Stephen Colbert’s Controversial Take on Life After Death
Talk show host Stephen Colbert, known for his strong Catholic faith, stirred controversy during a recent episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by making bold claims about life after death that some found unsettling.
In what can only be described as an “orgy of self-worship,” Colbert had a number of celebrity guests conversing with him about personal topics. At one point, comedian Jim Gaffigan took the host’s chair and turned the tables by asking the pivotal question: “What do you think happens when people die?” It’s a question Colbert had posed to others many times before.
Colbert responded somewhat ambiguously, indicating that his beliefs were more of a sensation than a concrete idea. “I think there’s some kind of continuity when we die,” he mused. “It’s like the self gets dispersed into greater beings. Beyond that, I don’t have specific feelings.” Gaffigan, also a practicing Catholic, interjected humorously, “So, we’re going to become Febreze?”
Colbert chuckled and affirmed Gaffigan’s take. “Yes, you’ve got it right. I teach Sunday school—can you believe that?” he joked, clearly light-hearted about the whole situation.
The exchange quickly ignited discussions on social media, with some critics pointing out that Colbert’s ideas seemed more aligned with Gnostic beliefs than traditional Catholic teachings regarding the afterlife.
The term “Pleroma,” derived from ancient Gnostic traditions, refers to a mythical state where all divine essence resides before it shatters into the material world. According to these teachings, humanity initially existed in a divine fullness but fell into a state of suffering, with the aim of returning to that original state through knowledge or “gnosis.”
While some commentators echoed the view that Colbert’s perspective sounded Gnostic, others compared his beliefs to concepts found in Buddhism or Hinduism. One user pointed out that Colbert’s take was reminiscent of Arthur C. Clarke’s narrative in which transhumanist experiments lead to humanity’s end.
A few even speculated that he might be referencing the “Omega Point” theory, proposed by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, which some assert aims to reconcile science and spirituality. Colbert and a Jesuit friend, James Martin, have maintained a rapport over the years, often appearing together on various platforms.
In reaction to Colbert’s comments, certain Catholic commentators did not hold back. Some labeled him a “heretic,” while others deemed his views a disservice to Catholic beliefs. Terms like “Cafeteria Catholic”—implying selective adherence to church doctrines—emerged, with many pointing to the Apostles’ Creed, which emphasizes bodily resurrection and eternal life.
One Baptist pastor articulated a more traditional Christian perspective on life after death, emphasizing individual identity and moral responsibility rather than a loss of self, asserting that Christianity teaches eternal life rather than absorption into a greater essence.
In a humorous take, editor Damian Thompson remarked on the plummeting ratings of The Late Show, suggesting that Colbert’s views on the afterlife likened it to vanishing into thin air—similar to how talk shows can abruptly end. The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is set to air on Thursday nights.
