
The confrontation between religion and science dates back to the time of Galileo Galilei and the Roman Catholic Church in the mid to late 1500s.  Many scientists disagreed with idea proposed by early Christian theologians in which the Earth was at the center of the universe, while the Sun, Moon, stars and other planets orbited the Earth.  Aside from a difference in astronomical theories, a well-known conflict between the two deals with life after death.  A common scientific belief is that when we reach our demise, there is no afterlife.  Christians, on the other hand, are sure that our physical composition is left behind, but God leads our souls (spiritual makeup) into heaven.  San Junipero, an episode in Charlie Brooker’s popular television series Black Mirror, proposes a fictional idea that we are able to preview our afterlife with technology, rather than self-discovering what destiny has in store for us.  After gathering insight from sources such as the bible, there are clear distinctions between Christianity’s belief in the afterlife, and the scientific concepts behind the afterlife in San Junipero.  

The most obvious difference between the two afterlives is that Christians believe the afterlife was created by God, while San Junipero is manufactured by technology.  Through this difference, we see another clash between science and religion.  Yorkie, a main character in the episode, has been hospitalized for many years due to a tragic car accident that took place when she was twenty-one years old.  Unfortunately, she becomes quadriplegic after the horrific accident.  She is near death and wishes to die in order to end her suffering.  When someone is close to dying in the show, they are able to escape the real world and travel to the afterlife created by technology, known as San Junipero.  They have a choice to permanently upload their consciousness to this town when they pass.  She journeys to San Junipero often to break free from the unhappiness in her current life.  Unlike the characters in San Junipero, Christians do not have the ability to see or choose what happens when they die.  John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  According to the bible, Christians have the power to decide their fate.  If they choose to believe in God and live by his word, He will grant them eternal life in heaven with Him.  This idea is the central belief of Christianity and the Church.  There are many people who struggle with this concept for various reasons.  Some could argue they simply lack the faith that is necessary to believe in him.  Others may deny His existence due to the inconsistency of world religions.  The fact of the matter is, Christians believe their afterlife was solely made by God, while San Junipero’s was constructed by technology.  

Another factor that differentiates the two afterlives is their structure.  San Junipero is merely one town that the characters return to for a few hours each week.  It takes them back in time to their younger years and serves as a temporary source of happiness.  Eventually we come to realize that this next world is actually quite repetitive and very sluggish.  Although the town was the foundation of Yorkie and Kelly’s relationship, we can infer that they too, will eventually become bored of one another.  Christians however, believe that the afterlife is composed of three parts; Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory.  Hell is a place of eternal punishment for those who have decided to reject God throughout the entirety of their time on Earth.  Some Christian theologians believe that Hell is eternal isolation from God and others for those who have declined His saving grace.  Once in Hell, there is no chance for liberation.  Purgatory is the state after physical death of souls destined for heaven, that must endure suffering and purification before obtaining eternal joy.  Usually these souls still owe a debt to God or have committed sins that still must be cleansed.  The time spent in purgatory depends on the number and seriousness of sins to be compensated for.  Heaven is God’s Kingdom and the state of living in eternal happiness and joy with Him forever.  This is where Christians aspire to go when they die.  It is said that when in Heaven, one shall not suffer for the rest of eternity.  Although both afterlives contain sources of suffering and happiness, their structures contradict each other and include significant differences. 

Another noteworthy difference between the two afterlives is that one has a leader, while the other does not.  San Junipero is a beachside town that consists of theaters, bars, and arcades.  Rather than an eternal life in paradise, it seems to be a never-ending puzzle that becomes more challenging as time progresses.  There is no sole person to enforce laws or rules to the inhabitants of the town.  In the Christian afterlife, there is one, true crown who rules over all people.  Philippians 3:20-21 tells us “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”  Through scripture, God often reminds us that we live this life in order to reach the next.  According to the bible, there is no greater reward than coming face-to-face with God in heaven.  His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence are proof of his magnificence.  They ensure that he is the one true king of those living and those nonliving.  The nonexistence of an all-powerful ruler in San Junipero demonstrates a clear dissimilarity between the Christian afterlife.  

The afterlife of San Junipero differs from what Christians believe the afterlife is for a number of reasons.  Contributing factors include how each was created, their composition, and the lack of rule in San Junipero.  Although previewing life after death is a bit far-fetched, it could be closer than we think during this time of prospering technological advancement.  The question remains, would you be interested in taking a sneak peak of your afterlife?  
