NationStates Jolt Archive


Is there an afterlife?

Strobovia
24-11-2005, 10:50
Well is there?
Heron-Marked Warriors
24-11-2005, 10:56
Well is there?

You do know that threads that start without discussion are liable to be locked? Well, you do now.

Anyway, I say that yes, there is, mostly because I find the alternative more than a little horrifying. What form it takes I don't know, but I think reincarnation would be kind of cool, although not if it's based on karma, because I would be fairly screwed if it was.
Strobovia
24-11-2005, 10:58
You do know that threads that start without discussion are liable to be locked? Well, you do now.

Anyway, I say that yes, there is, mostly because I find the alternative more than a little horrifying. What form it takes I don't know, but I think reincarnation would be kind of cool, although not if it's based on karma, because I would be fairly screwed if it was.
If there is no afterlife then why is that horrifying? You're just gone and won't know of it.
Neu Leonstein
24-11-2005, 11:04
I guess the info right now leads me to think that I'll simply go out of existence.

But I'll find out in a few years (hopefully a few more), and until then, the point is moot...
Heron-Marked Warriors
24-11-2005, 11:06
If there is no afterlife then why is that horrifying? You're just gone and won't know of it.

Yes, but you're gone. I guess it's just because that means that this is all their is, we barely exist in the grand scheme and then we're gone after 70 or 80 years. It would also mean that there is very little difference between a human and a potato, that we're really insignificant. Sounds kind of arrogant, I know, to want to be special, but there it is.
BackwoodsSquatches
24-11-2005, 11:07
You do know that threads that start without discussion are liable to be locked? Well, you do now.

Anyway, I say that yes, there is, mostly because I find the alternative more than a little horrifying. What form it takes I don't know, but I think reincarnation would be kind of cool, although not if it's based on karma, because I would be fairly screwed if it was.


So, you believe in an afterlife, not becuase you have assurance one exists, but becuase youre afraid to accept the alternative?

I personally cannot believe anything that will inspire fear, if I doubt.
Thats no way to live.
Neu Leonstein
24-11-2005, 11:09
Sounds kind of arrogant, I know, to want to be special, but there it is.
The point is to make yourself special in the time you have - not to worry about what happens afterwards.
Kamsaki
24-11-2005, 11:12
Maybe there is, maybe there isn't. The world is ruined by people who devote their lives to their answer to that question. You shouldn't care.
Heron-Marked Warriors
24-11-2005, 11:13
So, you believe in an afterlife, not becuase you have assurance one exists, but becuase youre afraid to accept the alternative?


Yes. It doesn't rule my life (i.e. this fear hasn't made me religious), but basically, yes.
BackwoodsSquatches
24-11-2005, 11:15
Yes, but you're gone. I guess it's just because that means that this is all their is, we barely exist in the grand scheme and then we're gone after 70 or 80 years. It would also mean that there is very little difference between a human and a potato, that we're really insignificant. Sounds kind of arrogant, I know, to want to be special, but there it is.


But most people arent even special among people.
Few people ever gain even enough notoriety to remembered a few years beyond thier deaths.

One million years from now, even Hitler and the holocuast will have been long forgotten.

So, knowing that we arent special, we as humans, invent a system of behaviour to convince ourselves otherwise.
We invent an all-powerful person who controls the universe, and even though mighty enough to shatter planets...mild enough to love us benevolently and willing to take us to a peaceful paradise where we rest and placidly languish, when we die.

We call it religion.
Strobovia
24-11-2005, 11:15
Maybe there is, maybe there isn't. The world is ruined by people who devote their lives to their answer to that question. You shouldn't care.But why care about life then?
BackwoodsSquatches
24-11-2005, 11:17
Yes. It doesn't rule my life (i.e. this fear hasn't made me religious), but basically, yes.


But of a person does a certain thing, or believes a certain thing, becuase he or she is afraid not to, does that make it right?
Heron-Marked Warriors
24-11-2005, 11:19
But of a person does a certain thing, or believes a certain thing, becuase he or she is afraid not to, does that make it right?

That's a personal call, in the end, that depends on if you believe that where you are is more important than how you got there, or if you believe the opposite.
Kamsaki
24-11-2005, 11:19
But why care about life then?
Because it's right here. Because there are other people right here and now that, regardless of any questions you might have about existence, seem to require assistance.

Care about life because it's as close to a certainty as you're going to get. Afterlife or not, thinking about it is just a distraction from more important issues. Find an opinion then forget about it, I reckon.
BackwoodsSquatches
24-11-2005, 11:23
That's a personal call, in the end, that depends on if you believe that where you are is more important than how you got there, or if you believe the opposite.


I consider it a matter of common sense, or logic.

Not to imply that Christians or any other religious follower lacks it, but to me, the idea of doing following a religion, becuase im afraid not to, doesnt make any sense.

Living in fear of retribution, for not thinking properly, offends me to my core.
Heron-Marked Warriors
24-11-2005, 11:26
I consider it a matter of common sense, or logic.

Not to imply that Christians or any other religious follower lacks it, but to me, the idea of doing following a religion, becuase im afraid not to, doesnt make any sense.

Living in fear of retribution, for not thinking properly, offends me to my core.

To clarify, I believe in an afterlife of some sort because I find it scary not to. I don't believe in any particular religion because I'm lazy and they're more or less all corrupt and perverted
Gracerograd
24-11-2005, 11:36
I believe very firmly that there isn't. I'm more concerned with living a good life, because I know that (pre-death) life does exist, that it is limited, and that it is a gift. I want to do good things, have good friends and gain joy and fulfilment from my time on earth, because it only happens once and you don't get a chance to start over. If I die and there does turn out to be an afterlife, great, but in the meantime I'm going to make the most of my finite existence.
Damor
24-11-2005, 11:51
Well is there?No, when I die the universe ends, as I am no longer there to observe it.
Strobovia
24-11-2005, 13:08
No, when I die the universe ends, as I am no longer there to observe it.
I've read about that theory too... But it can't be true.
Dakini
24-11-2005, 13:25
Why spend this life worrying about what comes after it? You know you have this one shot at it, so make the best of it. If there's something afterwards, then great, but if not at least you didn't waste your entire existence.
Hullepupp
24-11-2005, 13:42
I donĀ“t care if yes or no
Damor
24-11-2005, 13:44
I've read about that theory too... But it can't be true.I admit it would be strange if it were true. But stranger things have happened. (Or not)

I don't think there's really anything that can be said with certainty about what happens after death. It's a comforting thought you might go on to have a happy afterlife. And just so it might be comforting to just disappear and be done with all the drama.
Strobovia
24-11-2005, 13:52
I admit it would be strange if it were true. But stranger things have happened. (Or not)

I don't think there's really anything that can be said with certainty about what happens after death. It's a comforting thought you might go on to have a happy afterlife. And just so it might be comforting to just disappear and be done with all the drama.
Then there's no need to worry at all.:)