Billions of Earthlings apparently believe in the sentimental notion that a part of them which survives death – the soul – will 'live' somewhere for ever. The location of this haven is to be 'found' 'up there', while our soul, which we're told spirits itself away at the moment of death, cohabits with loved ones' souls.

No one has been able to provide unequivocal evidence for the existence of a soul, or for any kind of life after death, or for the supposed location of a heavenly soul depository. For me, there’s no God, so no prayers are heard, not one miracle has occurred, and all who’ve departed are equally soul-less.    

Once one is dead it's biologically impossible go anywhere or do anything, and one returns to a state of non-existence.

These thoughts arise from the news that Pope John II, though dead for only two years, is being fast-tracked by those eager for his canonisation (“Sainthood now!”). At least five years is the usual waiting period, while some have had to ‘wait’ for centuries – Joan of Arc, for example, was canonised in 1920, 489 years after her death! The ‘glacial’ pace of papal approval of new saints was transformed by John II – criticised as his "saint factory" – because he ordained 464, over 150 more than during the previous four hundred years!

A pontiff who undoubtedly realised that he was soon to be sainted went in to bat for dead Catholics regarded as "heroically virtuous" and “special friends of God”, all of whom were believed to have performed miracles. These saints are thought to be close to God, well placed to intercede on behalf of those who pray. As Robert Carroll, author of the online Skeptic’s Dictionary, points out, what’s in it for saints? Why would one go through a middleman when one can go direct to the source? Why would an all-knowing entity bother with an unworthy and unholy person attempting to use an intermediary to curry favour?

An unusually speedy beatification process is in action, the investigation has been concluded, and the first step to John II's eventual sainthood is well underway. His ‘authenticated’ miracle concerns a French Sister, Marie Simon-Pierre, who once suffered from Parkinson's: having prayed to the Pope, she awoke one morning clear of her disease, two months after his death in April 2005. The Vatican gives extra weight to a miracle wrought post-death, as it demonstrates a "continued special relationship with God". 

Having sainted so many, John II's spiritual 'Nobel Prize' was guaranteed, and will occur in record time. As a result of his 1983 reforms, beatification and canonisation now require one miracle each (formerly two and four) and what is believed to be his soul will join the ten thousand others ‘up there'.

Benedict XVI, perhaps hoping to ride the wave of popularity enjoyed by his predecessor, began that process only 26 days after John's death, and Benedict too is likely to be mindful of his own possible canonisation, assuming that his CV will have the requisite miracles. 

Karol Wojtyla was undoubtedly a terrific bloke, whose life even non-Christians can admire, but belief in an ancient, "infallible" and constantly reinforced dogma that will 're-assign' his heavenly status strains credulity. For the faithful, he'll join an otherworldly 'club of Rome' which has at least three saints for every day of the year and includes St Isidore (patron saint of internet users), St Clare of Assisi (TV) and the in-demand St Monica (for those having trouble with unanswered prayers).

However, as an atheist there's a comforting egalitarianism in sharing my ephemeral earthly journey with billions of others, all to one final destination, "the undiscovered country, from whose bourn no traveller returns".


 

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Reading John Williams' piece on saints in #122 reminded me of a letter of mine published in the local newspaper in May 2005. It was about the time that the name Mary McKillock was being touted for sainthood.

Now while Mary may have been a doer of good works and well deserving some sort of recognition I cannot ever recall hearing about any miracles performed by or attributed to her.

"During the 27year pontificate of John Paul II nearly 400 people were canonised as saints. A prerequisite for sainthood is the authentication of two miracles performed by them during their lifetime. A miracle being defined as "an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs." Of the nearly 800 alleged miracles attributed to these saints, surely some of them would have made media headlines. Can anyone advise me of just One?"

There was no response!

Harry Edwards