Atheists & Agnostics

I'm 75 years old, know that I won't be here forever. I have DNR orders in place already, both with the local hospital, as well as an envelope on my refrigerator that says "For EMTs, Health Care Directive". I carry on all the time about having plans for my 97th birthday -- there's a total eclipse of the sun just a few days before my birthday -- but in all honestly, I think making it to my late 80s will probably be it.

I'm very aware that a lot of the medical intervention at the end of life only prolongs dying, or maybe even speeds it up. I've read that people who are in hospice last longer than those who are having everything possible done to prolong life.

I do happen to have a very strong belief in an afterlife, which helps a lot. Which makes me wonder why those who claim to be Christians, who surely believe in God, Heaven, Hell (not for them I'm sure) and all that, why they are so terrified of death?