NationStates Jolt Archive

What happens as and after you die has been questioned since the begining of time (andthensome). Some religions and peoples believe in reincarnation of another lifeform, some people believe in heaven hell and purgatory, some people believe in nothingness after death. I happen to be agnostic, so I believe that there is no way of finding out whether or not there is an afterlife (/God). Depending on my mood, thinking about death can either frighten me because I fear eternal nothingness and that I'm wasting my life, or I can feel able to take on whatever comes my way. I'm just wondering how everyone else feels about the topic so i can maybe make up my mind.

Well I certainly hope there is an afterlife and that the spirit world can somehow interact with the physical realm. Because I have a long list of very bad people I want to haunt the crap out of after I die.

Humans are given one life. Once dead, your brain disolves and you simply can not be awear of anything else after that.

There is no such thing as a soul in the literal sense. A soul in my humple opinion is simply a nice warm thing that people like to believe in because it makes the body seem more removed from the death thing that WILL happen to you.

Probably be like taking a looong nap.

There is no such thing as a soul in the literal sense. A soul in my humple opinion is simply a nice warm thing that people like to believe in because it makes the body seem more removed from the death thing that WILL happen to you.

But there are some things that simple logic cannot explain. Someone close to me has a NDE (near death experience), where she saw the whole "light at the end of the tunnel" thing as well as some dead relatives. She saw this all while in a hospital bed after a car accident. I've read about hundrends of other accounts like this, which either means there really might be an afterlife, or too many people lie. This woman doesnt lie very often at all, so its hard to tell.

But there are some things that simple logic cannot explain. Someone close to me has a NDE (near death experience), where she saw the whole "light at the end of the tunnel" thing as well as some dead relatives. She saw this all while in a hospital bed after a car accident. I've read about hundrends of other accounts like this, which either means there really might be an afterlife, or too many people lie. This woman doesnt lie very often at all, so its hard to tell.
When close to death, the mind does funny things. One possible explanation.

There is considerable ( mostly anecdotal ) evidence for something which continues after death. There is also evidence that indicates reincarnation may indeed take place.

There is considerable ( mostly anecdotal ) evidence for something which continues after death. There is also evidence that indicates reincarnation may indeed take place.
Evidence? Really?

Humans are given one life. Once dead, your brain disolves and you simply can not be awear of anything else after that.

There is no such thing as a soul in the literal sense. A soul in my humple opinion is simply a nice warm thing that people like to believe in because it makes the body seem more removed from the death thing that WILL happen to you.
How do you explain that John Edwards guy? And the hundreds of others like him?

How do you explain that John Edwards guy? And the hundreds of others like him?

oh god, i was gonna mention him. However, I think South Park well established that John Edwards is the Biggest Douche in the Universe.

But that's also the kind of unexplainable things i'm talking abuut.

But there are some things that simple logic cannot explain. Someone close to me has a NDE (near death experience), where she saw the whole "light at the end of the tunnel" thing as well as some dead relatives. She saw this all while in a hospital bed after a car accident. I've read about hundrends of other accounts like this, which either means there really might be an afterlife, or too many people lie. This woman doesnt lie very often at all, so its hard to tell.

hundreds of people have also witnessed aliens, the loch ness monster, etc.

I believe you that your friend has had an experience, but the brains neurons can create some powerful chemicals when under extreme pressure, like for example a near death situation. you can read up about why the eyes flood with light when the brain passes in and out of consciousness via google if you like. Or, you can continue to "believe" in what makes you happy.

(P.S. this debate is not about the existence of the before mentioned monsters :p )

(P.S. this debate is not about the existence of the before mentioned monsters :p )

Thanx for clearing that up. I've seen how far off topic these discussions can drift.

And b.t.w: How do you explain Jesus Christ? There IS evidence that he once lived, and his Bible stories are some of the few that ARENT parables.

i dont know who said it, but "the light at the end of the tunnel is the doctor's flashlight shining in your eyes!"

Seriously though, I hope there's an after life, because life would be pretty pointless if there weren't.

Dunno, when my Grandfather passed away he said he could see Jesus with a smile and a tear in his eye, he raised his right arm, and then lowered it, and he just went away like that. :)

Which was very strange, because 3 days before that, he was screaming in terror seeing the "Gu tao" (Horn headed man), so my mom called the Pastor who prayed for him and he accepted Christ.

Strangely, my Grandfather wasn't the only one I've witnessed first hand with the same happening. My mom's friend also was the same.

You may call it 'chemical reaction' and seeing things or whatever. But hey, as long as they died happy and believe what they believe, I want to die happy and believe in what I believe.

Evidence? Really?

Yes. Evidence. Really! :D

This always struck me as one of the most pointless arguments ever created. Please understand that if there is not an afterlife, there is not a "durned" thing you can do about it. Also understand that if there is an afterlife, there is not a "durned" thing you can do about it. Those who strive to console themselves in this, and other things, are the kind of people I like. Please, please let me rule you... I will propose pointless philosophical points to ponder periodically. I will also take all of your money and spend it on loose women and narcotics.

When and if there is an afterlife, deal with it when it knocks on the proverbial door. If that's not enough for ya, choose a religion that allows drinking, sex, and a general good time. Most religions that incorporate these fundamental spiritual beliefs have a lenient Heaven policy.

Summary: Shut up. Quit whining, or give me your money. Afterlife speculation is something you do while you walk the dog. End.

No need to sound bitter about it.

It's just expressing opinions, because there is NO proof nor evidence to explain otherwise.

no idea

sorry to interject again, but I thought I'd say this. I'd rather believe in God and have there not be an afterlife, than to be an agnostic(is that the right word?) and wake up on God's doorstep after I die.

I hope ther is an afterlife but so far nobody has come back to tell me what its like :D

sorry to interject again, but I thought I'd say this. I'd rather believe in God and have there not be an afterlife, than to be an agnostic(is that the right word?) and wake up on God's doorstep after I die.
What would really suck is waking up to see Anubis weighing my heart on a scale.

This always struck me as one of the most pointless arguments ever created. Please understand that if there is not an afterlife, there is not a "durned" thing you can do about it. Also understand that if there is an afterlife, there is not a "durned" thing you can do about it. Those who strive to console themselves in this, and other things, are the kind of people I like.

I completely and utterly agree with you that there's nuthing you can do about it, but if you dont ask questions and have concerns, life is just "birth, reproduction, death" Looking into things too much is what makes "life." (ex: Love is simply looking into reproduction too much)

I believe in reincarnation. :P Only you don't get to remember your other lives...

Jeeeeeeez. Us. Christ.

I said that speculation is pointless, unless you think you can change it. And in that case, find a religion where it is easy to tip the spiritual balance in your favor. With drinking and questionable sexual mores.

If you believe that your actions on this plane affect your "position" on the next, then religion is for you.
I do believe it.
I spend a good deal of my time drinking and having sexual intercourse with women with bad teeth. This make me a bad person? As they say in France, non. Because according to my religion, it's a good thing.


----Note for fools----
I don't actually belong to a religion where drug and sexual abuse is the norm. If you know of one where these actions are smiled upon, please tell me. Please. I really, really, really actually need to know. For my immortal soul.
Also, commune with yourself at least once a day. It's one hell of a lot more interesting than prayer. Turn up some dirt, man.


Sarcasm intended.