The idea that when we die we have an eternal existence of peace and contentment,

[raccoon]

to me, that just shouts, "Wishful thinking."

I believed in an afterlife most of my life, because it was what I was taught. Some years ago, I seriously re-examined this belief, and decided that I don't believe in any afterlife.

[mdmc]

1. whats next?

nothing?

Even if there is nothing after this ( :( ), isn't it beneficial to believe that there is something bigger then this existence? Isn't it better for us in the here in now to believe in an afterlife?

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Why? Why does anybody spend time even thinking about 'what's next'? I vow to live my life

every day in the here and now, striving to better the world, help others, and raise my children to be kind and caring and honest. I have a theory that all living creatures return to the matter of life somewhere in deep space to be recycled into new beings, maybe even on new planets. But we will have no conscience re awaking. The last thought we have at death is the final thought of our existence.

[HERVEPA]

3. How can you believe in something you don't believe in???

[Goblinmonger]

4. I think that this being it

might be a little depressing if you dwell on that, but I take the position that this is our only shot. I'm not going to be able to make up for my mistakes in purgatory. I have one chance to make this life a good one and I try my damnedest to make that happen. I think it is a copout to say that horrible shit can go on right now but it will all be better later (not to mention a good manipulation tool).

[raccoon]

6. Well said. Too often the idea of an afterlife is pushed at people to

help manipulate them to accept social injustices and other conditions that benefit those who are pushing the idea, such as upper classes, slaveowners, nobles in the Middle Ages, etc.

I think this is our one shot at it too.

[raccoon]

7. I don't get why you think it's better for us now to believe in an afterlife.

Such a belief might not be too bad IF it wasn't that it often teaches people that if they're suffering now, (such as they're enslaved now), everything will be made all right in heaven, so they should accept their suffering in the here and now.

[beam me up scottie]

11. You're referring to the FSM of course.

I for one am looking forward to drinking from the beer volcano and waving at my friends from the balcony of our stripper factory.

[varkam]

16. Personally, I don't see this life as being the only life as a bad thing.

After all, if you just lived forever and ever, then would life really be that important?

[skepticscott]

17. Exactly

Having a limited span is what makes life precious and allows us to truly enjoy the moments we have. Do people who wax lyrical about "everlasting life" ever REALLY stop to think about what that would mean? You've been in heaven for a trillion years...bored yet? Well, get used to it...after a trillion times a trillion years, you'll be no closer to the end of everlasting life than you were when you started. You'll have sung every song in the damned hymnal until it drives you crazy, you'll have had every possible conversation with everyone there a billion times, and your fingers will be worn to nubs from plucking that freaking harp. Not for me, thanks...I'll take my 80 or so years and be happy with it.

[frogmarch]

5. I agree it's wishful thinking.

When I was a young kid, my mom, a staunch Presbyterian, told me I'd have a happier life if I could make myself believe there was an afterlife in heaven, and that someday I would regret not having that belief to cling to. I told her I refused to brainwash myself into believing lies. I still refuse.

[iamahaingttta]

8. When you're dead, you're dead!

I've never been able to understand why that's so difficult.
You do the best you can while you're alive, be nice to old people and animals, live in the moment, and then you're dead.

End of story...

[Evoman]

9. I've always thought that the ideas, thoughts and beliefs which

make you the most comfortable are always the ideas that you should be be the most wary of. Those are the ideas that should be closely examined, if you want to quest for truth, because they are the ideas that are the most seductive and most likely to to lead you astray. Apart from helping order your mind, it also helps, practically, in avoiding being conned.

Belief in the afterlife is outright crazy. Every single shred of evidence points the fact that we are our brains, and that when our brains die, we are gone. There is no evidence of a spirit or soul, and scientifically, souls make no sense. But it makes people feel comfortable...and that is good enough for some, I guess.

[Meshuga]

13. I agree. The brain dies and that's it.

For instance, what is the afterlife of someone with Alzheimers? And if the person's healthy personality returns when he/she dies then where was this soul/personality during the period of dementia? My father-in-law suffers from Alzheimer and he is at a pretty late stage. The person he once was no longer exists. What will happen when he dies? Will his old soul return and go to heaven? I don't think so.

Once you die your brain dies and that's it. People survive in the memory of others and I think that is the closest to an afterlife that I am willing to accept.

[raccoon]

20. I agree--excellent point,

"I've always thought that the ideas, thoughts and beliefs which make you the most comfortable are always the ideas that you should be be the most wary of. "

[beam me up scottie]

10. I suppose it would be nice to imagine my mom sitting high up on a cloud watching over me.

But I can't make myself believe that.

I am content just knowing she is finally at peace.

Sometimes I even envy her that.

[Meshuga]

14. It is nice to see you back, BMUS!

:hi:

[beam me up scottie]

15. Thanks!

I missed you. :hug:

[cosmik debris]

12. I apply the same reasoning to the concept of Karma.

And without an afterlife, Karma just doesn't make sense to me. It is just a dream or a rationalization used to make people believe that life really is fair.

[NashVegas]

18. I Don't Think There's Anything Wrong With This Wishful Thinking, Really

This morning, I'm in a mood to be forgiving of religion, so take this with a grain of salt, BUT. If believing in an afterlife gives people more courage to stand up for what's right in *this* life, I'm all for it.

[raccoon]

21. But seems to me it usually doesn't. Usually, IMO, belief in an afterlife

encourages people to accept a bad situation (such as slavery) in this world in the belief that in an afterlife, everything will be wonderful.

[knitter4democracy]

19. I'm fine with wishful thinking.

I had a strong faith experience when I was younger, so I believe in an afterlife, but I'm not sure it means what we think it means.