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'''Death''' is the end of a living thing's [[life]]. What death is and what occurs after death is a matter of some debate, particularly where [[religion]] is involved, since most religions have mutually exclusive views on death.

'''Death''' is the end of a living thing's [[life]]. What death is and what occurs after death is a matter of some debate, particularly where [[religion]] is involved, since most religions have mutually exclusive views on death.

One assumption is that nothing happens after one dies and the body simply rots away (this would imply people do not have spirits or souls). However, since death is something people fear to varying degrees (and is a matter of taboo in some cultures), they require something comforting to help them deal with the idea they will die at some point. Generally this comfort is provided by religions, which deal with the issue in different ways. The concept of the afterlife is reassuring, despite the inability to prove or disprove the claims - as, by definition, no one can return to confirm the myths.

One assumption is that nothing happens after one dies and the body simply rots away (this would imply people do not have spirits or [[souls]]).  

Religions deal with this issue in different ways. The concept of the afterlife is reassuring, and many have reported heavenly experiences in near death experiences.<ref>[http://bibleprobe.com/nde.htm]</ref>

 

Death is something people fear to varying degrees (and is a matter of taboo in some cultures).

As the body of the deceased remains observably dead and eventually decomposes, afterlife belief requires the concept of a [[soul]] - a version of the deceased which continues to exist in some form after death.  

As the body of the deceased remains observably dead and eventually decomposes, afterlife belief requires the concept of a [[soul]] - a version of the deceased which continues to exist in some form after death.