I’d have had a brandy like that one bloke, but I wouldn’t have been so scared

"Sat and relaxed with a brandy, but wouldn't have been as scared as him", is what I meant to say. It wasn't worded well

Andy, no disrespect, but it is certainly a lot easier to watch someone else's experience and speculate how you would react than if you were in the moment. I have reacted differently than expected in quite a few experiences in my life. Self preservation is a pretty strong instinct for most. I don't know your age or if you have small children for instance, but I suspect those factors have great deal to do with how different people deal with the prospect of death.

If I were elderly and with my husband, I might also be content to 'call it a day'. I am currently the mother of two small children with one on the way and I can gurarantee I would fight for life in every way I could muster.

You also have a secure belief in there being something in store after this life. I don't. So why wouldn't I struggle my hardest to hold on to what I feel is everything? I am sure it is a lot more comforting to be in your shoes but it just isn't something I possess.

Oh, since you brought up Titanic, I thought I would mention how much I hate the ending. The fact that that woman went on to marry and have a family and be with her husband for decades only to go back (when she died) to Jack, who she knew briefly on that ship, well that really bothered me. That sort of thing is a big issue I have with what christians have always portrayed about heaven. You go to be with all of your loved ones who went before you, right? Well what about all of those boyfriends, previous marriages, etc? How does that all work out? Doesn't jive with my sensibilities.

Andy, no disrespect, but it is certainly a lot easier to watch someone else's experience and speculate how you would react than if you were in the moment. I have reacted differently than expected in quite a few experiences in my life. Self preservation is a pretty strong instinct for most. I don't know your age or if you have small children for instance, but I suspect those factors have great deal to do with how different people deal with the prospect of death.

Yes, I didn't expect everyone to agree with that one. It was just my own feelings and view. Our beliefs and philosophies about life and the afterlife will no doubt determine how we feel and behave in such situations, as will our circumstances – like whether we’ve got children, as you said. I don’t have children. I’m 33, and I prefer my own space too much, so I don’t think I’m cut out to have kids of my own, at least in this life.

Regarding calamities and tragedies, the point that I was trying to make is that I believe it’s within the human potential to sit back, relax and not to struggle, within ourself. The main character in the film Alive, for example, doesn’t sit and relax and do nothing. On the contrary. He takes the bull by the horns and ventures out across the mountains to look for help. But the significant point is that even whilst he’s doing this, he possesses an unworldly calm and assurance, and accepts the situation gracefully, (relatively speaking). He possesses a great sense of inner peace and strength, regardless of the appalling situation he faces, and this strength and peace brings great reward.

Whether it’s wise to sit back, relax and do nothing physically, like the bloke sipping brandy on Titanic, depends on the situation and our point of view.

The fact that that woman went on to marry and have a family and be with her husband for decades only to go back (when she died) to Jack, who she knew briefly on that ship, well that really bothered me. That sort of thing is a big issue I have with what christians have always portrayed about heaven.You go to be with all of your loved ones who went before you, right? Well what about all of those boyfriends, previous marriages, etc? How does that all work out? Doesn't jive with my sensibilities.

It’s not really a Christian teaching, as Jesus gets asked that question (Mark 12.22-25), and he replies, “when the dead rise to life, they will be like the angels in heaven and will not marry.” I don’t believe that we get married in Heaven. I’m sure that in the afterlife we will have a completely different view regarding things like ex-girlfriends and boyfriends. There will be no egos around, for one, I’m sure. Ego is an earthly thing, which is why I adhere to the Eastern philosophy that in order to progress on the spiritual path, we must rise above and dissolve the ego.

I believe that things will make sense and will come together in the afterlife. But that comment obviously won’t cut any mustard for those who don’t believe in an afterlife in the first place. Still, I think it’s a significant issue and an interesting question.