So first you die..

1. 92

   Paragliderposted 17 years ago

   It seems to me that the most reasonable concern of any human being is to work to improve this life on Earth, and to do that in unselfish ways.
   
   A perfectly understandable, but less reasonable, concern is for our own afterlife, if any. It seems better to devote thought and energy to life on earth and to leave the afterlife to the godhead, if any.
   
   Where humans are at their most unreasonable is when they become concerned for other people's afterlife

   replyreport
2. 73

   Inspirepubposted 17 years ago

   My litmus test for any belief is whether it improves the quality of my life in the here-and-now.
   
   If it makes me more peaceful, more inspired, more confident, more in touch with myself, if it makes my relationships more fulfilling, if it makes my impact on the people around me more positive and uplifting, then I hold on to it.
   
   I don't much care if it's objectively "true". For all we know, the entire Universe will cease to exist at the moment of our death.
   
   What matters is that we live here and now as though we are leaving a legacy for the ages. Whether we are or not.
   
   Because it's not about the final outcome, which we can never know for sure. It's about the quality of the journey from now until then.
   
   Jenny
   
   P.S. That's why I'm not one for organised religion, because those institutionalised belief systems inevitably tend toward social control, perpetuating themselves, teaching the idea of suffering now for the sake of one' eternal soul, and other not-so-edifying beliefs and practices.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Thom Carnesposted 17 years agoin reply to this

      Inspirepub wrote:

      "I don't much care if it's objectively "true". For all we know, the entire Universe will cease to exist at the moment of our death.
      
      What matters is that we live here and now as though we are leaving a legacy for the ages. Whether we are or not."
      
      
      Do you really mean this: that it doesn't matter whether [religion] is true so long as it encourages people to lead good and meaningful lives?
      
      It raises an interesting topic, I think.
      
      Does "truth" matter? Personally, I have to say that I think it does - I think we should all strive to live lives that have some basis in truth and reality - although I might be a little hard-pressed to explain precisely *why*.
      
      Anyone else have any views on this?

      replyreport
3. 77

   robie2posted 17 years ago

   yeah- that's just what I think too....... Well said, Jenny.

   replyreport
4. 67

   Mishaposted 17 years ago

   Thom, I think thread goes seriously off-topic if we continue this way. Why don't you open another one with your question?

   replyreport
5. 67

   Mishaposted 17 years ago

   RFox, thanks, looks like it's time to re-read

   replyreport
6. 58

   Mark Knowlesposted 17 years ago

   But, this is impossible to keep on-topic. There is only one way to be certain what comes after you die.... And no one seems to take the trouble to come back and tell us

   replyreport
   1. 77

      robie2posted 17 years agoin reply to this

      Perhaps a cyber-seance would do the trick

      replyreport
   2. 67

      Mishaposted 17 years agoin reply to this

      LOL I am not THAT desperate to learn it But I still am very interested to see what other people think about this

      replyreport
7. 58

   Mark Knowlesposted 17 years ago

   Seriously off topic - Did you ever see "flatliners" ?
   
   A great movie that started excellent and then sucked ... maybe that's the answer - I will be happy to wield the paddles.

   replyreport
8. 67

   Mishaposted 17 years ago

   Nope. I'm not going to movies, Hubpages provide me with enough entertainment
   
   I think the last one I watched was Mister and Misses Smith, and this was because of inter-continental flight

   replyreport
9. 58

   Mark Knowlesposted 17 years ago

   No, this is an older one about a bunch of med students who want to find out about the afterlife.
   
   So, they all agree to take it in turns to be killed and bought back to life with those electric paddles that resuscitate you when you die - but only after a certain length of time dead.
   
   That's why I said - I'll hold the paddles

   replyreport
10. 67

    Mishaposted 17 years ago

    Got you Not for me, though, please I have some things to finish here, first...

    replyreport
11. 87

    Marisa Wrightposted 17 years ago

    I have always felt reincarnation made more sense to me than any other belief, so I've been interested in the Buddhist view on that.  I remember seeing a documentary on the search for a reincarnated Buddha and it was certainly convincing - the little boy did seem old for his years and took to the role like a duck to water.
    
    However, I was a bit disillusioned to hear that the present Dalai Lama is considering naming his successor before he dies, to prevent the Chinese government appointing a puppet.  It suggests the Dalai Lama himself doesn't really believe he's really going to be reincarnated.

    replyreport
    1. 59

       zoyaenglanderovaposted 17 years agoin reply to this

       [Zoya Englanderova]--Perhaps the Dalai Lama may be doing this cfor the very reason of the Chinese government placing a potential puppet in his place.  Hed may believe in reincarnation, just not the good graces of ALL man....it could also mean he is protecting his legacy with someone who will perpetuate his interpretation of Buddhism so he can welcome reincarnation. I do not a whole lot about the succession of the Dalai Lama's, but that may could provide some insight on what is going on.  The Pope always names a successor, not because they do not believe they are going to heaven, but because they want someone to carry on with their work and maintain consistency within the spiritual community.

       replyreport
    2. 0

       RFoxposted 17 years agoin reply to this

       The Dalai Lama choosing a successor has everything to do with politics and nothing to do with his beliefs. Tibet is in trouble. The old rules of allowing the Dalai Lama to be reborn and take the place as the head of the Tibetan Government may no longer be a safe choice for the Tibetan people. It is a dangerous political climate and has to be treated as such.
       
       That does not mean he has given up believing in his lineage or his rebirth. The Dalai Lama will be reborn. It is just that his role in this world will change. I'm sure part of the reason to do this is also to protect the future child who is the true rebirth Avalokiteshvara. If another Lama is the head of the Tibetan Government then the child can be protected and allowed to grow up in relative safety.
       The Chinese Government is not above killing or making people disappear.
       Ensuring the survival and sanctity of the true lineage is more important in the big picture than who gets to be head of the Tibetan Government in exile. Having a future spiritual leader for his people is more important.
       
       Just my thoughts on the subject.

       replyreport
12. 59

    Thom Carnesposted 17 years ago

    RFox, thank you very much for your extremely lucid and articulate explanantion.
    
    I agree with you wholeheartedly about the true meaning of altruistic behaviour. It has always seemd to me that to perform a good deed or refrain from doing a bad one out of desire for reward or fear of punishment may very well make you a sensible and prudent person. I'm not convinced that it makes you a moral one.
    
    As for the doctrine of karma, I think the jury is still out on that one ....

    replyreport
13. 60

    Blaine561posted 17 years ago

    So all you people are going to die, ya?  Not me folks, they says the universe should exist for several hundred billion years yet, so let's go out and explore it and have some fun.
    
    Ok, what is this idiot talking about?  Technology is growing at an exponential rate, doubling every 10 year the amount of information we have at our hands.  The biotech industry is being fueled by a technology boom in computers and an aging Baby Boomer population,  that believe me, does not want to die.  I'm one of them
    
    So why do it?  If you can stay alive, and if this planet can hold itself together for the next 20 years,  doctor will have extended our life span to 150 to 200 years.  Which means by the time I reach my first century mark, fifty years from this April 3rd, that number will have reached 500 years and so on.
    
    So while all you are being consumed by worms, I'll be sitting on a beach, enjoying life.
    
    Moral of the story: keep healthy, life long and happy.
    
    "I'm a great fan of science, you know!" Slartibardfast, Hitch Hiker's guide to the Galaxy.
    
    Blaine561

    replyreport
14. 61

    mohitmisraposted 17 years ago

    Its not the end of the journey-another journey starts after you die and come back.By dying you become deathless.
    Poet Mohit.K.Misra

    replyreport
15. 71

    earnestshubposted 16 years ago

    Between mohit and usmanali we have the answers to all the mysteries of the universe, they know everything!

    replyreport
16. 0

    fierycjposted 16 years ago

    when you're dead you're dead, and you stay dead. But here's the tricky part though - your spirit cannot retain consciousness without a body. Solomon put in delicately, ...or ever the silver cord is broken, and the spirit returns to God. I don't agree with life after death in the sense that if that is so. I mean, if we all head to heaven right after you're dead and all. What's the resurrection of the dead for? I mean, they're already in heaven, right! So, here's the thing, you die, you stay dead, no consciousness, nothing, zilch. Then resurrection comes, you wake up, new body, new consciousness...hakuna matata!

    replyreport
17. 92

    Paragliderposted 16 years ago

    This thread was born 17 months ago and died after a short life of 3 months. Now, 14 months later, it has come back to life. Resurrection or re-incarnation? Or just flogging a dead horse?

    replyreport
    1. 58

       Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       The muslimist has been resurrecting loads of long dead discussions to dump some of his propaganda on them. It doesn't seem to matter if he is interacting with anyone.

       replyreport
       1. 92

          Paragliderposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          Yes, I've noticed

          replyreport