Poll: Do you believe in the Afterlife?

[QUOTE="darkmoney52"][QUOTE="rawsavon"]Many are commenting on what I said Too many to quote individually I think we can all agree that Humans have anxiety about death...unlike ANY other animal I agree that thinking there is an afterlife brings comfort/gets rid of that anxiety My point is that no other animal has this... If there is no God, if all we are is from evolution, then we should not have this anxiety...it serves no purpose as far as evolution goes I believe that God placed it in humans for a reason...that we are naturally curious/anxious about what lies after death Just my opinion Just like evryone has theirsrawsavon

I don't, I just believe that once we die that's it...very bleak but ah well.

I sure do. There will be human shish kabobs cooking over the lake of fire, the sexually immoral will be used as dartboards, and Slayer will perform every sunday.

dracula_16

[QUOTE="rawsavon"][QUOTE="darkmoney52"] Yup, just your opinion. But this is the internet, where all opinions must be argued until we reach at least page 50 :) Anyway, I think anxiety about death is a helpful survival trait. Fear of death in the longterm can help people to avoid decesions that may keep them from dying later on, giving them more time to pass on their genes/knowledge and beliefs. Those who were not concerned with their future death did not live as long and did not take the same role in shaping society.darkmoney52

I used to believe in heaven.

Over the years, I found myself wondering why such a place would exist, and what would happen if we sinned there. Would we be plucked away and brought down to hell? Also, it makes no sense that we will be punished eternally for what we do in our finite lifetime. The punishment of a merciful god would fit the crime, and unless you commit eternal sin, you should not be punished eternally in hell.

So now I don't believe in any of that, because it not only makes no sense, but if it were real: god is a total jerk.

That's just my take.

fiscope

Yeah, thats exact thing I keep saying too. If heaven is eternity, I really think getting to heaven will be the most difficult thing to accomplish, especially to remain there. You MUST be emotionally strong in order to stay there otherwise after a few 1000 years, you will lose your mind. You can't do any sinning period since God sees your every move. I'd actually think it would be extremely boring in heaven though. You may have paradise, but theres know way in enjoy it. You can't have sex because you wouldn't have a need to reproduce up there. You can't do work up there so you can't progress society in any way. And I'd expect it to be alittle crowded considering how many people must have died since the beginning of time. And considering that God has foresight meaning he can see your future, I'd definitely think it would be near impossible. He would know your action years before you make them. And if he knows you are going to do something stupid in heaven, I don't see a reason why he would even bother letting anyone up there. If it's that many flaws and rules in heaven, I would think hell would be a better place since you aren't bound by rules. But thats my opinion....

Yes I believe, only really because I dont like the thought of dying and thats it. Who knows, I dont know what to believe these days.

No. There is no reason to believe it exists. Of course, some people have "hope" that it does so that they can feel good that there is "something better waiting for them." But really, its best to live life and every single day of your life like its your last. Because as far as we know, you only get one, and its best not to waste it.

No i do not. Everything dies and is recycled into the earth or where ever it originated from and for us it would be earth

MarineXXII

MarineXXII, do you think you have a soul? I believe the body is home to the soul. When we dieour souls seperatefrom our bodies and ascend into our afterlife.The body is left behind to become the earth. You must be pretty depressed if you beleive that your just going to rot. If you dont chooseto be a good person than that might just be your future. Why would we be created to just die and rot? We obviously had more of a reason than that. God had God's reasons. I feel your all just depressed and want to spread it onto others. Im guessing your just a bunch of emo/atheist/gamer kids that have no beliefs what so ever.

Yes. I have no idea what it's like, and I don't really want to have one until I get there; it's so much fun imagining it.

I don't see how they are wasting their lives if they willingly live a life with that belief. If they enjoy it, why should you care?dracula_16

[QUOTE="dracula_16"]I don't see how they are wasting their lives if they willingly live a life with that belief. If they enjoy it, why should you care?tofu-lion91

I think that if every person in the world thought that way, the world would be a much, much worse place.

I think that if every person in the world thought that way, the world would be a much, much worse place.Theokhoth

yeah, i always imagined it would be jsut like real life now but you stay at the age you were most happy at.

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]I think that if every person in the world thought that way, the world would be a much, much worse place.tofu-lion91

Unfortunately, a lot of people equate "enjoying life" with reckless things.

Unfortunately, a lot of people equate "enjoying life" with reckless things.Theokhoth

No but if there is one, I hope it's like a Victoria's Secrets commercial

[QUOTE="FlyingArmbar"]

[QUOTE="rawsavon"]Many are commenting on what I said Too many to quote individually I think we can all agree that Humans have anxiety about death...unlike ANY other animal I agree that thinking there is an afterlife brings comfort/gets rid of that anxiety My point is that no other animal has this... If there is no God, if all we are is from evolution, then we should not have this anxiety...it serves no purpose as far as evolution goes I believe that God placed it in humans for a reason...that we are naturally curious/anxious about what lies after death Just my opinion Just like evryone has theirsrawsavon

Being afraid of injury or death is a great evolutionary trait. If you're afraid of injury or death, it's a very natural extension to hope or believe that death is not the end.

In any case, humans have the ability to think freely. Human thoughts and perceptions are not bound by evolution.

Of course it makes sense. Evolution gave us the ability to produce complex thought. But humans are incapable of having thoughts that would have a negative effect on our well being? People think and do stupid things all the time, and evolution has no effect on this. Evolution isn't active like that, it doesn't control our thoughts.

As for why humans are the only animals (as far as we can tell) that fret over what happens after death. We're the only animals that are even capable of such complex thought in the first place.

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]Unfortunately, a lot of people equate "enjoying life" with reckless things.tofu-lion91

And again, I think that if everyone on Earth believed that way then the world be in far worse shape.

Afterlife is absolutely pointless.

I think that if every person in the world thought that way, the world would be a much, much worse place.

Theokhoth

Afterlife is absolutely pointless.

WhiteSnake5000

Have fun rotting then my boy!

[QUOTE="WhiteSnake5000"]

Afterlife is absolutely pointless.

iginlawasup

Have fun rotting then my boy!

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]I think that if every person in the world thought that way, the world would be a much, much worse place.

foxhound_fox

If everyone believed they should do what makes them happy because "we only have one life, afterall," then yes, I think the world would be a lot worse than it is based on the fact that what makes a disturbing amount of people happy is reckless and/or self destructive activities like drugs, drag racing, etc. I do not believe that one's own happiness (in the sense of temporary pleasure) is a beneficial goal for the world or the individual.

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]I think that if every person in the world thought that way, the world would be a much, much worse place.

Theokhoth

If everyone believed they should do what makes them happy because "we only have one life, afterall," then yes, I think the world would be a lot worse than it is based on the fact that what makes a disturbing amount of people happy is reckless and/or self destructive activities like drugs, drag racing, etc.

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]
That is quite the substantial claim you have there.

sSubZerOo

If everyone believed they should do what makes them happy because "we only have one life, afterall," then yes, I think the world would be a lot worse than it is based on the fact that what makes a disturbing amount of people happy is reckless and/or self destructive activities like drugs, drag racing, etc.

Hence my edit about temporary pleasure. The problem is, "just do it because you only have one life" invariably leads to that kind of reckless pleasure.

No one has really come back to tell about it, so i'd guess no

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

If everyone believed they should do what makes them happy because "we only have one life, afterall," then yes, I think the world would be a lot worse than it is based on the fact that what makes a disturbing amount of people happy is reckless and/or self destructive activities like drugs, drag racing, etc.

Hence my edit about temporary pleasure. The problem is, "just do it because you only have one life" invariably leads to that kind of reckless pleasure.

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"] Self destructive behavior does not make a person happy, its about living a pure life under guidelines of philosophers like Socrates.. In a sense that too much pleasure can lead to anguish.

sSubZerOo

Hence my edit about temporary pleasure. The problem is, "just do it because you only have one life" invariably leads to that kind of reckless pleasure.

I think you're misunderstanding me. Saying, "just do it because you only have one life" leads to reckless behavior because that's why the saying exists in the first place: to encourage behavior some else might not otherwise do. "You only live once" is a version of this: it's typically what people say just before going on a drinking binge.

In addition, you and I have already agreed that happiness is not the same as temporary pleasure activites.

I think you need to read the context of my conversation.

[QUOTE="iginlawasup"]

[QUOTE="WhiteSnake5000"]

Afterlife is absolutely pointless.

WhiteSnake5000

Have fun rotting then my boy!

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

Yes, I do. I don't believe, however, that the "good" go one place and the "bad" go to another where they suffer for all eternity.

[QUOTE="WhiteSnake5000"][QUOTE="iginlawasup"]

Have fun rotting then my boy!

iginlawasup

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

If everyone believed they should do what makes them happy because "we only have one life, afterall," then yes, I think the world would be a lot worse than it is based on the fact that what makes a disturbing amount of people happy is reckless and/or self destructive activities like drugs, drag racing, etc. I do not believe that one's own happiness (in the sense of temporary pleasure) is a beneficial goal for the world or the individual.

Theokhoth

Actually the concept of fun doesn't apply to death. Nor does any other concept. I will be absolutely free from perceiving existence in any shape or form. That will be much better than an after life in my opinion.WhiteSnake5000

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

[QUOTE="iginlawasup"]

[QUOTE="WhiteSnake5000"] Actually the concept of fun doesn't apply to death. Nor does any other concept. I will be absolutely free from perceiving existence in any shape or form. That will be much better than an after life in my opinion.WhiteSnake5000

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

You will have true freedom in heaven, you dont know God so why hate him? You still have to meet him, Nevermind wanting not to have anything to do with him.

[QUOTE="WhiteSnake5000"][QUOTE="iginlawasup"]

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

supa_badman

[QUOTE="WhiteSnake5000"][QUOTE="iginlawasup"]

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

iginlawasup

You will have true freedom in heaven, you dont know God so why hate him? You still have to meet him, Nevermind wanting not to have anything to do with him.

[QUOTE="WhiteSnake5000"][QUOTE="iginlawasup"]

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

iginlawasup

You will have true freedom in heaven, you dont know God so why hate him? You still have to meet him, Nevermind wanting not to have anything to do with him.

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

iginlawasup

[QUOTE="rawsavon"][QUOTE="FlyingArmbar"]

Being afraid of injury or death is a great evolutionary trait. If you're afraid of injury or death, it's a very natural extension to hope or believe that death is not the end.

In any case, humans have the ability to think freely. Human thoughts and perceptions are not bound by evolution.

FlyingArmbar

Of course it makes sense. Evolution gave us the ability to produce complex thought. But humans are incapable of having thoughts that would have a negative effect on our well being? People think and do stupid things all the time, and evolution has no effect on this. Evolution isn't active like that, it doesn't control our thoughts.

As for why humans are the only animals (as far as we can tell) that fret over what happens after death. We're the only animals that are even capable of such complex thought in the first place.

[QUOTE="iginlawasup"]

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

foxhound_fox

I think that to believe in any kind of afterlife one needs to believe in the concept of a soul. Personally I can't say if I believe in the idea, I've gone back and forth on that idea. However if there is such a thing as a soul then I don't think it would go to a convenient afterlife of eternal bliss or suffering based on your actions on life.

[QUOTE="iginlawasup"]

How is that more fun than being in paradise with God?

foxhound_fox

Besides, heaven isn't carnal bliss, at least it isn't to be. I heard from somewhere that "Heaven is an endless, dynamic experince that one will have." or something along the lines of that. That is what heaven is supposed to be without material things apparently.

nope. Would be nice though.

Hard question to answer.