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No one really believes in an eternal existence after death. The mind staggers before the concept of infinity in either time or space. Even the Hindus, who have calculated that the present age will end precisely, in terms of our calendar, on 17 February 428,898, when the universe (with all its gods except the Trinity) will perish in a cosmic conflagration, believe that the senior member of the Trinity, Brahman, will create another universe and yet another in a process that will continue for another 311,035,680,000,000 years, after which, they modestly admit, they do not know exactly what will happen, except that the creative force itself cannot perish with the total destruction of all things, including the supreme gods. Even they draw back before the horror of infinity!

Revilo P. Oliver#26

ReligionBeliefDeathEternityInfinityLife

About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote suggests no one truly believes in eternity because the concept of infinity is too horrifying.
In plain terms
Infinity is so scary that even religious people hesitate to fully believe in eternal existence.
What can you take from it?
Consider how human minds struggle with concepts of infinite time or space.

Where it applies

  • theological discussion
  • existential reflection
  • personal belief

Putting it to work

  • reflect on mortality
  • discuss religious beliefs
  • explore philosophy

Questions to consider

  • How do you handle thoughts of eternity?
  • Is infinity terrifying or comforting?

Another view

The quote assumes all people react to infinity with fear rather than awe.

More from Revilo P. Oliver

  1. For fifteen centuries the religion of the Western world has been Christianity, Western Christianity, and there is no other religion now known or even imaginabl…

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. The most beautiful conception of immortality of which I know, and certainly one that by contrast shows the utter vulgarity of Christian ideas, is set forth in …

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. The great Jewish hoax about millions of God's Chosen People whom the Germans supposedly exterminated seems to have been devised late in 1942, when it was claim…

    Permalink to quote #24

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