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I've never been a fan of maths, but this is an easy equation for me to remember. And here it is: BODY + GOD'S BREATH = LIVING SOUL. People often get annoyed at young children who persist in asking the question "Why?" If the kids are deliberately asking "Why?" in order to be annoying, the best response is "Because." But in any other circumstance, I believe it's important to understand the 'whys' in life- why it's good to have breakfast in the morning, why it's not good to eat nothing but copious amounts of chocolate and french fries, and why this equation should be taken into consideration during any discussions on the 'immortal soul.'

In Genesis 2:7,we are told that God formed man of the dust of the ground (body) and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (God's breath) and man became a living soul. BODY + GOD's BREATH = LIVING SOUL. Note that it doesn't say that God GAVE Adam a soul, as though a soul was separate from the body. Adam BECAME a living soul when God put the body and breath together! So what happens when people die? This topic always generates a lot of debate. There are people who believe in reincarnation, there are people who believe in souls going to heaven or hell and there are people who don't believe in the afterlife at all. This article does not intend to tell anyone what to believe, but asks them to ensure that they know the foundations for their beliefs. Simultaneously it will share my beliefs and the foundations for them. (For what's the point in me practicing without preaching?)

In Ecclesiastes 9:5,6 we are told that the living know that they shall die, but that the dead know not anything. They no longer have love, hatred, or any emotions whatsoever. Psalms 146:4 tells us that when a man returns to the earth (dies), his thoughts perish that very day. In many texts, the Bible equates death with the state of 'sleep'- a period in which the dead person is not aware of anything and no longer has thoughts or emotions. A prime example is found in Acts 7:59-60, where Stephen was stoned and is described as falling asleep. Another example is found John 11:11, where Jesus tells the disciples that he must go and awake Lazarus from his sleep. The disciples were confused, as they believed that if Lazarus was simply sleeping, he would get well soon. Jesus then had to clarify in verse 14, that Lazarus was dead. Lazarus had been dead for four days when he was resurrected by Jesus. If he had an immortal soul, what was it doing during those

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