are there Christians who dont believe in a literal, conscious afterlife?

[punkdbass]

Are there Christians who regard the concept of "eternal life" to mean only that our good deeds and the positive energy we have created will essentially have an eternally lasting impact on the world? That for all eternity they will play a part in bringing mankind closer to salvation?

Just curious if there is such a school of thought in Christianity. Or do essentially all Christians believe the afterlife has some sort of consciousness involved for the individual?

Thanks

 

[Bob Dixon]

I've entertained the notion, yes.
I also think that conciousness is only a product of the nervous system, and it's no longer there when we're dead, so only the soul actually remains. It's like passing a baton in the relay race, really.

So, yeah. Maybe, perhaps. I don't know of any churches who hold this belief officially, but... there are probably plenty of individuals who do.

I agree with the Baha'i conception of the afterlife, myself. That is, a living man thinking about what happens after death is much like an unborn man trying to imagine the world outside of the womb; it's rather pointless and totally impossible to reach a reasonable conclusion. So, I agree with Qoheleth.

 

[cablescavenger]

Are there Christians who regard the concept of "eternal life" to mean only that our good deeds and the positive energy we have created will essentially have an eternally lasting impact on the world? That for all eternity they will play a part in bringing mankind closer to salvation?

Just curious if there is such a school of thought in Christianity. Or do essentially all Christians believe the afterlife has some sort of consciousness involved for the individual?

Thanks

I don't believe any of it, yet I am still seen as a Christian in some eyes.

 

[SageTree]

I think the answer could be BOTH... Actually.

It seems to apply on both/either level, imo.

I live my Life like the fruit that comes from it will be the ONLY 'Eternal Life' I have/leave w/ the World,
But don't live my Life expecting it to be a conscious afterlife.

Goodness for Goodness sake, ya know?