Do you believe in an Afterlife?

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

I'm sorry for the d!ckshness of it Naomi. I really do respect you.

 

Growing up in the south, I have known hundreds of severely brainwashed people, and it makes me sad. They are usually very conflicted, guilt ridden people for no reason.

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

I don't spend a lot of time thinking about it, and most of it was learned from my parents; mostly my single mother who explicitly DID NOT believe in God, based on her own sh!tty childhood. But somehow she managed to instill a pretty strong morality in all four of her kids without lording (religion pun!) eternal damnation over our head. My Dad was raised Catholic but I don't recall him ever bringing up God much either. Their idea of a moral code was "Don't be an a$$hole!" and it stuck for the most part.

About the same for me: single Mom, not religious, Dad raised a Catholic but never discussed religion.

 

Perhaps we've stumbled upon the recipe for creating upstanding citizens with excellent moral fiber?

[penultimatestraw 473]

She's an ascetic. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asceticism

I like asceticism a lot, minus believe in a higher being. This may be why Buddhism appeals to me.

[penultimatestraw 473]

I dunno, it's some kind of weird psychological thing. Like you know how you get a sense of satisfaction when you make yourself do a particularly tough workout or you're especially strict in eating healthy for a while? It's like that except her entire life

I firmly believe suffering makes you appreciate everything a bit more. Take backpacking, for instance. There is nothing better than otherwise shitty bland noodles after you've spent a long day hiking lugging a heavy pack. Hunger is the best sauce, or something like that.

[penultimatestraw 473]

I'm sorry for the d!ckshness of it Naomi. I really do respect you.

 

Growing up in the south, I have known hundreds of severely brainwashed people, and it makes me sad. They are usually very conflicted, guilt ridden people for no reason.

Guilt and fear are among the most powerful motivators. It's a lot harder to get people to behave themselves just because it is the "right" thing to do.

[kilroy69 1,273]

Far too many people lack empathy but try to replace that with religion.

[Mookz 1,389]

This is probably the worst argument, but a lot of people claim to have seen ghosts. Not always crackpots and rubes, either. If even one of those stories is real, well then, we may have something.

[tanatastic 2,062]

This is probably the worst argument, but a lot of people claim to have seen ghosts. Not always crackpots and rubes, either. If even one of those stories is real, well then, we may have something.

I have some ideas. For one they are just the mind playing tricks, as it does a ton. Plus these are usually people who really really want to see ghosts. Just like every bigfoot hunter has a squatch story where they almost got him or someone swear they saw the loch ness monster. If ghosts were real there would be many more sightings byt he general public out in the open . If they could besummoned with seances etc they would be all over the place.

 

Heres something I will not rule out tho...that there could be interdimensional beings crossing over that someone has seen. Hear me out...Its prob not the case because why havent interdimensional warlords come and taken over yet if there were doors? But while I can say for sure there is no such thing as religion or gods or souls or any of that nonsense, I cant claim to know there are no other dimensions. Again its unlikely, but 1000x more likely than any sort of supernatural even happening in the world we all know and live in and have cell phone cameras in every corner of.

[IGotWorms 4,063]

I firmly believe suffering makes you appreciate everything a bit more. Take backpacking, for instance. There is nothing better than otherwise shitty bland noodles after you've spent a long day hiking lugging a heavy pack. Hunger is the best sauce, or something like that.

I agree but to apply that to every facet of your life day in and day out? I suppose I admire the dedication but it also seems excessively massochistic. But who am I to judge?

[Frozenbeernuts 2,427]

What if believing I'm the smartest best looking guy on earth makes me a better person? Should I believe that too?

I think so. If it makes someone a better person i am all for it. Good people are awesome. I like surrounding myself with them. Bad people are horrible pieces of shlt that i would be for killing IF there was a 100% fool proof way to determine who is "bad".

[MDC 8,100]

I think so. If it makes someone a better person i am all for it. Good people are awesome. I like surrounding myself with them. Bad people are horrible pieces of shlt that i would be for killing IF there was a 100% fool proof way to determine who is "bad".

I guess my point is that it's ridiculous to decide to believe something just because it makes you feel good. If I believe something it's because I think it's true, not because I find it comforting or want to believe it.

[Mookz 1,389]

I have some ideas. For one they are just the mind playing tricks, as it does a ton. Plus these are usually people who really really want to see ghosts. Just like every bigfoot hunter has a squatch story where they almost got him or someone swear they saw the loch ness monster. If ghosts were real there would be many more sightings byt he general public out in the open . If they could besummoned with seances etc they would be all over the place.

 

Heres something I will not rule out tho...that there could be interdimensional beings crossing over that someone has seen. Hear me out...Its prob not the case because why havent interdimensional warlords come and taken over yet if there were doors? But while I can say for sure there is no such thing as religion or gods or souls or any of that nonsense, I cant claim to know there are no other dimensions. Again its unlikely, but 1000x more likely than any sort of supernatural even happening in the world we all know and live in and have cell phone cameras in every corner of.

 

Hey, even if it's other dimensions, all bets are still off to me. I'll take it.

 

I'm just not comfortable with the idea of my consciousness not being around anymore. I know it was that way in the 70s, but that was before I realized it.

 

Also I wish this didn't always have to get tangled up with religion. Just because religion says there's an afterlife, and religion is made up, doesn't mean there's no afterlife.

[TD Ryan2 316]

 

I'm just not comfortable with the idea of my consciousness not being around anymore.

 

that, for me, is the tipping point for beginning to think that there could be something more... forget religion... just from a logical and analytical viewpoint, trying to comprehend "nothingness"... or no longer "being" makes my brain hurt... what happens when you die... nothing? At that point, you're "making it up" just as much as someone else is making up angels and harps...

[hoytdwow 202]

As a former atheist, I've never understood why atheists are so offended by people who believe. You need to get over it! Neither side can produce any evidence for their claims. Me, I am a reluctant Christian, of the Jeffersonian stripe. I'm not at all comfortable with a lot of the supernatural stuff. I believe in science. However, that will only get you as far back as the big bang.

[Frank M 181]

 

that, for me, is the tipping point for beginning to think that there could be something more... forget religion... just from a logical and analytical viewpoint, trying to comprehend "nothingness"... or no longer "being" makes my brain hurt... what happens when you die... nothing? At that point, you're "making it up" just as much as someone else is making up angels and harps...

 

Deciding that something must be there after death because you can't comprehend there being nothing is not logical and analytical.

 

Logically, based on what we know, the only possible outcome is that there is nothing. The processes that allow you to think and comprehend and have faith will all be terminated and there will be nothing. Logically speaking, that is.

 

I have no problem with hope and faith. It would be great if there is something beyond this existence that allows us to go on. The belief that there is cannot be logically defended, nor can any type of real analysis show that it's true.

[Frank M 181]

As a former atheist, I've never understood why atheists are so offended by people who believe. You need to get over it! Neither side can produce any evidence for their claims. Me, I am a reluctant Christian, of the Jeffersonian stripe. I'm not at all comfortable with a lot of the supernatural stuff. I believe in science. However, that will only get you as far back as the big bang.

 

Has anyone here expressed offense at people who believe?

[TD Ryan2 316]

Logically, based on what we know, the only possible outcome is that there is nothing.

can you explain "nothing"... is it quite? is it dark?

[Mookz 1,389]

can you explain "nothing"... is it quite? is it dark?

 

Sounds good so far. Is the rent reasonable?

[kilroy69 1,273]

As a former atheist, I've never understood why atheists are so offended by people who believe. You need to get over it! Neither side can produce any evidence for their claims. Me, I am a reluctant Christian, of the Jeffersonian stripe. I'm not at all comfortable with a lot of the supernatural stuff. I believe in science. However, that will only get you as far back as the big bang.

Former as in you used to be sane and now you hear the voice of god?

[Mike Honcho 5,546]

Calvin and Hobbes discuss the eternal question

[hoytdwow 202]

Former as in you used to be sane and now you hear the voice of god?

Good one. You give Taintastic a run for his money. Do you have a bet on to see who can be the bigger asshole?

[tanatastic 2,062]

Good one. You give Taintastic a run for his money. Do you have a bet on to see who can be the bigger asshole?

Hey if dropping reality bombs, saying things that are pure fact and having viewponts that are undebateable and inarguable makes me an Ahole then so be it.

[Frank M 181]

can you explain "nothing"... is it quite? is it dark?

 

How should I know? Why does it need to be explained?

 

 

Logically, after I die, all that will happen is that the molecules that make up my body will become something else.

[Voltaire 5,528]

I think when your brain synapses stop firing that you're done. I don't know this. I do know that sometimes people who suffer brain damage have undergone personality changes. Seems to me that if souls do exist, personality should be beyond the reach of brain damage. Brain damage can also result in the loss of motor movement or memory, depends on which part gets hit I suppose.

 

I could be wrong, I don't know any more than you guys or the religion peddlers.

[tanatastic 2,062]

I think when your brain synapses stop firing that you're done. I don't know this. I do know that sometimes people who suffer brain damage have undergone personality changes. Seems to me that if souls do exist, personality should be beyond the reach of brain damage. Brain damage can also result in the loss of motor movement or memory, depends on which part gets hit I suppose.

 

I could be wrong, I don't know any more than you guys or the religion peddlers.

This is what makes the seemingly possible, albeit far fetched idea of a person just being a brain in a jar fun to me. I think a brain in a jar with proper oxygen and blood flow and a pair of eyes can function the same as a person. Would love to see it.

[Voltaire 5,528]

This is what makes the seemingly possible, albeit far fetched idea of a person just being a brain in a jar fun to me. I think a brain in a jar with proper oxygen and blood flow and a pair of eyes can function the same as a person. Would love to see it.

If there's an afterlife, even if my body is a shell, I should hope to go their with my memories and my personality intact. If those things can be changed or destroyed with brain damage, it seems to me the soul is inseparable from the brain and when the brain dies, so does the soul.

 

If my brain were to wind up in a jar, I hope we'd have some way to talk to the other jar-brains and we could watch TV or something. Stick around as long as you like, If you get bored, call it quits.

[hoytdwow 202]

Hey if dropping reality bombs, saying things that are pure fact and having viewponts that are undebateable and inarguable makes me an Ahole then so be it.

Are you a sociopath?

[tanatastic 2,062]

Are you a sociopath?

No I get along with people great. I just have a keen sense of 1+1=2 and calling a spade a spade. I dont drop knowledge bombs outside of forums, its too much for normal folk to wrap their head around.

[hoytdwow 202]

This post is hidden because you have chosen to ignore posts by tanatastic. View it anyway?

 

[tanatastic 2,062]

That is so not fair. I didnt attack holycowtd in the slightest and were just a bunch of guys talkin trash on a forum. Shouldnt ignore someone because you dont agree with their viewpoints no matter how douchy or dumb they are.

 

edit in response to his continued posts below even tho I clearly addressed this post to everyone else knowing he put me on ignore: LOL he still thinks im talking to him and doing that ghey "post is hidden" thing like hes saying "talk to the hand cuz the face aint listenin, snap snap." Wow im owning him so hard right now and he doesnt even know it. He will unignore to check but then quickly go back to avoid this humiliation of responding. Hes out of his league going to psychological war with me.

 

Ok Holy ill make a deal. When you unignore and see this, keep me. I apologize for whatever I did to annoy you even tho I made zero personal posts about you in the slightest. Im sorry.

[hoytdwow 202]

This post is hidden because you have chosen to ignore posts by tanatastic. View it anyway?

[jerryskids 7,195]

This post is hidden because you have chosen to ignore posts by tanatastic. View it anyway?

Are you 12?

[kilroy69 1,273]

Good one. You give Taintastic a run for his money. Do you have a bet on to see who can be the bigger asshole?

oh give me a break. Tantastic is a much bigger assholee than me and I mean that with all due respect.

[hoytdwow 202]

Are you 12?

Sorry Jer, but hearing about the "knowledge bombs" not once but twice is enough for me. Maybe you should do a personality analysis on him

[penultimatestraw 473]

can you explain "nothing"... is it quite? is it dark?

Kinda like sleep, but no dreams. And you never wake up.

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

Deciding that something must be there after death because you can't comprehend there being nothing is not logical and analytical.

 

Logically, based on what we know, the only possible outcome is that there is nothing. The processes that allow you to think and comprehend and have faith will all be terminated and there will be nothing. Logically speaking, that is.

 

I have no problem with hope and faith. It would be great if there is something beyond this existence that allows us to go on. The belief that there is cannot be logically defended, nor can any type of real analysis show that it's true.

Never understood why people get so caught up with the uncertainty of death. There are a million other things we all accept at face value, yet the idea that life just ends is incomprehensible. I think it is a bit egotistical to believe we must exist forever.

[tanatastic 2,062]

Never understood why people get so caught up with the uncertainty of death. There are a million other things we all accept at face value, yet the idea that life just ends is incomprehensible. I think it is a bit egotistical to believe we must exist forever.

It's just such a scary concept that we will think of any excuse to convince ourselves there's more. Some people think every person is some special snowflake with their own private condo in heaven when really we are just grains of sand in the desert that is the universe. It is pretty freaky to know that it will just turn off one day.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

Never understood why people get so caught up with the uncertainty of death. There are a million other things we all accept at face value, yet the idea that life just ends is incomprehensible. I think it is a bit egotistical to believe we must exist forever.

It's also a stretch to believe that one squirt of my man goo into a drunken bar slut has the ability to create a soul that will live eternally.

 

Animals have personalities. And only total wackos think they have souls and go to heaven. We simply have more advanced brains. That's it. Sacks of meat with an attitude.

[penultimatestraw 473]

It's also a stretch to believe that one squirt of my man goo into a drunken bar slut has the ability to create a soul that will live eternally.

 

Animals have personalities. And only total wackos think they have souls and go to heaven. We simply have more advanced brains. That's it. Sacks of meat with an attitude.

So much of Christianity is predicated on man's importance: created in God's image, Christ sacrificing himself for our sins, animals subordinate to man, etc. Yet, pride is considered the worst of sins...quite a mixed message.

 

But I think some flavors of Christianity and many other religions believe animals have souls too. Doesn't make the afterlife any more plausible though.

[fandandy 3,314]

I don't know if cats have souls but I have been told that all dogs go to heaven.