> > This sounded logical to me at first glance, but
> >this doesn't take into account the procreation
> >of both believers and non-believers and the
> >evangelical nature of religion. As long as
> >people are being born there are more people to
> >convert to [religion X].
>
> Hrm. True enough. I guess I was assuming that the birthrate would drop to (or very near) zero once immortality became a reality, since otherwise it'd be pretty hard to keep population levels in check barring space colonization.
>
> But you're right, the very same people who reject immortality would be the people still reproducing. Another thought I had after posting was that there might be a few religious people who would "put off" eventual paradise as it were to continue spreading their particular faith, and religion might live on in that way (and might find acceptance among ancient immortals grown weary of life.)
>
> -- Dave


That made me think of a question. If you have the technology to continue living forever, but you chose to die, would that be considered suicide? Like, now, having a Dr. Kavorkian(sic?) unplug you is considered assisted suicide, even though you are dying through natural means. That question would have a major impact on the response from the religious community I think. I'm pretty sure suicide is considered a sin, no?

Just my two cents.

Melanie