How do atheists cope with the thought of nothingness when you die?

And you firmly believe it can be naturally explained?

racer8dan

Well if you go by science (and Buddhism oddly enough) you never really die and you are never really born, you just take on different forms of matter.

To quote the Lion King "When we die we become the grass and the antelope eat the grass"

Heaven and all that jazz is attainable here on earth, it's foolish to believe in some glorious afterlife because really you're going to waste your life atoning and doing all this stuff when really all you need is a bit of inner peace and some moral compass, you don't have to follow religion to be charitable or good or morally sound.

Religion is a guideline, nothing more, even me (a Buddhist) has been taught that no canon, written by our scholars and monastics or otherwise, is 100% true. As a Buddhist I'm not supposed to vehemently and stubbornly defend my faith as many other religions do. I mostly use Buddhism as a guide to help me through tougher times and to look inward and outward in order to make the world around me a better place.

Tiefster

Not bounded space and time, which would imply that God could be in a place, in every place or in several places at the same time.curono

http://www.doesgodexist.org/Pamphlets/WhoCreatedGod.html

[QUOTE="TheFlush"]

[QUOTE="CrocodileNuts"] what I have experienced with my walk with God has given me solid proof of His existence.CrocodileNuts

And what did you experience if I may ask?

[QUOTE="tocool340"][QUOTE="Silenthps"]The real question is, how do they cope with the fact that they're going to burn for an eternity in hell when they die? The answer is: they make up a fairytale called evolution and pretend that God doesn't exist. Silenthps

http://www.doesgodexist.org/Pamphlets/WhoCreatedGod.html

racer8dan

It shouldn't be the thought of 'what happens to me when I die' though. The point of life is to live it, to give as much as you can, to make other peoples lifes richer wherever possible, and to enjoy life to it's fullest.

I cope by knowing that my legacy, for good or bad, will be sewn by how I conduct my life and how I treat others, whatever their religious backrgound. Where is the point in living if everything you do is geared towards having the best afterlife possible?

Nobody has ever returned from death and complained about it, whatever you believe in.

I cannot, however, cope with the thought of nothingness during my life. Doesn't worshipping an invisible, untouchable, untasteable and odourless idea constitute this? The word of god has only ever came from one being - man.

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

http://www.doesgodexist.org/Pamphlets/WhoCreatedGod.html

Engrish_Major

]I haven't researched this but, its my understanding that if I were to light a match to a gallon of fuel or a block of wood, that matter would be gone or at least lessen?

racer8dan

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

Nobody can explain Nothing + Nothing = unfathomable size universe. How does that make more sense?

Engrish_Major

No, we have the resurrected Christ, the Creator and His Word. He was there and He confirmed that in His Word.

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

]I haven't researched this but, its my understanding that if I were to light a match to a gallon of fuel or a block of wood, that matter would be gone or at least lessen?

Engrish_Major

Yes, I realise nothing disappears, but I wasn't sure if smoke and other such things were considered "matter" But now I know. Heat is energy.

racer8dan

...and I am not crying and whiny to my God saying how come I just disappear.

magicalclick

[QUOTE="magicalclick"]

...and I am not crying and whiny to my God saying how come I just disappear.

Engrish_Major

HAHAHAHA ROFL!

:P

That is funny and I ought to state it with words so that I dont get moderated.

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]Because if its within our natural laws, there is nothing eternal. What you explained above doesn't prove anything about how something being beginning-less.Vandalvideo

I don't mean to jump in but it is an accepted epistemological first principle of knowledge that anything that begins to exist must have a cause.

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

So then you believe everything can be explained naturaly.

Engrish_Major

I respect your right to believe that but that is a form of faith. There are many types of faith besides religious faith. Scientific naturalism is faith in "science of the gaps".

[QUOTE="TheFlush"]

[QUOTE="CrocodileNuts"] what I have experienced with my walk with God has given me solid proof of His existence.CrocodileNuts

And what did you experience if I may ask?

Amen! Praise God for that!

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="racer8dan"]

So then you believe everything can be explained naturaly.

blackregiment

I respect your right to believe that but that is a form of faith. There are many types of faith besides religious faith. Scientific naturalism is faith in "science of the gaps".

Sorry to break it to you.

[QUOTE="tocool340"][QUOTE="Silenthps"]Well the question itself is pretty paradoxical and makes no sense since heaven is a place where all true Christians go and hell is a place where all unbelievers go. So if all Christians went to hell and heaven is where all Christians go then heaven is hell and hell is heaven. Silenthps

[QUOTE="tocool340"][QUOTE="Silenthps"]Well the question itself is pretty paradoxical and makes no sense since heaven is a place where all true Christians go and hell is a place where all unbelievers go. So if all Christians went to hell and heaven is where all Christians go then heaven is hell and hell is heaven. Silenthps

I respect your right to believe that but that is a form of faith. There are many types of faith besides religious faith. Scientific naturalism is faith in "science of the gapsblackregiment

I don't mean to jump in but it is an accepted epistemological first principle of knowledge that anything that begins to exist must have a cause.blackregiment

[QUOTE="blackregiment"]

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"]It doesn't make any more or any less sense than: Something We Can't Explain made Everything from Nothing.InEMplease

No, we have the resurrected Christ, the Creator and His Word. He was there and He confirmed that in His Word.

All you can confirm was that Christ existed, and he said stuff. Good luck with everything else.

There are over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. Bring me one, just one, account of an eyewitness from the period that challenges or refutes their testimony. I'll save you some time, you won't find a single one. Good luck with your search.

So you are saying I can mass murder 1,000 people and still get into heaven if I decided to ask for forgiveness? That sound fair for the people who actually contributes something good to this world and don't believe there's a god....tocool340

Hitler, the man responsible for 6 million deaths in the Holocaust could have gone to heaven had he simply repented before he killed himself.

But a Jewish person who lived a selfless, virtuous life but who was killed in the Holocaust would have gone to hell, just because he didn't believe in Christianity?

I refuse to follow such a religion.

I respect your right to believe that but that is a form of faith. There are many types of faith besides religious faith. Scientific naturalism is faith in "science of the gaps".

blackregiment

The assumptions and misconceptions... they just make my brain hurt. Science is the opposite of faith.foxhound_fox

[QUOTE="blackregiment"]I don't mean to jump in but it is an accepted epistemological first principle of knowledge that anything that begins to exist must have a cause.Vandalvideo

The current, and widely accepted scientific theory is that the universe had a beginning, that it began to exist. Surely you have heard of the big bang theory?

[QUOTE="InEMplease"]

[QUOTE="blackregiment"]

No, we have the resurrected Christ, the Creator and His Word. He was there and He confirmed that in His Word.

blackregiment

All you can confirm was that Christ existed, and he said stuff. Good luck with everything else.

There are over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. Bring me one, just one, account of an eyewitness from the period that challenges or refutes their testimony. I'll save you some time, you won't find a single one. Good luck with your search.

Here are the those who can testify that:

George F.

Maria A.

John B.

Andreas P.

Dimitra S.

.....

I explain in it all in my book "How I cried blood". Buy it now.

[QUOTE="InEMplease"]

[QUOTE="blackregiment"]

No, we have the resurrected Christ, the Creator and His Word. He was there and He confirmed that in His Word.

blackregiment

All you can confirm was that Christ existed, and he said stuff. Good luck with everything else.

There are over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. Bring me one, just one, account of an eyewitness from the period that challenges or refutes their testimony. I'll save you some time, you won't find a single one. Good luck with your search.

And your challenge is unreasonable. The person making the positive claim has the burden of proof. you are making the claim that Jesus was resurrected, and so you need to prove it. And merely saying "there are iver 500 eyewitnesses" isn't proof.

The current, and widely accepted scientific theory is that the universe had a beginning, that it began to exist. Surely you have heard of the big bang theory?blackregiment

There are over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. Bring me one, just one, account of an eyewitness from the period that challenges or refutes their testimony. I'll save you some time, you won't find a single one. Good luck with your search.

blackregiment

[QUOTE="Vandalvideo"][QUOTE="blackregiment"]I don't mean to jump in but it is an accepted epistemological first principle of knowledge that anything that begins to exist must have a cause.blackregiment

The current, and widely accepted scientific theory is that the universe had a beginning, that it began to exist. Surely you have heard of the big bang theory?

You believe in what the scientists say?

Or do you agree with them sometimes. And what would your criterion be? Ah I remembered: whether or not what they have proven or spoke of defies the Bible. I love your criterion!

[QUOTE="InEMplease"]

[QUOTE="blackregiment"]

No, we have the resurrected Christ, the Creator and His Word. He was there and He confirmed that in His Word.

blackregiment

All you can confirm was that Christ existed, and he said stuff. Good luck with everything else.

There are over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. Bring me one, just one, account of an eyewitness from the period that challenges or refutes their testimony. I'll save you some time, you won't find a single one. Good luck with your search.

How do youdeal with the possibility that death is the end?

CrocodileNuts

[QUOTE="blackregiment"]

[QUOTE="InEMplease"]

All you can confirm was that Christ existed, and he said stuff. Good luck with everything else.

comp_atkins

There are over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. Bring me one, just one, account of an eyewitness from the period that challenges or refutes their testimony. I'll save you some time, you won't find a single one. Good luck with your search.

or maybe the few selected people who seen it was as stoned as mike?

Maybe the sun and Jesus body gave off the same effect to the bystanders?

[QUOTE="blackregiment"]

[QUOTE="InEMplease"]

All you can confirm was that Christ existed, and he said stuff. Good luck with everything else.

Teenaged

There are over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. Bring me one, just one, account of an eyewitness from the period that challenges or refutes their testimony. I'll save you some time, you won't find a single one. Good luck with your search.

Here are the those who can testify that:

George F.

Maria A.

John B.

Andreas P.

Dimitra S.

.....

I explain in it all in my book "How I cried blood". Buy it now.

Would your friends be prepared to and actually die rather than recant their testimony? The 500 were and did.

The Apostles and early Christians willingly endured persecution and death for something they knew was a lie? The Apostles and early Christians, many of whom were eyewitnesses to the resurrection, were stoned, beheaded, boiled in oil, imprisoned, crucified, scourged, fed to lions, clothed in animal skins and then torn apart by wild beasts, tarred and lit on fire, disemboweled, burnt at the stake, etc., rather than recant their faith.

There were 10 periods of persecution of early Christians under the Roman Emperors Nero (Roman emperor AD 54–68 ) , Domitian (Roman emperor AD 81–96 ) , Trajan (Roman emperor AD 98–117 ), Marcus Aurelius (Roman emperor AD 161–180 ) , Septimius Severus (Roman emperor AD 193–211), Maximinus, Gaius Julius Verus (Roman emperor AD 235–238 ) , Decius (Roman emperor AD 249–251), Valerian (Roman emperor AD 253–260), Aurelian (Roman emperor AD 270–275), and Diocletian (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, reigned AD 284–305) and Maximian (reigned AD285–305) who governed as emperors together. Why did the Christians choose death rather than recount their belief in Christ?

Many early Church fathers and Christians were martyred for their belief in Christ rather than recanting their faith to save their lives.

The Christian faith grew and spread rapidly in spite of intense persecution.

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]

[QUOTE="blackregiment"]

There are over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. Bring me one, just one, account of an eyewitness from the period that challenges or refutes their testimony. I'll save you some time, you won't find a single one. Good luck with your search.

blackregiment

Here are the those who can testify that:

George F.

Maria A.

John B.

Andreas P.

Dimitra S.

.....

I explain in it all in my book "How I cried blood". Buy it now.

Would your friends be prepared to and actually die rather than recant their testimony? The 500 were and did.

The Apostles and early Christians willingly endured persecution and death for something they knew was a lie? The Apostles and early Christians, many of whom were eyewitnesses to the resurrection, were stoned, beheaded, boiled in oil, imprisoned, crucified, scourged, fed to lions, clothed in animal skins and then torn apart by wild beasts, tarred and lit on fire, disemboweled, burnt at the stake, etc., rather than recant their faith.

There were 10 periods of persecution of early Christians under the Roman Emperors Nero (Roman emperor AD 54–68 ) , Domitian (Roman emperor AD 81–96 ) , Trajan (Roman emperor AD 98–117 ), Marcus Aurelius (Roman emperor AD 161–180 ) , Septimius Severus (Roman emperor AD 193–211), Maximinus, Gaius Julius Verus (Roman emperor AD 235–238 ) , Decius (Roman emperor AD 249–251), Valerian (Roman emperor AD 253–260), Aurelian (Roman emperor AD 270–275), and Diocletian (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, reigned AD 284–305) and Maximian (reigned AD285–305) who governed as emperors together. Why did the Christians choose death rather than recount their belief in Christ?

Many early Church fathers and Christians were martyred for their belief in Christ rather than recanting their faith to save their lives.

The Christian faith grew and spread rapidly in spite of intense persecution.

And yes sometimes we do lie even to ourselves.

While the above scenario is not certain, its possibility renders your post merely an indication, the value of which remains to be evaluated. And even after it is evaluated it will still remain merely an indication. Not proof.

[QUOTE="comp_atkins"][QUOTE="blackregiment"]

There are over 500 eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ. Bring me one, just one, account of an eyewitness from the period that challenges or refutes their testimony. I'll save you some time, you won't find a single one. Good luck with your search.

tocool340

or maybe the few selected people who seen it was as stoned as mike?

Maybe the sun and Jesus body gave off the same effect to the bystanders?

Or maybe Jesus actually arose from the dead, proving He was God and He means what He said. Of course, we all have a free will to chose to accept Christ's sacrifice in payment for our sins or pay the price ourselves. He will not force anyone to accept His gift of eternal salvation.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Would your friends be prepared to and actually die rather than recant their testimony? The 500 were and did.

The Apostles and early Christians willingly endured persecution and death for something they knew was a lie? The Apostles and early Christians, many of whom were eyewitnesses to the resurrection, were stoned, beheaded, boiled in oil, imprisoned, crucified, scourged, fed to lions, clothed in animal skins and then torn apart by wild beasts, tarred and lit on fire, disemboweled, burnt at the stake, etc., rather than recant their faith.

There were 10 periods of persecution of early Christians under the Roman Emperors Nero (Roman emperor AD 54–68 ) , Domitian (Roman emperor AD 81–96 ) , Trajan (Roman emperor AD 98–117 ), Marcus Aurelius (Roman emperor AD 161–180 ) , Septimius Severus (Roman emperor AD 193–211), Maximinus, Gaius Julius Verus (Roman emperor AD 235–238 ) , Decius (Roman emperor AD 249–251), Valerian (Roman emperor AD 253–260), Aurelian (Roman emperor AD 270–275), and Diocletian (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, reigned AD 284–305) and Maximian (reigned AD285–305) who governed as emperors together. Why did the Christians choose death rather than recount their belief in Christ?

Many early Church fathers and Christians were martyred for their belief in Christ rather than recanting their faith to save their lives.

The Christian faith grew and spread rapidly in spite of intense persecution.