For you atheists out there. Have you ever thought seriously about death?

[Anonymous]

Do you expect everything to go dark for eternity and that’s it?

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+1 y

I am not selecting a MHO for this one. I am just going to let GAG select one by itself.

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+1 y

This question was asked in all earnest not condemnation.

For those of you making sneering comments about “sky daddy” or “hotel in the sky” just realize that has no impact on my faith. If anything it shows that you are the one with an issue. I didn’t ask this question out of condescension but out of curiosity.

[Lliam]

I have no way of knowing, so I don't worry about it. I suspect that we just die like everything else, but I'm not going to claim that as a certainty.

I don't buy the mythological imaginings of ancient primitive people. I'm certainly not going to live in fear of a vengeful god or imaginary places like Hell or Hades. That stuff seems as plausible as Oz or Brigadoon.

I'm just grateful for my life and for the ability to appreciate the wonders that my senses can apprehend. Beyond that, what will be will be.

[Kaneki05]

Umm yeah? That's precisely why I am one because anyone who thinks about seriously knows there is not some magical voodoo light god wacko resurrection at the end lol.

And also would be smart enough to know if there was a all-loving god death just simply wouldn't exist nor pain. Because no one who is all loving wants to put there own loved ones in that which would include us.

Death is a thing that if seriously thought about would make one realise there is nothing magical like that. But because it's not thought about seriously and basically people like to deny the fact of death they turn to a delusion that makes them happy or cope with death better within the form of believing there is something more.
That way they get around the bitter truth of none-existence just like before we were born.

[CountessSarah]

Of course I've thought seriously about death. And no... I wouldn't say 'go dark for eternity'... Because there's no sense of self to remain to sense that 'darkness'.
But colloquially, sure, I get what you're asking. And yeah, that is what I suspect death is like.

But what you need to understand, is that my beliefs aren't controlled by what I would find comforting. Sure, it might be nice to imagine there's some... holiday resort in the sky waiting for me... But that's a fantasy. And I'm not interested in convincing myself of a lie because reality is tough to deal with at times.

[Asker]

We want the truth. I am a believer but that’s not to say I haven’t had my past doubts. But it is something I have had to come to terms with. Everything we see touch, smell, heart, etc is from matter. But where did matter and kinetic energy originate? How’s the laws of science and the universe come into being? Have fundamental elements existed for all eternity? Apostle Paul even talks about this in the New Testament.

Any way I believe in free will and a free society. I am not Bible thumping you but sharing my POV just like you shared yours above. Believer or not I hope you have a good 2022. Thanks.

[CountessSarah]

"But where did matter and kinetic energy originate? How’s the laws of science and the universe come into being? Have fundamental elements existed for all eternity?"
The answer to those questions would be 'We don't know'. Nothing about those questions gets you to a justified belief in a god or afterlife.

[CountessSarah]

"For those of you making sneering comments about “sky daddy” or “hotel in the sky” just realize that has no impact on my faith. If anything it shows that you are the one with an issue."
These are usually said in jest or as a colloquial way of describing complicated but highly dubious ideas quickly. You're clearly the one with the problem because you're offended by it. (If you weren't, you wouldn't have responded that way.)

[Asker]

“ These are usually said in jest or as a colloquial way of describing complicated but highly dubious ideas quickly.”

No you are saying that to be condescending. Period. But this attitude has been going for millenia. Ultimately you will have to answer for that and I really hope and pray you have a change of heart some day before it’s too late.

I wish you the best of luck. God bless.

[CountessSarah]

... And now you're resorting to threats.

[purplepoppy]

It doesn't go dark, that would suggest your conscious and able to observe the darkness. I'd expect hallucinations, light flashes, possibly a feeling of euphoria as the neurons in brain collapse and everything is lost forever. There's some evidence this may go on for longer than once thought but at the end its over

[jennifer_bloom]

I was an agnostic at age 6 and was afraid to die so I wanted to believe there was a God that would let me live forever but I was not sure if he was real. At age 20 I no longer doubted God’s existence but I did doubt my ability to serve Him.

[Asker]

We all have different gifts and talents being the sons and daughters of the kingdom of God. Your existence is much more valuable than you realize.

[Idontwantausername1]

We are one of the very few living creatures that are self conscious and because we are self conscious we value our self consciousness a lot and cannot imagine (or find it weird to imagine) having to live without our self conscious. That's why we tell ourself there is life after death because we cannot imagine living without our self conscious, but than you have to think: who creates that tought? Our self conscious! I don't think there is anything after death but I hope there is.

[Asker]

Are any other creatures as fully self conscious as humans are?

[Idontwantausername1]

I don't think so.

[ChrisMaster69]

Everyone dies and either becomes worm food or bone dust.

that’s it, end and nothing.

you die and that’s it.

face it, you live life to the max and then exit stage left.

in a hole or burnt (or water).

[doopayo]

Death gives meaning to life so theirs no reason to be afraid of it, it’s inevitable in all living things

[Kyle-Jackson78]

yes, the consciousness is made of trillions of nurons and synapses, THey are bascialy what make you YOU, When they die you dont think or feel or perceive anything, You won't know you died there will be endless nothingness

[josephinelcajon]

Well, there are other beliefs that are non-religious such as Buddhist believe in reincarnation. Others similar but you live life over and over until you learn everything.

[OfDeath]

I've thought about it and the most likely thing based on evidence is that we dont experience anything. Not even dark because that would still be an experience. You are no longer a conscious, living organism. That's it.

[acooke-13]

I just think it's going to be like when you're asleep, unconscious and unaware - I'm happy with that.

[AndrésC64]

I have thought extensively about death. I have had to make the choice to let both of my parents died and I have been close to death myself twice. Never did the thought of an afterlife or religion never entered my mind.

[SnakeBoop]

sure. but you're dead. consciousness ceases to exist.

[slatyb]

To "go dark?" No, darkness is a sensation. There will be no sensation, I will not exist, just as I didn't exist before my birth.

[Deathraider]

I mean there wouldn’t be a me to experience anything anymore. It sounds like a reasonable conclusion compared to every other alternative explanation. Those just sound like wishful thinking.

[Astarlessnightsky]

Yep, but like sleeping you loose all sense of time and won't notice the eternity.

[FunkyMonkee]

Yeah. What about it? That's life!! John Lennon said, "Death is like stepping out of one car and into another.".

[genericname85]

Do you remember how it was before you were born? That's how it's gonna be.

[najekim]

Everyone will find out if and when their time comes. No need to fret about it.

[this_is_me_123]

A person doesn't have to be an atheist to believe that death is the end.

[Anonymous]

I expect nothing. We live, we die. That's it.

[Belgie]

Yup. Just like before I was born.

[Fuentes]

Let them die and see the truth its their lifes