Stem cell advance scenario. What would you think?

[markings]

Assume that stem cell research is advancing rapidly and will shortly offer the ability to slow down the ageing process 3-fold and thus prolong ones life up to 200 years at a reasonable, and definitely not exorbitant cost.

Shortly after the breakthrough the Dalai Lama, the Pope (pick any favorite spiritual leader of your choice) announce that they will avail themselves of this new therapy.

What would you think. How would it change your view of them?

[clara927]

Hi Markings,

The question that would be on my mind would be, "Why are these spiritual leaders, who talk so intently about an afterlife that is better than this one, be so eager to live considerably longer on this earth?" Maybe it would make me value my life even more. Maybe it would cause their followers to pause and think about how much their life is really worth.

[markings]

I would have similar question but we don't even have to invoke a speculative afterlife. What gives them the idea that they are the best, and possibly only, qualified person to continue and fulfill the role they occupy, assuming it is a life-long role. What have they done to prepare worthy successors? The Dalai Lama and Pope would obvously points out that other people find or select the successor, in which case the question could be what directions they have given as to what characteristic the new leader should have, and in the case of the Pope he can load the curia with people whose thinking is known. Does this amount to rigging future elections?
Would longer life scenario lead to decline of democratic values and foster a return to an almost feudal society?

[jesusrose]

Ooh I'll bite! lol - great question

Certainly I would agree that if someone says they are spiritual and yet are trying to live longer on this earth - there's a disconnect somewhere. At the moment, I don't follow any specific leader per se so don't know that I'd be completely crushed if any one of them decided to go for this procedure and extend their life.

We are here to learn through experience and then move on. Don't think I need to stick around longer. Having said that, there is a flip side where if my dying would mean that my children are motherless - I'd want to stick around a while.

[gruntal]

Again I am reminded of some past teachings and/or statements by my earlier metaphysical studies. A very prominent Rosicrucian suggested that the normal life span of a human beings was actually 150 years which not coincidently was the average rebirth cycle due to reincarnation. He also lamented that modern hectic life styles took their toll and we almost always died prematurely. Said prominent Rosicrucian did NOT live even an average life time in our terms although it was suggested his considerable efforts in behalf of humanity just shortened his life due to stress and hard work.

Mayby so. I do notice the best tend to die young. Quality over quantity? And the other hand the question of availing yourself to life extending procedures can and is a very moot point considering what the real world is like. Social economic and demograthic trends do not encourage long life expectencies. It can impact on the young with encreased competition with elders. Plus we still do not have any way to prolong mental capabilites beyond a certain age.

Mother Nature - that nice benign all friendly being - is also relentlessly cruel in culling out the weak infirm or just plain surplus things. I would not suggest for a fraction of a second we should mindlessly "go with the flow" and let it all happen. We are better then that. But how much do we tamper with the natural order of things and what is the reason or morality of this?

I would definitely think a spiritual leader would be more interested in teaching and training their successors then in prolonging their own lives. But I wouldn't be so disapointed either if they took avantage of every medical advance possible. It would just reinforce my sneeking suspicion they are only human too - some thing I tend to use on myself at times.