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November 30, 2009

LKL Web Exclusive: Is there life after death?

Posted: 01:05 PM ET

This is an LKL Web Exclusive by Dinesh D'Souza.  D'Souza is a former White House policy analyst and scholar at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.  He is the author of several best-selling books including "Illiberal Education, What's So Great About America" and most recently "Life After Death: The Evidence."

Is there life beyond the grave? If there is, we would think and act differently in our everyday lives. It seems of the utmost importance to know whether this life is all we have, or whether there is something more.

For thousands of years, people in different cultures have held that there is life after death, perhaps in the form of reincarnated bodies, or in the form of souls in Heaven and Hell. These beliefs, however, derive from religious traditions like Hinduism, Judaism and Christianity and are typically held on the basis of faith.

In recent times, atheists and secular people insist that there is no afterlife and death is the end. Although this position is offered as scientific and rational, it seems that the atheist is in no better position to know what lies beyond death than the religious believer. Both groups are pretending to knowledge that neither group actually has.

In my new book, Life After Death: The Evidence, I examine the topic from the perspective of reason and science. Drawing on some of the most powerful currents in physics, evolutionary biology, brain science, philosophy and psychology, I refute the atheists and show why the evidence favors survival beyond the grave. In particular, I show that:

–Life after death requires the possibility of eternal realms beyond this universe. Modern physics shows that such realms are possible, and that they help to explain physical realities in our universe.

–Modern evolutionary biology reveals a pattern and plan in nature that makes the evolution of complex life, and specifically human life, seem virtually inevitable. Our destiny on earth appears to be part of a larger purpose.

–Tens of thousand of people have had near death experiences that refute the idea that when our bodies stop functioning, all consciousness ceases.

–Despite attempts to show that the soul is a fiction and that we are purely material creatures, the findings of neuroscience confirm the exact opposite.

Consciousness defies a purely natural explanation, and the human mind has mental and spiritual aspects that are irreducible to the actions of atoms and molecules.

–The most original and powerful findings of modern philosophy reveal that our everyday world of experience is merely the shadow and appearance of a deeper reality. Skeptics who deny the afterlife seem unable to distinguish the realm of perception–what we can know through our senses–with the realm of reality, which is the sum total of what actually exists.

–Morality is a clue to the fact that we humans possess free will. Yet if the will is free, it follows that there is a domain of our lives that is not simply caused by the physical laws of nature. Free will is a clue to an eternal, imperishable feature of our humanity.

This book makes no appeal to religious faith or divine revelation or sacred texts, yet it confirms what religious people have long believed. On the basis of science and scholarship, it shows that a belief in life after death is not only rational but also good for us: it can give depth and significance to this life, a path to happiness and a reason for hope.

Filed under: LKL Web Exclusive


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mary u from ohio   November 30th, 2009 3:26 pm ET

To hold on to faith.. that there is a Heaven.. you tend to live a Good Life.........Look at Life in a different way..... You can see what is Good & what is Evil.... Tend to follow the good.... to stay free from jail or Prison...to help others care for Nature..& Animals...Of Beauty in them...
..Good can be seen by Actions... Evil can be seen by the way they live..... Good that comes from the Mouth.. Bad that comes from the Mouth....
From the time someone is born.... feeling tells.... you feel there is something Greater.... a Higher Source watching us.... That there is another place. that has No Pain.. Sadness...... A Place of Peace, Love,,,,


A. Smith, Oregon   November 30th, 2009 3:58 pm ET

For many years NASA has secretly explored the very thin line between life and life after death thru High Gravity experiments. This old and ongoing deeply secret NASA program discovered many years ago that some astronauts stated they were literally thrown outside of their body's during extremely high Gravity training experiments.

The black program grew upon those creditable reports and has been maintained since then. Undoubtedly the workers in that black NASA program have discovered much at US Taxpayers expense, however no public reports exist.

What did they discover?

Were they able to accurately see near future events before they occured?

Were they able to adjust or change the outcomes of near future events?


glen chatfield   November 30th, 2009 6:32 pm ET

please send me some money for living expenses.
my address:17646 Fisher Street
Victorville,CA 92395


Candy°°   November 30th, 2009 6:33 pm ET

Love the article, I will look into buying the book!

I do also believe that there is a sort of something after death, but most probably in a completely different form than we perceive our own beings while trapped here in your physical bodies. Be it a different dimension, a different form of energy or a superior level of consciousness, whatever it is, it is definitely not something we know from here ...

Just my 2 cents 🙂


ckelly   November 30th, 2009 7:46 pm ET

Looks like a good read!!


Joe G. (Illinois)   November 30th, 2009 8:18 pm ET

Think of this life as Pre-Life. Let’s just say that I live in the state of Illinois and that to get a job with the mere State you must take and pass an Ethics Test. Does that tell you anything??? Eternal Life in Heaven is reserved for those chosen by Jesus Christ on the basis of a person’s free will expression here on earth. People want to know things as if what they already know isn’t enough, when they really should be thankful for knowing only what little they know.. And for having faith as an option. Some people want to be in control of life and death but how many eggs could anyone of them juggle at once?!


A. Smith, Oregon   November 30th, 2009 8:33 pm ET

Jesus was created billions of years after the Creator created the known and unknown Universe. The Creator has the final say on who continues to spiritually evolve.


Renee Pisarz   November 30th, 2009 10:33 pm ET

I began my transformation in February, 2006 after my son transitioned to the spiritual realm. I know in my heart that unconditional love does not die. Our consciousness, mind, personality survives physical death. I healed because I embraced the unknown and received so much love and light in time of need. My son has been relentless and so persistent, to let me know that he is ok. This was his personality when he was in this physical dimension. I have had every afterlife experience that is written. That energy, thought, went out to the universe, and I raised my awareness and started to receive. I felt there was a really good reason, coming from a higher existence. I was determined to tell my story, and wrote a mini book, Angel 54 A Mother's Sacred Journey from Grief to Healing, available on Amazon.com . It is my hope to inspire others that are in so much pain. I continue my journey and know my soul purpose. This is a gift with the grace of God.


Mark   December 1st, 2009 4:08 am ET

I can certainly tell you there is life after death folks. I once had a dream where in my dream a strange woman that i did not know in my waking life was sitting and talking to me. I asked her how a certain friend of mine who i had not spoken to in 3 years was doing and she replied "he killed himself" i awoke immediately knowing that this was not a dream but a visit from someone on the other side with an urgent message to me. I decided to put my anger towards this person to rest and reach out(not even sure if he may be dead). What came next was his email back to me stating that he had lost everything, was divorced, and in the worst state of his life. When we finally spoke he informed me he wanted to kill himself. So you tell me how it is possible to get that info from a dream if it wasnt from someone on the other side?


Martin   December 1st, 2009 5:28 am ET

Larry, please tell Jesse(Ventura, body, the) that he has a few things !right and a few things wrong, as happens to everybody but me I'M right all the time!
We really shouldn't be in Iraq or Afgabistan, involvements both go back to the draft-dodgin' idiot from Texas George Shrub...oops, BUSH, Jr. (jarringly retarded, but a lot of us are in the same boat since he got elected twice... (or did he?)
We do NOT, however, need a flippin' war tax. If these devout jihad loving "peaceful" Moslems want us there, then let the rock-suckers start paying for it- ifit costs a million a year per troopie on the ground then let Iraq, Afgabistan, and maybe The Paks- pay us 110% of that cost, whether in oil, oil revenue, or gum opium. We could, after all, become the world's top vendor of pharmeceutical opiates, or, we should just defoliate their crops as we bug out.
As I recall from my Army experience (and some of that was in the RVN, thank you!), we always had a 'bug-out' protocol that had our entire unit, whether a squat or a battalion, on the road within two hours, and anything we left behind was rendered inoperable, unusuable, or potentially deadly to anybody who wanted to play with our left-behind toys.
Jesse and Larry, I agree with pay to play, but I don't think the American public wanted to get into this game. "Train" the Iraqighanis? They play or we go away.
Last but not least- let's put GB on trial for treason, and let every registered voter who ain't an illegal alien be the jury. As I recall the penalty for treason is the choice between a rope and a bullet.
Jesse, move to California and give Arnie a run for the g0v-spot. He's turned out to be a kinda mealy-mouthed pussy-whipped wimp.

Reverand Martin Altizer


ron jackson   December 1st, 2009 1:41 pm ET

love the larry king show. since the whole of humanity has a bit of the fear of death in them why not try and bring on some people on the king show who study " a course in miracles" and get their perspect on things. i've read hundreds of books and this is the only one that actually makes any sense . .. it might even give mr. maher and mr. king something to think about.. keep up the great work mr. king.. ron canada


Ted   December 1st, 2009 1:42 pm ET

@ Martin,

Did I have a good laugh reading your comment. I am also happy that you are always right, because I though I am the perfect one and still made a few mistakes in my life.

As far as those moslems wanting us; according to my information 99.5% of the population in Afghanistan would rather have the bubonic plague or anything similarly nice than our troops. They do not need us to kill their families, they were doing it very nice themselves over thousands of years without our help.
The remaining 0.5% are the war profiteers like Karsai, his brother and other selected warlords and drug dealers who are getting rich on our wasted taxes.

The Bible says; blessed are the idiots, because they inherit the heaven.
At least we can relax, all our politicians, congressmen and presidents will end up there!


Manny Whitlock   December 1st, 2009 3:43 pm ET

Oh yeah, there is life after this life for those whom choose to receive it.

GOD BLESS YOU Inappropriate Brother Larry King and The Crew @ Cnn


Kristin   December 3rd, 2009 7:13 pm ET

I believe in Christ and eternal life.....when your physical body dies, the spirit lives and your consciousness expands exponentially ....www.aimprogram.com, the key is to expand your consciousness while you are here. We are all in this together, we are all one, and by raising our own consciousness and that of others we are also raising the consciousness of the planet. It's all for Love, L.O.V.E.


Kristin   December 3rd, 2009 7:23 pm ET

@ Mark....not to shock you but you definitely have the ability of a Medium to communicate with the other side. Yes, you were receiving the message from the other side very clearly in a dream state, which is another state of consciuosness, one of many between life and death. I believe that you were given that message as a premonition, as a vehicle to forgive and reach out to that person in one of his darkest moments, and 'intercede', if you will. I believe that your compassion in that simple act of kindness and forgivenss, and reaching out to him via e-mail may have been the one thing that saved his life. Know that you are being used by God in a miraculous way to help others...stay open, expand your consciousness, and pay attention to all of your dreams and you will see many more miracles unfold....we are here to serve others...it's all about Love, L.O.V.E...: )


Judith   December 5th, 2009 7:07 pm ET

Jesus offers eternal life to everybody. How, then, should you handle your own death? Do not wait until it is too late. It is so simple. Acknowledge before God that you are a sinner; thank Him for sending His Son into the world to die for your sins, and receive Him as your Savior. You may then face death without fear, for you will have eternal life.(Heb. 2:9) Father, cleanse me from sin. I dedicate my life to You.


Kristin   December 9th, 2009 2:07 pm ET

@ Judith: And all God's Children said "AMEN" !!! We are all in this together, we are all One. ..."what you do to the least of mine, you do to me...~Jesus. "It's all for Love...L.O.V.E


Paula in Kentucky   December 10th, 2009 9:36 pm ET

I am an atheist . This does not mean I'm a bad person or that I have no morals. I choose to be an atheist. This is my belief. All atheists are not evil as all christians are not saints. There is good and bad in every group of people but don't judge someone because they don't think the same way as you do. My choice has nothing to do with the love I have for my fellow man. That comes from my independent thinking, the way I was raised and the things I have seen in my life.


carolyn   December 22nd, 2009 10:58 pm ET

explain the law that energy cannot be destroyed that is a natural law so then –where does the energy of our physical being go? and if so to what form does it change? is this not proof that there is life after death?


Tom   December 23rd, 2009 3:44 am ET

Life goes on beyond death, we come and go, this is a very interesting topic. The best way to proceed and learn is to keep an open mind.


james blackmon   December 23rd, 2009 5:17 am ET

I myself had a near death experience, I was struck by lightning, I experienced hell instead of heaven, while in hell i was spoken 2 by a hellish being, that claimed he had tried to kill me my entire life, in retrospect i had many times in my life i was almost killed, I don't tell my story for money or fame, my story has mostly only brought ridicule,I tell my story because a light came into hell as i was praying for the monsters that confronted me in hell to release me, and the light spoke to those beings and made them release me, in that moment i made a promise to tell my story to all that would listen if i was released from hell, at that point i was returned to this reality! hell is real! and im sure from the light that fought for my soul that god is real! I'm now a believer in life after death!


tonia   December 23rd, 2009 7:04 am ET

my sisterinlaw who died of breast cancer in nigeria before she passed on she discribed she saw heaven and said it was more beautiful than where she was that was days 2 days before she died ,minutes before her death she kept saying we should all go to sleep that by morning we will d0 a lot of running around.so my question is,how can one know that he is passing on to the next stag and unable to prevent it?


Jen McCormick   December 23rd, 2009 10:58 am ET

I don't think life after death has anything to do with organized religion. I find the scientific data mentioned on Larry's program last night more comforting than any sermon on "salvation".

Great show!


Karla   December 23rd, 2009 1:17 pm ET

Wow. What a bunch of hooey.

Here's the deal, guys. The brain is a physical organ. The synapses which compose our thought process are physical occurrences.

After the physical body is no longer operating, there are no thoughts. There is no energy.

Sure, it would be really nice and comforting (if you're really insecure) to think that you'll see your loved ones again, after they die. But wishful thinking isn't reality.

Get over it - we'll all be worm food (or ashes) one day, and there's nothing you can do about it.


Jessie from Auckland, NZ   December 24th, 2009 1:31 pm ET

There can't be life after death – because you're dead. But there will come the time when all the dead will be brought back to life to face judgement before our Creator (Jehovah). This is called the RESURRECTION.

Mortal bodies will be made immortal bodies (never die) – like it was meant to be in the beginning, until sin entered the world. The wages of sin is DEATH. We are to die once and then raised to eternal life at the resurrection. But some won't taste death – they will be changed in the blink of an eye.

With Jehovah our God all things are possible. You just have to have faith and believe in him and his son Jesus – who was with him in heaven from the beginning and was sent to earth to save us, that we may have eternal life.

Only 144,000 will be going to heaven to be co-rulers and these will be the saints.


Jessie from Auckland, NZ   December 24th, 2009 2:16 pm ET

There are DEMONS (Fallen Angels) who are probably masquerading as dead loved ones and can even appear as ANGELS OF LIGHT – that are probably behind these appearances in dreams, etc. Have to test the spirits.

This probably misleads people to the belief that life goes on in another realm immediately after death. I don't think so. It will only happen at the time of the RESURRECTION but in a different form.

This is my understanding from the Bible Studies I have taken.


Unjkeljack   December 30th, 2009 2:28 am ET

"All the Biblical Gods were\are Aliens" and "All Religions are Cults" If you don't know this, get yer head out of the sand and STUDY the evidence. God drives a Flying Saucer and he ain't here to do us any good. Read Liviticus and see what a great guy The "Furnace Fairy"/God was. These days, some of the Sky-Fairies, still live here in our Oceans. The Russian and American Navies have reported them many times. On occasion, they have been seen flying up through several feet of ice, flying around, then diving back down through the ice, at a high rate of speed. We are genetically related to the God of the western Bible, read Genesis. The Gods were related to, are about as far above us mentally, as were are above the Bonobos Apes. They operate at a level in Physics, where they can understand and explain the apparent dual nature of light, we ain't close. In the end, the TRUTH is, there are Gods, they drive Flying Saucers, and I have seen Gods in UFOs up close TWICE.


Patrick from BâIe   January 1st, 2010 5:13 pm ET

For a little over 2000 years now man has been evolving an individuality, a separate identity and intellect, an individual ego. To do this it became necessary for man to become more and more involved in the physical/material side of evolution while the spiritual side gradually faded into the ethers where it was once experienced in a group-soul, collective dream like awareness. This ancient, ativistic awareness of the spiritual was replaced by faith and belief fostered by various sects and religions making the best out of this evolutionary change of focus. Now this process is nearly complete and a further one sided focus on the development of the physical/material side of evolution will hinder the possibility for man, individualised man, to re-connect with his spiritual side, where life-after-death and reincarnation can become
an individual experience born in and out of the developed intellect. From about the year 2000, we have this further evolutionary stage to look forward to.


Gil-Ann Wilder   January 13th, 2010 5:46 pm ET

I am a firm believer in GOD (good orderly direction); Father, Son and Holy Ghost = Jesus as he died for our sins. I believe in heaven and feel this earth can be hell. God gives us the gift of life and it truly is a gift. We must love others, forgive, let go of resentments and help those less fortunate via human, animals etc. Through all the hardships I have had in my life, a blessing has always come out of them via past relationships, death, sickness! If something does not work out it is GOD protecting me from further catastrophe down the road. I know there is life after death because I have had a near death experience. The experience and the peace you feel is something so wonderful that it is impossible to describe. I promise you that when you are going towards the light you will not want to come back! When I had my near death experience I wanted to go and not stay here. GOD is good, love thy neighbor....be kind to the animals...be kind to mother earth...trust in the Lord with all your heart; and he shall direct your paths!


Jody   June 14th, 2010 3:13 am ET

After reading about NDE's and DBV's(Death Bed Visions),there is no doubt in my mind that there is indeed an afterlife when we die.I also dont believe that God is the bitter,vengeful,exclusive unseen force that man made lore has portrayed Him to be.Now is the time that we all need to love and share,as we dont know when our own hour will come,when the silver cord that connects our spirit to our physical bodies will sevier,but we know it's coming nonetheless.Our spirits after consultation with God,chose to incarnate into our earthly bodies to bring peace and love to this world.I love CNN,Larry King,and all your wonderful anchors by the way.Keep up the great work guys.


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