Catholics will strongly disagree with this statement. Belief in the glorious resurrection Kes at the very
heart of Christianity and strongly influences what Catholics thinks, say and do. Evidence of life after
death can be found in the bible and in the teachings of the Catholic Church. Catholics express this
belief each time they say the Nicene Creed ‘on the third day he rose again in accordance with the
scriptures’. Catholics believe that Jesus showed through the resurrection, that life continued after
death. For Catholics the resurrection of Jesus proves that in death life is changed not ended. When
questioned or challenged about this fundamental belief in life after death Catholics will often refer
to the teachings of St. Paul on this matter. St. Paul challenged those that questioned and rejected
the idea of a life after death because ‘If Cheist has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is
your faith’ (1 Cor. 15.14). However St. Paul was quick to point out ‘Christ has indeed been raised
from the dead. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also
through a man’ {1 Cor. 15.21}. This is a powerful argument because St. Poul wos the leader of the
early church ond 9 source of wisdom ond authority. In the same way from a seed comes a plant. If
you look at them separately it is difficult to see how this could be the case. Just like it is difficult to
see how from a physical, mortal and perishable life can come a spiritual, Immortal and unperishable
life. Just because it ts difficult to see, understand or imagine does not mean it is not true. The logic
applied here seems very persuasive therefore because of these teachings and the religious faith that
Catholics possess they completely reject this statement. Furthermore Jesus himself said ‘| am the
tesurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies’ (Jn 11.25-26). Or ‘God
$o loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life’ (Jn 3.16}. Again this is a very convincing piece of evidence because Jesus is God
dacernete moking him the ultimate source of moral authority. Therefore all Christians believe in the
resurrection. However differences occur about when judgement takes place or what heaven and hell
are actually like. Then of course there is Catholics beliefs about the existence of purgatory and the
resurrection of the body as well as the soul. These beliefs are not shared by all Christians but belief
in life after death most cectainly ts.

Humanists and all other atheists would agree with this statement. They would argue that
there is no sound scientific evidence to base beliefs about life after death on. For them religious
arguments about heaven, hell, purgatory, judgement by God, life after death etc. are weak precisely
because there is no scientific/physical evidence to support these claims. Again humanists/atheists
would dismiss religious beliefs here as myths, fictions and superstitions that lack any real credible
evidence. .