introduction ........................................................ 1

1 new elements .................................................... 7
the vision of knowledge .................... 9
cities of light ................................. 15
a realm of bewildered spirits .......... 18
supernatural rescues ....................... 23

2 judgment .......................................................... 29

3 suicide ................................................................ 41

4 reactions from the ministry .............. 51

5 historical examples .................................... 63

6 more questions ............................................. 79

epilogue ............................................................. 113

appendix: methodological considerations ................................................. 121

bibliography ....................................................... 147

English