James Gómez

June 27, 2025

Facing Our Own Mortality: A Super Power of Religion


The other day, I was sitting with my youngest son when he asked me how old I'll be in 50 years. I told him, "I'll be 90." We sat silently for a moment, and when I looked over at his 8-year-old face, I could see him turning red. Within a few more seconds, tears were streaming down his little face. 

Putting my arm around his shoulders, I asked, "Why are you crying?" He said, "I don't want you to die, Daddy." Of my four children, my youngest has always been the most sensitive when it comes to death. I was the same way when I was a little boy.

As God would have it, I began reading The Assassination of Fred Hampton by Jeffrey Haas later that same day. Within the first few pages, the author quoted the then-twenty-one year Fred Hampton:

“If you are not ready to make a commitment at the age of twenty only because you are afraid to die then you are dead already.” - Fred Hampton

Hampton's words were framed around his desire to see a Revolution in America that uprooted the three greatest evils in our nation's history: racism, materialism, and militarism. The author pointed out that those of us who live and die for principles we believe in are the people who inspire us the most. 

Like most people, I admit I don't want to die. What my son doesn't yet understand is how learning to face my mortality gives us a superpower. Facing death shapes our ability to live in the present and strive to make the most of today. This is a superpower that the world's oldest religions and philosophies have learned to master. 


Memento Mori


Last year, I read Ryan Holiday's trilogy The Obstacle is the Way, Ego is the Enemy, and Stillness is the Key. A throughline woven in each of the books is the reality that we're all going to die. Within Stoicism, there is a Latin phrase for this: Memento Mori.

Memento mori means 'Remember that you must die.' It is meant to remind us that death is inevitable and the importance of living a meaningful life. What struck me the most about this phrase was its use in Roman culture. 

Whenever a Caesar would return to Rome in triumph and victory in battle, they would be greeted with a victory parade. We often see depictions of these victory parades and imagine Caesar standing triumphantly on a chariot while the army marches before him as Roman citizens scream their praises. 

What we don't imagine is the man standing behind Caesar. It was customary that in the midst of celebration, at the pinnacle of communal praise, while traveling through the heart of the greatest city in the world, a man would stand behind Caesar and whisper, "Memento mori."

The reality of their mortality profoundly influenced philosophers such as Socrates, Seneca, and Epictetus. This reality also influenced Emperors Marcus Aurelius, Augustus, and Constantine the Great. The concept of Memento Mori influenced Emperor Augustus. He had reminders placed throughout the palace so he would constantly be reminded that his life had an expiration date.

Buddhism


The four noble truths and the eightfold path to enlightenment are core to Buddhist teachings. At the center of these teachings is the belief that our time on earth is temporary, that what happens after death cannot be known, and that our actions echo for an eternity. 

So much of the concept of karma is rooted in the belief that the choices we make and the lives we choose to live today will reverberate through the ages. The ideas and practices around mindfulness and compassion have grown in popularity over the last few years. What is rarely highlighted is how the motivation at the root of these practices is recognizing that our actions have consequences. These consequences go beyond ourselves and our place and time. 

Growing up, I never paid much attention to philosophy or philosophical ideas. In my mind, philosophy was too disconnected from reality. It offered very little guidance to living in the real world. The more I read philosophy, ancient philosophy, to be precise, the more I realize how mistaken I was. What I failed to understand, until I began studying the topic, is any philosophy worth our time really seeks to answer a single question. 

Now, how shall I live?

Studying philosophical schools like Stoicism and Buddhism has highlighted much of what I have learned from my exposure to the Abrahamic religions. 

The Abrahamic Traditions


There are tons of points where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam disagree with one another. Where Judaism and Islam reject the concept of 'original sin,' Christianity makes it a central tenet. 

Are there literal places called Heaven and Hell? If we had a big enough map, could we pinpoint where these places are located? Who goes to heaven, and who goes to hell? Are those who go to hell sent there, or do they choose to go based on their actions in this life? Do those who go to hell stay there forever? Can you get out of hell? 

Within each tradition, there are myriad responses to the questions raised. Despite how much disagreement exists where all three traditions agree, how we live today ultimately has an impact far beyond our lifetime. 

Mortality in Judaism


The Hebrew Bible has an entire book reflecting on our mortality. The book of Ecclesiastes can be summarized as follows: "All of life is vanity." Within Jewish tradition, teshuvah, or repentance, encourages individual reflection on one's life choices and actions. It serves as a reminder not only of our mortality but also of our need for spiritual growth.

Mortality in Christianity


Christianity abounds with images, traditions, and teachings about our mortality. Passages like Hebrews 9:27 go so far as to say, 

"And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment." (NRSV)

Often, we see a passage like this and immediately feel an internal 'uh-oh' in our hearts when reading the word "judgment." Our concept of judgment has been shaped more by fundamentalist propaganda than the actual intent of the biblical authors. By judgment, what is meant is a return to God or giving an account to our Creator.

This same concept is taught in parables throughout Jesus's life. Even today, the season of Lent emphasizes Jesus's sacrifice as a reminder of mortality and the need for preparation for the afterlife.

Mortality in Islam


Similar to Christianity, Islam emphasizes a day of judgment at the end of our earthly lives. Within the Quran, in Sura 75:10-11 we read,

"That day, people will say, "Where is any escape?" But no - there will be no refuge." 

The passage is not about fear and hell. Rather, the point is there is one option, and that option is to turn to God. Regardless of the lives we choose to live with our days on this earth, all roads ultimately lead to God. When we are with God, we will face the consequences of our actions.

For some, this notion creates a sense of fear or anger. I've found that both groups' past religious experiences shape their emotional response. I used to feel fear and, at times, anger at the thought of having to 'stand before God' one day. 

I don't feel that way anymore. I don't feel fear and anger about what exists after this life because it is virtually unknown, but all roads lead to God.

What I find comfort in is knowing every school of thought that has stood the test of time share in common teaching us to face our greatest fear. Whether it is through seeking wisdom, finding inner peace, or striving to know God, learning to face our death makes us the type of people that inspire others. 

I hope I live long enough to help my kids learn to face and embrace this truth. Not as something to be feared, but as something that can empower them to live today to the fullest. As Russell Crowe famously said in the movie Gladiator, "Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back." 

About James Gómez

👋 Hey, I'm James Gómez, a former pastor turned Zen practitioner. After a decade serving diverse communities, I left evangelicalism in 2022, embracing mindfulness and authentic spirituality. Based in Texas, I'm an advocate for genuine connections and finding peace amidst the chaos of everyday life.

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