The Afterlife - Page 3

dogetahi · 02-02-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neverforever

if there is no afterlife and no reincarnation that just seems weird to me i cant wrap my mind around that fact that it just ends and u dont even know it ended.

That reasoning is a central reason for the creation of religion, and probably the only reason for its continued existence. People just can't accept the reality of death. One of the most basic natural instincts is the desire to keep living and avoid death.

shadowind · 02-02-2008, 04:43 PM

the thought of an after life seems weird to me.

marmalade · 02-02-2008, 05:24 PM

Romansh,

There is only one sure way of getting evidence. But I'm thinking you aren't quite ready yet to die.

When I think about all of life, it seems weird to me. Continued existence is no more weird than discontinued existence for existence in general is a very odd thing. The only reason that discontinued existence wouldn't seem weird is because if it happened, you wouldn't be around to think anything.

romansh · 02-02-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marmalade

1) There is only one sure way of getting evidence. But I'm thinking you aren't quite ready yet to die.
2) When I think about all of life, it seems weird to me. Continued existence is no more weird than discontinued existence for existence in general is a very odd thing.
3) The only reason that discontinued existence wouldn't seem weird is because if it happened, you wouldn't be around to think anything.

marm
1) even when I die .... I could not be sure ..... reincarnated as a grasshopper say? .... but you are quite right, I'm not ready for the (pen?)ultimate experiment.
2) yes life is amazing, weird .... we (I presume) are certain as we can be that it is real...whatever that is. So I can use that as my point to extrapolate from (I know I need at least two).
3) I agree with the last part; but is it the only reason? I'm not a fan of shaving but Occam's razor and a lack of verifiable evidence come to mind.

Believing in afterlife does not make sense from an agnostic point of view.
For me, disbelieving that an after life does not exist is irrelevant.

**Skepticologist** · 02-07-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romansh

Quote:

Originally Posted by marmalade

1) There is only one sure way of getting evidence. But I'm thinking you aren't quite ready yet to die.
2) When I think about all of life, it seems weird to me. Continued existence is no more weird than discontinued existence for existence in general is a very odd thing.
3) The only reason that discontinued existence wouldn't seem weird is because if it happened, you wouldn't be around to think anything.

marm
1) even when I die .... I could not be sure ..... reincarnated as a grasshopper say? .... but you are quite right, I'm not ready for the (pen?)ultimate experiment.
2) yes life is amazing, weird .... we (I presume) are certain as we can be that it is real...whatever that is. So I can use that as my point to extrapolate from (I know I need at least two).
3) I agree with the last part; but is it the only reason? I'm not a fan of shaving but Occam's razor and a lack of verifiable evidence come to mind.

Believing in afterlife does not make sense from an agnostic point of view.
For me, disbelieving that an after life does not exist is irrelevant.

OK. I can relate to your need to believe that existence doesn't end with physical death. After having existed, it's difficult to accept any premise that doesn't ensure continued existence.

But, considering the billions of people who have existed on the face of the earth, what's accomplished by their continuing existence in whatever form? It's not like some sentient consciousness from thousands of years ago will have hung on to existence long enough to elucidate the meaning of life for those of us who have come on the scene much later.

What's so horrible about a concept that says that, for whatever reason, and by whatever agency, we existed as humans on the face of a miniscule planet for a number of years that's inconsequential by even the most liberal standards, and that we simply no longer exist in that form?

romansh · 02-07-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skepticologist

OK. I can relate to your need to believe that existence doesn't end with physical death. After having existed, it's difficult to accept any premise that doesn't ensure continued existence.

Hi Skept
Not sure whether this comment is aimed at me or marmalade.

For the record: I am as convinced as I can be (and still remain agnostic) that there is no life after death.

marmalade · 02-08-2008, 12:03 AM

I'm an agnostic on the matter. I lack both belief and disbelief. I was just saying that life is weird and there is no way to say anything rational about an afterlife... for or against. Its hard enough to say anything rational about the life between birth and death.

I've got a plan. When I die, I'll post back into this thread and tell you all about it. If 60 yrs or so pass and I haven't yet responded, then maybe there is no afterlife.

AB517 · 02-08-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skepticologist

Quote:

Originally Posted by romansh

Quote:

Originally Posted by marmalade

1) There is only one sure way of getting evidence. But I'm thinking you aren't quite ready yet to die.
2) When I think about all of life, it seems weird to me. Continued existence is no more weird than discontinued existence for existence in general is a very odd thing.
3) The only reason that discontinued existence wouldn't seem weird is because if it happened, you wouldn't be around to think anything.

marm
1) even when I die .... I could not be sure ..... reincarnated as a grasshopper say? .... but you are quite right, I'm not ready for the (pen?)ultimate experiment.
2) yes life is amazing, weird .... we (I presume) are certain as we can be that it is real...whatever that is. So I can use that as my point to extrapolate from (I know I need at least two).
3) I agree with the last part; but is it the only reason? I'm not a fan of shaving but Occam's razor and a lack of verifiable evidence come to mind.

Believing in afterlife does not make sense from an agnostic point of view.
For me, disbelieving that an after life does not exist is irrelevant.

OK. I can relate to your need to believe that existence doesn't end with physical death. After having existed, it's difficult to accept any premise that doesn't ensure continued existence.

But, considering the billions of people who have existed on the face of the earth, what's accomplished by their continuing existence in whatever form? It's not like some sentient consciousness from thousands of years ago will have hung on to existence long enough to elucidate the meaning of life for those of us who have come on the scene much later.

What's so horrible about a concept that says that, for whatever reason, and by whatever agency, we existed as humans on the face of a miniscule planet for a number of years that's inconsequential by even the most liberal standards, and that we simply no longer exist in that form?

Nothing.

What is wrong with believing there is something? What so horrible about that?

**Skepticologist** · 02-08-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB517

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skepticologist

Quote:

Originally Posted by romansh

Quote:

Originally Posted by marmalade

1) There is only one sure way of getting evidence. But I'm thinking you aren't quite ready yet to die.
2) When I think about all of life, it seems weird to me. Continued existence is no more weird than discontinued existence for existence in general is a very odd thing.
3) The only reason that discontinued existence wouldn't seem weird is because if it happened, you wouldn't be around to think anything.

marm
1) even when I die .... I could not be sure ..... reincarnated as a grasshopper say? .... but you are quite right, I'm not ready for the (pen?)ultimate experiment.
2) yes life is amazing, weird .... we (I presume) are certain as we can be that it is real...whatever that is. So I can use that as my point to extrapolate from (I know I need at least two).
3) I agree with the last part; but is it the only reason? I'm not a fan of shaving but Occam's razor and a lack of verifiable evidence come to mind.

Believing in afterlife does not make sense from an agnostic point of view.
For me, disbelieving that an after life does not exist is irrelevant.

OK. I can relate to your need to believe that existence doesn't end with physical death. After having existed, it's difficult to accept any premise that doesn't ensure continued existence.

But, considering the billions of people who have existed on the face of the earth, what's accomplished by their continuing existence in whatever form? It's not like some sentient consciousness from thousands of years ago will have hung on to existence long enough to elucidate the meaning of life for those of us who have come on the scene much later.

What's so horrible about a concept that says that, for whatever reason, and by whatever agency, we existed as humans on the face of a miniscule planet for a number of years that's inconsequential by even the most liberal standards, and that we simply no longer exist in that form?

Nothing.

What is wrong with believing there is something? What so horrible about that?

Nothing, as long as it's based on logic and reason. Otherwise, you can sign on to any and all hair-brained fantasies. Which will it be? 70 virgins? Pearly gates and streets of gold?

Take your pick. They're all equally nebulous.

romansh · 02-08-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marmalade

I've got a plan. When I die, I'll post back into this thread and tell you all about it. If 60 yrs or so pass and I haven't yet responded, then maybe there is no afterlife.

And if you are reincarnated as a grass hopper?