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Even as a child I was taught that dying isn't a bad thing.  Totally frightening, yes, but not bad.  In my humanities class in high school, our teacher had us think about religion being something society holds on to in order to face death.  It is what gives us the confidence to know what is going to happen in the unknown.  Not having control of any situation is a struggle for humans.  We are , in our daily lives, able to control what we eat, wear, when we sleep, who we talk to, what career we want, etc. etc.  This must be why we have such a fear of the unknown.  Its like jumping over a cliff blindfolded, we can't prepare for it and we have no one to ask about what it is like afterwards. 

People's religion is what they have to hold on to in order to not feel completely blindsided by death.  Have you ever noticed that when you challenge someone's beliefs, a guard is immediately set up.  You have not only just challenged beliefs for this life, but you have tried to make holes in their lifeline to their eternity.  One way or the other, most individuals have some thoughts on what happens after they die, whether it be eternity with a divine being or absolutely nothing happening. No wonder we have such rituals and initiations in different cultures, this is eternity we are talking about.

In many religions, an honorable death is seen as the greatest a person can have.  Even in our own culture, when a man or women dies for their own, they are a hero.  I saw this as the "home-work" that we were talking about in class the other day.  An individual will do anything to get home, but will also do anything to keep the ones at home safe.  Working for the safety of those at home.

I saw this on a girls blog, not from our class, the other day and it struck me.  It is a quote from Chief Tecumseh, of the Shawnee tribe. 


So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and
Demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life,
Beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and
Its purpose in the service of your people. 
 
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
Even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and
Bow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and
For the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks,
The fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing,
For abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. 
 
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts
Are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes
They weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again
In a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home." 

Die like a hero going home.  Be ready for death and constantly work at getting home, just as Odyseus did in going home to Penelope.