Rebecca Johnson: Death

In Turner's book, Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture, I read an excerpt on Mexican Pilgrimages on page 100 that I found interesting. Before I discuss it I'll type the excerpt up here:

At the famous Candelaria festival (the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin) at San Juan de Lagos in Jalisco state. They consider themselves pilgrims and venerate both Virgin "bulwarks" of Mexico City --Guadalupe and Los Remedios. A constant feature of the dance performances is a masked skeletal figure of Death, who chases and terrorizes onlooker, especially children, though merriment is always mixed with the dread. Sometimes a Clown, Fool, or Harlequin is introduced who fights with Death. 

 I've always found the topic of death an interesting one. In Eastern cultures, they exhibit a more open attitude towards death, they tend to embrace it in a way rather than run away from it and try to avoid it. They embrace the idea that there might be reincarnation or enlightenment once we die and they, for the most part, look forward to that time. (not that they want to die, but they don't think about death and get scared like people in the West have been brought up to do). I've realized that people are so afraid to die, but I don't think they know exactly the reason why. We always talk about there being a Heaven and a Hell, and when you die, if you are a "good person" you will go to Heaven. So obviously, we aren't scared that we won't go somewhere, although not everyone believes there is such a thing as Heaven. But I think we are more afraid that we will die before we get to do the things that we have always wanted to do. I think we misplace our fear of not accomplishing things and we put that on fearing death. Personally, I don't think I fear death itself, but I do worry that I won't be able to do everything I want to do before I die. Does this make sense? I'm kind of just throwing my thoughts down on my computer right now. I've also realized that lots of people tend to get creeped out by cemeteries and psych themselves out by thinking about the bodies that are buried there, but I actually find cemeteries rather peaceful, albeit I wouldn't want to hang out in one after dark, but still I think it's comforting to have a nice place where the loved ones from the past have found rest and there is something about it that just makes it a very peaceful atmosphere.
I hope this doesn't creep anyone out, I'm not looking forward to death or anything, but I think we have the wrong idea of it. It is inevitable after all, so why do we find it so terrifying?

04.22.12