Steven Pinker on the Life-Hereafter
What effect does belief in life-after-death have on life in the here-and-now? Listen to Steven Pinker, Harvard professor and an avowed atheist, as he weighs in on the subject:
[T]he doctrine of a life-to-come is not such an uplifting idea after all because it necessarily devalues life on earth. Just remember the most famous people in recent memory who acted in expectation of a reward in the hereafter: the conspirators who hijacked the airliners on 9/11. (Time Magazine 9/29/2007)
Mr. Pinker, citing the 9/11 hijackers, suggests that belief in the life-to-come is dangerous because it “necessarily devalues life on earth”. However, experience shows that not every belief in the life-hereafter necessarily devalues life in the here-and-now Think Mother Teresa. Likewise, not every doubt in life-after-death necessarily causes one to value the lives of others on earth. Think Stalin or the notorious North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il. As a matter of fact, in the 20th century alone more people were killed by governments committed to expunging belief in the life-to-come than in all wars throughout all history. Considering this, it seems Mr. Pinker has a very selective “recent memory”.
Something to think about from “The Kingdom Perspective”.
Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly.
~Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 NASB
