Are atheists really satisfied with the thought that when they die, that's it. Blackness?

Question

No, that is not why I am a Christian, because I'm scared of blackness. I am a Christian because I do believe in Christianity. I am just curious as to how atheists feel about when they die, if they believe there is nothing.

Answer 1

Yeah, I'm good w/ it....

Answer 2

Satisfied? I'm neither satisfied not dissatisfied. I just believe that is the case. I have thought a great deal about the question of religion and my belief in a deity. I even tried being a christian for a couple of years. I sincerely and with humility tried to open the door and allow Jesus to come into my life. Nothing happened.

I have come to the conclusion that I see no reason at all to believe. The fact that I call myself an atheist is a reflection of the fact that I am strong minded enough to accept these conclusions and say out loud what I believe in my heart.

Does it make me happy that my life is all I have? No. Does it make me happy to think that my father who died recently is truly gone and that I will never see him again? Certainly no. But does my desire to see him again change the fact that I don't believe I will? Regretably no. To believe otherwise would be self delusion.

I'll tell you what, though. I treasure the time I had with my father. I was luckier than many. I spent a lot of time with him and we both knew that we loved one another. Even if I don't see him again I will remember him and all wonderful times we shared.

If my life is all I have then I'm going to LIVE IT. I'm going to enjoy life to the full. I'm going to love, have children, see the world, fly, swim, dress up, undress, shout from the top of mountains and sit in quiet contemplation. In short, life is not a rehearsal. I'm here. I'm doing it right now. And when I do die I want to know that I LIVED.

Answer 3

I am not an atheist, but I do not believe in Heaven & Hell, either. Of course I am not 'satisfied' with the idea of nothingness. A nice sunshiny afterlife, at a mean temp of 75 degrees, with nice, happy people playing harps on clouds is MUCH more attractive. So is the thought of living in a world where everyone loves each other, there is no crime or want, everyones health & education needs are taken care of, dogs & cats play together, and it only rains just enough to keep the crops healthy. But I know that's not going to happen either, just because it sounds nicer than reality.

I think that believing in certain things because they sound better than other things is not a very good reason to believe in them.

Answer 4

With death comes a cessation of consciousness: there is then no awareness of anything, not even the concept of "Blackness." Think of it more like a deep dreamless sleep where no awareness exists at all. I would posit that while this doesn't make for a happy understanding of the human condition, it is much preferrable than continuing to desperately cling to religious fictions which are nothing more than irrational primitive beliefs and bear little or no resemblance to reality.

Answer 5

That fear of which you speak is what has allowed the mythology that is religion to survive as long as it has, even though it has been disproven nearly completely in the last 200 years.

It's amazing, but true, that otherwise rational people are still so terrified of ceasing to exist, that they will choose insanity over the realization of that fact.

However, I'm not sure that something else won't exist of me after I die. I don't know that. But I do know that every religion out there that currently worships a deity is based on ancient myths and outright lies. I can't just convince myself to believe them, when I know they're false...

Answer 6

Only in so far as atheists are satisfied that the Earth orbits the sun, trees fall in the woods, and there is never enough chocolate. What is, is. (It won't even be blackness, because blackness assumes there is a self to perceive blackness.) Acceptance describes it more than satisfaction.

Answer 7

if its blackness, who cares? You aren't exactly conscience and if you are aware of the blackness, you will just go crazy and eventually think of some cool things for all eternity, either way.......who cares? That's whats going to happen and theres nothing I can do about it. Even if religion is right....which one? Who says? God said Jews were the chosen ones so should I go with them? Muhammad said god told him they were the chosen ones, Joseph Smith said the Mormons are in like flint, so god is going to screw over everyone in Africa who has no religion through no fault of their own? I don't think so. If god wanted me to be a certain religion, he would make me that religion and not give me the ability to question that. I am going to live my life happily, make babies, leave a legacy and enjoy my existence while observing the laws of society and practicing the right and honorable ways. If that's not good enough for any god, then I am a better man than he.

Answer 8

It's not about satisfaction It's simply about accepting the reality of the world as it really is. The fairy tale of religion serves a useful purpose no doubt. It promises a pleasant fantasy world if you behave and a horrifying world if you don't. In a way religion is actually very sadistic ; it takes your most primal fears and uses them as a way to control you.

Answer 9

If this is it. I mean it, 75 winters, 75 springs, 75 summers etc. That is all you get.
Then every breath, every second, every love you have, are far more precious than if you have all of eternity to make up for your mistakes.

If you only get 1 turn around the amusement park you better enjoy every ride like it is the last.

Answer 10

Satisfaction is not the correct word - ACCEPTANCE is.

That is the only reason religion was created - so that you might feel better when faced with your eminent demise. There is nothing on the "other side" other than worms eating your flesh and turning you back into the earth. Not dust to dust - carbon to carbon...

Answer 11

I am an agnostic, not an athiest. However I will not profess a religion that is based on unproven words or a theology based on irrational concepts. When I die I will find out maybe.