What do you all think happens after we die?

[Puglover]

Just wondering how we all think here. Personally, I'll go with 4.

[mainegreen]

1. Nothing, its just like before you were born

No time, no existance.

And quit double posting! :P

[Puglover]

5. Gotcha

not sure what happened. It said the 1st poll failed and to do it over, when I did it was there...whatever.
:hi:

[qnr]

21. For future reference, when I get that, I always open up a new tab/window

and check the appropriate area to see if it has already posted. For example, I'll use the back button, then middle click on "The Lounge" to bring up a new Lounge tab.

[Coventina]

2. Not very long after Kef died, I had a really vivid dream about the

afterlife.

In my dream it was kind of like a mountain resort. Like maybe a ski lodge in the summertime.

It wasn't a "final destination" but just the first place you go after you die. It was like a place where you could adjust to the fact that you had died, and given an opportunity to work through any major issues you might have.

It was a very peaceful, calming, nurturing kind of place. You were welcome to stay as long as you needed or wanted to. I have no idea what came after that. My dream ended before it came to that.

It was a really lovely dream. I hope on some level it is true.

[AlienGirl]

29. When I was 12 I vividly dreamed I was dead

In the dream I was living in an exact replica of my parents' house as it was when I was twelve. In the dream I understood that this was to acclimate me to being dead. I kept forgetting how I'd died, so finally I opened a hole in the floor and looked down. Through this window I saw myself as an old woman, dying of a stroke in a bathroom full of pipes.

About a year later, my grandpa died, and I had dreams of him walking through a field near a cliff in the afterlife.

Tucker

[Splatter Phoenix]

32. Holy damn.

That would make a great idea for a story...different stages of post-death. ._. Do you mind if I try that out on some level, and give you credit for the idea?

[Coventina]

54. Sure! I'd be flattered!

:-)

[catbert836]

51. That is really interesting.

I had never thought of that- but it makes sense, on some level, that after we die we have to adjust to that fact before whatever comes next.
Thanks, and peace.

[Mutley]

3. Other.

The material of our bodies is recycled back into the universe and helps to create new suns and worlds one day.

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. What happens to what? Our bodies? Our souls? the world?

[Puglover]

6. Sorry,

I meant our souls. LOL...I know what happens to our bodies.

[Splatter Phoenix]

33. Your body rots, your soul goes poof and the world...

SPLODES.

...English-Nazi. I'm watching you. >]

[auntAgonist]

7. If someone doesn't

dispose of us, we just lay around and cause a big stink!

:shrug:

[Splatter Phoenix]

35. ...ew.

that's really gross. X_X coming from someone who's clicked every picture on rotten.com....

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

8. Our vision improves...

And we notice that the sun is really just a light on a microscope.

[Splatter Phoenix]

34. oh hell.

that's like "Welcome to nightmare-world, population giant aliens"

[AlienGirl]

41. "I hope you like nightmare worlds!"

It could be worse.

They could be Halloweenies.

Tucker

[Splatter Phoenix]

42. *Bursts out laughing*

:rofl:

I don't know if I'd prefer the alien scientist route or the god-is-a-megasadist route.

[AlienGirl]

45. Six; half-dozen, neh?

I prefer to think of Life as a giant RPG.

Tucker

[Splatter Phoenix]

47. O_O!

I once theorized that we were all playing in an arcade, and my player was DUMB ENOUGH to choose planet Earth, and picked an ugly little redheaded IDIOT to represent him/her/it!

[Nikia]

9. I don't know

I went to Christian Sunday school when I was little so I was very familiar with the heaven and hell version of the after life.
On the otherhand, when I was little I seemed to remember a life before my present life, which I has pretty much forgotten. That would seem to suggest reincarnation if I didn't just have an overactive imagination when I was little.
I have also heard many real ghost stories by people who I consider credible. Certain people's souls or energies might continue in this world.
When my grandfather died, my other grandmother (not his wife) comforted me when I was crying at the showing. She said "You shouldn't be sad. When I was in the accident (Serious car accident several years ago, which she received life threatening injuries), I saw heaven and it is wonderful. You wasn't be sad or afraid." Some people say near death experiences are just hallucinations of a dying brain. I am not sure. I've passed out several times and don't experience anything while I am out. I am not sure why you would when you are out and temporarily dead.

[CTyankee]

12. my mother had that as she was dying

I had rushed to her bedside and looked a wreck, but she looked at me and said "Why are you so beautiful?" She saw nothing but beauty.

I don't know if it is a mystical experience or just a collection of hallucinatory images. For my mother, though, I thought it was a mercy. She was not in pain and could breathe on her own, she just could not, at age 94, continue to sustain life in her body. It was peaceful and gentle. It made me not afraid.

[KyndCulture]

16. beautiful story!!

[CTyankee]

18. Oh, thank you! It truly was!

She had an amazed look on her face and she smiled happily. We had removed everything except that which would comfort her. I felt so strongly that to keep interfering with the natural process of dying was an affront to her and her doctors felt the same way. If there was ever a "good death" this was it.

[Graf Orlok]

10. I don't know, but i hope there's something.

[Wapsie B]

11. There's something in all of us

that makes us who we are. We're more than just tissue and bones. Otherwise we'd be nothing more than robots, or repugs for that matter.
Our soul lives on in another realm.

[tjwmason]

13. Other

Rest in purgatory until the consumation of time.

Then the resurrection of the body before the final judgement, though whether hell will actually exist is more difficult - quite frankly we won't know for certain until then, though free-will does require it as a possibility (where heaven is rightly understood).

Many make it into heaven before then (gain the beatific vision), of whom a small proportion have been designated as Saints - though that is only their souls, they (along with the rest of us) will receive their perfected bodies at the eschaton.

[hfojvt]

14. so heaven is not an option?

only damnation is? What about a liberal christian view of the afterlife or a Catholic one? The fundy one is the only option?

[baldguy]

15. We're worm food.

Other than that...

[DanCa]

17. Heaven dont want me and hell knows am going take over (nt)

[TallahasseeGrannie]

19. I remember reading

that we lose a specific, minute amount of weight when we die. I forget how much, but there was a movie with the title.

I think we have a soul and it goes elsewhere.

I believe the people who tell about near death experiences.

Call me gullible...

but you know, I really don't care. If I just go back to the earth, I'm still part of the universe.

[ghostsofgiants]

22. 21 grams

And it's just gas escaping.

21 grams = 0.7407532 ounces

A very miniscule amount.

Great film though, haha.

[Splatter Phoenix]

36. Some scientist tried to study that...

Found some bodies actually GAINED weight...

Killed a lot of animals to try to support his theory and when he failed, ended up dismissing results due to faulty equipment...

[Tafiti]

20. Question!

Do we, do we know, when we fly?
When we, when we go, do we die?

[Seabiscuit]

23. I like to think it's about being able to live out our favorite fantasies..

such as floating through the universe exploring and learning about everything that's happened everywhere since the Big Bang (and getting to see the Big Bang as well).

And I get to bring my loved ones with me on this journey and enjoy it all together.

One eternal cosmic orgasmic odyssey.

Anyway, that's my idea of the afterlife.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

24. Well, I can report this much...

Both my parents died within the past couple of years. I was very close to them, loved them dearly. They were quite old.

I have not sensed their presence, heard from them, seen any signs or anything like that. And I've been waiting! I'm open to it.

I think they were both very, very ready to go. I don't think they had any regrets. Oddly enough I don't miss them in the least! How awful is that? I feel like their work was done..with me, with the rest of the family. And nobody can take my parents from me; they are part of me.

BUT they aren't sending me any messages from the other side that I am aware of!!

[AlienGirl]

25. Reincarnation, but "getting it right" is meaningless

We die, we come back, and I don't think there's any end to it. We just keep going. There is no way to "get it right."

Tucker

[Splatter Phoenix]

37. Nhhh....

From where do the new people come?

[AlienGirl]

38. What new people?

Some come from being animals, others from other planets, or from the people who were hanging out waiting for their chance. I have a buddy that was here when Earth cooled.

Tucker

[Splatter Phoenix]

40. Ohh...didn't even consider animals/bacteria/other planets...

*Feels stupid*

It's possible then... I think I've had enough, though..x_X stop the ride, I want off.

[AlienGirl]

43. Once you start recalling past incarnations

...you can go play pranks on everyone who's ever oppressed you.

Check your inbox.

Tucker

[Splatter Phoenix]

44. Yes ma'am.

*suddenly notices* holy HELL you're a Mod!

*Swoon*

[AlienGirl]

46. LOL!

Don't tell...

Tucker

[Splatter Phoenix]

48. It'll be our little secret.

...*so, so dumb*

[AlienGirl]

49. You "pinged" the ol' radar...

Sorry to inform you...but better you should hear it from a friend.

Tucker

[Splatter Phoenix]

55. I've got YIM now...

you need to get on. *impatient* >_> <_<

[freethought]

26. You see The Ring!!

I just had to say that.

[Graf Orlok]

27. Hopefully we go somewhere better than this god-forsaken planet.

Yes, I answered this thread earlier today, but I wanted to add this.

[anarch]

28. Where's the choice for "don't know, but I hope nothing"

Although I cynically expect it'll be just more of the same, or some other ridiculous joke on us all.


Edited to add: I'm sure we'll all find out quite soon enough.

[AlienGirl]

30. More of the same, I think

Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get to be the one *playing* ridiculous jokes on people who oppressed you. But basically it's more of the same.

Tucker

[Splatter Phoenix]

39. If I Die Laughing It'll Be An Act of God....

I actually fear God is a megasadist.

It would explain a lot.

[Shine]

31. Interesting question.

I think our soul returns to the Source. Like a drop of rain, flowing to the Ocean.....

Sounds good to me, but who knows for sure?

We are simply called to embrace the Mystery of it All....


:hi:

~Shine

[Guaranteed]

50. Everyone goes to heaven. nt

[catbert836]

52. We should behave like this is all there is.

That way we make sure what we do and say here counts all it can. It's the greatest value of the humanist philosophy. I do believe there is something after death, but I'm not arrogant enough to think I know for sure, or even tentatively, what it is.

[wildhorses]

53. we are on a need to know basis...

all will be revealed in time...and I choose to believe that it will be awesome, colorful and magnificent beyond belief. We cannot fathom it and nobody should be arrogant enough to think they can know the mind of God.

[rockymountaindem]

56. I don't know, but this is what I think...

I think that God loves life and loves each one of us very much (even Republicans :) ). Considering that, God does not want the death of our mortal bodies to be the eternal extinguishing of our lives. I disagree with those who say that God is a "megasadist". A lot of my thoughts on this come from some of the things we are asked to contemplate on Yom Kippur. One of the stories in the back of the prayerbook had this to say:

There once was an old Rabbi who was troubled by many hooligans and violent youths in his neighborhood. One day, in desperation, he cried out to God asking him to kill those sinners who were making his life miserable. His wife reminded him that God does not desire the destruction of sinners, but that they turn from their ways and embrace life. The humbled Rabbi repented, and instead prayed for healing and forgiveness.

In a larger sense, that is what I believe about God and the afterlife. The Lord does not desire the destruction and misery of those who have sinned, but rather that they understand their wrongdoing and seek to rectify it. Perhaps this takes place in some form of reincarnation, or in other ways. But the bottom line is, I do not believe that God would create so many precious souls only to have them destroyed after a finite length of time.

[Splatter Phoenix]

60. Mmmkay. But last I checked I was the only one who called him that.

The atrocities at Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Nazi Germany, the Native American genocide, the slave trade, countless wars, this latest thing in the Gulf Coast and the fires in LA....

Well, to me, all of it points (if a god exists) to a god that cackles in glee and claps its hands when people die slowly, slowly being the key word.

Like the difference between an unfortunate in a Nazi death camp being shot in a ditch and dying more or less within minutes, and one being slowly and sadistically tortured to death by Josef Mengele - a lot of the people in the atrocities I mentioned died instantly, some may even say mercifully... but a lot of them died slow and agonizing deaths.

In my own opinion, a merciful god would find a better way to...*Ahem* discipline ...his errant children... than such wonton slaughter, genocide, etc.

[rockymountaindem]

61. This is always a hard topic

for people who believe in God. How can we "defend" God against charges such as yours? They are very hard to answer, and they are worthy of a much larger discussion that you and I could possibly have in a thread on DU. However, I will say this...

God cannot consitently shepherd humanity away from any and all suffering. Sometimes we inflict suffering on ourselves and each other. But, God cannot always stop this, we must sometimes take responsibility for ourselves. Without responsibility and choice, we would be nothing but pawns in a grand game, and life would be meaningless. Therefore, God must let humanity find our own way. When and if we ever perfect ourselves, that will be a major turning point in universal history. Until then, we have something to work towards.

I would also say that God does dicipline "errant children". All the evil that has risen in the world has eventually crumbled. We must find our own way to ensure that when the evil of today is undone, no new evil rises to replace it.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

57. hopefully nothing

[Parrcrow]

58. We go to an island in the Pacific Ocean, and get our own show on ABC

[grannylib]

59. My belief is that there is reunion with the Creator and loved ones who

have gone on before. Just had a very meaningful (to me) experience in that area. My dad died a couple of years ago, and during the last few days of his life, he was kinda loopy on morphine and the effects of brain cancer, but also had moments of real lucidity and all...so anyway, at one point, I was sitting by his bed, and he said, "Honey, I am ready to take this journey, but I am scared that I won't know the way." I told him that God would light his path, and that Emily (my daughter who had died at age 19 some years before) would come to meet him and guide him on in, since she knew the way. He asked if I really believed that, and I told him I HAD to, in order to stay sane after she died; that damn near killed me to, she was my dearest friend and I miss her more than I can express in words. That seemed to calm him some, and since he was a pastor, it pleased him I think to know that my belief system was what he would consider 'solid.'
Then last week, at the funeral for my aunt, there was a picture of her in the sanctuary that had been enlarged and mounted on canvas to look like a painting. She is standing on a road leading to her childhood home (we had a family reunion at her/my mom's family farm) and the ONLY other person in the picture is my daughter, at about age 11, standing in a beam of light on the path behind her...just as though she were waiting to guide my beloved auntie to her permanent home...
It was not intentional, my cousins did not notice my daughter in the picture until it had been enlarged and even then they weren't a hundred percent sure just which kid in the family it was...
But it meant the world to me...it was almost like getting a message from my baby, saying "I'm here, I'm ok, and I will meet you when you get here."
Like I said, it meant a lot to me.