I do not believe in life after death, because none of my dead friends have come back to tell me how great being dead is. As soon as one does, I will change my mind. Until then, I will believe that once you die you become two things: 1. Pleasant (hopefully) memories for your friends and family 2. Worm food
To me, many of you seem like "high-rollers". You're betting not only your life, but the lives of others under your influence on unsubstantiated afterlife tips. There must be a way to raise your chances/probabilities that you will come out on top or a "winner" in this life-after-death match. And for those looking forward to nothingness or enlightened nothingness, what keeps you going now? (Does this topic come up every three months?)
I've come to the depressing conclusion that... there's nothing after death. I think we're chemical constructions that have come into existence after billions of years of movement toward greater complexity. Once the vessel that briefly unites us is finished, we're finished as well. I have trouble believing in some mystical soul, especially when more can be explained simply through science. It's odd, I finally came to this opinion in a "God & Science" class. The thesis of the class was actually that God & Science were easily reconcilable. I came to the conclusion that they were, but it was simpler to believe that God/heaven/the soul does not exist. This is not to say that I know the soul does not exist. It very well could. I simply believe it unlikely. I hope I'm wrong.
I am not trying to be rude, but are you not doing the same as a Christian? Your proof of the afterlife is found in your faith...why is that different for the more Eastern and new-age type beliefs mentioned in this thread?
This reminds me of an actual conversation I had with someone who was trying to convert me in a subway station last week (paraphrased obviously): Fundamentalist Christian: But if you don't believe in Jesus, you go to hell. Me: Well, how do you know that hell exists? FC: Because the Bible tells me so... Me: And how do you know the Bible is inerrant? FC: (opens up his bible)... because chapter x and verse x of... He actually was trying to tell me that proof of the Bible's accuracy can be ascertained by a declarative statement from within the Bible! That's too precious for words...
Science has never been able to explain love. I have yet to hear a good explanation of beauty. Where does value come from? No, it's there, man. It's all around us, through is, everywhere. It's hard to accept because it's been right there in front of you from the beginning. It's become invisible that way. It's easier to believe in something less sappy and more grounded in what can be seen and felt. It's also easier to go through life never really loving anyone. I'm not saying you are, it's just an example. It's always possible to find an easier way. I question, though, whether it's the best way.
Not trying to be argumentative, for you and I believe in alot of the same things. But, if there is no life after death, does that mean a guy like Hitler gets off scot free? Man I hope not. Christianity, well one of it's functions, controls the masses. That is, if there is no "hell," what prevents us from being a society of anarchy? If I were crafty enough to avoid the law and cold enough to feel no remorse, what would prevent me from committing heinious crimes? For the record, I am not a Christian.
I'm glad, because it doesn't seem to be something that one can really argue about. There are many ways of "controlling the masses." The Christian notion of the afterlife is far more concrete than most. In Japan, they've never had a very strong afterlife image, but they haven't really had a problem. Moreover, in the early Christian church, the afterlife was a matter of considerable debate. Some believed in apokatistatis, others believed in being "one" with God, and some didn't believe in it at all. Our "pearly gates" imagery didn't show up until relatively recently. Ultimately, I believe that the Golden Rule's an awfull good way to live. If you don't like Jesus, you can take Immanuel Kant's version of it (he would have claimed otherwise, but his ethical philosophy really amounted to the Golden Rule). But, anyway... I generally take an optimistic view of people. I think that if they forgot about heaven, we'd be better not worse. Maybe people would stop trying to live for the next life, and enjoy their time here. Maybe we'd try to make this world the best it could possibly be. Heaven encourages laziness and fanaticism just as much as it encourages good works, imo.
haven, Any situation gives birth to conditions at every extreme. A lack of organized religion would have many effects that could be considered equally "good" and "bad".....whatever those terms mean to you as an individual. I'm all for paying attention to what's around you and living life to it's fullest. I think the whole of purpose of life is just to live. Experience. See what's out there. Both good and bad. (whatever that means) But I think you might be surprised at some of the conditions that would be prevalent in a world without organized religion. While certain recent tragedies that we're all too familiar with might not occur (at least not in the name of religion), there would be other tragedies that would. I believe it's human nature to revel in pain, and experience it to it's fullest. But I digress.
Heaven Is A Place On Earth by Belinda Carlisle the night falls down I wait for you And you come around And the world's alive With the sound of kids On the street outside When you walk into the room You pull me close and we start to move And we're spinning with the stars above And you lift me up in a wave of love... Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth ? Ooh heaven is a place on earth They say in heaven love comes first We'll make heaven a place on earth Ooh heaven is a place on earth When I feel alone I reach for you And you bring me home When I'm lost at sea I hear your voice And it carries me In this world we're just beginning To understand the miracle of living Baby I was afraid before But I'm not afraid anymore Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth ? Ooh heaven is a place on earth They say in heaven love comes first We'll make heaven a place on earth Ooh heaven is a place on earth Worst.Song.Ever.
i think (atleast at this very moment) everyone is right. i think you pick what comes next... if you believe in heaven then theres a heaven. if you wanna come back and live a whole new life, then you do. your future is up to you, well i know mines up to me. you guys might be outta luck=)
Whats wrong with nothing after this? You'll be dead, ceasing to exist as you know it, kaput, asleep forever, no pain, no greed, no answers unanswered, nothing wanting. Everyone will be crying at your funeral but you'll be long gone where there is no crying ever. Thats sounds pretty good to me. Death is eternal rest, thats all. Its a good thing and nothing to do with or even resemble this thing called life. Its way outta this world I'm tellin' ya...course I could be wrong and be serving like 80 years in pergatory before St.Peter lets me into heaven and angels and partying with 2pac and Sammy Davis jr. I dunno...
Man, I really hope there's an afterlife. I just don't believe in one. I hate the idea of "nothing." Give me the creeps. Maybe I'm just too egotistical... can't stand the idea of a world without me.
Love is caused by hormaons I have a question! Am I just a character in a video game of the future? I mean its 9054 outside the game and when I die it starts over Serously though when I goto Allah on the day of Judgement and am in heaven will I have any memorys of this life
