CONCLUSION

Although I have written some critical judgments about the Catholic Church, I continue to respect it. Even though I think the Church needs a major paradigm shift in its approach to human sexuality if it is to be a credible teacher in the future, it has a rich history of moral teaching that continues to make the world a better place. The Church was at the forefront of western civilization for over 1,000 years. It continues to use many resources that benefit humanity. It has resilience, showing an ability to adjust and adapt for almost 2,000 years, even when it means adapting its teaching. To cite just one example, the 1950 papal teaching acknowledging the possibility of evolution shows me that the Church learned its lesson in condemning the initially unsettling scientific conclusion of Copernicus and Galileo that the earth revolves around the sun and not vice versa. On the other hand, I admit having almost no respect for fundamentalist groups of any type, whether they are Christian that choose to ignore facts that contradict a particular reading of the Bible or Muslim groups that refuse to live alongside others’ beliefs, even those of other Muslims’, because of their narrow world view.

The personal conclusion I have reached is that death is final and that my existence will end. The cremated remains of my body will return to the earth as compounds and minerals. I have sought but found no credible alternative to the finality of death. On the other hand, none of us know for sure what happens after death. We may think we know; we may believe; we may hope; but none of us know. If my conclusion is wrong, I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

I do not fear death. I have been staring Death in the face for over a year. As I continue with my cancer I foresee the day when I may welcome Death as a friend.

I invite you to be as fully aware as possible of your personal spiritual journey. Embrace your spiritual journey wholeheartedly. Welcome your spiritual path wherever it leads. I am confident that if you are honest with yourself you will find your way and that in the process you will become a richer, more complete person. Find a community if it helps your journey. Give yourself completely to your journey if you haven’t already. It is a great adventure.

This simple website contains a blog link in which you are welcomed to share your spiritual journey, whether by a one-time entry or by also updating your blog as your journey evolves. In the best of circumstances you will learn and grow from the shared journeys of others. A younger person has agreed to monitor the blogs after my death and for the sake of all who want to take this website seriously to delete only those blogs that are obviously spam or blatantly offensive.

Finally, this website is funded through 2026. If it is worth continuing in some form after that, it will be continued by others.