Long question short, because of the limit. I fear death badly, I get actual physical tics from thinking of it, even passingly. I think of the nothingness, the fact that I (as a thinking entity) will not continue life in any way, shape, or form. That I will cease to be, and that nothing will come to my rescue, because no one will want to in the future, assuming they could ressurect people. I don't care about impacting lives, only my own, and the thought of all the things I'm going to miss after I die, added to everything else, almost always reduces me to a sobbing fool. So much so, that I can't even sleep at times, and more often than not have to exhaust myself by staying up much later than I should, simply to avoid the whole process of thinking of it before sleeping. I am a fierce Atheist, as well, so I have no faith in an afterlife, which only compounds my problems. Plus, since I'm so afraid of death, I don't live life "dangerously", and don't want to, and thus, don't accomplish much.
2006-12-20 05:21:51 · 24 answers · asked by the_311_saint 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Don't worry too much about it and don't listen to everyone else that you need some sort of faith to feel right. I used to feel this way myself but you have to accept that fact because it happens.
Generally speaking though, Death might not be nothingness, seeing as no one can prove it. Some scientific theory believe that as our brain wipes out, our conciousness lives on, that our brains are just receptive to our conciousness. If you DO want something to believe in to feel safe, look up some theories on it.
I'm guessing that if you're an athiest you'll believe reading some scientific theory rather than religious theory.
That being said i respect what other people believe, so before you start sending hate my way, respect my beliefs too.
2006-12-20 05:32:30 · answer #1 · answered by matty_boy1989 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Look. Death is not the end of life. Why do you assume there is emptiness when energy can neither be created or destroyed. You cannot "cease to exist". Death is the cycle of life and is not to be feared.
You must admit we have some creator, no matter what faith you or, even athiest. We are too complicated to not be created. Life in general.
Live your life like you will die tomorrow. But do not fear death. Think of all the great patriots in this country who eagerly sacrificed their lives for a better country for everyone. Think of the resolve they had. You have that too. Fear the government. Fear not death. Just remember, we were created by sopmething and we will return to that creator. He might not be a white guy in a beard, he might be an energy field that surrounds you with peace forever. Good an explanation as any relgion, right?
2006-12-20 06:40:38 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It appears that you have thought about your own demise or perhaps a variation of it to the point of fixation. And here in lies the problem, when you have a big picture like this it can be rather overwhelming and a little too much to think about. It is wise during a period of fear to break things down into there proper components, often things that simply aren't tangible become unreasonable fears. You say that you are an atheist, so science can ease your conscious in that quantum physics say we are a part of a bigger whole, so perhaps its not over for you at all but simply a new rebirth of sorts.
2006-12-20 11:53:52 · answer #3 · answered by George U 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good question! Either believe that life goes on, or else tell yourself you do not want to live forever. Read "Tuck Everlasting" or watch the comedy movie "Death Becomes Her". Our body cells keep dying and getting replaced by new ones. So we are really a pattern that they leave behind, and this lasts a lot longer. Peter Ragnar says to stop believing so much in death; we tell our cells what to do. But most people feel death is natural like leaves falling in autumn, or stars running out of hydrogen.
2006-12-20 07:22:48 · answer #4 · answered by rush&rut 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on you religious faith. The Hindus believe in reincarnation meaning that they will be born again. That easies the fear that they will not be gone for ever. Death is not an end but the beginning of a new life- maybe a better if we have done some good deeds.
2006-12-20 05:28:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Life is too short to worry about the inevitable. The time you have is all you have, so it's up to you to decide what you're going to do with it.
What would you like to do? Try making a list- then going through it and doing it. Sometimes the best way to get started with something is to jump in feet first, so to speak. This is coming from someone who is painfully shy and gets stage fright badly, so you can be sure I'm not going to try to pull your leg.
Also, think of this: The fear that you have spoken of is already causing you to miss a lot of things. So get rid of it.
Good luck.
2006-12-20 05:38:35 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hi there !
As the days pass by...as we become more and more mature...we will stop fearing death...
I mean to say that..the intensity will go on decreasing...but never reaches 0% !
Believe me ....
When I start getting thoughts like these..
I think about a poem which I have read somewhere....which was written by a very famous poet..He has described "death" as a "totally peaceful...painless continuous sleep".."free from all worries and problems"..
In one way he is right...agree ?
then why worry ?
best wishes !
2006-12-20 05:37:53 · answer #7 · answered by suresh k 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you truly believed that you only "ended" at death and didn't continue on how would you even know about the nothingness? You would blip out, be gone forever, and there would no awareness of anything. The truth is, deep down, you don't believe that there is "nothingness" after death...maybe you can't shake the feeling that there is something more to it than that. I doubt its a fiery hell...but if you look at life on this planet its all a cycle. Death brings life. I believe that. Everyone is afraid of the unknown...and death is the epitome of the unknown--because no one comes back after they are dead...and I don't care how many people say they have. Death is more than a stopped heart beat, it is the complete and utter release of everything that makes you, you. Don't be so dead set on any single belief...the universe is too vast and we are all so very small...look around and ask yourself if the life you have can be the only kind of "life" that exists. I think not.
2006-12-20 05:30:20 · answer #8 · answered by Destiny 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Wow. It sounds like you have painted yourself into a corner.
My only suggestion is to set aside your fierce Atheist outlook and simply look about you and see those who are not struggling with the inevitability of their own death. Christians (sorry, for the "C" word) seem to have the best handle on the concept. Maybe they have something there?
Don't be afraid to simply sneak away privately with a Bible and just open it up ANYWHERE. God will talk to you, for the Bible is a living thing - it is the Living Word of God. I know...this is a strange concept, but there is truth to it.
I'm very sorry that you have such a strong fear of what we all - Kings to Slaves - have had to face. We just can't get around it. So, you best understand it and gather all of the information you can. Information is power, and right now, you feel very vulnerable.
May True Peace come to you, lost Brother!
122006 12:37
2006-12-20 05:38:12 · answer #9 · answered by YRofTexas 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Very interesting. You seem to have a lot going on in your head. I can only speculate as to why you feel this way. Putting all things aside such as your so-called lack of a faith, maybe you would benefit in seeing a therapist? Just a passing thought. Having said that, I could tell you all my personal beliefs and disbeliefs in the various faiths, religions, and factions, however, I just don’t think that it would help you. I do think only you can truly help yourself in your journey through this life. You have absolutely no control over what happens or doesn’t happen when you die. I think you need to take the initiative because you can just choose to exist in this life or you can choose to live. It’s your life!
2006-12-20 06:02:09 · answer #10 · answered by mg3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋