A DIFFERENT WINDOW: REFUSING TO DIE: THE ULTIMATE PROTEST

I just finished reading the article, "Death, It's What Ails You." It was written by Arthur Krystal and published in the February issue of Harper magazine.

It seems Krystal has spent some time contemplating his own death. He has explored what different philosophies, religions and science have to say about death and what happens after death. It seems none of the options are acceptable to him. He just doesn't like any of them. He likes being here, now, and in the body he is used to having.

He has therefore decided, that the only thing totally acceptable to him is to just refuse to die.

While I definitely believe that when I leave this physical body, I will still be me and will continue to do what I have always done since time began. I believe I will be an individual and a distinct personality, as I have always been. I too, am rather fond of having a physical body and am rather partial to this particular one.

I believe in reincarnation. Why would nature/God/logic waste all that I have learned and let it decay in nothingness? Furthermore, I have too much to do to possibly get it all done in one lifetime. It would certainly save a lot of time if I didn't have to start out all over again as a helpless infant! So I think, like the author of the article, I too am just going to have to refuse to die.

Who would like to join me in this most worthy endeavor?

Krystal seems to have done at least some study of spiritual beliefs. One of the main spiritual beliefs is that our thoughts create our reality. It is also a spiritual belief that when a thought is shared by many, it grows stronger and gains power.

Here is what I suggest; from here on out let's all of us, each and everyone, just refuse to die.

I can just see it now, people on the streets carrying signs saying, "Down with Death" or "We ain't gonna take it." We could even pressure our wonderful government to make death a crime punishable by life imprisonment, or the life penalty.

Americans seem to be a people who need something to protest and be against. When all is said and done, considering the shortness of one's physical life, those protests seem rather pointless. This just may be the ultimate protest. Up with life, down with death.

Now if we could just find out some way to eliminate taxes we would have it made.

Sandra Fann may be reached at 243-5446.