Frank Goad
Well-Known Member
In atheism the afterlife you go to is simply ceasing to exist on your deathbed.Why doesn't the idea of ceasing to exist forever not more scary to atheists?
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Question for all of the atheists on here
- Thread starter Frank Goad
- Start date
I find the idea liberating and not scary at all.
There is no why.In atheism the afterlife you go to is simply ceasing to exist on your deathbed.Why doesn't the idea of ceasing to exist forever not more scary to atheists?
It just isn't frightening.
BSM1
What? Me worry?
Then what's holding you back from leaving (not trying to start anything or be offensive, it's just a question that always comes up in my mind when I hear a response like this).
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
As far as I'm concerned , this is the afterlife.In atheism the afterlife you go to is simply ceasing to exist on your deathbed.Why doesn't the idea of ceasing to exist forever not scary to atheists?
Only the persona (ego) of who I think I am is going to die forever. Life however, I would think differently given I was, for all intents and purposes, essentially dead before I was born. I mean what's different about pre-birth and after post death?
I came out of the abyss well enough, so there's no actual reason why you would ever think that can't happen again.
If it was actually impossible we wouldn't even been born in the first place.
I strongly suspect the eyes will open again..... And again.... And again......
Lastly I don't own the universe. The universe owns me , and it's an impressive caretaker depending of course on points of view. ;0)
I'm pretty comfortable with that so far although I could have used a few tweaks on my present form as a human being if I had any choice on the matter.
Salvador
RF's Swedenborgian
In atheism the afterlife you go to is simply ceasing to exist on your deathbed.Why doesn't the idea of ceasing to exist forever not more scary to atheists?
Whether it's game over when my character dies or whether it is brought back to life is up to my simulator/God. My character was non-existent before being programmed into our virtual reality, so if it's lights out and game over for me when the ionic currents stop flowing across my mind's neurons, then I'm merely back into non-existence where I was before my character was ever created.
youknowme
Whatever you want me to be.
I can understand that. Even Shakespeare wrote:
"To die—to sleep,
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to: 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd."
Salvador
RF's Swedenborgian
There's no way to know with any degree of certainty if it's lights out and game over for any character whose ionic currents stop flowing across his mind's neurons. Hence, I'd highly advise any well-to-do character not to put the re-birth of his character to the test.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
In atheism the afterlife you go to is simply ceasing to exist on your deathbed.Why doesn't the idea of ceasing to exist forever not more scary to atheists?
Everyone has their own view of the afterlife. I believe we no longer exist when there is no longer brain function nor heart (and body starts to decay). It is very hard to get through especially when going through the loss of a loved one. Some people, during that time, look towards an afterlife. Through my own medical experiences and death of two loved ones, I never have.
Since not all god-religions believe in an afterlife, I'm sure being an atheist has nothing to do with it.
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
Many versions of Christianity teach a literal endless hell. Or a literal endless heaven that would eventually become a hell. No longer existing seems to be a more than reasonable alternative.
Salvador
RF's Swedenborgian
Do you mean eternity everywhere for anybody would inevitably get excruciating boring?
In atheism the afterlife you go to is simply ceasing to exist on your deathbed.Why doesn't the idea of ceasing to exist forever not more scary to atheists?
I find ceasing to exist far more comforting than the idea of living forever. After the first few billion years, eternity would be pure hell.
And, for that matter, I've not existed prior to this: before I was born. I didn't find it bad at all.
wandering peacefully
Which way to the woods?
In atheism the afterlife you go to is simply ceasing to exist on your deathbed.Why doesn't the idea of ceasing to exist forever not more scary to atheists?
Different atheists would have different answers because of varying life experiences of course.
For me, I know I have lived a great life and am very fortunate to have all I have. Love, family, adventure and enjoyment of life. To me, death is just another part of life. I don't want it to come early, but when it does I won't be afraid because it will be just like it was before I was conceived. Nothing. And I know I will be remembered well by those who loved me. If there is something else after death, so be it. But so far, there is no conclusive evidence for life after death or living on in some other worldly realm.
One of my favorite sayings is it's a good day to die, and if it ended that day I would be peaceful knowing I have lived a good life.
Aside from self preservation instinct?
Because I know what emotional damage is felt by the people left behind. I experienced it firsthand. Also being not particularly suicidal or depressed might have something to do with it.
Also why would you? (Aside from the aforementioned depression and/or suicidal tendencies.)
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
Yes. And if Hell is real how could a person take eternity knowing a loved one is in there. Hell would make heaven a hell even quicker.
Salvador
RF's Swedenborgian
What if your character were reborn each time after the ionic currents ceased flowing across the neurons of your character's mind with memory of your character's past life wiped-out so that repeated experiences between your character's past lives and current life seemed either new or less repetitive to you in your current life.?
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
The question then would be is that really you?
Salvador
RF's Swedenborgian
Same question to you as I just asked Poly: What if your character were programmed back to life again each time after the ionic currents ceased flowing across the neurons of your character's mind with memory of your character's past life wiped-out so that repeated experiences between your character's past lives and current life seemed either new or less repetitive to you in your current life.
Salvador
RF's Swedenborgian
You promptly answered that same question I asked Poly as I was planning to ask you....
youknowme
Whatever you want me to be.
When you blow out a candle does the flame go to the afterlife?