Why believe the promises about the next life?

[Spice]

I believed in the Abrahamic god for forty years, yet my experience believing in this god was exactly opposite of yours.

I would say it was probably 40 years before I understood the saying "Let go and let God." I always tried to think about how it should be, what I should do, etc. Stressed the @#$% out! Then finally, okay. I'm done. Que Sera, Sera. It didn't take hold over night. But once I started going with the flow I started seeing things work out. Wonderful life afterwards? No. More peaceful life, even in the storms? Oh yes. Am I more devoted to God? Nope. Just much more comfortable.
Namaste

 

[Trailblazer]

Because human life/person is too precious to be lost.

That is a good point, and I don't believe that any life is ever lost. I just wonder what the next life will be like, and if it will be all it is cracked up to be.

 

[The Hammer]

Because human life/person is too precious to be lost.

.what makes human life more precious than any other?

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

I would say it was probably 40 years before I understood the saying "Let go and let God." I always tried to think about how it should be, what I should do, etc. Stressed the @#$% out! Then finally, okay. I'm done. Que Sera, Sera. It didn't take hold over night. But once I started going with the flow I started seeing things work out. Wonderful life afterwards? No. More peaceful life, even in the storms? Oh yes. Am I more devoted to God? Nope. Just much more comfortable.
Namaste

Ironically, "let go and let God" did absolutely nothing to stop the years of abuse I suffered while growing up, nor did it alleviate the PTSD that I dealt with for the majority of my life. However, what substantially alleviated the PTSD, fear, guilt, and depression was letting go of my belief in God. In fact, it has been incredibly liberating, and I consider it one of the best decisions I've ever made for my mental health and emotional well-being. I rank it second to the first best decision I've ever made, which was standing up and confronting my abusers (my adopted mother and brother) shortly after I turned eighteen.

 

[Trailblazer]

.what makes human life more precious than any other?

I do not believe that it is.

 

[The Hammer]

I do not believe that it is.

What I quoted and your response seem to suggest otherwise, but I appreciate the clarification on your part

 

[The Hammer]

That is a good point, and I don't believe that any life is ever lost. I just wonder what the next life will be like, and if it will be all it is cracked up to be.

You'll end up right back here. This is LIFE. Otherwise you cease to be. Because when one subsumes into the Gods upon death, "they" cease to exist as anything separate from the Gods.

Imo of course

 

[Spice]

Have you ever met a child? Your description of child behaviour suggests you haven't.

Funny.

A young child who can't find their parents will usually be consumed with worry until the parents finally come back.

I've seen that. Yep, the world can easily destroy innocence, even in the smallest ways. As the old saying goes -- it takes a village to raise a child. That's why we were instructed to love one another. Maybe we each are meant to be that rod of comfort for someone else's child, regardless of their age. Because there's a lesser known saying, an African proverb, worth of note: The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.

I'm learning day by day, that a positive attitude can stir wrath here on RF, but I'll not become a negative Nelly, or Ned to fit in. Maybe, someone needs hope.

 

[Secret Chief]

What I quoted and your response seem to suggest otherwise, but I appreciate the clarification on your part

@Trailblazer runs a cat hotel.

 

[Spice]

Ironically, "let go and let God" did absolutely nothing to stop the years of abuse I suffered while growing up, nor did it alleviate the PTSD that I dealt with for the majority of my life. However, what substantially alleviated the PTSD, fear, guilt, and depression was letting go of my belief in God. In fact, it has been incredibly liberating, and I consider it one of the best decisions I've ever made for my mental health and emotional well-being. I rank it second to the first best decision I've ever made, which was standing up and confronting my abusers (my adopted mother and brother) shortly after I turned eighteen.

I understand. Letting go of "the church" did that for me. And with it, for a period of time, I let go of God, too. It was what I now refer to my Siddhartha period. LOL

When I let God back in, and it certainly wasn't intentional, or a mindful decision, some real struggles began. I'm still dealing with "remembering" and "realizing" just how much I had shut out trying to hold on to control. . .trying to wrestle with the reality of my world. But, now, ............ acceptance with what I can instead of what I should.
Namaste

 

[Trailblazer]

@Trailblazer runs a cat hotel.

Yes, and there are a lot of guests at my hotel.

 

[We Never Know]

Ironically, "let go and let God" did absolutely nothing to stop the years of abuse I suffered while growing up, nor did it alleviate the PTSD that I dealt with for the majority of my life. However, what substantially alleviated the PTSD, fear, guilt, and depression was letting go of my belief in God. In fact, it has been incredibly liberating, and I consider it one of the best decisions I've ever made for my mental health and emotional well-being. I rank it second to the first best decision I've ever made, which was standing up and confronting my abusers (my adopted mother and brother) shortly after I turned eighteen.

If I may ask...

Before you let go of god, did you hold anger, resentment, etc toward god?(for not helping you)
And when you let go of god did you let go of your anger and resentment?

Letting go of anger and resentment definitely makes one feel better.

 

[Mock Turtle]

It can be a very hard thing to do, but it is so liberating to set everything in God's hands and be done with all concern.

This is that childlikeness, IMO, Jesus spoke of. A child that knows they are loved doesn't worry about much, if anything. They know the parents will do whatever they do and so it goes, so the child puts all their attention in just enjoying their play, their lives.

And should an unpleasant interruption come up, still they don't worry, for it will pass, or at least be overshadowed.

Isn't this more or less remaining as a child though - from being dependent upon one's parents and then, as one becomes an adult, transferring this to some God, or the belief that such exists? And hence never really growing up. Given that some of us do just accept that humans might be quite alone as a species (for now at least), but where this then gives us the freedom and responsibly so as to make the most of our lives - rather than being torn as to travelling in different directions often because we have a particular religious belief. Religion might be liberating to some but it seems more like a ball and chain to so many observing.

Perhaps Jesus spoke - as to, come to me as children (or similar) - or even the maxim, give me a child for the first seven years, etc. - just indicates that we are at our most gullible as young children, and hence most likely to retain that which is educated or indoctrinated into us at such young ages.

And personally, my first memory came from being lost at a beach (about age two or three) and where I was carried to a children's home before my mother arrived to collect me - such being rather traumatic seemingly since the memory of this happening has not altered over a long lifetime.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Isn't this more or less remaining as a child though - from being dependent upon one's parents and then, as one becomes an adult, transferring this to some God, or the belief that such exists? And hence never really growing up. Given that some of us do just accept that humans might be quite alone as a species (for now at least), but where this then gives us the freedom and responsibly so as to make the most of our lives - rather than being torn as to travelling in different directions often because we have a particular religious belief. Religion might be liberating to some but it seems more like a ball and chain to so many observing.

Perhaps Jesus spoke - as to, come to me as children (or similar) - or even the maxim, give me a child for the first seven years, etc. - just indicates that we are at our most gullible as young children, and hence most likely to retain that which is educated or indoctrinated into us at such young ages.

And personally, my first memory came from being lost at a beach (about age two or three) and where I was carried to a children's home before my mother arrived to collect me - such being rather traumatic seemingly since the memory of this happening has not altered over a long lifetime.

Well, I have never observed those. Rather to me, they are in effect connected to norms about how to behave and the idea of a good life.
But those 2 are also dangerous, because it is not certain that it is true that for all cases of human behaviour that we have freedom and are responsible.
Even that has to be doubt to check if they have a limit.

 

[Nakosis]

I believe that the next life will be better than this life in the sense that we will be free of a physical body and all the requirements of living in the material world, but that does not mean it will be joyful and glorious. Moreover, even if it is joyful and glorious for some believers it might not be joyful and glorious for all believers.

Promises create expectations. Reality never lives up to my expectations. So I prefer to not have expectations. Accept reality as it presents itself.

You can believe in promises but belief is not going to change the reality. I'm content to wait for whatever the reality of death happens to be, without the expectations. I can avoid any attachments to whatever I think the afterlife ought to be.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Sometimes life is so hard, but if we are believers in the God of Abraham we have the promises in our scriptures that say that the next life will be joyful and glorious. For example, from the Baha’i scriptures:

“O My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 329

32: O SON OF THE SUPREME! I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? I made the light to shed on thee its splendor. Why dost thou veil thyself therefrom? The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah

“Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy, and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.” Gleanings, p. 345

But why should we believe that the next life is going to be joyful and glorious, given that God has not revealed anything about the ‘nature’ of the next life.

“As to those that have tasted of the fruit of man’s earthly existence, which is the recognition of the one true God, exalted be His glory, their life hereafter is such as We are unable to describe. The knowledge thereof is with God, alone, the Lord of all worlds.” Gleanings, pp. 345-346

I guess it all boils down to Faith, but without knowing anything about the next life, it is difficult for me to have Faith that it is going to be joyful and glorious as it is promised to be. Eternity is a very long time so this is a serious concern of mine.

I believe that the next life will be better than this life in the sense that we will be free of a physical body and all the requirements of living in the material world, but that does not mean it will be joyful and glorious. Moreover, even if it is joyful and glorious for some believers it might not be joyful and glorious for all believers.

I stand on the assumption the next life will be like this life was. A blank slate into its duration and eventual end. Like waves on an ocean.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Well, I have never observed those. Rather to me, they are in effect connected to norms about how to behave and the idea of a good life.

So you'd rather be tied to some belief that might not be true - such as any particular religious one? Freedoms and responsibilities are rather relative too, given we don't live alone but must hopefully use these to enhance our societies - if we do actually want to survive as a species. I bet the females in Afghanistan currently might value these - and as to which other beliefs have failed them.

But those 2 are also dangerous, because it is not certain that it is true that for all cases of human behaviour that we have freedom and are responsible.
Even that has to be doubt to check if they have a limit.

Freedoms and responsibility at least are things we can discuss, vote as to such, and live by - without interference from all the many mythic beliefs usually having no proper provenance, and also often causing conflicts. Perhaps time to put to bed these old childish beliefs.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

So you'd rather be tied to some belief that might not be true - such as any particular religious one? Freedoms and responsibilities are rather relative too, given we don't live alone but must hopefully use these to enhance our societies - if we do actually want to survive as a species. I bet the females in Afghanistan currently might value these - and as to which other beliefs have failed them.

Freedoms and responsibility at least are things we can discuss, vote as to such, and live by - without interference from all the many mythic beliefs usually having no proper provenance, and also often causing conflicts. Perhaps time to put to bed these old childish beliefs.

No, I am an atheist. But e.g. I am tied to the belief that humans have positive worth, though that is without evidence.
So I have not found that I can live weithout beliefs without evidence. I have just found I can in effect have a naturalistic religion.

As for freedom and esponsibility I have never seen evidence for those. To me they are subjective beliefs, but sometimes natural and not supernatural.
As for true, that is as far as I can tell also a belief without evidence and rather in effect a norm about how we ought to behave.

 

[Spice]

Isn't this more or less remaining as a child though - from being dependent upon one's parents and then, as one becomes an adult, transferring this to some God, or the belief that such exists? And hence never really growing up. Given that some of us do just accept that humans might be quite alone as a species (for now at least), but where this then gives us the freedom and responsibly so as to make the most of our lives - rather than being torn as to travelling in different directions often because we have a particular religious belief. Religion might be liberating to some but it seems more like a ball and chain to so many observing.

Perhaps Jesus spoke - as to, come to me as children (or similar) - or even the maxim, give me a child for the first seven years, etc. - just indicates that we are at our most gullible as young children, and hence most likely to retain that which is educated or indoctrinated into us at such young ages.

And personally, my first memory came from being lost at a beach (about age two or three) and where I was carried to a children's home before my mother arrived to collect me - such being rather traumatic seemingly since the memory of this happening has not altered over a long lifetime.

It's more like the eastern version of practicing detachment. I wish I could explain it better, but I don't know -- maybe stop fighting life. Better prioritizing on what truly matters. Ease up on the grip of control.

Analogies are meant as something to ponder, something that can be relatable in more than one way. So this analogy, or someone else's first response, brought a lost child's panic to mind for you, whereas for me I remember the day we were at the neighborhood store and my dad said it was time to go home. I chose to ignore him. He left me. I didn't panic. I knew he'd be back. Not because I had experience of being left behind, but because I had experience in his love. And I gained more experience in life's consequences.

 

[Kathryn]

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:3-4

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18

' Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
Revelation 7:16-17

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2 Corinthians 5:1

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
1 Corinthians 9:25

Just a few of the verses I believe.