Doesn't eternal life take the incredible nobility out of human existence?

Question

This person asked a question about what atheists have to live for...http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060815141526AA35tYo&r=w#R8R4CWC0WGLscikv9wWKOXMq82lYNqwLS3nvrlt2D1FsQ5DsganD

I think a finite life, when realized, causes such an incredible bitter-sweet nobility in a person that most can't realize it. A finite life makes things MATTER and not matter. It is overwhelming, but the implications, real as they are, should sculpt an honorable person into something amazing.

I don't live my life to the fullest.

Larry, keep your jerk-off cut and paste BS out of my Question.

Gluon, mushy but true. And amazingly, preciousness is cosmically unimportant.

Answer 1

Yes, I think it does. Belief in life after death makes it that much easier to justify killing people, since they don't reeaaaly die. It also de-emphasizes the present since the after life is what really matters. My appreciation for life in the present increased after i lost faith as well.

Answer 2

I really like Do Uno?'s answer. When I think about eternal life, it does give me a clear focus on what should and should not be done in this life. Eternal life is promised to all of us. Some will go to Heaven where the streets are paved with gold. Others will go to the "fiery pit". The parable of the fisherman's net lets us know that hell is likened to a place where there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. I believe in eternal life. And I believe in the precepts of the Bible. Life right and get your reward!

The parable of the fisherman's net:
"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:47-50

Answer 3

You need examples on how a finite life would make things "MATTER and not matter". Something cannot be two opposite things at the same time and in the same respect.

Also, you would have to ignore the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That, in itself, proves that we have a judgment coming after death. Some are saved from that judgment through faith in Jesus alone as our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9). All others go to hell (Matthew 25:46). But Jesus wants you to come to Him so He can carry your heavy load (Matthew 11:28-30).

Ask yourself, dear questioner, if you are not denying your eternal life because you seek only pleasure from what is created (Romans 1:18-32).

Answer 4

Think about what can be achieved with God's full blessing and the knowledge the creator of the universe can impart to us throughout eternity, God says the Wisdom of the World is FOOLISHNESS with Him. And the world thinks we're doing good with our petty inventions. Hello, wake up, we can not fully develop because we are imperfect. Our world is getting worse and worse because the end times are here, man can not solve mankind's problems and never will, he can not cure many diseases even though we've made strides in medicine only to have new diseases pop up, crime is getting worse while the police seem helpless, it's not going to stop until God steps in, which will be soon. Can man change the weather for the better?, he never will, can he keep volcanos from erupting? NO, neither can he rule himself without inflicting injury on someone. Pray for God's Kindon to come.

Answer 5

Eternal life does not mean seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, all ticking away. Eternity is now, what is called the Spacious Present, or the Eternal Now.

Human existence is nothing but a projection of mind made by God's Beloved (us); God has one "Son". What could be more "noble" than remaining just as we were created; one perfect Child, dreaming "he" is a planet full of separated selves, but no matter what "he" dreams, "he" is holy and perfect as God. Yes, there is your nobility.

Answer 6

I've thought the same thing myself. Thank you for putting into words what I haven't yet.

I firmly believe that the promise of the afterlife, more than any other factor, has held humanity back from reaching it's potential.
We live such short, fragile lives. Why not make the best of things here and now instead of waiting for a magic candy-land that doesn't exist after we die?

Answer 7

You are so right.....I have noticed that Christians who have a free gift mentality of an infinite future, generally do not develop into amazing human beings.... What is the motivation? Some also do not develop a strong sense of true compassion for others.....Why should they if everyone is going to Hell anyway; why be caring or get attached?

It is a very sad phenomenon, and this is coming from someone who used to be a fundamentalist.....I no longer call myself a Christian and I am developing a deeper love for God, Christ, and definitely human beings...

Answer 8

Allow me to re frame "eternal life." Lets think about it like a cup of water. Eternal life is like a cup of water that is overflowing, that quenches everyone's thirst, so that all may feel refreshed. Finite life is like a cup with only enough water to remind us that we are thirsty -- yet we find that we die of thirst. We live in a world much like the second cup -- where millions die for want of clean water, where we never have enough, where our dignity is destroyed. Eternal life is God's promise that, despite the world we live in, we'll always have enough, and that we might not only have life, but have it abundantly.

Answer 9

Think of it this way , Eternal life or Eternal condemnation . I believe I would take the eternal life over the other . Revelation 21:8 . Peace to you and God bless you .

Answer 10

It is a precious thing, there will never be another you. This makes us more precious than diamonds. Even if you were to be cloned, it would be impossible to clone the experiences that you have had that sculpted your personality. You are more precious than anything, for when you are gone, that is it, no one like you will ever be again.