I'm sort of with Nietzsche on this one. I can't quote exactly from Thus Spoke Zarathustra since I loaned out my copy, but basically he says, "Everyone who's so obsessed with the afterlife can go live it."
We're here, now. Does it really matter how we got here? Does it really matter what's next? We have no way of knowing.
If you start from an agnostic standpoint, from a perennial maybe, there's no really good reason to believe in anything. If you are biased towards Christianity you will believe, if you are biased towards atheism you won't.
I know one thing for certain: I am here, right now. I want to make the most of my time here. If there is an afterlife, I don't want to spend the rest of my afterlife wishing I'd done things now.
I look forward to reading the counterarguments.
2006-12-21 15:56:38 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Please answer my real question.
I am asking about the relevance not the existence.
2006-12-21 16:00:20 · update #1
Yes it matters! Believing in an afterlife can encouage one to do better as to avoid the damnation of hell.
I only hope I am still a Queen when I get there!
2006-12-21 16:02:55 · answer #1 · answered by *Happy Once Again!* 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The story of an afterlife can't be proven. It's there because someone said so. But it is used to opiate less fortunate people with dead end futures. That's why there are more places of worship in poor neighborhoods. The religions say that in an afterlife, everyone will spend their time admiring a man who lives in a cloud. And what do you do on day 2 ?
2006-12-21 16:03:59 · answer #2 · answered by The professor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's good that you want to make the most of your time here -- because that's what God wants too, for each and every one of us.
He doesn't want us to spend our time in idleness, or serious sin, or in a life that has no meaning to other people. If we do those things, then we are definitely not making the most of our time here.
In the next life, don't worry, we won't be regretting anything regarding life here on earth. We will, at least hopefully, be with God -- there's nothing else that would matter at that point.
.
2006-12-21 16:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith is believeing without seeing. Before I was saved there were so many questions I had that never could be answered. I started going to Church with my girlfriend (now my wife) and so many things started to make sence. I would never tell you to stop being you or quit believeing what you believe. That is not me. I believe in loving people for what and who they are. But believeing in a God who will forgive you and accept you as you are if you only believe in Him is great. I don't want to believe this sometimes crappy life is all there is. I want to believe there is a Heaven and I can go there when I die.
Someone put it real simple!
If you believe in God and there is a God you are Good!
If you believe in God and there is No God you are Good!
But if you don't believe in God and there is a God you are in Big trouble.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas!
2006-12-21 16:05:22 · answer #4 · answered by Tiger Crane Master 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you really want to make the most out of your time here then you will allow yourself to become compassionate and wise. There are many dimensions to experience in this universe, the physical dimension is just one of the universes' many dimensions. What you are allowed to experinece beyond this earthly dimension will depend on how much progress you make (as a soul, not as a physical being) in this expereince.
2006-12-21 16:06:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You seem very young from your words. You may not need to believe in it now, but you will believe in it in the future. You know the very idea of afterlife is that you will not be wanting to think about anything that has happened in this life when you are there and that is how heaven and hell are made.
2006-12-21 16:06:13 · answer #6 · answered by S&D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I like your attitude about living life for the moment - very healthy way to think.
As for the afterlife - I like to believe that there is so much more after we have lived our life here on earth and when we get there we really have no regrets
2006-12-21 16:00:56 · answer #7 · answered by Aussie Girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To a mature mind, no, it doesn't matter. To one who is anxious about death, fearing the loss of meaning and connections to others and to themselves, it can matter a lot whether there's an afterlife.
I think your question should read "Does it matter to YOU if there's an afterlife?" Clearly to many it does matter. To me and you, not very much at all.
2006-12-21 16:03:09 · answer #8 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't you believe in planning for the future?
If there is a God, do you think he wants to surprise us about what's to come?
God wants us to prepare for the next life. That's why he gave us the Bible.
2006-12-21 16:05:28 · answer #9 · answered by David S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brilliant! No it doesn't and I like your excerpt from the philosphy venue it's quite appropriate here as well. sorry no counter here.
peace out and have a happy holiday season hooya !
2006-12-21 16:02:30 · answer #10 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋