Why are religious people afraid to die?

[Faint]

Well, not all of them are afraid of death, of course, but speaking to various religious types over the years and observing how they cope with the possibility of death (and reminders of their own mortality), I've come to realize that a lot of them fear death, despite their insistance that heaven (of some kind) exists. Specifically, I'm talking about the believers in various abrahamic religions, and I'm wondering why those who believe in an afterlife and eternal paradise are afraid to go there?

For example, I'm sure you know of some Christian, Jew, or Muslim who would be terrified of being threatened at gunpoint (maybe you're one yourself)? And what about the death of this person's children or family? If they think that their loved ones are going to paradise, why should they not rejoice if one of them was to die? Why would they feel sorrow?

Is it the physical pain of dying? Is it their natural instinct to avoid death? Is it a fear that they will not measure up and will instead go to the "bad" place?

Or is it that they don't truly believe the religion that they follow?

 

[Bishka]

Well, not all of them are afraid of death, of course, but speaking to various religious types over the years and observing how they cope with the possibility of death (and reminders of their own mortality), I've come to realize that a lot of them fear death, despite their insistance that heaven (of some kind) exists. Specifically, I'm talking about the believers in various abrahamic religions, and I'm wondering why those who believe in an afterlife and eternal paradise are afraid to go there?

For example, I'm sure you know of some Christian, Jew, or Muslim who would be terrified of being threatened at gunpoint (maybe you're one yourself)? And what about the death of this person's children or family? If they think that their loved ones are going to paradise, why should they not rejoice if one of them was to die? Why would they feel sorrow?

Is it the physical pain of dying? Is it their natural instinct to avoid death? Is it a fear that they will not measure up and will instead go to the "bad" place?

Or is it that they don't truly believe the religion that they follow?

Actually, there is one faith that isn't too scared of dying under the Abrahamic tradition. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I think that we are the only church that is happy that we get to die. LOL. Seriously though, I've never met an LDS person who was afraid to die. You should go to our funerals, people cry, but people laugh and funerals are usually a jovial type event, because we understand that this person has finished their life's mission here and was ready to move on to greater and better things.


I'm sure as heck not afriad to die, I'm uber-excited, because I don't have deal with any physical ailment, mental ailment, etc. It's not like I'm trying to die, but I am excited, so that I don't have to deal with somethings anymore.

 

[Aqualung]

I'm not afraid to die, I'm just a little afraid of dying. Like, what does it feel like? What if I die in some horrific manner? That sort of thing. It's not like I obsess about it, though, so it's not that scary.

 

[SoyLeche]

Going along with what Becky said -- I'm not sure if I'm scared of death or not. I am scared of pain, so I don't want a painful death.

Mostly, when I think of the possibility of my dying, my thoughts go very quickly to those who would survive me. The thought that my wife would have to raise our child on her own scares me. The thought of my Mom having to bury her child scares me too. Not that I don't think that everything would work out eventually, but I'd rather be there to help. I don't know what kind of help I could offer them from the other side.

 

[SoyLeche]

Why do the LDS people always tend to post in clumps?

 

[YmirGF]

Actually, there is one faith that isn't too scared of dying under the Abrahamic tradition. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I think that we are the only church that is happy that we get to die. LOL. Seriously though, I've never met an LDS person who was afraid to die. You should go to our funerals, people cry, but people laugh and funerals are usually a jovial type event, because we understand that this person has finished their life's mission here and was ready to move on to greater and better things.


I'm sure as heck not afriad to die, I'm uber-excited, because I don't have deal with any physical ailment, mental ailment, etc. It's not like I'm trying to die, but I am excited, so that I don't have to deal with somethings anymore.

Bravo Beckysoup61. And yes, you should be uber-excited!!! Look, I do not wish for death, but death is not what it is cracked up to be. It is a metamorphosis of a sorts.
My perception of this problem lies in the fact that modern thinking tends to tell us that we are ONLY our physical bodies. Go to a graveyard. Yep, doesn't seem to be much happening with dead folks. However, the reality is that we are not our bodies. We are the little spark that drives them, like our bodies drive our cars.

It is because almost no one directly experiences their inner nature that they readily accept their body as being themself rather than an expression of themself. We are all artists and our greatest portrait is the image we make ourselves to be. Consciousness is a bubble we mold our world around.

 

[SoyLeche]

I don't see why anyone is afraid of death, really. Well, ok, maybe someone who believes in Hell and is living such a life that they are fairly certain they will be going there. Other than that, there's nothing to fear. If you believe in God and some sort of Heaven, then you're better off dead. If you believe that there is nothing after this life, then you won't be aware of anything anyway - no need to fear that. If you believe in reincarnation then you'll be back anyway...

Did I miss anything?

 

[jewscout]

For example, I'm sure you know of some Christian, Jew, or Muslim who would be terrified of being threatened at gunpoint (maybe you're one yourself)?

so, what, atheists aren't afraid of death or the idea of having a gun pulled on them?

oy vey

 

[Faint]

Actually, there is one faith that isn't too scared of dying under the Abrahamic tradition. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I think that we are the only church that is happy that we get to die. LOL. Seriously though, I've never met an LDS person who was afraid to die. You should go to our funerals, people cry, but people laugh and funerals are usually a jovial type event, because we understand that this person has finished their life's mission here and was ready to move on to greater and better things.


I'm sure as heck not afriad to die, I'm uber-excited, because I don't have deal with any physical ailment, mental ailment, etc. It's not like I'm trying to die, but I am excited, so that I don't have to deal with somethings anymore.

Okay, so you're not actively trying to die, are you actively trying to stay alive as long as possible?

Bravo Beckysoup61. And yes, you should be uber-excited!!!

Same question.

 

[Faint]

so, what, atheists aren't afraid of death or the idea of having a gun pulled on them?

oy vey

Speaking as someone who has never received a postcard from your eternal paradise, and who cannot reasonably expect such a place to be waiting for me, I would say, yes I fear death. I don't want to gamble on happiness delayed, and therefore I would like to stay in this world as long as possible (or at least as long as life is enjoyable). It makes sense for an athiest to fear death, it doesn't make sense for a Jewish person (unless of course they expect to go to hell).

 

[jewscout]

Speaking as someone who has never received a postcard from your eternal paradise, and who cannot reasonably expect such a place to be waiting for me, I would say, yes I fear death. I don't want to gamble on happiness delayed, and therefore I would like to stay in this world as long as possible (or at least as long as life is enjoyable). It makes sense for an athiest to fear death, it doesn't make sense for a Jewish person (unless of course they expect to go to hell).

there is little docterine on what awaits one in the afterlife in the Jewish faith, just lots of speculation
the focus is on this life and doing our part to make this world a better place, not concering ourselves with whatever may or may not come after we die

a person can no more understand the nature of the afterlife than a blind man can understand color

 

[nutshell]

Another LDS poster here.

I had a Bishop who was speaking about death and said, "We should not be afraid to die, but we should be afraid of dying in sin."

Death itself is just another step in our progression and we have nothing to fear from it. This does not mean we don't fear having a gun pulled on us, etc. We are human and while we understand better things await us, we do have some powerful emotions. I know if a gun was pulled on me I wouldn't be particularly afraid of my own death, but I would worry about my wife and children. In the end, I know everything will be fine for them too, but in the mean time, they would experience many trials because of my death.

In summary, we do not fear death, but worry about those we are leaving behind. Because of this worry I would, indeed strive to live as long as possible.

One more thing: I'll strive to live as long as possible, but I also believe in quality of life over quantity of life. A month of quality time with my family would be better than a year of chemo-therapy that keeps the shell alive, but destroys the spirit, making it ultimately, unproductive IMO.

 

[Bishka]

Okay, so you're not actively trying to die, are you actively trying to stay alive as long as possible?
Same question.

Well, I'm actively trying to stay alive as long as possible for a few reasons.

1) I want to enjoy my earth experience and make it last as long as possible
2) I want child, grandchildren and possibly even great-grandchildren
3) Who wouldn't want to stay alive?

 

[Aqualung]

I try to extend my life, but not because I fear death. I really can't think of a good analogy... Maybe, I try to make my vacations as long as possible, but not because I fear going back home... Kind of dumb, yeah, but it serves.

 

[jewscout]

Speaking as someone who has never received a postcard from your eternal paradise...

that's funny...

neither have I

 

[Arkangel]

Life is for a while and death is forever. So why should i die anytime soon or even in an hundred years. It is going to be there forever so why not make this life last a little longer. This may just be a body but it is a good body and i have come to like it and want to experience it a little longer.

That is not fear of death but the fear of losing something you have come to love.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

It does not make a lot of sense to fear the inevitable.

To fear pain, a bad death a lingering death, yes.

But no one should fear death itself.

I think what people fear most, is the effect their death may have on others.

Terry___________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

 

[MdmSzdWhtGuy]

I am not religious, so I don't know if I am allowed to discuss this subject. On the chance that I can, I will chime in here. It makes sense that people fear the unknown, and no matter how much we all claim to "know" about God, gods, the afterlife, or lack thereof, we simply do not know, and never can till death, what, if anything waits for us beyond our own death.

What we experience during this life is real and tangible, and still yet can be quite painful and scary at times. Death is definately the end of the road here on Earth. It either opens up a whole other world of the unknown, or it ends all life experience as we know it. Either way, a pretty scary proposition.

B.

 

[YmirGF]

Okay, so you're not actively trying to die, are you actively trying to stay alive as long as possible?
Same question.

No I am not. Though this incarnation will remain one of my personal favorites, I will do nothing to ward off "the end". Neither do I do anything (other than smoke LOL) to hasten that inevitability. I am a fool that is under the illusion that death should be the crowning glory to an excellent life.

My premise on this is that the death experience, not the after death worlds, is of a plastecine nature. It molds itself to the beliefs of the individual and reflects whatever they expect to see, even if they expect "nothing". I cannot tell you what I have in mind for my own death, but IF my premise IS correct, it is going to be wild. The amusing part is that no one can say that I am wrong. You don't know for sure either, do you?

 

[RagnarGalt]

The Bible indicates that man was never intended to die... Also, it says that God 'put eternity into our hearts'... It is not natural to grow old, nor to get sick and die... Given the choice to choose the day of my death would be difficult as I want to live forever... I want to remain youthful for eternity and spend the days with my family and friends enjoying a peaceful existence and giving due worship to the God that created it all... I am not afraid to die, but I hope I never have to...