Belief in the Afterlife - where do you sit on the scale? (page 3)

darthfader

I beleive (at a minimum) that long after I die, the physical usiverse will cease to exist (either by the "big crunch" or "heat death"). At some point in time in the very distant future the universe will exist again, I'll be born and live again. Remember from a literal standpoint, there is an infinite number of you's living in the "forever timespan"...

Of course, I an hoping for either benevolent Aliens or friendly Fairies to scoop me and my family up and will live forever on the wings of energy...

misanthropic

That sounds like an interesting read. I'll have to put it on my list. I've had some personal interesting things happen that have me wondering, before I was pretty certain of everything but anymore I'm really not so certain.

unshackled

We are made of Hydrogen and Oxygen and Carbon and many other atoms. ALL of those atoms already existed before you were born and they will continue after you die. We just transform into something else. Now if you believe in Heaven then well I guess the law of nature will have to be modified.

Well said cyberjesus. Made me think of this...

"The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies, were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of star stuff." – Carl Sagan

cantleave

I want to be turned into a diamond. Other than that there is nothing!

ProdigalSon

I believe reincarnation explains everything and the Bible supports it...

The Bible and Reincarnation

http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen03.html

King James Bible & Reincarnation

http://www.powerattunements.com/article42.html

Reincarnation- Yes it is True

http://www.reincarnation.ws/

Resurrection and Reincarnation

http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen09.html

slimboyfat

I can't see any reason to believe in afterlife.

Jung thought death might not be the end. I find his ideas intriguing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOxlZm2AU4o

But ultimately I agree with Rorty that afterlife is a Platonic concept we may do better without.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyx0rNyxFrk

doofdaddy

Slimboyfat nailed it (I too am fascinated by Jung)!

Nickolas

Whether they realise it or not, individuals who believe their consciousness will go on after death behave differently and value life differently from those who believe otherwise. The 19 men of supreme and absolute faith who immolated themselves and thousands of others a decade ago might be the most graphic examples. To gentler souls the alternative is accepting that you will one day lose everything. Everything you have and everyone you love, including yourself, and you will cease to exist. All that really matters, then, is the here and now, how you live your life and how you treat your fellow travellers along the way. After all, they're going to lose everything, too. If for no other reason, you should be compassionate toward them.

Belief in an afterlife is a balm against irrational despair but it also blinds its adherents to how precious little time they actually have. Those who believe they will go on after death have an abundance mentality while those who perceive the boundedness of their existence have a scarcity mentality, and each will have a tendency to conduct his or her life accordingly.

I guess I'm back.

leavingwt

Welcome back, Nickolas. We've missed you.

SweetBabyCheezits

Hey, welcome back Nicky.

I have no reason to believe that my consciousness will continue after I die. My atoms? Sure, they'll be around.

That said, I'm greedy. I'd love to get endless 1-ups and play forever. But I have no reason to think that's anything more than wishful thinking.

Belief in the Afterlife - where do you sit on the scale?

King James Bible & Reincarnation

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