Why is discussing death taboo?

Why do people cringe if you mention death, why do they look horrified if you discuss your own death, why is death shrouded in black and darkness when it should be (imo) a celebration of life.

Why is death seen as a morbid topic it's a perfectly natural part of life....isn't it?

Death, from the beginning of recorded time, has been considered something to be feared. (we all know what happens when you die - JUDGEMENT!...You might go to HELL!!!!!)

This fear was instilled into us by various religious groups in order to keep us in line...and lining their pockets with money.Now, even though a larger and larger portion of our society is moving away from the rigid (and often erroneous) teachings of the churches, this fear has not went away. It is too deeply rooted to go away so quickly.

Another thing is our inbred fear of the unknown. We have no idea what is REALLY on the other side: is there a Heaven and a Hell? Are we re-incarnated? Do we just rot away and become a pile of dust? Does anything we do REALLY matter? Do WE really matter?

You asked for an answer, and I believe that fear is that answer......

I wonder if a reason why death is not discussed more often could be becaue people don't want to have to think about their own mortality, and the thought of losing someone you love deeply is or can be extremely painful. The thought of not experiencing their physical presence is too much for some.

i think its because of the pain and grief that comes with losing someone you love. sometimes "losing it" (meaning your mind) is part of losing someone too, and people can be scared of that.

I just re-read what I wrote in response to this question. My dislike for the organized church kinda came through, huh?

I apologize if I came across a little too strong on that opinion....

I don't think it was too strong, I agree with what you guys said about fear

1antique wrote:I just re-read what I wrote in response to this question. My dislike for the organized church kinda came through, huh?

I apologize if I came across a little too strong on that opinion....

Death carries a certain aura about it. We as humans realize its part of life and always ask why when someone close to us passes on. It's a real simple answer, you are born to die. Some of you may find this interesting:

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/death/

There's a branch of study that deals with this it's called Thanatology anyone gets a chance Google it.

Yes I have to agree with you on that (you are born to die) and even though people know it they still shrink away from any talk of death

My death waits like an old roué
so confident I'll go his way
whistle to him and the passing time...
My death waits like a bible truth
at the funeral of my youth
weep loud for that -
and the passing time...
My death waits like
a witch at night
as surely as our love is bright
let's not think about the passing time

But whatever lies behind the door
there is nothing much to do...
angel or devil, I don't care
for in front of that door...
there is you.

My death waits like a beggar blind
who sees the world through an unlit mind
throw him a dime
for the passing time...
My death waits there between your thighs
your cool fingers will close my eyes
lets think of that and the passing time
My death waits to allow my friends
a few good times before it ends
so let's drink to that and the passing time

But what ever lies behind the door,
there is nothing much to do
angel or devil I don't care
for in front of that door... there is you

My death waits there among the leaves
in magicians mysterious sleeves
rabbits and dogs and the passing time
my death waits there among the flowers
where the blackest shadow, blackest shadow cowers
let's pick lilacs for the passing time

My death waits there, in a double bed
sails of oblivion at my head
so pull up the sheets
against the passing time

But whatever lies behind the door
there is nothing much to do
angel or devil...i dont care
for in front of that door
there is...

probably the best song he ever wrote

Knew you would appreciate that one Violet. Listening to it now. Class!
Huggles x

Thantology:

Thanatology is the academic, and often scientific, study of death among human beings. It investigates the circumstances surrounding a person's death, the grief experienced by the deceased's loved ones, and larger social attitudes towards death such as ritual and memorialization. It is primarily an interdisciplinary study, frequently undertaken by professionals in nursing, psychology, sociology, psychiatry, and social work. It also describes bodily changes that accompany death and the after-death period.

In most cases, thanatology is studied as a means towards the end of providing palliative care for dying individuals and their families. According to the World Health Organization, "palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness," involving the "treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual." [1] Thanatology recognizes that, ultimately, death is inevitable. It works to develop guidelines to ease the process of dying. Thanatology also studies the similarities and differences of various cultures around the world and their manner of dealing with death of themselves or a loved one.
Thanatology does not directly explore the meaning of life and of death. Medically, this question is irrelevant to those studying it. Some medical texts refer to inquiries of the meaning of life and death as absurd and futile. However, the question is very relevant to the psychological health of those involved in the dying process: individuals, families, communities, and cultures. Thanatology explores how the question affects those involved, not the question itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatology

Call me weird if you like but I think that would be very interesting, many people have to study it to do their jobs properly undertakers, nurses in hospices etc, just as some are interested in birth and all that involves some are interested in death.

I agree with you on this.

1antique said

In most cases, thanatology is studied as a means towards the end of providing palliative care for dying individuals and their families

I think it is very important to study this in order to assist those who are near death and those that are left to grieve.

"Alone
of gods Death has no love for gifts,
Libation helps you not, nor sacrifice.
He has no altar, and hears no hymns;
From him alone Persuasion stands apart."

Aeschylus
(525-465 B.C.) "Niobe"

I have no fear of death. Welcome it as fact now I grow older.

The thoughts of a wonderful Spirit World 'up there' waiting for me fills me with joy.

To be out of this world is my one desire....

To be healthy and wise is my wish...

To be out of this world is my one desire....

EEk not yet Joanie  

To be healthy and wise is my wish...

well you're certainly wise but I know you haven't been too good lately   hope you feel better soon

Thank you,Violet that is a lovely thought...
I find the body a bind now even though my mind is still active....Thank God!
xxxx

Because death is something we are all guaranteed.  (I believe it has happened before to me though.)  And when you discuss something it becomes real.

I have no fear of death at all!    It's not something we can avoid....only my only fear is how we die!...once we cross that border,look what awaits us.
A wonderful place called the The Spirit World!     

Violet wrote: (imo)

Why is death seen as a morbid topic it's a perfectly natural part of life....isn't it?

'when we are won - we are alive' says everybody. 'it's like kiddin, did dog fido die, oh great that's bullshidos - like now i'm bullshidos and dog fido's bullshidos, anyways where were we?' 'it's like saying i love you cause you exist, but i'm just letting you like cool - and now you toss off and now i don't know what or what got in to you.' i enjoy being rip fearless - promised not to be a dummy so 'it's not proud to encourage death, have a cola instead.' 'you can can celebrate past ons like a confident, and it's just what it is.'

There are many times in our lives we regret.   The normal mistakes we make and the innocent ones.  Sometimes a slip of the tongue and sometimes deliberately.

When we are hurt.