Do You Fear Death? (page 2)

philo

(((Gopher+think41self)))---I agree.

As for death, I don't fear it. I don't expect to be there when it happens.

philo

Good points: The whole "wait for Armageddon" mentality made many of us put off our education, careers, some even put marrying and raising a family on hold. And for what? A nebulous dream that someone would one day make all of mankind's problems go away.

That thinking also kept us from taking responsibility for any of these problems. No, one person cannot solve any of these problems alone, but if you get enough people working toward a common goal, say, caring more for the environment, don't we begin to make a difference?

See, you guys are stimulating me to thought, which is what I wanted

Philo: What can I say to that remark? Right on

Thirdson

I think everyone has made some good and valid points. To me how can I fear the unknowable? If there is a God, and I sincerely hope there is, why should I fear? As long as God is not the vindictive sort worshipped by the Watchtower I'll be OK. At the very worst my thoughts will disappear forever and I won't be conscious of anything.

Thirdson

It's not knowing when I'll die that concerns me but WHERE I will die. If I knew that I won't go there.

think41self

LOL Thirdson,

Here's a hint: Don't go to any soccer games!(The number of people getting trampled to death is enough to make you shudder)

And I agree, if God cared enough about us to create us with these thoughts and feelings, why would he leave it at that? Just makes you wonder, but not worry.

think41self

terraly

And then there's the old thought that we don't spend a lot of time worrying about our situation before we were born.

We don't fear that perhaps we didn't exist then (depending on your religious beliefs/re-incarnation that sort of thing), so why should we worry about non-existence afterwards, we already have lots of experience with not existing...

Or something like that.

think41self

Terraly,

Interesting...I hadn't thought of it that way. Of course, the difference is, before we were born, we(depending on our beliefs)had no hopes and dreams and relationships that we had worked for, no life's work that we cared about. So even the thought of starting all over again from zero is somewhat disconcerting, isn't it?

Just another reason to enjoy what we have, cherish the ones we love, experience new things, appreciate each day for the potential that it offers each one of us. Thanks for your thoughts.

think41self

teejay

think41self,

Do I fear death?

Sometimes.

Having grown past the simplistic views of my youth and having been forced
to grow up and face reality, I often wish that the theology of J-dubs was
true -- that following a long, uneventful sleep I'd wake up in a peaceful,
shimmering New World. Of course, if their message was totally true, I
wouldn't have a rat's chance in hell, being inactive, at best, and apostate
(more likely) at worst. From their perspective, it's not very likely that I'd
be invited to the party…

On the other hand, I wouldn't mind the Fundy's take on things. To be
whisked away immediately following my demise to the throne of the
Almighty himself, assuming that I'd be allowed entry through the Pearly
Gates. I rather like my chances at trial with God as my Judge. With a
skillfully worded question or two, I think I could weasel my way into a set
of wings and a cloud of my very own.

Either view has its advantages, to be sure. Alas, I don't think either of them
is correct. I increasingly believe that death is the end of it, and what a waste
it is. Sometimes I think of my last moments -- whether later today or fifty
years from now -- and where I'll be -- in a fine hospital room with all of the
modern appointments or laying face down in a gutter, having wasted my last
coins on $2 hooch. It's a scary thought, thinking of one's date with
oblivion. I try not to think too much about it, but thanks for asking.

Have a nice day, ya heaah?
todd

patio34

Good thread, thinks.

I do have a fear of suffering when dying. Have been reading about sucide for terminally ill people & euthansia. Interesting.

Had Enough

Do I fear death?

At this point of my leaving, I have to think about it in a different way?

I always believed what the WTS told us and what my mom constantly said, that the end was so near, I'd never grow old and would live forever in the paradise. So when I was younger, (20's and 30's), I'd look at an old person and could not fathom what it must be like and was silently grateful I would never have to know old age or death from old age.

I think I worried, like others, that I didn't live up to "God's" expectations but constantly prayed for forgiveness and strength to do better, so I guess I conditioned myself to believe that I was trying my best but was naturally weak therefore my praying would at least let God know I wanted to please him.

So now I have to think in the context of, now I will grow old and have to face death, and sometimes (right now) I just don't want to think about it since I haven't reached my comfort zone in what makes sense to me yet.

If God is out there and interested in each individual, then I have to believe that at least he knows my heart and that I want to be a decent person and accomplish some good in my life.

I feel like so much of my life has been just putting in time (so to speak) until Arm. arrived so now I want to do something significant with the rest of my life and want to have enough time to do so.

Maybe if I reach that plateau, I will feel more comfortable with the thought of death.

Had Enough

Just an added thought--I would truly like to believe there is more to life than the few years we have here on earth. Too many times, people finally gain wisdom in their later years and don't have enough time to do anything with it.

expatbrit

The WT forces the idea that we are "bad" and "sinners" down our throats. Only by obeying them to the nth degree can we have a hope of surviving God's wrath. Even then it's only a "probably you may be concealed...".

So is it really suprising that so many of us as JW's had this fear of dying because we might not cut the mustard for a resurrection? I was one of those, too.

Now? If there is an afterlife, it'll be interesting to find out. If not, then I'll just be in non-existence. No worries.

Expatbrit

Do You Fear Death?

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