Ever since hominids developed the intellectual capacity to fear death, we have sought the key to immortality. Neanderthals were the first of our Genus to bury their dead and early human cultures used rituals and burial artifacts to ensure a safe journey into the afterlife. Even today, many humans are interred with their prized possessions and Churches lure members with the promise of immortality. Focused on the afterlife, religious zealots often fail to experience the many joys of their earthly existence and, in some cases, are willing to martyr themselves (and destroy the lives of others) in pursuit of their spiritual goals.
On this Christian feast of the Resurrection, it is safe to say that science cannot prove nor disprove the existence of an afterlife. On the other hand, we can achieve immortality in ways that all of us have experienced: by passing along our genes, our knowledge, our philosophy, our advice and our love. We will live on in the memories of those we have touched and in the lives of other humans who benefit from our achievements.
