I believe in an after life but not in God. What's you're reaction to that?

Question

Given that the universe is infinite and the energy within it also infinite, I refuse to believe I am not here forever given that every word I utter, every thought I have and the effect of every move I make will never disappear without a trace.

Answer 1

If the universe is infinite and ergodic ( sufficiently varied ) and if our identity derives from our brain configuration, then once can conclude the following:

1. Since the universe is infinite and sufficiently varied we can conclude our brain will have an infinite number of identical copies, via what mathematicians call the pidgeon hole principle.

2. Since those identical brain copies share the same brain configuration, they share the same identity. When those brain configuations diverge the brain identity will diverge correspondingly.

3. Therefore when one brain dies others exist which will not.

4. Since our Identity depends on living brains it will follow paths which result in living brain states.

Therefore you may be correct.

Possible problems include the possiblity one of the initial three assumptions may be incorrect as well as the possibility of a slow deterioration leaving you alive but in a painful semi-vegetative state.

Philosophers and Physicists have termed this idea "Quantum Immortality" which you can google search.

Answer 2

OK, interesting point - but let me ask you this:

If the universe is infinite and as you say the things within it, including yourself never disappear but instead transfer without matter or energy ever truly being 'lost' (forgive me if I have misunderstood that and do correct me) then surely you have gone through previous states prior to this life you are living now.


Now, can I assume you don't remember those states? (sorry, I am trying to use clear terminology that doesn't do the complexity justice) Wouldn't you agree you identify yourself as you are now in this life, not in any previous existences?

Therefore, identity does not transfer to the next existence, so the matter that constitutes 'you' has an afterlife, but you don't in the identity of you. That identity dies with you - so it isnt really an afterlife at all. It's like calling the water from say the River Thames the River Thames water when it enters the sea.

Forgive me if it appears I am disrespecting your world view or beliefs, I am an ex philosophy student and I hold similar beliefs, but also question it a lot.

Answer 3

Much depends on your definition of God. Your question can seem like an oxymoron. In the main, however, I agree with the comments in your subtext. Words like 'infinite' are man made concepts, so I have trouble with them. You seem like a person who is half way to believing in a higher force (lets put it like that), but you are not ready to ascribe it to a supernatural being. You seem as though you are trying to stretch the scientific//evolutionary view toward the creationist view, a kind of halfway house. I agree that the energy we create during our physical lives must go somewhere, but when we die, does that energy come together in an organised way, so that it is still us, but has become a metaphysical version? We don't even know if our earthly brains are constructed in such a way, that we are even capable of understanding what might come to pass when we die. Interesting question though, at least you are a thinker.

An addendum. Don't you think that you may become what you have believed in during your earthly life. IE, you create the sort of energy you become, by your beliefs?

Answer 4

Yes I agree with this statement as william Blake said if we had not a god we would have to invent one so wake up world we are modern man not mindless sheep who wish to believe in fairy stories yes there is continuance of life after death on a greater scale, energy does not dissapate it is eternal and the life force of man is also energy

Answer 5

since you mention your words and energy ,i just thought id mention that God spoke the world into existence. where do you think the universe came from if not God? Are you thinking along the lines of the theory that enegy cant be created or destroyed.

Answer 6

I believe in the spirit plane and I believe in an energy. It's not God that man has connected to religion but it is the creator of our universe.

Answer 7

Here is my response.

What you believe is 50% truth.

What if you die and woke up and suddenly realize that all you believed were wrong? I will rather believe in God and be wrong when I go to the next life than waking up and be sorry I never listened.

Answer 8

remenber what you said 10 years ago at this very min back then ? no you dont. that is how inportant your words are .your only borrowing the energy given to you at birth it well transfer to the next person but you well not be contained in that energy .

Answer 9

I think you're still "believing" in things for which there is no evidence -- and on mistaken assumptions.

The universe is NOT infinite, and neither is the energy in it. Both are very large, but finite. There is definitive proof of those facts.

There is NO proof of any kind that there is any kind of god, or any kind of life after you die.
So I think you're still a little uneducated and confused -- keep learning and that will help!

Answer 10

That question is as silly as saying that you believe in cars but will stand in the road and don't belive that one will hit you. Have a look at your hand and see how it has been designed to do the things it does. You see every thing that has been created has a creator (simple logic) Earth has been created by the creator and so have we. When you die you have to face the creator, because you will be entering into his realm. Are you sure that he will let you in though?