When I was a soldier I worked on a General Medical ward in El Paso
WBAMC. I seen death almost on a daily basis. I'll never forget a gentleman in my care was terminal and told me he was going to die "tonight at 9:00 pm." As my shift drew on I kept a eye on the clock and when it was about 20:45 hrs I went into his room. He was still alive and talking and he asked me,
" Is there anything you want to tell God cuz I'm gonna see him tonight."
I thought for a moment and said to myself, this is a unique opportunity to get a message directly to God. So I told they guy to just let God know I am doing my best as a person and have mercy on me.
The guy said he would relay my message.
I did my best to comfort the old guy and reassure him that he had a good life and was a good man and a good husband. All the sort of things you can think of to comfort someone dying. He did die that shift but not a 9:00 like he thought.
I envy that mans faith that he took such comfort in his beliefs.
I envy his certainty.
Stephan Hawking must of suffered terribly throughout his life with his illness and despite the consensus of doctors he lived a long and fruitful life. We needed a Stephan Hawking and thankfully we got one. And to quote some old Irish priest I know ( in his thick Irish Brogue). "Even if you don't believe in God, he still believes in you."
"You were not there for the beginning. You will not be there for the end. Your knowledge of what is going on can only be superficial and relative" William S. Burroughs