"It's better than being dead" recent quote by an atheist.

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   mishpatposted 8 years ago

   This quote is taken from an elongated comment made by a professing atheist.  The questions come to mind "Do atheist fear death?" and "Why?"

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      Righteous Atheistposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      No.
      What is to fear?

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         Aaron Seitlerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Nothingness? The personality you have worked so hard to tailor,the mind you worked so hard on to build,the material wealth you worked so hard to get and the people on your life who you've worked so hard to make an impression on and will never be accessible to you again? Do thee things not warrant fear?

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            Righteous Atheistposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Not feeling any fear. Sorry. You scared of death then?

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            Rad Manposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Right, you will access nothing and remember nothing much like being put out for an operation. But if you think you stand a chance after death of retaining your personal wealth you are indeed in a sad place.

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      Ian Moonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      If an Atheist's theory has a case, then in my opinion it's a very weak one..I mean if we all came from nothing, & we are all nothing, & we're gonna disappear into nothingness when we die, but along the way we can realise we're nothing like they & on-line spiritual BS ers claim we can then how can nothing realise something?..How does nothing ever realise it's nothing?, & it's far more likely that only something could realise it's nothing..Meaning that logically it has to be something that realises it's something, ie the real self is there to be realised by the person by become aware. :-)

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         psycheskinnerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I have no idea what point you are making here, a few broken links in the chain.

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            Sed-meposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            I thought it was me... little seizures or something.

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         Rad Manposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Umm, I came from my parents and they are something as am I.
         
         
         Hmm, my thoughts will cease to exist and my bodies energy will be transferred somehow, maybe pushing up daisies and my children will live on using my energy and genetics as well.
         
         Who fead you this nothing BS? Almost all humans are self aware, with the exception of a few. That doesn't mean we were self aware before we were born or we will continue to be self aware when we are gone.
         
         I think that is what you were getting at.

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            Ian Moonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Well I'm not going to try to change anyone's opinion, because I'm well aware that it can't be done..Almost all humans are not aware of their real self & most never will be, & that is the whole point of awareness training to realise the self..You can never intellectually understand awareness of your real self unless you train, & that for me is the true meaning of faith..So you do the training which takes many months, & you have to have faith in your self..You we're saying the same stuff when i was on here months ago, & in that time you could have done the training..So tell me in your opinion is an evil person aware of their real self, or have they no understanding of what their doing to themselves & others?.

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               Rad Manposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               Ummmm, I've been training being me for very close to 50 years now, if you count my time in the womb I'm there.
               
               I personally don't believe in evil. It seems to me an religious concept that is entirely meaningless. I believe there are good things for and bad things for humanity. Hurting people is bad, helping humans is good. That we can decide for ourselves.
               
               Is a lion evil for doing what a lion has evolved to do? Is a human evil for doing what it has evolved to do? Evil is a religious concept that has no place in a meaningful concept as it is used to hurt others.

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      Link10103posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that quote was in the context of converting or dying on the spot. Converting to whatever religion in question is certainly better than getting killed for not believing in super invisible beings. Has nothing to do with being an atheist, that's common sense.
      
      Most people fear death because they do not know what, if anything, happens after life. Can you imagine simply not existing anymore? In some cases, that is a terrifying thought to contemplate. With that said, Does it not strike you as oddly coincidental that major religions offer promises of happy after life's that are for eternity? There is no fear if you believe that, and you are more likely to offer up your life (and your wallet) for some insane cause because you think you will be rewarded for it.
      
      I personally find it an odd coincidence that at least in Christianity, suicide gets you a ticket to hell. Kind of prevents people from hanging the rope early so they can empty their wallet or fight for god just a little while longer. In my opinion that is.

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         Righteous Atheistposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Pretty sure the OP is not interested in any answers here.

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         mishpatposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         You are correct in your first assumption, and that is what spurred the question.  There is a good side and a bad side to death from the Christian perspective.  A sidebar to the question might be "Is there a good side and a bad side to death from the atheist perspective.
         
         As to suicide, like many folks, you are a bit confused by doctrine.  As many have stated correctly, there are a myriad of Christian doctrines.  However, I am only aware of (not to say there are not others) the RCC holding the position of suicide is an "unforgivable sin."  And, of course, that is probably malleable in certain instances, such as you opined.
         
         Thanks for the input.  It was quite refreshing and welcome.

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            Link10103posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Regardless of where it actually came from, it still doesn't diminish my point that it is most likely a lie used to control people.

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            Rad Manposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Good and bad side to death?
            
            We can pretend there is a good side if it makes you feel better about death and we can also if you wish pretend we are Mormons and become Gods after we die. If you are looking from something to sooth you during life then perhaps Atheism is not for you, however we all may die and have no more consciousness but we can understand while we are alive how special that consciousness is. We can also understand that upon our death the energy and people we effected (and possible made) will be affected by our being here and our energy will continue alone and support another life without our consciousness.

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      Rad Manposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      That may have been from me. Not sure, but I have no fear of being dead. I however have fears of dying a painful death and leaving loved ones without my support. I'd kind of love to see grandkids before I say goodbye.
      
      But, fearing being dead is like saying you fear being unborn.

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   Sed-meposted 8 years ago

   I'm scared of sharks... if that matters.

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   Aime Fposted 8 years ago

   I fear the part leading up to death. Knowing that I'll never see my family again, knowing that I'll miss out on all that happens in the world from then on, etc. Thinking about that breaks my heart. But I don't fear being dead... because I'll be dead.
   
   I would love to believe that there's something more than this and that I'll be with my loved ones forever... but I just don't. I am of the mind that religion serves as a coping mechanism for a lot of people who just can't quite come to terms with their mortality. I don't even necessarily think it's a bad thing. It's just what I think.

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      Rad Manposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I think what you think is correct, amazing and extremely well articulated.

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         Aime Fposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Rad Man.

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