Are you scared of death?

Question

Something about just breathing your last breath and the waiting for your body to shut off sends shiver down my spine.

This is ripe Christian ground so if you are going to post please keep the hallelujahs to a minimum.

- das Agnostic

I know it's a part of life but it's still scary

Answer 1

I'm not scared. I've already died on more than on ocassion. My heart stopped. A dark fog grew into the corners of my eyes and I felt my consciousness turn off and an underlying sense emerged of infinitum.

Then my heart starts up again.

It's called the lazarus effect and it happens to some people.

Answer 2

Although I'm not sure if you were looking for an answer from an atheist, considering the section the question was posted in, I will answer anyway because the question is interesting:

No, I am not scared of death. Although I am an atheist, I do not believe that death is as final as some seem to think. Ironically, I agree with the very religious John Donne, when he wrote "no man is an island entire of itself....Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind..." (1) Therefore, I don't think my own death should be any more frightening than any of the other deaths that happen all around the world, every day. As Donne would say "...never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." (1) Interestingly, Donne's idea seems (to me at least) to have profound connections to the Buddhist idea of oneness. In fact, the idea seems almost contrary to the Christian belief in the soul, which is independent, or "an island entire of itself." However, I reject that idea on grounds of lack of evidence, and believe that it is an illusion, much like Buddhists believe.

I like to think of the world as one organism, whose cells are constantly dying and regenerating, but which itself is eternal, or at least survives as long as life does. As in any organism, the cycle of the death and regerneration of cells is vital to that organism's survival. Life cannot exist without death, or as you said, death is a part of life. Like the first day of school or moving out or marriage, death is just another change (and, yes, a temporary one, because everything is temporary). I have learned to love change, and therefore, I am not afraid of death.

Answer 3

I was in a very bad car accident and had a near death experience. I was bodiless above the car and I could see myself down in the car. I watched the impact of the hit, the bounce and the airbag deploy. I am not a Christian, but I believe there's a place all the souls return, it looks like a galaxy of stars and when we chose to come back to earth we are born. So, am I scared of death, no, but I don't plan on visiting that galaxy for some time.

Answer 4

NO.

Psm.115:15-17;
Psm.146:3,4;
Acts 2:27-31; Same as Jesus and David. Psm.1-4:29,30; God is in control always.
1Cor.15:22-28,61-53;
Over the heavenly for the new heavens, Rev.3:12; and the earthly for the new earth 2Pet.3:13; Rev.20:1-6,12,13; 21:1-5;

Answer 5

strange i use to think much the same way i kept thinking about that last breath like trying to hold your breath underwater and finally having to breathe,there is alot to be said for the ripe christian ground(sorry)but i died and was revived by paddles and not at all scared anymore(i am a christian)

Answer 6

I'm not scared of it in the slightest. I wasn't afraid of it before I was born, I won't be afraid of it after I die, so why be afraid of it now? I hope it's not a painful experience but it's the pain I fear, not the death.

As far as I'm concerned, my birth, life, and death were all determined 13.5 billion years ago at the instant of the Big Bang / Inflationary Era. Spacetime is set in stone. I'm already dead and still waiting to be born and living right now, my consciousness just hasn't yet caught up to the parts I haven't seen yet.

What's there to be afraid of?

Answer 7

You are right it is ripe for Christians.
I don't fear death because of what is waiting for me on the other side.

I use to and thought myself as Christian at the time.

Now the more I learn and study the better I am prepared.

You are not promise the next second so here is my suggestion enjoy the life you are given because you won't get another shot at it.

Answer 8

No not of death, im scared of standing before god and being judged. Im a christian but, its still a scary thought. Then again, in heaven you have no fears, no sorrow, no pain, and no needs. Can you imagine a better place?

Answer 9

Just a little story. I use to be terrified of having an operation being put to sleep and waking up recovering. Since then I've had 3 major surgery's and have no fear.

I think when its your time you may or maynot know. And in the same respect you might be relieved that its over and done and the pain is over. But you never know till it happens to you.

Answer 10

No. The body shutting off is just like falling asleep.
I just hope it does not come too soon because there are a few things I would like to do. One of them is going to New Zealand.