open to all - religious or atheist?

Question

what would you really like the afterlife to be like? I'm not looking for scriptural quotes.

Atheists, instead of just shouting, tell me what your perfect afterlife would be. I know you don't believe in an afterlife but imagine if you could create one, what would it be like? Stuff that would make you happy and give you an eternity of being interested.

There will of course be idiots on all sides that will say something stupid, offensive etc. But let's keep it down to a minimum.

ok please add to your answers whether you are an atheist or not. I'm not judging, but I'm really fascinated by this.

Good answers so far don't be affraid to state what your belief is.

I guess I should have said that I mean a spiritual afterlife reincarnation is just another life so I should have said afterlife or afterlives. Sorry guys. Some really good answers though and most have managed to avoid quotes.

Regardless of our differences, our wishes for a Heaven aren't that different from each others. If you said: a beautiful place with friends etc. or serving God, you have come close to getting Best Answer as I think they are the nicest sentiments the human race has to offer

Answer 1

My afterlife would be like the holodeck on Startrek. :D

Answer 2

I'm technically a Catholic, though I'm not very good at all kinds of practices if I don't see a meaning in them. Anyway, I do believe in a more or less Catholic God who is good and loving and wise.
So my vision of afterlife is based on Catholic teaching, though I'm not sure it follows it to the detail. First off, I believe that everything that the Bible or other sources on this Earth say about afterlife and the world of spirits is a metaphor at most, I believe there are no human words for what will happen after we die.
I also believe that Hell exists, but it's empty. If Christ died for everyone, then everyone deserves to be on his side. It's not like atheists or agnostics or those of other religions do more or worse sins than Christians. I think that every time that people stir up to do something, they always have a good intention - even when the result turns out evil, like war or terrorism or a dictatorship. And I think that is what matters to God - except that he will probably have this fatherly approach to it, something like shaking his had and saying - oh, come on, how could you be so foolish, it's not what I taught you, come, let's clear up this mess.
And as for Heaven... I think Heaven will be a place where you see the Big Picture - where you have all of your mortal life put in perspective of the whole history of the universe, and you'll see just what mattered in what you did, how the choices that you made influenced the whole huge structure... And a place where you'll instantly see if the choice is right or wrong, and where everything happens as intended, because you will know exactly what happens if you choose this or that. There will be perfect understanding among people and other spirits, and there will be no way to unintentionally hurt someone or be hurt, because you also will always see clearly what was intended by another. And that will solve any other mortal problems, so there will be peace and love and all that any religion teaches. but it will com from wisdom and from seeing clear. Love will come naturally, it's not like you'll have to everyday work on "loving thy neighbour", like you have to here.

Answer 3

neal9jsg,
Hi. I am a Protestant Christian. I have been for over 20 years.

I lean towards the Apocrypha on what it will be like before the Judgement Seat of Christ.

Those that know Jesus will know it. Those that don't will know it. Those that are saved will have 7 days to watch and see what is going on and they can see the Glory of God and His Righteousness. Once those 7 days are finished, there is a place where there is a dwelling. The dwelling is profoundly quiet.

The Unrighteous will also see the Righteousness of the Lord. There is a way down. They already know the time is too late for them to be with God, to turn from their unrighteousness and become covered by the sacrifice that Jesus provided. Some will eventually cast themselves into the pit rather than suffer in remorse over their decision. They will await the White Throne Judgement.

About the spirits of Men. They don't get tired. They don't sleep. They can thirst. I think that they can get hungry. They are eternal, no matter what side they end up on.

Waht I would like the afterlife to be. To be with my Lord and do His will for eternity. Whatever that may entail.

Answer 4

Okay, as an unbeliever (not technically an atheist) I don't think there is an afterlife (this, you already know). But what you may not know is that some of us would really love it, if there was one. Just because we can't believe there is, doesn't mean we don't want it to happen. I mean I don't think I'll ever go to bed with Lauren Graham, but I dream of it every other night, lol.

Now, what would I want in an afterlife? Well, simply complete bliss, no problems and no pain. I'd love to reunite myself with my lost relatives, and I'd love to have a perfect and complete understanding of the greatest mysteries of life. That's about it.

BTW, in case someone brings this up, SINCE I don't think this is going to happen, I'm making no efforts whatsoever to pay the fee here so I allegedly go to heaven. I was just dreaming, but as I said, I know Lauren Graham is not for me...

Answer 5

This world is limited. We are limited. I believe it is sin that limits us and the world. We are given some liberties here and while some good is done with them, much harm is done as well; from war to pollution, from pedophilia to needless poverty. If we were given more liberties, what more harm might we do?

I believe that the afterlife will be place where limits and sin are unkown; a place where we will have unrestricted access to all that our imaginations can create yet peace will reign; a place that needs no limits because malicious efforts like lust, selfishness, and power and cowardous failings from fear and intimidation and pain will be overwhelmingly overshadowed by a love that is endless, a security that is infinate, and a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Answer 6

What ever people put we must all respect the oppinionons.. religion is a complicated and delicate topic...

Now...Personally I am a none beliver... Why...They say religions have only been here for thousands of years....but there has been no proof of this and what could and maybe describe as the worlds biggest uto biography of one mans journey....It chinees whispers to me....1 day he is a carpenter next he walks on water... its like today in the morning your friend had a bike accident then 3 hours later he is dead...when really he grazed his knee..

There is far more proof that like and all its forms have been are are organisms and we have all evolved from many millions of years ago.........

The only subject I can not talk about to back up my feelings about there been no god is the miricale of birth...

Tell me how a sperm that you can not even see turn into skin bones and people....

Answer 7

Hmmm...if the afterlife could be anything I wanted, then I guess the concept of reincarnation is really neat. I wouldn't want any set thing, because after an eternity, I'm certain anything could become dull and if I recalled that I was the one who selected it and punished myself that that fate, I'd probably be pretty unhappy with myself. But to be reincarnated, to spend another lifetime, and then to pass on to another ... then things wouldn't get dull. Or if they did, well, there'd always be the next time around...

Answer 8

Personally, i believe that living things come from an energy source that breeds life throughout the universe. I believe that when we die, we rejoin that energy with all of the freedom and knowledge that can exist. I suppose you could perhaps stay there and enjoy seeing and knowing everything, or maybe you have to be reborn. I do belive in reincarnation for sure. I just don't know if being reborn is of our own choosing or not. Maybe we have to continue from life to life, from one end of the universe to the other inhabit one form of life to another until learning everything we can. I do belive that learning is the secret to life. Learning is what helps everything evolve. It is that only constant in our lives from the moment we are born until the moment we die. So it would make perfect sense that, that is why we are all here. To learn as much as possible. In any event, I belive in wonderful things that await us after death.

Answer 9

A place with serenity, peace, no worries, cares or stress. A place where everyone there is filled with uncompromising unconditional love. A place of the loveliest artwork, sculptures and designs are, among beautiful trees and flowers. A place where all the animals are friendly and loving. A place where I can down the line of my family tree from the beginning. A place where I can have fun and much laughter with the little baby sister I lost years ago. No sickness, disease, poverty, sadness...
Oh yeah, and no smart remarks from yahoo answers
:)

Answer 10

As no one has ever come back to tell mere mortals what it is like to be dead, (barring Jesus and the other chappy he brought back to life) your question will remain unanswered. The only thing you can be certain of is that you will die, and your body will be reclaimed by the universe, all that was created once returned back to its original state at the end ie back to being an atom. If an atom is conscious, then you become part of the universe, and that may be your afterlife.

Answer 11

Im not sure what to believe in. I dont believe one being created this whole entire world, evolution was the way for that.

However, im only human, i need something to believe in. When times are bad and we're alone, we all need someone, or something, to turn to. I dont do religious stuff, though i do, in some sense, pray when something is up, whether its to that "Being", to "something else up there" or to absolutely nothing. It still makes me feel better, and thats all that matters.

Though i wouldnt say im religious. In my opinion, religion causes too much problems when taken too far. It can cause corruption and war. People can use it as an excuse to cause fights, which i believe is totally wrong.

Though i wouldnt say im atheist, as i like to believe there is something out there, something much bigger and more powerful beyond our wildest dreams.

When i pass away, i would love to be reincarnated as me again, but obviously in the new time. I believe in soulmates strongly, so maybe we all live our lives again. I hope so anyway, as my life is perfect right now, and i would love to live this again. That would make me happy.
The thought of going to a "heaven" is nice, eternal happiness. Wouldnt that be great?

Though, in teh back of my mind, i know realistically when we die, thats it. Everything stops. This scares me though. The thought of my life ending just like that, with time going on and on really petrifies me as i love life and dont want it to suddenly end.

So i like to believe. I dont count myself as religious OR atheist until i have some facts right infront of me. So until a giant hand pops out of the clouds and says "hey, im God", then im sticking to just believing.