Would you prefer an afterlife, nothingness, or reincarnation after death?

Personally, the idea of an afterlife has always terrified me. Not because of the possibility of damnation, but because of the concept of eternity.

Nothing makes me feel more insignificant and further from God

 

Reincarnation. I always thought it would be awesome to be reincarnated as the same person, at the same time but with no memory of the past lifetime. There would be unlimited possibilities of outcome each time you lived. Some lifes you would get aborted, some lifes you would get a lot of chicks, some lifes you would get smart, some lifes you would get rich, some lifes you would be lame, Some lifes you would waste time on message boards and so on. Endless possibilities!


It always seems like I get Deja vu at random times at random places. Its possible its just memories from a past life

 

I prefer to be God. But if that's not an option, YOLO.

 

I both believe in reincarnation and it is also what I would prefer. I do believe while we can't consciously remember past lives we do gain greater understanding of existence each life until we reach the point of complete understanding and oneness with the Universe.

 

My life on Earth is so good sometimes I get to where I don't appreciate it. Imagine the complacency of an eternal "heaven".

 

I would love an afterlife... who wouldn't? I am an atheist/agnostic and I wish god (the nice new testament god) and heaven were real.

 

Interesting story about the afterlife/reincarnation: http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html

 

If you have no perception before birth and no perception after death, your life is all of eternity, to you.

 

Reincarnation, because Heaven/never ending utopia would be boring.

 

why wouldn't I want 72 Muslim virgins in heaven

 

I would want an afterlife if it could be something like where I can do what I want in a million different scenarios over and over... kind of like Fantasy Island.

I could play for a professional basketball or baseball team. I could wander around in late 16th/early 17th century France and practice fencing and duel people. Nobody would really die, but there would be pain, otherwise it would all be boring. I wouldn't win everything unless I worked hard enough to win, but given that it's eternity, I would have enough time to craft my game, my sword skills or whatever. So that kind of thing would be fun. Plus there would be times when I could fly or other stuff that seems fun. I would be fun. I'd really want that.

So an afterlife if it could be like Fantasy Island to the 100th power.

 

All three options are fine with me.

But the best would probably be reincarnation.

 

The only one of these that I can't conceptualize is nothingness. However, I think this is the most likely case. It's just such a weird concept... nonexistence.

 

I don't understand the preference for reincarnation without prior memories over an afterlife. That is essentially nothingness for your current self. Your memories, your body, talents, and the things you have seen and learned will cease to exist.

 

Can't answer for other people.

But, I was answering with the thought that the quality of your next life would depend on your current life. So, a murdering candy thief would return as a dung beetle.

So, while you would not know your previous life, you could at least have a sense of your previous existence.
And more importantly have a very compelling goal to try and be your very best beyond altruism.

 

I understand the concept of it, I just don't understand the attraction to it. I am greedy. If I have a choice, I pick afterlife. I have to be good for 40-70 years, then I get to chill in paradise FOREVER? That is my choice no question. I could spend eternity in heaven.

Reincarnation is just a motivation to be a good person. I could be a murdering candy thief and love it, I wouldn't care that I am going to be a dung beetle in the next life. I would have no memory of murdering or stealing candy. It wouldn't be me. It is like using a credit card that you won't have to pay off or remember what you bought when the next you pays it off.

 

"Reincarnation is just a motivation to be a good person." - So is heaven?

Yes, the difference is doing it once vs. never ending. I think infinite heaven would be boring. Endless struggle and reward appeals to me much more.

 

I voted for post life utopia because, well, that sounds pretty damned good.

My money is on 'nothingness' though.