doesn't the promise of an afterlife sort of devalue human existence? what's the point of truly appreciating it if you believe there's something better just around the corner. think of it this way. would you care about a few scraps of food on a table if you believed an endless buffet of everything you've ever wanted to eat was on it's way? probably not. but imagine you're starving and you don't know if there's another meal coming. so you make the most of what you have. does this answer why atheists value life and in turn where we get our morality from. we don't know if there's an afterlife. frankly, we don't care. it's not worth it to waste our time worrying about it. we only care for the life that we can see and that is why it is important to make the most of it. got it?
2007-05-21 19:15:46 · 11 answers · asked by just curious (A.A.A.A.) 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, not for me.
Bye bye.
2007-05-21 19:22:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't agree at all. I love the axiom which I heard a very long time ago....we are not humans trying to have a spiritual experience. We are spirits trying to have a human experience.
I don't believe that life is cheap. I don't believe that life has no value. I believe that it is short and precious and that when I die, I will be defined by my mortal existence. If I spend my life doing/being/feeling good about myself/my family and friends/my neighbors and even those I have no contact with, then my life has been good and worthwhile.
I completely disagree with the "eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die" people. Life must have a purpose, something more meaningful than "the scraps on the tabe". No, you should not pine away your time daydreaming about Heaven/Valhalla/Paradise/afterlife/whatever...what a waste! There is so much to do and so little time in which to do it! But I do not believe that the thought of an afterlife makes this life devalued. Much to the contrary.
A thought-provoking and a good question! And I give you a star.
2007-05-22 02:37:02 · answer #2 · answered by Fotomama 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I actually do not spend too much time worrying about the afterlife, but I do find hope in the thought that when I leave this life there will be something beyond.
I do value this life and I believe that it is a gift that God has given us, and we are to treasure it.
I have a 3 yr old son and I appreciate him every day, my life is not at all easy and I don't always know if we will have enough money for food next month, so I do appreciate what we get.
Most Christians I know do make the most of this life and are in no hurry to leave it.
2007-05-22 02:20:59 · answer #3 · answered by Beverly B 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Where is it written that a person is to go about life carelessly? Didn't God give Adam and Eve all they needed? Did Jesus eat food? Most of the disciples of Christ had the same occupation before becoming disciples. Do you know what it was? They were fishermen. Fish is food is it not? Do you have a car? Do you think that you will get a newer, better one someday? Sure. I think everybody does. Does that mean they forfeit driving till they get a new car? I don't think so? Will you eat an expensive meal someday? Do you still eat hamburger, lunch meat, etc. anyway? I don't worry about it. I gladly embrace it. I look foreword to it. I'm willing to suffer for the sake, love, devotion, show of thanks to and for Christ. It's called respect, homage, thanks, awe. Would you give up good things for the sake of your kids? I think most people would. Why should a Christian view it any differently when it comes to giving up something for God? The term "the best is yet to come" applies. What's wrong with that?
2007-05-22 02:32:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In almost every way I would have to agree with what you said. Think of how much easier the belief in an afterlife has also made it for the powerful in a society to convince young vibrant people to throw away their lives in war after war to further their own agendas,and to build up more power. Would thousands of young Christians have dived headlong into the Crusades to help the kings gather more power,if they had not believed they were to receive some "great reward in Heaven" for their sacrifice? Or would they have instead chosen to stay at home and enjoy the lives they had,living out their days in peace with their wives and children? This is precisely the reason the Bible is written almost like a manual for how to be a good little slave,forsake pride in your accomplishments,do not love the "things of this world" and so forth. It is no accident that the "word of God" has been spread for centuries by Kings and leaders who rarely seem to follow its dictates themselves. It is in fact responsible for a great deal of their power,and has been used as a tool to control those who must occassionally become cannon fodder to maintain their power.
AD
2007-05-22 02:39:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
IMO, it doesn't devaule human life but gives people a sense of comfort as their death approaches. Some people, maybe even most people, are afraid to die... to leave the good things and people they love and find comfort in. An Afterlife gives them some sense of hope that they will live on and not be missing out on anything.
2007-05-22 02:39:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree to a point. This life is precious and worthy of living. A single-minded mission to "attain an afterlife" robs one of living this life to its fullest. I say, live this life well (be the best person you can be) and take the next one a day at a time as we take this one (should it exist).
2007-05-22 02:20:18 · answer #7 · answered by Momofthreeboys 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily. The belief of afterlife makes us living work harder in order to be worthy of entering it. Otherwise, you would rot in what many religions call "hell". It devalues "worldly things" and makes us appreciate the spiritual ones.
2007-05-22 02:23:46 · answer #8 · answered by Thanatos 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It makes life all that MORE precious knowing that we were created by a being that loves us so much that He wants us to be with him.
And Atheist get their morality from God. There are basic morals that all society and cultures possess which hints to the very exsistence of God.
2007-05-22 02:21:19 · answer #9 · answered by The_good_guy 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Fantastic question! Thank You! I was getting bored. I agree 100%!!! How is it possible for one to fully enjoy their current existence if they are constantly hoping for something better. You drive an old Ford but you are working your tail off so that one day you can drive a Mercedes. Are you getting full enjoyment out of that old Ford? Anyone who says yes is a Lyin Fool!!!
2007-05-22 02:24:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It doesn't devalue life, but rather a love of worldy things.
2007-05-22 02:18:22 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋