cosmological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_cosmology "Religious cosmology"), or [transcendent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendence_\(philosophy\) "Transcendence (philosophy)") place where beings such as [gods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deity "Deity"), [angels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel "Angel"), [jinn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn "Jinn"), [saints](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint "Saint"), or [venerated ancestors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneration_of_the_dead "Veneration of the dead") are said to originate, be [enthroned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throne "Throne"), or live. According to the beliefs of some religions, heavenly beings can descend to earth or [incarnate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation "Incarnation"), and earthly beings can ascend to heaven in the afterlife, or in exceptional cases, enter heaven alive.
Heaven is often described as a "higher place", the [holiest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred "Sacred") place, a [paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise "Paradise"), in contrast to hell or the [underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld") or the "low places", and [universally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_reconciliation "Universal reconciliation") or conditionally accessible by earthly beings according to various standards of [divinity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divinity "Divinity"), [goodness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_and_evil "Good and evil"), [piety](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piety "Piety"), [faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith "Faith") or other [virtues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue "Virtue") or [right beliefs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodoxy "Orthodoxy") or the [will of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_of_God "Will of God"). Some believe in the possibility of a heaven on Earth in a [world to come](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_to_come "World to come").
In [Hinduism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism "Hinduism"), heaven is termed *[Svarga loka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svarga "Svarga")*. There are seven positive regions and seven negative regions to which the soul can go after death.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-11) After completing its stay in the respective region, the soul is subjected to [rebirth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation") in different living forms according to its *[karma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma "Karma")*. This cycle can be broken after a soul achieves *[Moksha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha "Moksha")* or *[Nirvana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana "Nirvana")*. Any place of existence, either of humans, souls or deities, outside the tangible world (heaven, hell, or other) is referred to as [otherworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otherworld "Otherworld").
[Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell"), in many religious and [folkloric](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore "Folklore") traditions, is a place of [torment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture "Torture") and [punishment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punishment "Punishment") in the afterlife. Religions with a [linear divine history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_history#Philosophy_of_chronology "Philosophy of history") often depict hell as an [eternal destination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_damnation "Eternal damnation"), while religions with a [cyclic history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation") often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations. Typically, these traditions locate hell in another dimension or under the Earth's surface and often include entrances to hell from the land of the living. Other afterlife destinations include [purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory") and [limbo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbo "Limbo").
Traditions that do not conceive of the afterlife as a place of punishment or reward merely describe hell as an [abode of the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosom_of_Abraham "Bosom of Abraham"), the grave, a neutral place (for example, [Sheol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheol "Sheol") or [Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades "Hades")) located under the surface of Earth.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-EECO_2018-12)
### Ancient Egyptian religion
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=5 "Edit section: Ancient Egyptian religion")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osiris,_God_of_the_Dead.jpg)
Judgment of the Dead in [Duat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duat "Duat")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Weighing_of_the_Heart.svg)
This detail scene based from the [Papyrus of ani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papyrus_of_ani "Papyrus of ani") shows a heart being weighed on the scale of [Maat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maat "Maat") against the [feather of truth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feather_of_truth "Feather of truth"), by the [jackal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackal "Jackal")\-headed [Anubis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anubis "Anubis"). The [ibis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibis "Ibis")\-headed [Thoth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoth "Thoth"), [scribe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scribe "Scribe") of the [gods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gods "Gods"), records the result. If the heart is lighter than the feather, a person is allowed to pass into the afterlife. If not, they are eaten by the waiting [Ammit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammit "Ammit"). [Vignettes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignette_\(graphic_design\) "Vignette (graphic design)") such as these were a common [illustration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illustration "Illustration") in Egyptian [books of the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_dead "Book of the dead").
The afterlife played an important role in [Ancient Egyptian religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_religion "Ancient Egyptian religion"), and its belief system is one of the earliest known in recorded history. When the body died, parts of its soul known as *ka* (body double) and the *ba* (personality) would go to the afterlife, which is known to Egyptians as the "Kingdom of the Dead". To sustain the ka, the living provided offerings of food and drink, which were believed to nourish the ka's spiritual needs.
The ka would reunite with the deceased's spirit and enjoy eternal life in the [Fields of Aaru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaru "Aaru"), a paradise reserved for the righteous. However, [Osiris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osiris "Osiris") demands work as restitution for the protection he provides. Statues were placed in the tombs to serve as substitutes for the deceased.[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-13)
Arriving at one's reward in afterlife was a demanding ordeal, requiring a sin-free heart and the ability to recite the spells, passwords, and formulae of the [Book of the Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Dead "Book of the Dead"). In the Hall of Two Truths, the deceased's heart was weighed against the *Shu* feather of truth and justice taken from the headdress of the goddess [Ma'at](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27at "Ma'at").[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-14) If the heart was lighter than the feather, they could pass on, but if it were heavier they would be devoured by the demon [Ammit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammit "Ammit").[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-15)
Egyptians also believed that being mummified and put in a [sarcophagus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcophagus "Sarcophagus") (an ancient Egyptian "coffin" carved with complex symbols and designs, as well as pictures and hieroglyphs) was the only way to have an afterlife. What are referred to as the [Coffin Texts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffin_Texts "Coffin Texts"), are inscribed on a coffin and serve as a guide for the challenges in the afterlife. The Coffin texts are more or less a duplication of the [Pyramid Texts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_Texts "Pyramid Texts"), which would serve as a guide for Egyptian pharaohs or queens in the afterlife. Only if the corpse had been properly [embalmed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embalming "Embalming") and entombed in a [mastaba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastaba "Mastaba"), could the [dead live again](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_the_Dead "Resurrection of the Dead") in the Fields of Yalu and accompany the Sun on its daily ride. Due to the dangers the afterlife posed, the Book of the Dead was placed in the tomb with the body as well as food, jewelry, and 'curses'. They also used the "opening of the mouth".[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-16)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-17)
Ancient Egyptian civilization was based on religion. The belief in the rebirth after death became the driving force behind funeral practices; for them, death was a temporary interruption rather than complete cessation of life. Eternal life could be ensured by means like piety to the gods, preservation of the physical form through [mummification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummification "Mummification"), and the provision of statuary and other funerary equipment. Each human consisted of the physical body, the *ka*, the *ba*, and the *akh*. The Name and Shadow were also living entities. To enjoy the afterlife, all these elements had to be sustained and protected from harm.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-18)
On 30 March 2010, a spokesman for the Egyptian Culture Ministry claimed it had unearthed a large red granite door in Luxor with inscriptions by [User](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_\(ancient_Egyptian_official\) "User (ancient Egyptian official)"),[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-19) a powerful adviser to the [18th Dynasty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_Dynasty "18th Dynasty") Queen [Hatshepsut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatshepsut "Hatshepsut") who ruled between 1479 BC and 1458 BC, the longest of any woman. It believes the [false door](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_door "False door") is a 'door to the Afterlife'. According to the archaeologists, the door was reused in a structure in [Roman Egypt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Egypt "Roman Egypt").
### Ancient Greek and Roman religions
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=6 "Edit section: Ancient Greek and Roman religions")\]
The Greek god [Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades "Hades") is known in [Greek mythology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_mythology "Greek mythology") as the king of the [underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld"), a place where souls live after death.[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-20) The Greek god [Hermes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes "Hermes"), the messenger of the gods, would take the dead soul of a person to the underworld (sometimes called Hades or the House of Hades). Hermes would leave the soul on the banks of the River [Styx](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx "Styx"), the river between life and death.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-21)
[Charon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charon_\(mythology\) "Charon (mythology)"), also known as the ferryman, would take the soul across the river to Hades, if the soul had gold: upon burial, the family of the dead soul would put coins under the deceased's tongue. Once crossed, the soul would be judged by [Aeacus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeacus "Aeacus"), [Rhadamanthus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhadamanthus "Rhadamanthus") and King [Minos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minos "Minos"). The soul would be sent to [Elysium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysium "Elysium"), [Tartarus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartarus "Tartarus"), or [Asphodel Fields](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphodel_Fields "Asphodel Fields"). The Elysian Fields were for the ones that lived pure lives. It consisted of green fields, valleys and mountains, everyone there was peaceful and contented, and the Sun always shone there. Tartarus was for the people that blasphemed against the gods or were rebellious and consciously evil.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-22) In Tartarus, the soul would be punished by being burned in lava or stretched on racks. The Asphodel Fields were for a varied selection of human souls including those whose sins equaled their goodness, those who were indecisive in their lives, and those who were not judged.
Some heroes of Greek legend are allowed to visit the underworld. The Romans had a similar belief system about the afterlife, with Hades becoming known as [Pluto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto_\(mythology\) "Pluto (mythology)"). In the ancient Greek myth about the [Labours of Heracles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labours_of_Heracles "Labours of Heracles"), the hero [Heracles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracles "Heracles") had to travel to the underworld to capture [Cerberus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerberus "Cerberus"), the three-headed guard dog, as one of his tasks.
In *[Dream of Scipio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_of_Scipio "Dream of Scipio")*, [Cicero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero "Cicero") describes what seems to be an [out of body experience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_body_experience "Out of body experience"), of the [soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul "Soul") traveling high above the Earth, looking down at the small planet, from far away.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-23)
In Book VI of [Virgil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil "Virgil")'s *[Aeneid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeneid "Aeneid")*, the hero, [Aeneas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeneas "Aeneas"), travels to the underworld to see his father. By the River Styx, he sees the souls of those not given a proper burial, forced to wait by the river until someone buries them. While down there, along with the dead, he is shown the place where the wrongly convicted reside, the [fields of sorrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fields_of_sorrow "Fields of sorrow") where those who committed suicide and now regret it reside, including Aeneas' former lover, the warriors and shades, Tartarus (where the titans and powerful non-mortal enemies of the Olympians reside) where he can hear the groans of the imprisoned, the palace of [Pluto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto_\(mythology\) "Pluto (mythology)"), and the fields of Elysium where the descendants of the divine and bravest heroes reside. He sees the river of forgetfulness, [Lethe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethe "Lethe"), which the dead must drink to forget their life and begin anew. Lastly, his father shows him all of the future heroes of Rome who will live if Aeneas fulfills his destiny in founding the city.
Other eschatological views populate the ancient-Greek worldview. For instance, [Plato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato "Plato") argued for reincarnation in several dialogues, including the *[Timaeus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timaeus_\(dialogue\) "Timaeus (dialogue)")*.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-24)
The [Poetic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetic_Edda "Poetic Edda") and [Prose Eddas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prose_Edda "Prose Edda"), the oldest sources for information on the Norse concept of the afterlife, vary in their description of the several realms that are described as falling under this topic. The most well-known are:
- [Valhalla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla "Valhalla"): (lit. "Hall of the Slain" i.e. "the Chosen Ones") Half the warriors who die in battle join the god [Odin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odin "Odin") who rules over a majestic hall called Valhalla in [Asgard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asgard "Asgard").[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-25)
- [Fólkvangr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%B3lkvangr "Fólkvangr"): (
lit.
'Field of the Host') The other half join the goddess [Freyja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freyja "Freyja") in a great meadow known as Fólkvangr.[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-26)
- [Niflhel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niflhel "Niflhel"): (lit. "The Dark" or "Misty Hel"). Niflhel is believed to be a place of punishment, where the oathbreakers and other wicked people go.
- [Hel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hel_\(realm\) "Hel (realm)"): (
lit.
'The Covered Hall'). Hel was the daughter of god Loki and her kingdom was located in downward and northward. Snorri Sturluson's *[Gylfaginning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gylfaginning "Gylfaginning")* tells of evil men going to Niflhel via Hel.
In Celtic mythology, the Otherworld is the realm of the deities and possibly also the dead. It is described either as a parallel world that exists alongside our own, or as a heavenly land beyond the sea or under the earth.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-27) In [Gaelic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaels "Gaels") and [Brittonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Britons "Celtic Britons") myth it is usually a supernatural realm of everlasting youth, beauty, health, abundance and joy.
## Abrahamic religions
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=9 "Edit section: Abrahamic religions")\]
[Sheol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheol "Sheol"), in the [Hebrew Bible](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Bible "Hebrew Bible"), is a place of darkness ([Job 10](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_10 "Job 10"):21–22) to which all the dead go—both the righteous and the unrighteous—regardless of the moral choices made in life ( [Book of Ezekiel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Ezekiel "Book of Ezekiel") 32; [Isaiah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Isaiah "Book of Isaiah") 16; [Job 30](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_30 "Job 30"):23), a place of stillness ([Psalm 88](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalm_88 "Psalm 88"):13, [94](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalm_94 "Psalm 94"):17; [Ecclesiastes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastes "Ecclesiastes") 9:10), at the longest possible distance from Heaven ([Job 11](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_11 "Job 11"):8; [Amos 9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_9 "Amos 9"):2; [Psalm 139](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalm_139 "Psalm 139"):8).[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-28)
The inhabitants of Sheol were the "shades" (*[rephaim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rephaim "Rephaim")*), entities without personality or strength. Under some circumstances, they were thought to be able to be contacted by the living (as the [Witch of Endor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_of_Endor "Witch of Endor") contacts the shade of [Samuel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel "Samuel") for [Saul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul "Saul")), but such practices were forbidden ([Deuteronomy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Deuteronomy "Book of Deuteronomy") 18:10).[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBerdichevsky201622-29)
Whereas the Hebrew Bible appears to describe Sheol as the permanent place of the dead, in the [Second Temple period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple_period "Second Temple period") (roughly 500 BC – 70 AD), a more diverse set of ideas developed. In some texts, Sheol is considered to be the home of both the righteous and the wicked, separated into respective compartments; in others, it was considered a place of punishment, meant for the wicked dead alone.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-:0-30) When the Hebrew scriptures were translated into [Greek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint "Septuagint") in ancient [Alexandria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria "Alexandria") around 200 BC, the word "[Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades "Hades")" (the [Greek underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_underworld "Greek underworld")) was substituted for Sheol. This is reflected in the [New Testament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament "New Testament") where Hades is both the underworld of the dead and the personification of the [evil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil "Evil") it represents.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-:0-30)[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-31)
The [Talmud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud "Talmud") offers several thoughts relating to the afterlife. After death, the soul is brought for judgment. Those who have led pristine lives immediately enter the *Olam Haba* or [world to come](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_to_come "World to come"). Most do not enter the world to come immediately but experience a period of reflection on their earthly actions and are made aware of what they have done wrong. Some view this period as "re-schooling", with the soul gaining wisdom as one's errors are reviewed. Others view this period as spiritual discomfort caused by past wrongs. At the end of this period, not longer than one year, the soul then takes its place in the world to come. Although discomforts are made part of certain Jewish conceptions of the afterlife, the concept of eternal [damnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damnation "Damnation") is not a tenet of the Jewish afterlife. According to the Talmud, [extinction of the soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kareth "Kareth") is reserved for a far smaller group of malicious and evil leaders whose very evil deeds go way beyond norms or who lead large groups of people to utmost evil.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-32)[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-33) This is also part of [Maimonides' 13 principles of faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_principles_of_faith#Maimonides'_13_principles_of_faith "Jewish principles of faith").[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-perek-helek-c-34)
[Maimonides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides "Maimonides") describes the *Olam Haba* in spiritual terms, relegating the prophesied physical resurrection to the status of a future miracle unrelated to the afterlife or the [Messianic era](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_era "Messianic era"). According to Maimonides, an afterlife continues for the soul of every human being: soul now separated from the body in which it was "housed" during its earthly existence.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-35)
The [Zohar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohar "Zohar") describes [Gehenna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gehenna "Gehenna") not as a place of punishment for the wicked but as a place of spiritual purification for souls.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-36)
#### Reincarnation in Jewish tradition
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=13 "Edit section: Reincarnation in Jewish tradition")\]
Although there is no reference to reincarnation in the Talmud or any prior writings,[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-37) according to rabbis such as Avraham Arieh Trugman, reincarnation is recognized as being part and parcel of Jewish tradition. Trugman explains that it is through oral tradition that the meanings of the Torah, its commandments, and stories are known and understood. The classic work of Jewish mysticism,[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-youtube.com-38) the Zohar, is quoted liberally in all Jewish learning; in the Zohar, the idea of reincarnation is mentioned repeatedly. Trugman states that in the last five centuries, the concept of reincarnation, which until then had been a much-hidden tradition within Judaism, was given open exposure.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-youtube.com-38)
[Shraga Simmons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shraga_Simmons "Shraga Simmons") commented that within the Bible itself, the idea \[of reincarnation\] is intimated in Deut. 25:5–10, Deut. 33:6 and Isaiah 22:14, 65:6.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-39)
Yirmiyahu Ullman wrote that reincarnation is an "ancient, mainstream belief in Judaism". The Zohar makes frequent and lengthy references to reincarnation. [Onkelos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onkelos "Onkelos"), a righteous convert and authoritative commentator of the same period, explained the verse, "Let Reuben live and not die ..." (Deuteronomy 33:6) to mean that Reuben should merit the World to Come directly and not have to die again as a result of being reincarnated. Torah scholar, commentator and kabbalist, [Nachmanides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nachmanides "Nachmanides") (Ramban 1195–1270), attributed Job's suffering to reincarnation, as hinted in Job's saying "God does all these things twice or three times with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit to... the light of the living' (Job 33:29–30)."[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-40)
Reincarnation, called *[gilgul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgul "Gilgul")*, became popular in [folk belief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_belief "Folk belief") and is found in much [Yiddish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yiddish "Yiddish") literature among [Ashkenazi Jews](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi_Jews "Ashkenazi Jews"). Among a few kabbalists, it was posited that some human souls could end up being reincarnated into non-human bodies. These ideas were found in several Kabbalistic works from the 13th century and among many mystics in the late 16th century. [Martin Buber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Buber "Martin Buber")'s early collection of stories of the [Baal Shem Tov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baal_Shem_Tov "Baal Shem Tov")'s life includes several that refer to people reincarnating in successive lives.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-41)
Among well-known (generally non-kabbalist or anti-kabbalist) rabbis who rejected the idea of reincarnation are [Saadia Gaon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saadia_Gaon "Saadia Gaon"), [David Kimhi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Kimhi "David Kimhi"), [Hasdai Crescas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasdai_Crescas "Hasdai Crescas"), Yedayah Bedershi (early 14th century), [Joseph Albo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Albo "Joseph Albo"), [Abraham ibn Daud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_ibn_Daud "Abraham ibn Daud"), the [Rosh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asher_ben_Jehiel "Asher ben Jehiel") and [Leon de Modena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_de_Modena "Leon de Modena"). Saadia Gaon, in [Emunoth ve-Deoth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emunoth_ve-Deoth "Emunoth ve-Deoth") (Hebrew: "beliefs and opinions"), concludes Section VI with a refutation of the doctrine of [metempsychosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metempsychosis "Metempsychosis") (reincarnation). While rebutting reincarnation, Saadia Gaon further states that Jews who hold to reincarnation have adopted non-Jewish beliefs. By no means do all Jews today believe in reincarnation, but belief in reincarnation is not uncommon among many Jews, including Orthodox.
Other well-known rabbis who are reincarnationists include [Yonassan Gershom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonassan_Gershom "Yonassan Gershom"), [Abraham Isaac Kook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Isaac_Kook "Abraham Isaac Kook"), Talmud scholar Adin Steinsaltz, DovBer Pinson, David M. Wexelman, [Zalman Schachter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zalman_Schachter-Shalomi "Zalman Schachter-Shalomi"),[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-42) and many others. Reincarnation is cited by authoritative Biblical commentators, including Ramban (Nachmanides), Menachem Recanti, and Rabbenu Bachya.
Among the many volumes of Yitzchak Luria, most of which come down from the pen of his primary disciple, Chaim Vital, are insights explaining issues related to reincarnation. His *[Shaar HaGilgulim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaar_HaGilgulim "Shaar HaGilgulim")* ("The Gates of Reincarnation") is a book devoted exclusively to the subject of reincarnation in Judaism.
Rabbi Naftali Silberberg of The [Rohr Jewish Learning Institute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohr_Jewish_Learning_Institute "Rohr Jewish Learning Institute") notes that "Many ideas that originate in other religions and belief systems have been popularized in the media and are taken for granted by unassuming Jews."[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-43)
[Mainstream Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainstream_Christianity "Mainstream Christianity") professes belief in the [Nicene Creed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed "Nicene Creed"), and [English versions of the Nicene Creed in current use](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_versions_of_the_Nicene_Creed_in_current_use "English versions of the Nicene Creed in current use") include the phrase: "We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."
When questioned by the [Sadducees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadducees "Sadducees") about the [resurrection of the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_the_dead "Resurrection of the dead") (in a context relating to who one's spouse would be if one had been married several times in life), Jesus said that marriage would be irrelevant after the resurrection as the resurrected will be like the [angels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels "Angels") in Heaven.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-44)[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Boulaouali_147%E2%80%93158-45)
Jesus also maintained that the time would come when the dead would hear the voice of the [Son of God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_God "Son of God"), and all who were in the tombs would come out; those who have heard his "\[commandments\] and believes in the one who sent \[Him\]" to the "resurrection of life", but those who do not to the "resurrection of condemnation".[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-46)
The [Book of Enoch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Enoch "Book of Enoch") describes Sheol as divided into four compartments for four types of the dead: the faithful saints who await resurrection in [Paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise "Paradise"), the merely virtuous who await their reward, the wicked who await punishment, and the wicked who have already been punished and will not be resurrected on Judgment Day.[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-47) The Book of Enoch is considered apocryphal by most denominations of Christianity and all of Judaism.
The [book of 2 Maccabees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Maccabees "2 Maccabees") clearly describes the dead waiting for future resurrection and judgment, along with [prayers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead "Prayer for the dead") and offerings for the deceased to alleviate their sins.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Domenico_Beccafumi_056.jpg)
[Domenico Beccafumi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domenico_Beccafumi "Domenico Beccafumi")'s *Inferno*: a Christian vision of hell
The author of the [Gospel of Luke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Luke "Gospel of Luke") recounts the story of [Lazarus and the rich man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_and_Dives "Lazarus and Dives"), which shows people in Hades awaiting the resurrection either in comfort or torment. The author of the [Book of Revelation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation "Book of Revelation") writes about God and the angels versus [Satan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan "Satan") and [demons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demons "Demons") in an epic battle at the end of times when all souls are judged. There is mention of ghostly bodies of the prophets and the [transfiguration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfiguration_of_Jesus "Transfiguration of Jesus").
The non-canonical [Acts of Paul and Thecla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Paul_and_Thecla "Acts of Paul and Thecla") speak of the efficacy of [prayer for the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead "Prayer for the dead") so that they might be "translated to a state of happiness".[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-48)
[Hippolytus of Rome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippolytus_of_Rome "Hippolytus of Rome") pictures the [underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld") ([Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_underworld "Greek underworld")) as a place where the righteous dead, waiting in the [bosom of Abraham](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosom_of_Abraham "Bosom of Abraham") for their resurrection, rejoice at their future prospect; the unrighteous are tormented at the sight of the "[lake of unquenchable fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_of_fire "Lake of fire")" into which they are destined to be cast.
[Gregory of Nyssa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa "Gregory of Nyssa") discusses the long-before-believed possibility of purification of souls after death.[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-49)
Pope Gregory I repeats the concept, articulated over a century earlier by Gregory of Nyssa, that the saved suffer purification after death. In connection with this, he wrote of "purgatorial flames."
The noun ["purgatorium"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory") (Latin: place of cleansing[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-50)) is used for the first time to describe a state of painful purification of the saved afterlife. The same word in adjectival form (*purgatorius -a -um*, cleansing), which appears also in non-religious writing,[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-51) was already used by Christians such as Augustine of Hippo and [Pope Gregory I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_I "Pope Gregory I") to refer to an after-death cleansing.
Theologians and philosophers presented various philosophies and beliefs during the [Age of Enlightenment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment "Age of Enlightenment"). A notable example is [Emanuel Swedenborg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Swedenborg "Emanuel Swedenborg") who wrote some 18 theological works which describe in detail the nature of the afterlife according to his claimed spiritual experiences, the most famous of which is *[Heaven and Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven_and_Hell_\(Swedenborg\) "Heaven and Hell (Swedenborg)")*.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-swedenborgdigitallibrary.org-52) His report of life there covers a wide range of topics, such as marriage in heaven (where all [angels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels "Angels") are married), children in heaven (where they are raised by angel parents), time and [space](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space "Space") in heaven (there are none), the after-death awakening process in the World of Spirits (a place halfway between Heaven and Hell and where people first wake up after death), the allowance of a free will choice between Heaven or Hell (as opposed to being sent to either one by God), the [eternity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternity "Eternity") of [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell") (one could leave but would never want to), and that all angels or devils were once people on earth.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-swedenborgdigitallibrary.org-52)
#### The Catholic Church
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=15 "Edit section: The Catholic Church")\]
The Catholic conception of the afterlife teaches that [after the body dies, the soul is judged](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particular_judgment "Particular judgment"), the righteous and free of sin enter Heaven. However, those who die in unrepented [mortal sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortal_sin "Mortal sin") go to hell. In the 1990s, the [Catechism of the Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechism_of_the_Catholic_Church "Catechism of the Catholic Church") defined hell not as punishment imposed on the sinner but rather as the sinner's self-exclusion from God. Unlike other Christian groups, the Catholic Church teaches that those who die in a state of grace but still carry [venial sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venial_sin "Venial sin") go to a place called [Purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory"), where they undergo purification to enter Heaven.
Despite popular opinion, Limbo, which was elaborated upon by theologians beginning in the Middle Ages, was never recognized as a [dogma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogma "Dogma") of the [Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church "Catholic Church"), yet, at times, it has been a very popular theological theory within the Church. Limbo is a theory that [unbaptized](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism "Baptism") but innocent souls, such as those of infants or [virtuous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue#Christianity "Virtue") individuals who lived before [Jesus Christ was born](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_of_Jesus "Nativity of Jesus"), exist in neither Heaven nor Hell proper. Therefore, these souls neither merit the [beatific vision](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatific_vision "Beatific vision") nor are subjected to any punishment because they are not guilty of any personal [sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin "Sin") although they have not received baptism, so they still bear [original sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_sin "Original sin"). So, they are generally seen as existing in a state of natural, but not supernatural, happiness until the end of time.
In other [Christian denominations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_denominations "Christian denominations"), it has been described as an [intermediate place](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_state_\(Christianity\) "Intermediate state (Christianity)") or state of confinement in oblivion and neglect.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-53)
The notion of [purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory") is associated mainly with the [Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church "Catholic Church"). In the Catholic Church, all those who die in God's grace and friendship but are still imperfectly purified are indeed assured of their eternal salvation. Still, after death, they undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven or the final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The tradition of the church, by reference to specific texts of scripture, speaks of a "cleansing fire", but it is not always called purgatory.
[Anglicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican "Anglican") of the [Anglo-Catholic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Catholic "Anglo-Catholic") tradition generally also hold to the belief. [John Wesley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley "John Wesley"), the founder of [Methodism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodism "Methodism"), believed in an [intermediate state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermediate_state_\(Christianity\) "Intermediate state (Christianity)") between death and the [resurrection of the dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_the_dead "Resurrection of the dead") and in the possibility of "continuing to grow in holiness there", but Methodism does not officially affirm this belief and denies the possibility of [helping by prayer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead "Prayer for the dead") any who may be in that state.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-54)
#### Orthodox Christianity
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=18 "Edit section: Orthodox Christianity")\]
The Orthodox Church is intentionally reticent about the afterlife, as it acknowledges the mystery, especially of things that have not yet occurred. Beyond the second coming of Jesus, bodily resurrection, and final judgment, all of which are affirmed in the [Nicene Creed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed "Nicene Creed") (325 AD), Orthodoxy does not teach much else in any definitive manner. Unlike Western forms of Christianity, however, Orthodoxy is traditionally non-dualist and does not teach that there are two separate literal locations of heaven and hell, but instead acknowledges that "the 'location' of one's final destiny—heaven or hell—as being figurative."[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Andrew_P._Klager_2011-55)
Instead, Orthodoxy teaches that the final judgment is one's uniform encounter with divine love and mercy, but this encounter is experienced multifariously depending on the extent to which one has been transformed, partaken of divinity, and is therefore compatible or incompatible with God. "The monadic, immutable, and ceaseless object of eschatological encounter is therefore the love and mercy of God, his glory which infuses the heavenly temple, and it is the subjective human reaction which engenders multiplicity or any division of experience."[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Andrew_P._Klager_2011-55) For instance, [St. Isaac the Syrian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Isaac_the_Syrian "St. Isaac the Syrian") observes in his *[Ascetical Homilies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ascetical_Homilies_of_Isaac_the_Syrian "The Ascetical Homilies of Isaac the Syrian")* that "those who are punished in Gehenna, are scourged by the scourge of love. ... The power of love works in two ways: it torments sinners ... \[as\] bitter regret. But love inebriates the souls of the sons of Heaven by its delectability."[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-56) In this sense, the divine action is always, immutably, and uniformly love, and if one experiences this love negatively, the experience is then one of self-condemnation because of free will rather than condemnation by God.
Orthodoxy therefore uses the description of Jesus' judgment in John 3:19–21 as their model: "19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." As a characteristically Orthodox understanding, then, Fr. [Thomas Hopko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hopko "Thomas Hopko") writes, "\[I\]t is precisely the presence of God's mercy and love which cause the torment of the wicked. God does not punish; he forgives... In a word, God has mercy on all, whether all like it or not. If we like it, it is paradise; if we do not, it is hell. Every knee will bend before the Lord. Everything will be subject to Him. God in Christ will indeed be 'all and in all,' with boundless mercy and unconditional pardon. But not all will rejoice in God's gift of forgiveness, and that choice will be judgment, the self-inflicted source of their sorrow and pain."[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-57)
Moreover, Orthodoxy includes a prevalent tradition of *[apokatastasis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apokatastasis "Apokatastasis")*, or the restoration of all things in the end. This has been taught most notably by [Origen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origen "Origen"), but also many other Church fathers and Saints, including [Gregory of Nyssa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa "Gregory of Nyssa"). The [Second Council of Constantinople](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Council_of_Constantinople "Second Council of Constantinople") (553 AD) affirmed the orthodoxy of Gregory of Nyssa while simultaneously condemning Origen's brand of universalism because it taught the restoration back to our pre-existent state, which Orthodoxy does not teach. It is also a teaching of such eminent Orthodox theologians as [Olivier Clément](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivier_Cl%C3%A9ment "Olivier Clément"), Metropolitan [Kallistos Ware](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallistos_Ware "Kallistos Ware"), and Bishop [Hilarion Alfeyev](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilarion_Alfeyev "Hilarion Alfeyev").[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-58) Although apokatastasis is not a dogma of the church but instead a [theologoumenon](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/theologoumenon#English "wikt:theologoumenon"), it is no less a teaching of the Orthodox Church than its rejection. As Met. Kallistos Ware explains, "It is heretical to say that all must be saved, for this is to deny free will; but, it is legitimate to hope that all may be saved,"[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-59) as insisting on torment without end also denies free will.
#### The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=19 "Edit section: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:000_preach-my-gospel_1207575_tmb.jpg)
Plan of Salvation in LDS Religion
[Joseph F. Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_F._Smith "Joseph F. Smith") of [the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints") presents an elaborate vision of the afterlife. It is revealed as the scene of an extensive missionary effort by righteous spirits in paradise to redeem those still in darkness—a spirit prison or "hell" where the souls of the dead remain until judgment. It is divided into two parts: Spirit Prison and Paradise. These are also known as the [Spirit World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_world_\(Latter_Day_Saints\) "Spirit world (Latter Day Saints)") (also Abraham's Bosom; see Luke 16:19–25). They believe that Christ visited the spirit prison [(1 Peter 3:18–20)](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-pet/3.18-20?lang=eng) and opened the gate for those who repent to cross over to Paradise. This is similar to the [Harrowing of Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrowing_of_Hell "Harrowing of Hell") doctrine of some mainstream Christian faiths.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-60) Both Spirit Prison and Paradise are temporary according to Latter-day Saint beliefs. After the resurrection, spirits are assigned "permanently" to three degrees of heavenly glory, determined by how they lived – Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial. (1 Cor 15:44–42; Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76) [Sons of Perdition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_perdition_\(Mormonism\) "Son of perdition (Mormonism)"), or those who have known and seen God and deny it, will be sent to the realm of [Satan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan "Satan"), which is called Outer Darkness, where they shall live in misery and agony forever.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-61) However, according to the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, most persons lack the amount of knowledge to commit the [Eternal sin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_sin "Eternal sin") and are therefore incapable of becoming sons of perdition.[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-62)
The Celestial Kingdom is believed to be where the righteous can live eternally with their families. Progression does not end once one has entered the Celestial Kingdom but extends eternally. According to "True to the Faith" (a handbook on doctrines in the LDS faith), "The celestial kingdom is the place prepared for those who have "received the testimony of Jesus" and been "made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood" (Doctrine and Covenants, 76:51, 69). To inherit this gift, we must receive the ordinances of salvation, keep the commandments, and repent of our sins."[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-63)
#### Jehovah's Witnesses
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=20 "Edit section: Jehovah's Witnesses")\]
[Jehovah's Witnesses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses "Jehovah's Witnesses") occasionally use terms such as "afterlife"[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-64) to refer to any hope for the dead, but they understand [Ecclesiastes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastes "Ecclesiastes") 9:5 to preclude belief in an immortal soul.[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-65) Individuals judged by God to be wicked, such as in the [Great Flood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Flood "Great Flood") or at [Armageddon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armageddon "Armageddon"), are given no hope of an afterlife. However, they believe that after Armageddon, there will be a bodily resurrection of "both righteous and unrighteous" dead (but not the "wicked"). Survivors of Armageddon and those who are resurrected are then to restore the Earth to a paradise gradually.[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-66) After Armageddon, unrepentant sinners are punished with eternal death (non-existence).
#### Seventh-day Adventists
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=21 "Edit section: Seventh-day Adventists")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Life_And_Death_Equation.jpg)
Creation and Death Equation
The Seventh-day Adventist Church's beliefs regarding the afterlife differ from those of other Christian churches. Rather than ascend to Heaven or descend to Hell, Adventists believe the dead "remain unconscious until the return of Christ in judgement". The concept that the dead remain dead until resurrection is one of the fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventism.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-67) Adventists believe that death is an unconscious state (a "sleep"). This is based on Matt. 9:24; Mark 5:39; John 11:11–14; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; 1 Thess. 4:13–17; 2 Peter 3:4; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10. At death, all consciousness ends. The dead person does not know anything and does not do anything.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-68) They believe that death is a decreation, or an undoing of what was created. This is described in Ecclesiastes 12:7: "When a person dies, the body turns to dust again, and the spirit goes back to God, who gave it." The spirit of every person who dies—whether saved or unsaved—returns to God at death. The spirit that returns to God at death is the breath of life.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-69)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Muhammad_and_%22shameless_women%22_in_Hell.jpg)
15th century Persian depiction of [Muhammad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad "Muhammad"), [Buraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buraq "Buraq"), and [Gabriel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel "Gabriel") visiting Hell, where "shameless women" are burning for inciting lust in men by exposing their hair in public.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\]
The [Quran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran "Quran") (the holy book of Islam) emphasizes the insignificance of worldly life (*ḥayāt ad-dunyā* usually translated as "this world") vis-à-vis the hereafter.[\[Note 1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-70) A central doctrine of Islamic faith is the [Judgement Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judgement_Day_in_Islam "Judgement Day in Islam") (*al-yawm al-ākhir*, also known by other names),[\[Note 2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-72) on which the world will come to an end and God will raise all mankind (as well as the *[jinn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinn "Jinn")*) from the dead and evaluate their worldly actions. The resurrected will be judged according to their deeds, records of which are kept on two books compiled for every human being—one for their good deeds and one for their evil ones.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Britannica-73)[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Boulaouali_147%E2%80%93158-45)
Having been judged, the resurrected will cross the bridge of [As-Sirāt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As-Sir%C4%81t "As-Sirāt") over the pit of hell; when the condemned attempt to cross, they will be made to fall off into hellfire below, while the righteous will have no trouble and continue on to their eternal abode of heaven.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-74)
Afterlife in Islam actually begins before the Last Day. After death, humans will be questioned about their faith by two angels, [Munkar and Nakīr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munkar_and_Nakir "Munkar and Nakir"). Those who die as martyrs go immediately to paradise.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Britannica-73) Others who have died and been buried will receive a taste of their eternal reward from the *al-qabr* or "the grave" (compare the [Jewish concept](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#Judaism) of [Sheol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheol "Sheol")). Those bound for hell will suffer "[Punishment of the Grave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punishment_of_the_Grave "Punishment of the Grave")", while those bound for heaven will find the grave "peaceful and blessed".[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-JACBMM2014:46-75)
Islamic scripture—the Quran and [hadith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith "Hadith") (reports of the words and deeds of the Islamic Prophet [Muhammad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad "Muhammad") who is believed to have visited heaven and hell during his [Isra and Mi'raj](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isra_and_Mi%27raj "Isra and Mi'raj") journey) – give vivid descriptions of the pleasures of paradise ([Jannah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannah "Jannah")) and sufferings of hell (*[Jahannam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahannam "Jahannam")*). The gardens of Jannah have cool shade,\[Quran [36:56–57](https://quran.com/36?startingVerse=56)\] adorned couchs and cushions,\[ [18:31](https://quran.com/18?startingVerse=31)\] rich carpets spread out, cups\[ [88:10–16](https://quran.com/88?startingVerse=10)\] full of wine,\[ [52:23](https://quran.com/52?startingVerse=23)\] and every meat\[ [52:22](https://quran.com/52?startingVerse=22)\] and fruit\[ [36:56–57](https://quran.com/36?startingVerse=56)\]. Men will be provided with perpetually youthful, beautiful *[ḥūr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houri "Houri")*, "untouched beforehand by man or jinn",[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Rustomji_2017-76)\[ [55:56](https://quran.com/55?startingVerse=56)\] with large, beautiful eyes\[ [37:48](https://quran.com/37?startingVerse=48)\]. (In recent years some have argued that the term *ḥūr* refers both to pure men and pure women,[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-dawn-houri-20-77) and/or that Quranic references to "immortal boys" ([56:17](https://quran.com/56?startingVerse=17), [76:19](https://quran.com/76?startingVerse=19)) or "young men" ([52:24](https://quran.com/52?startingVerse=24)) (*[ghilmān](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghilman "Ghilman")*, *wildān*, and *suqāh*) who serve [wine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine#Islam "Wine") and meals to the [blessed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessing#Islam "Blessing"), are the male equivalents of hur.)[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Rustomji_2017-76)
In contrast, those in [Jahannam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahannam "Jahannam") will dwell in a land infested with thousands of serpents and scorpions;[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-78) be "burnt" by "scorching fire" \[ [88:1-7](https://quran.com/88?startingVerse=1)\] and when "their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins" to repeat the process forever \[ [4:56](https://quran.com/4?startingVerse=56)\]; they will have nothing to drink but "boiling water and running sores"\[ [78:21–30](https://quran.com/78?startingVerse=21)\];[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-hughes-DoI-79) their cries of remorse and pleading for forgiveness will be in vain\[ [26:96–106](https://quran.com/26?startingVerse=96)\].[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-ItQ-233-80)[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-81)
Traditionally, *Jannah* and *Jahannam* are thought to have different levels. Eight gates and eight levels in *Jannah*, where the higher the level the better it is and the happier you are. *Jahannam* possess seven layers. Each layer more horrible than the one above.
The Quran teaches that the purpose of Man's creation is to worship God and God alone.[\[Note 3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-82) Those it describes as being punished in hell are "most typically" unbelievers, including those who worship others besides Allah\[ [10:24](https://quran.com/10?startingVerse=24)\], those who deny the divine origin of the Quran \[ [74:16–26](https://quran.com/74?startingVerse=16)\], or the coming of Judgement Day\[ [25:11–14](https://quran.com/25?startingVerse=11)\].[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-83)[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-ETISN2009-84): 404
Straightforward crimes/sins against other people are also grounds for going to hell: the murder of a believer\[ [4:93](https://quran.com/4?startingVerse=93)\]\[ [3:21](https://quran.com/3?startingVerse=21)\], usury (Q.2:275)\[ [2:275](https://quran.com/2?startingVerse=275)\], devouring the property of an orphan \[ [4:10](https://quran.com/4?startingVerse=10)\], and slander \[Quran [104](https://quran.com/104?startingVerse=)\], particularly of a chaste woman\[ [24:23](https://quran.com/24?startingVerse=23)\].[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-ETISN2009:405-85) However, it is a common belief among Muslims that whatever crimes/sins Muslims may have committed, their punishment in hell will be temporary. Only unbelievers will reside in hell permanently.[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-ReferenceA-86)[\[Note 4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-89) Thus Jahannam combines both the concept of an eternal hell (for unbelievers), and what is known in Christian Catholicism as [purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory") (for believers eventually destined for heaven after punishment for their sins).[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-90)
The common belief holds that *Jahannam* coexists with the temporal world.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Islamic_Traditions_p._12-91) Mainstream Islam teaches the continued existence of the soul and a transformed physical existence after death. The resurrection that will take place on the Last Day is physical, and is explained by suggesting that God will recreate the decayed body ("Have they not realized that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, can ˹easily˺ re-create them?" \[ [17:99](https://quran.com/17?startingVerse=99)\]).
[Ahmadi Muslims](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadiyya "Ahmadiyya") believe that the afterlife is not material but of a spiritual nature. According to [Mirza Ghulam Ahmad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirza_Ghulam_Ahmad "Mirza Ghulam Ahmad"), founder of the [Ahmadiyya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadiyya "Ahmadiyya"), the soul will give birth to another rarer entity and will resemble the life on this earth in the sense that this entity will bear a similar relationship to the soul as the soul bears relationship with the human existence on earth. On earth, if a person leads a righteous life and submits to the will of God, his or her tastes become attuned to enjoying spiritual pleasures as opposed to carnal desires. With this, an "embryonic soul" begins to take shape. Different tastes are said to be born which a person given to carnal passions finds no enjoyment. For example, sacrifice of one's own rights over that of others becomes enjoyable, or that forgiveness becomes second nature. In such a state a person finds contentment and peace at heart and at this stage, according to Ahmadiyya beliefs, it can be said that a soul within the soul has begun to take shape.[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-92)
The [Sufi Muslim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufi_Islam "Sufi Islam") scholar [Ibn 'Arabi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_%27Arabi "Ibn 'Arabi") defined [Barzakh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barzakh#Sufism "Barzakh") as the intermediate realm or "isthmus". It is between the world of corporeal bodies and the world of spirits, and is a means of contact between the two worlds. Without it, there would be no contact between the two and both would cease to exist. He described it as simple and luminous, like the world of spirits, but also able to take on many different forms just like the world of corporeal bodies can. In broader terms Barzakh, "is anything that separates two things". It has been called the dream world in which the dreamer is in both life and death.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Ibn_Al-Arabi_2006_29n,_50n,_59,_64%E2%80%9368,_73,_75%E2%80%9378,_82,_102-93)
The teachings of the [Baháʼí Faith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith "Baháʼí Faith") state that the nature of the afterlife is beyond the understanding of those living, just as an unborn fetus cannot understand the nature of the world outside of the [womb](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Womb "Womb"). The [Baháʼí writings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_literature "Baháʼí literature") state that the soul is immortal and after death it will continue to progress until it finally attains [God's presence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_the_Bah%C3%A1%CA%BC%C3%AD_Faith "God in the Baháʼí Faith").[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-94) In Baháʼí belief, souls in the afterlife will continue to retain their individuality and consciousness and will be able to recognize and communicate spiritually with other souls whom they have made deep profound friendships with, such as their spouses.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-PSmith-95)
The Baháʼí scriptures also state there are distinctions between souls in the afterlife, and that souls will recognize the worth of their own deeds and understand the consequences of their actions. It is explained that those souls that have turned toward God will experience gladness, while those who have lived in error will become aware of the opportunities they have lost. Also, in the Baháʼí view, souls will be able to recognize the accomplishments of the souls that have reached the same level as themselves, but not those that have achieved a rank higher than them.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-PSmith-95)
Early Indian religions were characterized by the belief in an afterlife, [ancestor worship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancestor_worship "Ancestor worship"), and related rites. These concepts started to significantly change after the period of the [Upanishads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanishads "Upanishads").[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-96)
Afterlife in Buddhism consists of intermediated spirit realm that's beyond spatial means, which includes the six realms of existence, the 31 planes of existence, Naraka, Tengoku and the [pure land](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_land "Pure land") after achieving [enlightenment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlightenment_in_Buddhism "Enlightenment in Buddhism"). [Ancestor worship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancestor_worship "Ancestor worship"), and links to one's ancestors, was once an important component of early Buddhism, but became less relevant already before the formation of the different Buddhist streams. The concepts and importance of afterlife vary among modern Buddhist teachings.[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Sayers-97)[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-98)
Buddhists maintain that [rebirth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebirth_\(Buddhism\) "Rebirth (Buddhism)") takes place without an unchanging [self](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atman_\(Buddhism\) "Atman (Buddhism)") or soul passing from one form to another.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-99) The type of rebirth will be conditioned by the moral tone of the person's actions ([kamma or karma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_in_Buddhism "Karma in Buddhism")). For example, if a person has committed harmful actions by body, speech and mind based on greed, hate and delusion, would have his/her rebirth in a lower realm, i.e. an animal, a [hungry ghost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preta "Preta") or a hell realm, is to be expected. On the other hand, where a person has performed skillful actions based on generosity, loving-kindness ([metta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitr%C4%AB "Maitrī")), compassion and wisdom, rebirth in a happy realm, i.e. human or one of the many heavenly realms, can be expected.[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-100)
However, the mechanism of rebirth with Kamma is not deterministic. It depends on various levels of kamma. The most important moment that determines where a person is reborn into is the last thought moment. At that moment, heavy kamma would ripen if there were performed. If not, near death kamma would ripen, and if not death kamma, then habitual kamma would ripen. Finally if none of the above happened, then residual kamma from previous actions can ripen.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-101) According to [Theravada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada "Theravada") Buddhism, there are 31 realms of existence that one can be reborn into. According to these, 31 existences comprise 20 existences of supreme deities (Brahmas); 6 existences of deities (Devas); the human existence (Manussa); and, lastly, 4 existences of deprivation or unhappiness (Apaya).
[Pure Land Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Land_Buddhism "Pure Land Buddhism") of [Mahayana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana "Mahayana") believes in a special place apart from the 31 planes of existence called [Pure Land](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_Land "Pure Land"). It is believed that each Buddha has their own pure land, created out of their merits for the sake of sentient beings who recall them mindfully to be able to be reborn in their pure land and train to become a Buddha there. Thus the main practice of pure land Buddhism is to chant a Buddha's name.
In [Tibetan Buddhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism "Tibetan Buddhism") the [Tibetan Book of the Dead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardo_Thodol "Bardo Thodol") explains the intermediate state of humans between death and reincarnation. The deceased will find the bright light of wisdom, which shows a straightforward path to move upward and leave the cycle of reincarnation. There are various reasons why the deceased do not follow that light. Some had no briefing about the intermediate state in the former life. Others only used to follow their basic instincts like animals. And some have fear, which results from foul deeds in the former life or from insistent haughtiness. In the intermediate state the awareness is very flexible, so it is important to be virtuous, adopt a positive attitude, and avoid negative ideas. Ideas which are rising from subconsciousness can cause extreme tempers and cowing visions. In this situation they have to understand, that these manifestations are just reflections of the inner thoughts. No one can really hurt them, because they have no more material body. The deceased get help from different [Buddhas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhahood "Buddhahood") who show them the path to the bright light. The ones who do not follow the path after all will get hints for a better reincarnation. They have to release the things and beings on which or whom they still hang from the life before. It is recommended to choose a family where the parents trust in the [Dharma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma_\(Buddhism\) "Dharma (Buddhism)") and to reincarnate with the will to care for the welfare of all beings.
There are two major views of an afterlife in Hinduism: the philosophical and the mythical.
The philosophical view considers that each individual consists of [three bodies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_bodies_doctrine "Three bodies doctrine"): a physical body composed of water and biomatter, (*sthūla śarīra*); an energetic/psychic/mental/subtle body, (*sūkṣma-śarīra*); and a causal body comprising subliminal and mental impressions, (*kāraṇa śarīra*).[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-102)
In this three bodies doctrine, the individual is considered a stream of consciousness ([*Ātman*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80tman_\(Hinduism\) "Ātman (Hinduism)")), which flows through all the physical changes of the body in life. At the death of their physical body (*sthūla śarīra*), the stream flows on into another physical body. The two components that transmigrate are the subtle body (*sūkṣma-śarīra*) and the causal body (*kāraṇa śarīra*). The thought that occupies a person's mind at the time of their death determines the quality of their rebirth (*antim smaraṇa*), and hence Hinduism advises practitioners to be mindful of one's thoughts and cultivate positive wholesome thoughts. [Mantra chanting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japa "Japa") is a common practice to develop such mindfulness.
The mythical view encapsulates the above philosophical doctrine, and supplements this with myths of heaven and hell, as elaborated in the [Puranas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puranas "Puranas") and particularly in the *[Garuda Purana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garuda_Purana "Garuda Purana")*. In this tradition, when a being leaves their physical body at death, their soul appears for an exit interview at [the divine court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaloka "Yamaloka") of [Yama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yama_\(Hinduism\) "Yama (Hinduism)") (the god of death and justice). Presiding over this court's judgement is a three-deity panel consisting of: King Yama; the cosmic accountant [Chitragupta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitragupta "Chitragupta"); and the cosmic intelligence officer [Varuna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varuna "Varuna"). The registar-deity Chitragupta reads from a book that contains the history of the dead person's choices and mistakes, and the Panel counsels the deceased on their life achievements and failures while showing them a mirror in which their entire life is reflected.
Upon reaching a verdict, Yama sends the deceased to an appropriate spiritual realm in accordance with their *[karma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma "Karma")*. If they had been exceptionally benevolent and beneficient in life, the deceased is sent to a heavenly realm ([Svarga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svarga "Svarga")) for a period of rest and recreation. This period is limited in time by the weight of their [good deeds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punya_\(Hinduism\) "Punya (Hinduism)"). If they had been exceptionally malevolent and caused immense suffering to other beings, then they are instead sent to a hell realm, ([Naraka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naraka_\(Hinduism\) "Naraka (Hinduism)")) to suffer the weight of their [sins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81pa "Pāpa").
After the desceased have exhausted their *karma* in either Heaven or Hell, they are reborn anew and continue their [spiritual evolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%83s%C4%81ra "Saṃsāra"). Rebirth can take place as an animal (tiryak), as a human (manuṣya), or even as god ([deva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva_\(Hinduism\) "Deva (Hinduism)")). It is generally taught that the spiritual evolution through cycles of rebirth has a directionality from lower to higher lifeforms or beings. In certain cases of traumatic death, a person may instead take the form of a [hungry ghost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preta "Preta") and remains in an earth-bound state interminably, until and unless certain ceremonies are performed to liberate them.
This belief in rebirth was not original to the early Vedic religions and texts, but developed by later [Hindu sages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishi "Rishi"), to complexify ideas of one's lifespan in challenge to earlier notions. And in the philosophical view, this mythical judgement could be considered projections of the deceased's mind during the transmigration of their mental and causal bodies into a new physical form.
The [Upanishads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanishads "Upanishads") are the first scriptures in Hinduism which explicitly mention the afterlife.[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-103) The *[Bhagavad Gita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita "Bhagavad Gita")*, a famous Hindu scripture, says that just as a man discards his old clothes and wears new ones; similarly the Atman discards the old body and takes on a new one. In Hinduism, the belief is that the body is nothing but a shell, the consciousness inside is immutable and indestructible and takes on different lives in a cycle of birth and death. The end of this cycle is called *mukti* ([Sanskrit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit_language "Sanskrit language"): मुक्ति) and staying finally with the [ultimate reality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman "Brahman") forever is *[moksha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha "Moksha")* (Sanskrit: मोक्ष) or liberation.
The (diverse) views of modern Hinduism in part differ significantly from the [Historical Vedic religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Vedic_religion "Historical Vedic religion").[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Sayers-97)
[Jainism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism "Jainism") also believes in the afterlife. They believe that the soul takes on a body form based on previous karmas or actions performed by that soul through eternity. Jains believe the soul is eternal and that the freedom from the cycle of reincarnation is the means to attain eternal bliss.[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-104)
The essential doctrine of [Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism "Sikhism") is to experience the divine through simple living, meditation, and contemplation while being alive. Sikhism also has the belief of being in union with God while living. Accounts of afterlife are considered to be aimed at the popular prevailing views of the time so as to provide a referential framework without necessarily establishing a belief in the afterlife. Thus while it is also acknowledged that living the life of a householder is above the metaphysical truth, Sikhism can be considered agnostic to the question of an afterlife. Some scholars also interpret the mention of reincarnation to be naturalistic akin to the [biogeochemical cycles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogeochemical_cycle "Biogeochemical cycle").[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-105)
But if one analyses the Sikh Scriptures carefully, one may find that on many occasions the afterlife and the existence of heaven and hell are mentioned and criticised in *[Guru Granth Sahib](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Granth_Sahib "Guru Granth Sahib")* and in *[Dasam Granth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasam_Granth "Dasam Granth")* as non-true man made ideas, so from that it can be concluded that Sikhism does not believe in the existence of heaven and hell; however, heaven and hell are created to temporarily reward and punish, and one will then take birth again until one merges in God. According to the Sikh scriptures, the human form is the closet form to God if the Guru is read and understood,[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-106)[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-107) and the best opportunity for a human being to attain salvation and merge back with God and fully understand Him. Sikh Gurus said that nothing dies, nothing is born, everything is ever present, and it just changes forms. Like standing in front of a wardrobe, you pick up a dress and wear it and then you discard it. You wear another one. Thus, in the view of Sikhism, your soul is never born and never dies. Your soul is a part of God and hence lives forever.[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-108)
[Confucius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius "Confucius") did not directly discuss the afterlife. Nonetheless, [Chinese folk religion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_folk_religion "Chinese folk religion") has had a strong influence on [Confucianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism "Confucianism"), so adherents believe that their ancestors become deified spirits after death.[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-109) [Ancestor veneration in China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancestor_veneration_in_China "Ancestor veneration in China") is widespread.
In [Gnostic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism "Gnosticism") teachings humans contain a [divine spark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_spark "Divine spark") within them said to have been trapped in their bodies by the creator of the material universe known as the [Demiurge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demiurge#Gnosticism "Demiurge"). It was believed that this spark could be released from the material world and enter into the heavenly spiritual world beyond it if special knowledge or [gnosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosis#Gnosticism "Gnosis") was attained.[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-110) The [Cathars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharism "Catharism"), for example, viewed [reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation") as a trap made by [Satan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan "Satan"), who tricked [angels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel "Angel") from the heavenly realm into entering the physical bodies of humans. They viewed the purpose of life as a way to escape the constant cycle of spiritual incarnations by letting go of worldly attachments.[\[107\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-111)
It is common for families to participate in ceremonies for children at a shrine, yet have a [Buddhist funeral](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_funeral "Japanese funeral") at the time of death. In old Japanese legends, it is often claimed that the dead go to a place called *[yomi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomi "Yomi")* (黄泉), a gloomy underground realm with a river separating the living from the dead mentioned in the legend of Izanami and Izanagi. This *yomi* very closely resembles the Greek [Hades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_underworld "Greek underworld"); however, later myths include notions of resurrection and even [Elysium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elysium "Elysium")\-like descriptions such as in the legend of [Ōkuninushi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Ckuninushi "Ōkuninushi") and [Susanoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanoo-no-Mikoto "Susanoo-no-Mikoto"). Shinto tends to hold negative views on death and corpses as a source of pollution called *kegare*. However, death is also viewed as a path towards [apotheosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis "Apotheosis") in Shintoism as can be evidenced by how legendary individuals become enshrined after death. Perhaps the most famous would be [Emperor Ōjin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_%C5%8Cjin "Emperor Ōjin") who was enshrined as [Hachiman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachiman "Hachiman") the God of War after his death.[\[108\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-112)
The [spirit world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_world_\(Spiritualism\) "Spirit world (Spiritualism)"), according to [spiritualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism_\(beliefs\) "Spiritualism (beliefs)"), is the world or realm inhabited by [spirits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-physical_entity "Non-physical entity"), both good or evil of various spiritual manifestations. This spirit world is regarded as an external environment for spirits.[\[109\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-113) The Spiritualism religious [movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_movement "Social movement") in the [nineteenth century](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_nineteenth_century "Long nineteenth century") espoused a belief in an afterlife where individual's awareness persists beyond [death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death "Death").[\[110\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-114)
[Taoism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism "Taoism") views life as an illusion and death as a transformation into immortality. Taoists believe that immortality of the soul can be achieved by living a virtuous life in harmony with the [Tao](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao "Tao"). They are taught not to fear death, as it is simply part of nature.[\[111\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-115)
### Traditional African religions
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=37 "Edit section: Traditional African religions")\]
[Traditional African religions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_African_religion "Traditional African religion") are diverse in their beliefs in an afterlife. [Hunter-gatherer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter-gatherer "Hunter-gatherer") societies such as the [Hadza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadza_people "Hadza people") have no particular belief in an afterlife, and the death of an individual is a straightforward end to their existence.[\[112\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-116) [Ancestor cults](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneration_of_the_dead "Veneration of the dead") are found throughout [Sub-Saharan Africa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub-Saharan_Africa "Sub-Saharan Africa"), including cultures like the [Yombe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yombe_people_\(Congo_and_Angola\) "Yombe people (Congo and Angola)"),[\[113\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-117) [Beng](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mand%C3%A9_peoples_of_Africa "List of Mandé peoples of Africa"),[\[114\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-118) [Yoruba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_people "Yoruba people") and [Ewe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewe_people "Ewe people"), "\[T\]he belief that the dead come back into life and are reborn into their families is given concrete expression in the personal names that are given to children....What is reincarnated are some of the dominant characteristics of the ancestor and not his soul. For each soul remains distinct and each birth represents a new soul."[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Opoku-119) The Yoruba, [Dogon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogon_people "Dogon people") and LoDagoa have eschatological ideas similar to Abrahamic religions, "but in most African societies, there is a marked absence of such clear-cut notions of heaven and hell, although there are notions of God judging the soul after death."[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Opoku-119) In some societies like the [Mende](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mende_people "Mende people"), multiple beliefs coexist. The Mende believe that people die twice: once during the process of joining the [secret society](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mende_people#Secret_societies "Mende people"), and again during biological death after which they become ancestors. However, some Mende also believe that after people are created by God they live ten consecutive lives, each in progressively descending worlds.[\[116\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-120) One cross-cultural theme is that the ancestors are part of the world of the living, interacting with it regularly.[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-121)[\[118\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-122)[\[119\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-123)
### Unitarian Universalism
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=38 "Edit section: Unitarian Universalism")\]
Some [Unitarian Universalists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitarian_Universalist "Unitarian Universalist") believe in [universalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universalism "Universalism"): that all souls will ultimately be saved and that there are no torments of hell.[\[120\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-124) Unitarian Universalists differ widely in their theology hence there is no exact same stance on the issue.[\[121\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-125) Although Unitarians historically believed in a literal hell, and Universalists historically believed that everyone goes to heaven, modern Unitarian Universalists can be categorized into those believing in a heaven, reincarnation and oblivion. Most Unitarian Universalists believe that heaven and hell are symbolic places of consciousness and the faith is largely focused on the worldly life rather than any possible afterlife.[\[122\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-126)
The Wiccan afterlife is most commonly described as [The Summerland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Summerland "The Summerland"). Here, souls rest, recuperate from life, and reflect on the experiences they had during their lives. After a period of rest, the souls are reincarnated, and the memory of their previous lives is erased. Many Wiccans see The Summerland as a place to reflect on their life actions. It is not a place of reward, but rather the end of a life journey at an end point of incarnations.[\[123\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-127)
Zoroastrianism states that the *urvan*, the disembodied spirit, lingers on earth for three days before departing downward to the kingdom of the dead that is ruled by Yima.[\[124\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-128) For the three days that it rests on Earth, righteous souls sit at the head of their body, chanting the [Ustavaiti Gathas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gathas "Gathas") with joy, while a wicked person sits at the feet of the corpse, wails and recites the [Yasna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasna "Yasna"). Zoroastrianism states that for the righteous souls, a beautiful maiden, which is the personification of the soul's good thoughts, words and deeds, appears. For a wicked person, a very old, ugly, naked hag appears. After three nights, the soul of the wicked is taken by the demon [Vizaresa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vizaresa&action=edit&redlink=1 "Vizaresa (page does not exist)") (Vīzarəša), to Chinvat bridge, and is made to go to darkness ([hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell")).
[Yima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamshid "Jamshid") is believed to have been the first king on earth to rule, as well as the first man to die. Inside of Yima's realm, the spirits live a shadowy existence, and are dependent on their own descendants which are still living on Earth. Their descendants are to satisfy their hunger and clothe them, through rituals done on earth.
Rituals which are done on the first three days are vital and important, as they protect the soul from evil powers and give it strength to reach the underworld. After three days, the soul crosses [Chinvat bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinvat_bridge "Chinvat bridge") which is the [Final Judgment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Judgment "Final Judgment") of the soul. Rashnu and [Sraosha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sraosha "Sraosha") are present at the final judgment. The list is expanded sometimes, and include [Vahman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahman "Bahman") and [Ormazd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahura_Mazda "Ahura Mazda"). [Rashnu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashnu "Rashnu") is the [yazata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazata "Yazata") who holds the scales of justice. If the good deeds of the person outweigh the bad, the soul is worthy of paradise. If the bad deeds outweigh the good, the bridge narrows down to the width of a blade-edge, and a horrid hag pulls the soul in her arms, and takes it down to hell with her.
Misvan Gatu is the "place of the mixed ones" where the souls lead a gray existence, lacking both joy and sorrow. A soul goes here if his/her good deeds and bad deeds are equal, and Rashnu's scale is equal.
The [Society for Psychical Research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_Psychical_Research "Society for Psychical Research") was founded in 1882 with the express intention of investigating phenomena relating to Spiritualism and the afterlife. Its members continue to conduct scientific research on the paranormal to this day. Some of the earliest attempts to apply [scientific methods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method "Scientific method") to the study of phenomena relating to an afterlife were conducted by this organization. Its earliest members included noted scientists like [William Crookes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Crookes "William Crookes"), and philosophers such as [Henry Sidgwick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Sidgwick "Henry Sidgwick") and [William James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James "William James").[\[125\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-129)
Parapsychological investigation of the afterlife includes the study of [haunting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haunting "Haunting"), [apparitions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparitional_experience "Apparitional experience") of the deceased, instrumental trans-communication, [electronic voice phenomena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_voice_phenomenon "Electronic voice phenomenon"), and [mediumship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediumship "Mediumship").[\[126\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-130)
A [study](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_grams_experiment "21 grams experiment") conducted in 1901 by physician [Duncan MacDougall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_MacDougall_\(doctor\) "Duncan MacDougall (doctor)") sought to measure the weight lost by a human when the [soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul "Soul") "departed the body" upon death.[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-131) MacDougall weighed dying patients in an attempt to prove that the soul was material, tangible and thus measurable. Although MacDougall's results varied considerably from "21 grams", for some people this figure has become synonymous with the measure of a soul's mass.[\[128\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-132) The title of the 2003 movie *[21 Grams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_Grams "21 Grams")* is a reference to MacDougall's findings. His results have never been reproduced, and are generally regarded either as meaningless or considered to have had little if any scientific merit.[\[129\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-133)
[Frank Tipler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Tipler "Frank Tipler") has argued that physics can explain immortality, although such arguments are not [falsifiable](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifiability "Falsifiability") and, in [Karl Popper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Popper "Karl Popper")'s views, they do not qualify as science.[\[130\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-134)
After 25 years of parapsychological research [Susan Blackmore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Blackmore "Susan Blackmore") came to the conclusion that, according to her experiences, there is not enough [empirical evidence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical_evidence "Empirical evidence") for many of these cases.[\[131\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-135)[\[132\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-136)
Mediums purportedly act as a vessel for communications from spirits in other realms. [Mediumship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediumship "Mediumship") is not specific to one culture or religion; it can be identified in several belief systems, most notably [Spiritualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism_\(movement\) "Spiritualism (movement)"). While the practice gained popularity in Europe and North America in the 19th century, evidence of mediumship dates back thousands of years in Asia.[\[133\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-137)[\[134\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-138)[\[135\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-139) Mediums who claim to have contact with deceased people include [Tyler Henry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Henry "Tyler Henry") and [Pascal Voggenhuber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Voggenhuber "Pascal Voggenhuber").
### Near death research
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=43 "Edit section: Near death research")\]
Research also includes the study of the near death experience. Scientists who have worked in this area include [Elisabeth Kübler-Ross](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_K%C3%BCbler-Ross "Elisabeth Kübler-Ross"), [Raymond Moody](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Moody "Raymond Moody"), [Sam Parnia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Parnia "Sam Parnia"), [Michael Sabom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Sabom "Michael Sabom"), [Bruce Greyson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Greyson "Bruce Greyson"), [Peter Fenwick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Fenwick_\(neuropsychologist\) "Peter Fenwick (neuropsychologist)"), [Jeffrey Long](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Long "Jeffrey Long"), [Susan Blackmore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Blackmore "Susan Blackmore"), [Charles Tart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Tart "Charles Tart"), [William James](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James "William James"), [Ian Stevenson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Stevenson "Ian Stevenson"), [Michael Persinger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Persinger "Michael Persinger"), [Pim van Lommel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pim_van_Lommel "Pim van Lommel"), [Penny Sartori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Sartori "Penny Sartori"), [Walter van Laack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_van_Laack "Walter van Laack") among others.[\[136\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-140)[\[137\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-141)
### Past life regression
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=44 "Edit section: Past life regression")\]
**Past life regression** is a method that uses [hypnosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnosis "Hypnosis") to recover what practitioners believe are [memories of past lives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Past_life_memory "Past life memory") or [incarnations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation"). The technique used during past-life regression involves the subject answering a series of questions while hypnotized to reveal identity and events of alleged past lives, a method similar to that used in [recovered memory therapy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovered_memory_therapy "Recovered memory therapy") and one that, similarly, often misrepresents memory as a faithful recording of previous events rather than a constructed set of recollections.
However, medical experts and practitioners do not agree that the past life memories gained from past life regressions are truly from past lives; experts generally regard claims of recovered memories of past lives as fantasies or delusions or a type of [confabulation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confabulation "Confabulation"), because the use of hypnosis and [suggestive questions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suggestive_question "Suggestive question") can tend to leave the subject particularly likely to hold distorted or false memories.[\[138\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Skepdic-142)[\[139\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-Cordon-143)[\[140\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-encyclopedia-144)
There is a view based on the philosophical question of [personal identity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identity "Personal identity"), termed [open individualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_individualism "Open individualism") by [Daniel Kolak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Kolak "Daniel Kolak"), that concludes that individual conscious experience is illusory, and because consciousness continues after death in all conscious beings, *you* do not die. This position has allegedly been supported by physicists such as [Erwin Schrödinger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_Schr%C3%B6dinger "Erwin Schrödinger") and [Freeman Dyson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeman_Dyson "Freeman Dyson").[\[141\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-145)
Certain problems arise with the idea of a particular person continuing after death. [Peter van Inwagen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_van_Inwagen "Peter van Inwagen"), in his argument regarding resurrection, notes that the materialist must have some sort of physical continuity.[\[142\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-146) [John Hick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hick "John Hick") also raises questions regarding personal identity in his book, *Death and Eternal Life*, using an example of a person ceasing to exist in one place while an exact replica appears in another. If the replica had all the same experiences, traits, and physical appearances of the first person, we would all attribute the same identity to the second, according to Hick.[\[143\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-147)
Some philosophers have used [Occam's razor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor "Occam's razor") to argue against the existence of an afterlife.[\[144\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-148)[\[145\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-149)[\[146\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-150)
In the [panentheistic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheistic "Panentheistic") model of [process philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_philosophy "Process philosophy") and theology the writers [Alfred North Whitehead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_North_Whitehead "Alfred North Whitehead") and [Charles Hartshorne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hartshorne "Charles Hartshorne") rejected the idea that the universe was made of [substance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matter "Matter"), instead saying reality is composed of living experiences (occasions of experience). According to Hartshorne people do not experience subjective (or personal) immortality in the afterlife, but they do have objective immortality because their experiences live on forever in God, who contains all that was. However other process philosophers such as [David Ray Griffin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ray_Griffin "David Ray Griffin") have written that people may have subjective experience after death.[\[147\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-151)[\[148\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-152)[\[149\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-153)[\[150\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-154)
Psychological proposals for the origin of a belief in an afterlife include cognitive disposition, cultural learning, and as an intuitive religious idea.[\[151\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-155) [Fear of death](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_death "Fear of death") or death anxiety is hypothesized to be a primary motivator for afterlife beliefs.[\[152\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-156)[\[153\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-157)[\[154\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-158)[\[155\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-159) Jamin Halberstadt finds that one function of religion is to alleviate death anxiety via afterlife beliefs.[\[156\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-160) There also is research about afterlife beliefs from an evolutionary perspective, i.e. in the context of [group selection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_selection "Group selection").[\[157\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-161)[\[158\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-162)
### Near-death experiences
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afterlife&action=edit§ion=49 "Edit section: Near-death experiences")\]
In 2008, a large-scale study conducted by the University of Southampton involving 2,060 patients from 15 hospitals in the United Kingdom, United States and Austria was launched. The AWARE (AWAreness during REsuscitation) study examined the broad range of mental experiences in relation to death. In a large study, researchers also tested the validity of conscious experiences for the first time using objective markers, to determine whether claims of awareness compatible with out-of-body experiences correspond with real or hallucinatory events.[\[159\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-163) The results revealed that 40% of those who survived a cardiac arrest were aware during the time that they were clinically dead and before their hearts were restarted. One patient also had a verified out-of-body experience (over 80% of patients did not survive their cardiac arrest or were too sick to be interviewed), but his cardiac arrest occurred in a room without markers. Dr. Parnia in the interview stated, "The evidence thus far suggests that in the first few minutes after death, consciousness is not annihilated."[\[160\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-164) The AWARE study drew the following primary conclusions:
1. In some cases of cardiac arrest, memories of visual awareness compatible with so called out-of-body experiences may correspond with actual events.
2. A number of NDErs may have vivid death experiences, but do not recall them due to the effects of brain injury or sedative drugs on memory circuits.
3. The recalled experience surrounding death merits a genuine investigation without prejudice.[\[161\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-165)
Studies have also been done on the widely reported phenomenon of [near-death experiences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_death_experiences "Near death experiences") (NDE). Experiencers commonly report being transported to a different "realm" or "plane of existence" and they have been shown to display a lasting positive aftereffect on most experiencers.[\[162\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-166)
- [Allegory of the long spoons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory_of_the_long_spoons "Allegory of the long spoons")
- [Astral plane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_plane "Astral plane")
- [Bardo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardo "Bardo")
- [Brig of Dread](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brig_of_Dread "Brig of Dread") (Bridge of Dread)
- [Empiricism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empiricism "Empiricism")
- [Epistemology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology "Epistemology")
- [Eternal oblivion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_oblivion "Eternal oblivion")
- [Exaltation (Mormonism)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exaltation_\(Mormonism\) "Exaltation (Mormonism)")
- [Fate of the unlearned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fate_of_the_unlearned "Fate of the unlearned")
- [Heaven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven "Heaven")
- [Hell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell "Hell")
- [Immortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality "Immortality")
- [Mictlan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mictlan "Mictlan")
- [Mind uploading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_uploading "Mind uploading")
- [Nirvana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana "Nirvana")
- [Omega Point](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Point "Omega Point")
- [Paradise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise "Paradise")
- [Phowa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phowa "Phowa")
- [Pre-existence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-existence "Pre-existence")
- [Purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purgatory "Purgatory")
- [Rebirth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebirth_\(Buddhism\) "Rebirth (Buddhism)")
- [Reincarnation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation "Reincarnation")
- [Soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul "Soul")
- [Soul flight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_flight "Soul flight")
- [Soul retrieval](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_retrieval "Soul retrieval")
- *[Spiritism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritism_\(book\) "Spiritism (book)")*
- [Suspended animation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspended_animation "Suspended animation")
- [Spirit World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_world_\(Spiritualism\) "Spirit world (Spiritualism)")
- [Undead](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undead "Undead")
- [Underworld](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underworld "Underworld")
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-70)**
some of the verses are:
- "... but compared with the Hereafter the life of this world is but a \[trifling\] enjoyment" \[Quran [13:26](https://quran.com/13?startingVerse=26)\]
- " ...The life of this world is nothing but the wares of delusion." \[Quran [3:185–186](https://quran.com/3?startingVerse=185)\]
- " ...Know that the life of this world is mere diversion and play, glamour and mutual vainglory among you and rivalry for wealth and children" (Q.57:20)\[Quran [57:20](https://quran.com/57?startingVerse=20)\]
- " ...Seek the abode of the Hereafter by means of what Allah has given you, while not forgetting your share of this world. \[Quran [28:77](https://quran.com/28?startingVerse=77)\]
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-72)** The Last Day has a number of other names. It is also called the Encompassing Day (*al-yawm al-muḥīṭ*), more commonly known as the "[Day of Resurrection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Resurrection "Day of Resurrection")" (*yawm al-qiyāma*), "[Day of Judgment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Judgment "Day of Judgment")" (*yawm ad-dīn*), and "Day of Reckoning" (*yawm al-ḥisāb*), as well as both the "Day of Separation" (*yawm al-faṣl*) and "Day of Gathering" (*yawm al-jamʿ*), and is also referred to as *as-Sāʿah*, meaning "the Hour" signaled by the blowing of the horn/trumpet.[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-71)
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-82)** "I have created the jinn and humankind only for My worship."\[ [51:56](https://quran.com/51?startingVerse=56)\]
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-89)** "One should note there was a near consensus among Muslim theologians of the later periods that punishment for Muslim grave sinners would only be temporary; eventually after a purgatory sojourn in hell's top layer they would be admitted into paradise."[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-CLLHiIT2016:7-87) Prior to that, theologians of the Kharijite and Mu'tazilite schools insisted that the "sinful" and "unrepentant" should be punished even if they were believers, but this position has been "lastingly defeated and erased" by mainstream Islam.[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_note-CLLHiIT2016:8-88)
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-1)**
Aiken, Lewis R. (2000). [*Dying, death, and bereavement*](https://archive.org/details/dyingdeathbereav0000aike_h4a8) (4th ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-585-30171-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-585-30171-9 "Special:BookSources/0-585-30171-9")
. [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [45729833](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/45729833).
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Gross1993p148_2-0)**
Rita M. Gross (1993). [*Buddhism After Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism*](https://archive.org/details/buddhismafterpat00gros). State University of New York Press. p. [148](https://archive.org/details/buddhismafterpat00gros/page/148). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-4384-0513-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4384-0513-1 "Special:BookSources/978-1-4384-0513-1")
.
3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-3)**
Anakwue, Nicholas Chukwudike (22 February 2018). ["The African Origins of Greek Philosophy: Ancient Egypt in Retrospect"](https://doi.org/10.25159%2F2413-3086%2F2361). *Phronimon*. **18**: 167–180\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.25159/2413-3086/2361](https://doi.org/10.25159%2F2413-3086%2F2361). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2413-3086](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2413-3086).
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-4)**
McClelland, Norman (2018). [*Encyclopedia of Reincarnation and Karma*](https://books.google.com/books?id=S_Leq4U5ihkC). McFarland. pp. 1–320\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0786456758](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0786456758 "Special:BookSources/978-0786456758")
.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-5)** see Charles Taliaferro, Paul Draper, Philip L. Quinn, *A Companion to Philosophy of Religion*. John Wiley and Sons, 2010, p. 640, [Google Books](https://books.google.com/books?id=SSCx-67Tk6cC&pg=PA640) For Plato, see Kamtekar 2016 and Campbell 2022. Kamtekar, Rachana. "The Soul's (After-) Life," *Ancient Philosophy* 36 (2016): 1–18. Campbell, Douglas R. "Plato's Theory of Reincarnation: Eschatology and Natural Philosophy," *Review of Metaphysics* 75 4 (2022): 643–665.
6. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-6)** Gananath Obeyesekere, *Imagining Karma: Ethical Transformation in Amerindian, Buddhist, and Greek Rebirth*. University of California Press, 2002, p. 15.
7. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-7)**
Hitti, Philip K (2007) \[1924\]. *[Origins of the Druze People and Religion, with Extracts from their Sacred Writings (New Edition)](https://archive.org/details/originsofdruzepe0000hitt "iarchive:originsofdruzepe0000hitt")*. Columbia University Oriental Studies. **28**. London: Saqi. pp. 13–14. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-86356-690-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-86356-690-1 "Special:BookSources/0-86356-690-1")
8. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-:1_8-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-:1_8-1)
[Heindel, Max](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Heindel "Max Heindel") (1985) \[1939, 1908\] *[The Rosicrucian Christianity Lectures (Collected Works)](https://archive.org/details/rosicrucianchris0000hein "iarchive:rosicrucianchris0000hein")*: [The Riddle of Life and Death](http://www.rosicrucian.com/rcl/rcleng01.htm#lecture1) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100629063357/http://www.rosicrucian.com/rcl/rcleng01.htm#lecture1) 29 June 2010 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"). Oceanside, California. 4th edition. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-911274-84-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-911274-84-7 "Special:BookSources/0-911274-84-7")
9. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-9)** An important recent work discussing the mutual influence of ancient Greek and Indian philosophy regarding these matters is *[The Shape of Ancient Thought](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shape_of_Ancient_Thought "The Shape of Ancient Thought")* by [Thomas McEvilley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_McEvilley "Thomas McEvilley").
10. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-10)** Max Heindel, [Death and Life in Purgatory](http://www.rosicrucian.com/zineen/death5.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060711223116/http://www.rosicrucian.com/zineen/death5.htm) 11 July 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")—[Life and Activity in Heaven](http://www.rosicrucian.com/zineen/death6.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060711223133/http://www.rosicrucian.com/zineen/death6.htm) 11 July 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
11. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-11)**
["Life After Death Revealed – What Really Happens in the Afterlife"](https://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritual-research/afterlife/life-after-death/). *Spiritual Science Research Foundation*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141042/https://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritual-research/afterlife/life-after-death/) from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
12. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-EECO_2018_12-0)**
Somov, Alexey (2018). "Afterlife". In Hunter, David G.; van Geest, Paul J. J.; Lietaert Peerbolte, Bert Jan (eds.). *Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online*. [Leiden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiden "Leiden") and [Boston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston "Boston"): [Brill Publishers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_Publishers "Brill Publishers"). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1163/2589-7993\_EECO\_SIM\_00000067](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F2589-7993_EECO_SIM_00000067). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2589-7993](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2589-7993).
13. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-13)**
Richard P. Taylor, *Death and the afterlife: A Cultural Encyclopedia*, ABC-CLIO, 2000, [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-87436-939-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87436-939-8 "Special:BookSources/0-87436-939-8")
14. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-14)**
Bard, Katheryn (1999). *Encyclopedia of the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt*. Routledge.
15. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-15)** Kathryn Demeritt, *Ptah's Travels: Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt*, 2005, p. 82
16. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-16)** Glennys Howarth, Oliver Leaman, *Encyclopedia of death and dying*, 2001, p. 238
17. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-17)** Natalie Lunis, *Tut's Deadly Tomb*, 2010, p. 11
18. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-18)** Fergus Fleming, Alan Lothian, *Ancient Egypt's Myths and Beliefs*, 2011, p. 96
19. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-19)**
["Door to Afterlife found in Egyptian tomb"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110706110016/http://www.meeja.com.au/articles/door-to-afterlife-found-in-egyptian-tomb). meeja.com.au. 30 March 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.meeja.com.au/articles/door-to-afterlife-found-in-egyptian-tomb) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2008.
20. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-20)** F. P. Retief and L. Cilliers, "Burial customs, the afterlife and the pollution of death in ancient Greece", *Acta Theologica* **26**(2), 2006, p. 45 ([PDF](http://www.ajol.info/index.php/actat/article/viewFile/52560/41166) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083809/http://www.ajol.info/index.php/actat/article/viewFile/52560/41166) 6 October 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")).
21. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-21)** Social Studies School Service, *Ancient Greece*, 2003, pp. 49–51
22. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-22)** Perry L. Westmoreland, *Ancient Greek Beliefs*, 2007, pp. 68–70
23. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-23)** N. Sabir, *Heaven Hell Or*, 2010, p. 147
24. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-24)** See *Timaeus* 90–92. For a recent scholarly treatment, see Douglas R. Campbell, "Plato's Theory of Reincarnation: Eschatology and Natural Philosophy," *Review of Metaphysics* 75 (4): 643–665. 2022.
25. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-25)**
["Norse Mythology \| The Nine Worlds"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160515211313/http://www.viking-mythology.com/theNineWorlds.php). *www.viking-mythology.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.viking-mythology.com/theNineWorlds.php) on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
26. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-26)**
["Fólkvangr, Freyja welcomes you to the Field of the Host"](http://spangenhelm.com/folkvangr-freyjas-field-warriors/). *Spangenhelm*. 20 May 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170915104336/http://spangenhelm.com/folkvangr-freyjas-field-warriors/) from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
27. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-27)** Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, 2006. p. 1671
28. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-28)**
["SHEOL - JewishEncyclopedia.com"](http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13563-sheol). *www.jewishencyclopedia.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150918204814/http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13563-sheol) from the original on 18 September 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
29. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBerdichevsky201622_29-0)** [Berdichevsky 2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#CITEREFBerdichevsky2016), p. 22.
30. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-:0_30-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-:0_30-1)
Pearson, Fred (1938). "Sheol and Hades in Old and New Testament". *Review & Expositor*. **35** (3): 304–314\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1177/003463733803500304](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F003463733803500304). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [147690674](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:147690674) – via SAGE journals.
31. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-31)**
Berdichevsky, Norman (2016). [*Modern Hebrew: The Past and Future of a Revitalized Language*](https://books.google.com/books?id=f1_TCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA23). McFarland. p. 23. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-4766-2629-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4766-2629-1 "Special:BookSources/978-1-4766-2629-1")
.
32. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-32)**
["Tractate Sanhedrin: Interpolated Section: Those Who have no Share in the World to Come"](http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/tsa/tsa37.htm). Sacred-texts.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191020131637/https://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/tsa/tsa37.htm) from the original on 20 October 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
33. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-33)**
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34. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-perek-helek-c_34-0)** Maimonides' Introduction to Perek Helek, publ. and transl. by [Maimonides Heritage Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides_Heritage_Center "Maimonides Heritage Center"), p. 22-23.
35. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-35)**
Paull Raphael, Simcha (2019). [*Jewish Views of the Afterlife*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ESOJDwAAQBAJ&q=maimonides+olam+haba&pg=PA178). Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 177–180\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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36. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-36)**
["soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Jewish Thought (6/12) Section – Question 12.8: What do Jews say happens when a person dies? Do Jews believe in reincarnation? In hell or heaven? Purgatory?"](http://www.faqs.org/faqs/judaism/FAQ/06-Jewish-Thought/section-9.html). Faqs.org. 8 August 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200212192206/http://www.faqs.org/faqs/judaism/FAQ/06-Jewish-Thought/section-9.html) from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
37. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-37)** Saadia Gaon in Emunoth ve-Deoth Section vi
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Yirmiyahu, Rabbi (12 July 2003). ["Reincarnation " Ask! " Ohr Somayach"](http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/1077). Ohr.edu. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140309003907/http://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/1077) from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
41. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-41)** Martin Buber, "Legende des Baalschem" in *Die Chassidischen Bücher*, Hellerau 1928, especially *Die niedergestiegene Seele*
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45. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Boulaouali_147%E2%80%93158_45-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Boulaouali_147%E2%80%93158_45-1)
Boulaouali, Tijani (3 November 2022). ["Biblical Eschatology and Qur'anic 'Ākhirāh: A Comparative Approach of the Concepts Afterlife, Death and the Day of Judgement"](https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/kt/article/view/19851). *Khazanah Theologia*. **4** (3): 147–158\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.15575/kt.v4i3.19851](https://doi.org/10.15575%2Fkt.v4i3.19851). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2715-9701](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2715-9701). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [255287161](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:255287161). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230108124609/https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/kt/article/view/19851) from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
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47. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-47)** [Fosdick, Harry Emerson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Emerson_Fosdick "Harry Emerson Fosdick"). A guide to understanding the Bible. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1956. p. 276.
48. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-48)** [Acts of Paul and Thecla](http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/thecla.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070606225812/http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/thecla.html) 6 June 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") 8:5
49. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-49)** He wrote that a person "may afterward in a quite different manner be very much interested in what is better, when, *after his departure out of the body*, he gains knowledge of the difference between virtue and vice and finds that he is not able to partake of divinity until he has been *purged of the filthy contagion in his soul by the purifying fire*" (emphasis added)—Sermon on the Dead, AD 382, quoted in [The Roots of Purgatory](http://www.catholic.com/library/Roots_of_Purgatory.asp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070527235028/http://www.catholic.com/library/Roots_of_Purgatory.asp) 27 May 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
50. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-50)** ["purgatory"](http://www.answers.com/topic/purgatory) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070317200253/http://www.answers.com/topic/purgatory) 17 March 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia University Press., 2003. Answers.com 6 June 2007.
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["Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, *A Latin Dictionary*"](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3D%2339625). Perseus.tufts.edu. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080221225206/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0059%3Aentry%3D%2339625) from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
52. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-swedenborgdigitallibrary.org_52-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-swedenborgdigitallibrary.org_52-1)
Swedenborg, E. (2000). ["Heaven and Hell"](https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/heaven-and-hell-dole/contents/10). Swedenborg Foundation. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171208175232/https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/heaven-and-hell-dole/contents/10) from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
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54. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-54)** Ted Campbell, Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials (Abingdon 1999), quoted in [Feature article by *United Methodist Reporter* Managing Editor Robin Russell](http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=5101) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110722154244/http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=5101) 22 July 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") and in [FAQ Belief: What happens immediately after a person dies?](http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4746355&content_id=%7B94F6F768-0EA6-4C1B-B6B6-0C88EC04E8A2%7D¬oc=1) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160613074435/http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4746355&content_id=%7B94F6F768-0EA6-4C1B-B6B6-0C88EC04E8A2%7D¬oc=1) 13 June 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
55. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Andrew_P._Klager_2011_55-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Andrew_P._Klager_2011_55-1)
["Andrew P. Klager, "Orthodox Eschatology and St. Gregory of Nyssa's *De vita Moysis*: Transfiguration, Cosmic Unity, and Compassion," In *Compassionate Eschatology: The Future as Friend*, eds. Ted Grimsrud & Michael Hardin, 230–52 (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2011), 245"](http://www.clarion-journal.com/files/new-klager-compassionate-eschatology-with-biblioklager-1.pdf#page=19) (PDF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160325232147/http://www.clarion-journal.com/files/new-klager-compassionate-eschatology-with-biblioklager-1.pdf#page=19) (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
56. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-56)** St. Isaac the Syrian, "Homily 28," In *The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian,* trans. Dana Miller (Brookline, MA: Holy Transfiguration Monastery Press, 1984), 141.
57. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-57)** Fr. Thomas Hopko, "Foreword," in *The Orthodox Church*, Sergius Bulgakov (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1988), xiii.
58. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-58)**
["Andrew P. Klager, "Orthodox Eschatology and St. Gregory of Nyssa's *De vita Moysis*: Transfiguration, Cosmic Unity, and Compassion," In *Compassionate Eschatology: The Future as Friend*, eds. Ted Grimsrud & Michael Hardin, 230–52 (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2011), 251"](http://www.clarion-journal.com/files/new-klager-compassionate-eschatology-with-biblioklager-1.pdf#page=25) (PDF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160325232147/http://www.clarion-journal.com/files/new-klager-compassionate-eschatology-with-biblioklager-1.pdf#page=25) (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
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60. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-60)**
Paulsen, David L.; Cook, Roger D.; Christensen, Kendel J. (2010). ["The Harrowing of Hell: Salvation for the Dead in Early Christianity"](https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol19/iss1/7). *Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture*. **19** (1): 56–77\. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [1948-7487](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1948-7487). [JSTOR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSTOR_\(identifier\) "JSTOR (identifier)") [10\.5406/jbookmormotheres.19.1.0056](https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/jbookmormotheres.19.1.0056). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [171733241](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:171733241). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221128015024/https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jbms/vol19/iss1/7/) from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
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62. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-62)** [Spencer W. Kimball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_W._Kimball "Spencer W. Kimball"): The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 123.
63. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-63)**
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70. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-71)** [Quran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran "Quran") [39:68](https://quran.com/39?startingVerse=68)
71. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Britannica_73-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Britannica_73-1)
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73. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-JACBMM2014:46_75-0)** [J. A. C. Brown, *Misquoting Muhammad*, 2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#JACBMM2014): p. 46
74. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Rustomji_2017_76-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Rustomji_2017_76-1)
Rustomji, Nerina (2017). ["Beauty in the Garden: Aesthetics and the *Wildān*, *Ghilmān*, and *Ḥūr*"](https://books.google.com/books?id=5_MoDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA297). In Günther, Sebastian; Lawson, Todd (eds.). *Roads to Paradise: Eschatology and Concepts of the Hereafter in Islam*. Islamic History and Civilization. Vol. 136. [Leiden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiden "Leiden") and [Boston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston "Boston"): [Brill Publishers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_Publishers "Brill Publishers"). pp. 297–307\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1163/9789004333154\_014](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F9789004333154_014). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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75. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-dawn-houri-20_77-0)**
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76. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-78)**
Ghazālī, Iḥyāʾ, v.157, trans. Winter p.221-2; quoted in
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77. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-hughes-DoI_79-0)**
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78. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-ItQ-233_80-0)**
Kaltner, John, ed. (2011). [*Introducing the Qur'an: For Today's Reader*](https://books.google.com/books?id=CBFKDjJgh9UC&q=jahannam). Fortress Press. p. 233. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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79. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-81)** [Surah Ash-Shu'ara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash-Shu%27ara "Ash-Shu'ara") [26:96-102](https://quran.com/26?startingVerse=96), [Surah Fussilat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fussilat "Fussilat") [41:24](https://quran.com/41?startingVerse=24)
80. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-83)** [Quran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran "Quran") [17:10](https://quran.com/17?startingVerse=10)
81. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-ETISN2009_84-0)**
Thomassen, Einar (2009). "Islamic Hell". *Numen*. **56** (2–3\): 401–416\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1163/156852709X405062](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F156852709X405062). [JSTOR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSTOR_\(identifier\) "JSTOR (identifier)") [27793798](https://www.jstor.org/stable/27793798).
82. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-ETISN2009:405_85-0)** [Thomassen, "Islamic Hell", Numen, 56, 2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#ETISN2009): p.405
83. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-ReferenceA_86-0)**
A F Klein *Religion Of Islam* Routledge 2013 [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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84. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-CLLHiIT2016:7_87-0)** [Lange, "Introducing Hell in Islamic Studies", 2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#CLLHiIT2016): p.7
85. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-CLLHiIT2016:8_88-0)** [Lange, "Introducing Hell in Islamic Studies", 2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#CLLHiIT2016): p.8
86. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-90)**
John Renard The Handy Islam Answer Book Visible Ink Press 2015 [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-578-59544-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-578-59544-0 "Special:BookSources/978-1-578-59544-0")
87. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Islamic_Traditions_p._12_91-0)**
Lange, Christian (2016). "Introducing Hell in Islamic Studies". *Locating Hell in Islamic Traditions*. BRILL. p. 12. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-90-04-30121-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-04-30121-4 "Special:BookSources/978-90-04-30121-4")
. [JSTOR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSTOR_\(identifier\) "JSTOR (identifier)") [10\.1163/j.ctt1w8h1w3.7](https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1163/j.ctt1w8h1w3.7).
88. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-92)**
Mirza Tahir Ahmad (1997). [*An Elementary Study of Islam*](https://books.google.com/books?id=iU1Yn4sSXEkC&q=elementary%20study%20of%20islam). Islam International Publications. p. 50. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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89. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Ibn_Al-Arabi_2006_29n,_50n,_59,_64%E2%80%9368,_73,_75%E2%80%9378,_82,_102_93-0)**
Ibn Al-Arabi, Muhyiddin (2006). Angela Jaffray (ed.). *The Universal Tree and The Four Birds*. Anqa Publishing. pp. 29n, 50n, 59, 64–68, 73, 75–78, 82, 102.
90. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-94)** [Baháʼu'lláh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%CA%BCu%27ll%C3%A1h "Baháʼu'lláh"), [Gleanings from the Writings of Baháʼu'lláh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleanings_from_the_Writings_of_Bah%C3%A1%CA%BCu%27ll%C3%A1h "Gleanings from the Writings of Baháʼu'lláh"), ed. by US Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1990, pp. 155–156.
91. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-PSmith_95-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-PSmith_95-1)
Smith, Peter (2000). ["burial, "death and afterlife", evil, evil spirits, sin"](https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/96). *A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith*. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. pp. [96–97, 118–19, 135–36, 322–23](https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/96). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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92. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-96)**
Sayers, Matthew R. (12 September 2013). [*Feeding the Dead: Ancestor Worship in Ancient India*](https://books.google.com/books?id=3AOBwiZBjRMC). OUP USA. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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93. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Sayers_97-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Sayers_97-1)
Sayers, Matthew R. (May 2008). [*Feeding the ancestors: ancestor worship in ancient Hinduism and Buddhism*](https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/3945) (Thesis thesis). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163432/https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/3945) from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
94. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-98)** Dying, Death and the Afterlife in Dharma Traditions and Western Religions (pp.29–44) Deepak Heritage Books, January 2006
95. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-99)**
Becker, Carl B. (1993). *Breaking the circle: death and the afterlife in Buddhism*. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. p. viii. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-585-03949-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-585-03949-7 "Special:BookSources/978-0-585-03949-7")
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["The Buddhist Society: Kamma – Actions and Results"](https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/page/kamma-actions-and-results). *www.thebuddhistsociety.org*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211120071730/https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org/page/kamma-actions-and-results) from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
97. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-101)**
["ORDER OF EFFECT \| Dhamma Earth 法域"](https://tusitainternational.net/zh/workings-of-kamma-rev2-chapter-iii-order-of-effect/) (in Chinese (China)). 24 January 2011. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211120071729/https://tusitainternational.net/zh/workings-of-kamma-rev2-chapter-iii-order-of-effect/) from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
98. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-102)**
["The Hindu Concept of Three Bodies – Body, Mind and Existence"](https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/indian-religions/hinduism/hindu-concept-three-bodies-body-mind-existence/). *Sanskriti – Hinduism and Indian Culture Website*. 6 April 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211120220631/https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/indian-religions/hinduism/hindu-concept-three-bodies-body-mind-existence/) from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
99. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-103)** "When the body becomes weak and goes into oblivion as it were, the *Ātman* departs, and following it, the vital breath departs ... he becomes a pure consciousness, and with this consciousness, he proceeds. His past learning and deeds as well subtle memory accompany him. Just as a worm upon reaching the tip of a blade of grass, reaches out towards another blade of grass by way of support, so also does this Jiva end this body, becomes imperceptible, and then obtains another body by way of support, and pulls itself together." – Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4
100. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-104)**
Jhaveri, Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai. ["Death the Awakener"](http://www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/pujya-gurudevshri/pearls-of-wisdom/death-the-awakener-2110.htm). *Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191026171833/http://www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/pujya-gurudevshri/pearls-of-wisdom/death-the-awakener-2110.htm) from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
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102. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-106)** see [God in Sikhism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Sikhism "God in Sikhism")
103. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-107)**
[*Sentence By Sentence English Translation & Transliteration of Siri Guru Granth Sahib*](http://www.khalsadarbar.com/PDFs/SriGuruGranthSahibJiDarpanEnglish.pdf) (PDF). Translated by Khalsa, Singh Sahib Sant Singh. p. 267. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220720021817/http://khalsadarbar.com/PDFs/SriGuruGranthSahibJiDarpanEnglish.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
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["Sikhism: What happens after death?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220107165521/http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1248308791&ucat=7). Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
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Lemmon, Cheyenne (12 February 2023). ["Hachiman, Japanese God of War \| History & Symbol"](https://study.com/academy/lesson/hachiman-japanese-god-war-mythology-symbol.html). *Study.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231030140229/https://study.com/academy/lesson/hachiman-japanese-god-war-mythology-symbol.html) from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
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Rossbach, Stefan (7 August 2019) \[1999\]. *Gnostic Wars*. [Edinburgh University Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_University_Press "Edinburgh University Press"). p. 49. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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J. Mark, Joshua (2 April 2019). ["Cathars"](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cathars/). [World History Encyclopedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_History_Encyclopedia "World History Encyclopedia"). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220923052100/https://www.worldhistory.org/Cathars/) from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
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says, Ōmiya Hachiman-Schrein\| Ways to Japan (16 July 2015). ["Ōmiya Hachiman-Shrine (大宮八幡宮) (Engl.)"](https://thomasgittel.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/omiya-hachiman-shrine-%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%AE%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E5%AE%AE-engl/). *Ways to Japan*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231030140230/https://thomasgittel.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/omiya-hachiman-shrine-%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%AE%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E5%AE%AE-engl/) from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
109. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-113)**
Hill, J. Arthur (1918). *Spiritualism - Its History, Phenomena, And Doctrine*. London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Ltd. p. 211. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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110. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-114)**
[Melton, J. Gordon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Gordon_Melton "J. Gordon Melton"), ed. (2001). [*Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology*](https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofoc0002unse_h4m2/page/1463/mode/1up). Vol. 2 (5th ed.). US: Gale Group. p. 1463. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0810394898](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0810394898 "Special:BookSources/0810394898")
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111. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-115)**
Wong, Eva (1997). *The Shambhala guide to Taoism* (First ed.). Boston: Shambhala. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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112. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-116)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "The entire process of death and burial is simple, without elaborate rituals and beliefs in an afterlife. The social and spiritual existence of the person ends with the burial of the corpse."
113. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-117)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "The belief in the ancestors remains a strong and active spiritual and moral force in the daily lives of the Yombe; the ancestors are thought to intervene in the affairs of the living.... The afterlife is this world."
114. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-118)**
Gottlieb, Alma; Graham, Philip; Gottlieb-Graham, Nathaniel (1998). ["Infants, Ancestors, and the Afterlife: Fieldwork's Family Values in Rural West Africa"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200218175427/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a12b/7183cff1ee6eba57710ad30325152762e481.pdf) (PDF). *Anthropology and Humanism*. **23** (2): 121. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1525/ahu.1998.23.2.121](https://doi.org/10.1525%2Fahu.1998.23.2.121). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [154032549](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:154032549). Archived from [the original](https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a12b/7183cff1ee6eba57710ad30325152762e481.pdf) (PDF) on 18 February 2020. "But Kokora Kouassi, an old friend and respected Master of the Earth in the village of Asagbé, came to our compound early one morning to describe the dream he had just had: he had been visited by the revered and ancient founder of his matriclan, Denju, who confided that Nathaniel was his reincarnation and so should be given his name. The following morning a small ritual was held, and Nathaniel was officially announced to the world not only as Denju but as N'zri Denju—Grandfather Denju—an honorific that came to be used even by Nathaniel's closest playing companions."
115. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Opoku_119-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Opoku_119-1)
Opoku, Kofi Asare (1987). "Death and Immortality in the African Religious Heritage". In Badham, Paul; Badham, Linda (eds.). *Death and Immortality in the Religions of the World*. New York: Paragon House. pp. 9–23\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-913757-54-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-913757-54-3 "Special:BookSources/978-0-913757-54-3")
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116. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-120)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "The process of being born, dying, and moving to a lower level of earth continues through ten lives."
117. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-121)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "The ancestors are of people, whereas God is external to creation. They are of this world and close to the living. The Yombe believe that the afterlife of the ancestors lies in this world and that they are a spiritual and moral force within it."
118. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-122)**
Bond, George C. (1992). "Living with Spirits: Death and Afterlife in African Religions". In Obayashi, Hiroshi (ed.). *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*. New York: Greenwood Press. pp. 3–18\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-313-27906-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5 "Special:BookSources/978-0-313-27906-5")
. "Death represents a transition from corporeal to incorporeal life in the religious heritage of Africa and the incorporeal life is taken to be as real as the corporeal."
119. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-123)**
Ephirim-Donkor, Anthony (2012). [*African Religion Defined a Systematic Study of Ancestor Worship among the Akan*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ndxOAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA26) (2nd ed.). Lanham: University Press of America. p. 26. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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Bond, Jon (13 June 2004). ["Unitarians: unitarian view of afterlife, unitarian universalist association uua, unitarian universalist association"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151106125811/http://en.allexperts.com/q/Unitarians-945/unitarian-view-afterlife.htm). En.allexperts.com. Archived from [the original](http://en.allexperts.com/q/Unitarians-945/unitarian-view-afterlife.htm) on 6 November 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
121. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-125)** Mark W. Harris (2009). *The A to Z of Unitarian Universalism*. p. 147
122. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-126)** Robyn E. Lebron (2012). *Searching for Spiritual Unity ... Can There Be Common Ground?* p. 582,
123. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-127)** *Solitary Wicca For Life: Complete Guide to Mastering the Craft on Your Own* p. 162, Arin Murphy-Hiscock (2005)
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Resende, Pedro Henrique Costa de; Moreira-Almeida, Alexander; Schubert Coelho, Humberto (September 2023). ["The epistemologies of research on the survival of consciousness after death in the golden era of the Society for Psychical Research (1882–1930)"](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0957154X231175575). *History of Psychiatry*. **34** (3): 287–304\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1177/0957154X231175575](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0957154X231175575). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0957-154X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0957-154X). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [37272412](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37272412).
126. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-130)** David Fontana (2005): Is there an afterlife. A comprehensive overview of the evidence.
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Roach, Mary (2005). *Spook – Science Tackles the Afterlife*. W. W. Norton & Co. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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128. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-132)** [Urban Legends](http://www.snopes.com/religion/soulweight.asp) [Deprecated link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Archive.today_guidance "Wikipedia:Archive.today guidance") archived 30 June 2014 at [archive.today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archive.today "Archive.today") – Reference Page (Soul man).
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Park, Robert Ezra (2010). *Superstition: Belief in the Age of Science*. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 90. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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Tipler, Franl J. (1997). *The Physics of Immortality – Modern Cosmology, God and the Resurrection of the Dead*. Anchor. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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131. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-135)**
["Skeptical Odysseys: Personal Accounts by the World's Leading Paranormal Inquirers pp. 85–94"](http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Chapters/Kurtz.htm). Susanblackmore.co.uk. 25 March 2002. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140406225824/http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Chapters/Kurtz.htm) from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
132. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-136)**
Kurtz, Paul (2001). *Skeptical Odysseys: Personal Accounts by the World's Leading Paranormal Inquirers*. Prometheus Books. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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133. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-137)**
[David Marks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Marks_\(psychologist\) "David Marks (psychologist)"). (2000). *The Psychology of the Psychic*. Prometheus Books. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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134. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-138)**
Nicola Holt, Christine Simmonds-Moore, David Luke, [Christopher French](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_French "Chris French"). (2012). *Anomalistic Psychology (Palgrave Insights in Psychology)*. Palgrave Macmillan. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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135. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-139)**
[Millais Culpin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millais_Culpin "Millais Culpin"). (1920). *Spiritualism and the New Psychology, an Explanation of Spiritualist Phenomena and Beliefs in Terms of Modern Knowledge*. Kennelly Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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136. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-140)**
["Near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective study in the Netherlands"](http://profezie3m.altervista.org/archivio/TheLancet_NDE.htm). Profezie3m.altervista.org. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140713092829/http://profezie3m.altervista.org/archivio/TheLancet_NDE.htm) from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
137. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-141)**
["Nurse writes book on near-death"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7463606.stm). *BBC News*. 19 June 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090331144411/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7463606.stm) from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
138. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Skepdic_142-0)**
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139. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-Cordon_143-0)**
Cordón LA (2005). [*Popular Psychology: An Encyclopedia*](https://archive.org/details/popularpsycholog0000cord/page/183). Westport, Conn.: [Greenwood Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwood_Publishing_Group "Greenwood Publishing Group"). pp. [183–5](https://archive.org/details/popularpsycholog0000cord/page/183). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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140. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-encyclopedia_144-0)**
Linse P, Shermer M (2002). [*The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Gr4snwg7iaEC&pg=PA206). Santa Barbara, Calif.: [ABC-CLIO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC-CLIO "ABC-CLIO"). pp. 206–7\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-57607-653-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-57607-653-8 "Special:BookSources/978-1-57607-653-8")
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141. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-145)**
Kolak, Daniel (2005). [*I Am You: The Metaphysical Foundations for Global Ethics*](https://archive.org/details/springer_10.1007-978-1-4020-3014-7). Springer. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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142. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-146)**
Peter van Inwagen. ["I Look for the Resurrection of the Dead and the Life of the World to Come"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070610012631/http://philosophy.nd.edu/people/all/profiles/van-inwagen-peter/documents/Resurrection.doc). Archived from [the original](http://philosophy.nd.edu/people/all/profiles/van-inwagen-peter/documents/Resurrection.doc) on 10 June 2007.
143. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-147)**
Hick, John (1994). *Death and eternal life*. Westminster/J. Knox Press. pp. 279–294\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-664-25509-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-664-25509-1 "Special:BookSources/978-0-664-25509-1")
. [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [878755693](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/878755693).
144. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-148)**
Fisher, Justin C. ["The Possibility of an Afterlife"](https://www.physics.smu.edu/scalise/P3333fa16/afterlife/). *SMU Philosophy*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250702081155/https://www.physics.smu.edu/scalise/P3333fa16/afterlife/) from the original on 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
145. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-149)**
Shneour, Elie A. (1986). ["Occam's Razor"](https://centerforinquiry.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/1986/07/22165325/p24.pdf) (PDF). *Skeptical Inquirer*. 10th Anniversary Essays.
146. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-150)**
Ohnemus, Alexander (2023). "Respectfully and Unfortunately, The Improbability of, and Danger in Believing in, Reincarnation". *Ohnemus University*.
147. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-151)** Charles Hartshorne, Omnipotence and Other Theological Mistakes (Albany: State University of New York, 1984) p. 32–36
148. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-152)** David Griffin, "The Possibility of Subjective Immortality in Whitehead's Philosophy," in The Modern Schoolman, LIII, November. 1975, pp. 39–51.
149. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-153)** [What Is Process Theology? by Robert B. Mellert](http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=3040&C=2598) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130109062948/http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=3040&C=2598) 9 January 2013 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
150. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-154)** [A Whiteheadian Conception of Immortality by Forrest Wood, Jr.](http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=2736&C=2480) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111205005800/http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=2736&C=2480) 5 December 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
151. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-155)**
Pereira, Vera; Faísca, Luís; de Sá-Saraiva, Rodrigo (1 January 2012). ["Immortality of the Soul as an Intuitive Idea: Towards a Psychological Explanation of the Origins of Afterlife Beliefs"](http://sapientia.ualg.pt/bitstream/10400.1/4894/1/Immortality%20of%20the%20soul%20as%20an%20intuitive%20idea.%20Towards%20a%20psychological%20explanation%20of%20the%20origins%20of%20afterlife%20beliefs.pdf) (PDF). *Journal of Cognition and Culture*. **12** (1): 121. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1163/156853712X633956](https://doi.org/10.1163%2F156853712X633956). [hdl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdl_\(identifier\) "Hdl (identifier)"):[10400\.1/4894](https://hdl.handle.net/10400.1%2F4894). [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://sapientia.ualg.pt/bitstream/10400.1/4894/1/Immortality%20of%20the%20soul%20as%20an%20intuitive%20idea.%20Towards%20a%20psychological%20explanation%20of%20the%20origins%20of%20afterlife%20beliefs.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022.
152. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-156)**
Jong, Jonathan (1 August 2021). "Death anxiety and religion". *Current Opinion in Psychology*. **40**: 40–44\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1016/j.copsyc.2020.08.004](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.copsyc.2020.08.004). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2352-250X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2352-250X). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [32942111](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32942111).
153. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-157)**
Jong, Jonathan; Ross, Robert; Philip, Tristan; Chang, Si-Hua; Simons, Naomi; Halberstadt, Jamin (2 January 2018). ["The religious correlates of death anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis"](https://pureportal.coventry.ac.uk/en/publications/520096e6-013e-47c2-b2f3-a275ed9952ee). *Religion, Brain & Behavior*. **8** (1): 4–20\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1080/2153599X.2016.1238844](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F2153599X.2016.1238844). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [2153-599X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2153-599X).
154. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-158)**
Gulliford, Liz (2 October 2018). ["Death anxiety and religious belief: an existential psychology of religion"](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13617672.2018.1454246). *Journal of Beliefs & Values*. **39** (4): 525–526\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1080/13617672.2018.1454246](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F13617672.2018.1454246).
155. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-159)**
["Facing Death without Religion \| Harvard Divinity Bulletin"](https://bulletin.hds.harvard.edu/facing-death-without-religion/). *bulletin.hds.harvard.edu*. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
156. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-160)**
["Why almost everyone believes in an afterlife – even atheists"](https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24432570-500-why-almost-everyone-believes-in-an-afterlife-even-atheists/). *New Scientist*. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
157. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-161)**
["Afterlife Beliefs: An Evolutionary Perspective"](https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/5xajk). *osf.io*. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
158. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-162)**
Atkinson, Quentin D.; Bourrat, Pierrick (1 January 2011). "Beliefs about God, the afterlife and morality support the role of supernatural policing in human cooperation". *Evolution and Human Behavior*. **32** (1): 41–49\. [Bibcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibcode_\(identifier\) "Bibcode (identifier)"):[2011EHumB..32...41A](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011EHumB..32...41A). [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2010.07.008](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.evolhumbehav.2010.07.008). [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [1090-5138](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1090-5138).
159. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-163)**
["Results of world's largest Near Death Experiences"](https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2014/10/07-worlds-largest-near-death-experiences-study.page). 7 October 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200740/https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2014/10/07-worlds-largest-near-death-experiences-study.page) from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
160. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-164)**
["Consciousness after clinical death. The biggest ever scientific study published"](https://bioethics.georgetown.edu/2015/07/consciousness-after-clinical-death-the-biggest-ever-scientific-study-published/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190116150054/https://bioethics.georgetown.edu/2015/07/consciousness-after-clinical-death-the-biggest-ever-scientific-study-published/) from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
161. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-165)** [AWARE STUDY INITIAL RESULTS ARE PUBLISHED\!](https://iands.org/news/news/front-page-news/1060-aware-study-initial-results-are-published.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220708230558/https://iands.org/news/news/front-page-news/1060-aware-study-initial-results-are-published.html) 8 July 2022 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Retrieved 8 July 2022
162. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife#cite_ref-166)**
Greyson, Bruce (2003). "Near-Death Experiences in a Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic Population". *Psychiatric Services*. **54** (12): 1649–1651\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1176/appi.ps.54.12.1649](https://doi.org/10.1176%2Fappi.ps.54.12.1649). [PMID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMID_\(identifier\) "PMID (identifier)") [14645808](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14645808).
- Philip C Almond, *Afterlife: A History of Life after Death*, London and Ithaca NY: I.B. Tauris and Cornell University Press, 2015.
- Berdichevsky, Norman (2014). [*Modern Hebrew: The Past and Future of a Revitalized Language*](https://books.google.com/books?id=f1_TCwAAQBAJ). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-47662-629-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-47662-629-1 "Special:BookSources/978-1-47662-629-1")
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- Brown, Jonathan A.C. (2014). [*Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet's Legacy*](https://archive.org/stream/misquoting-muhammad-pbuh/misquoting-muhammad-pbuh_djvu.txt). [Oneworld Publications](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oneworld_Publications "Oneworld Publications"). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1780744209](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1780744209 "Special:BookSources/978-1780744209")
. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- Campbell, Douglas R. "Plato's Theory of Reincarnation: Eschatology and Natural Philosophy," *Review of Metaphysics* 75 (4): 643–665. 2022.
- [Dan Cohn-Sherbok](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Cohn-Sherbok "Dan Cohn-Sherbok") and Christopher Lewis, (eds.), *Beyond Death: Theological and Philosophical Reflections on Life after Death*, Pelgrave-MacMillan, 1995.
- David Fontana, *Is there an afterlife: a comprehensive overview of the evidence*, O Books 2005.
- Jane Idelman Smith and Yazbeck Haddad, *The Islamic Understanding of Death and Resurrection*. Oxford UP, 2002.
- [Michael Martin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Martin_\(philosopher\) "Michael Martin (philosopher)") and Keith Augustine (eds.), *The Myth of an Afterlife: The Case against Life After Death*, Rowman & Littlefield, 2015. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-8108-8677-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8108-8677-3 "Special:BookSources/978-0-8108-8677-3")
.
- John J. McGraw, *Brain & Belief: An Exploration of the Human Soul*, Aegis Press, 2004.
- Mark Mirabello, *A Traveler's Guide to the Afterlife: Traditions and Beliefs on Death, Dying, and What Lies Beyond*, Inner Traditions. 2016. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-62055-597-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-62055-597-2 "Special:BookSources/978-1-62055-597-2")
- Christopher M. Moreman, *Beyond the Threshold: Afterlife Beliefs and Experiences in World Religions*, Rowman & Littlefield, 2008.
- Robert A. Morey, *Death and the Afterlife*, Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House Publishers, 1984. 315 p. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[0-87123-433-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-87123-433-5 "Special:BookSources/0-87123-433-5")
- Hiroshi Obayashi (ed.), *Death and Afterlife: Perspectives of World Religions*, Praeger, 1991.
- [Ratzinger, Joseph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Ratzinger "Joseph Ratzinger") (1988) \[1977\]. ["Part II: Death and Immortality – The Individual Dimension of Eschatology"](https://books.google.com/books?id=BH_pDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA67). *[Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology:_Death_and_Eternal_Life "Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life")* (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: [The Catholic University of America Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Catholic_University_of_America_Press "The Catholic University of America Press"). pp. 67–163\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9780813216447](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780813216447 "Special:BookSources/9780813216447")
.
- [Alan F. Segal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_F._Segal "Alan F. Segal"), *Life After Death: A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion*, Doubleday, 2004.
- *[The Destiny of the Soul: A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future Life](https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/19082)* at [Project Gutenberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Gutenberg "Project Gutenberg") (Extensive 1878 text by [William Rounseville Alger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rounseville_Alger "William Rounseville Alger"))
- Jennings, Ken (2023). *100 Places to See After You Die: A Travel Guide to the Afterlife*. New York: Scribner. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[9781501131585](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781501131585 "Special:BookSources/9781501131585")
. [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [1347430851](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1347430851).
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Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Afterlife](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Afterlife "q:Afterlife")***.
- Hasker, William. ["Afterlife"](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/afterlife/). In [Zalta, Edward N.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_N._Zalta "Edward N. Zalta") (ed.). *[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_Encyclopedia_of_Philosophy "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy")*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [1095-5054](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1095-5054). [OCLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCLC_\(identifier\) "OCLC (identifier)") [429049174](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/429049174).
- [Vatican.va: Catechism of the Catholic Church](https://www.vatican.va/archive-ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a12.htm)
- [Islamic Guide: Life After Death](http://www.islam-guide.com/life-after-deaty-by-wamy.htm)
- [Judaism 101: Olam Ha-Ba: The Afterlife](http://www.jewfaq.org/olamhaba.htm)
- [Stewart Salmond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Salmond "Stewart Salmond"), [*Christian Doctrine of Immortality*](https://archive.org/details/christiandoctri04salmgoog)
- [*Dictionary of the History of Ideas*: "Death and Immortality"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070311081839/http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv1-76)
- [Online searchable edition of Swedenborg's *Heaven and Hell*](https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/exposition/translation/heaven-and-hell-dole/contents/10) (Swedenborg Foundation 2000)
- [Collection: Heaven, Hell, and Afterlives](https://exchange.umma.umich.edu/resources/23935) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220812120714/https://exchange.umma.umich.edu/resources/23935) 12 August 2022 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") from the [University of Michigan Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Michigan_Museum_of_Art "University of Michigan Museum of Art") |
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