If you do not believe in an afterlife, how do you deal with the death of loved ones? Most people I know find comfort with the belief that they will see that person again in the afterlife, or Heaven, Paradise, etc...
2007-07-27 05:18:10 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I tend to think of it as a natural cycle of life.
It's a false comfort to believe you will see the people again, but whatever makes your life easier you believe.
When it comes to a person's view on the afterlife i do not tend to criticize that because those beliefs do bring peace to people who have lost loved ones.
Live & let live..... die & let grieve. If you want to believe that your dead loved ones are floating on clouds 20,000 feet above us and that is what you need to believe to help you cope with the cold reality of death...... i will not interfere with that. So long as you don't push that belief on others and try to say that your belief is true and that everyone else is wrong.
2007-07-27 05:29:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not an atheist, but I know for a fact that all living things must die. What, if anything, happens to our energy or spirit after the body dies is not known. I think heaven is the creation of people who want to live for ever. Death is so frightening and life so short. People want to believe there is an option, usually a conditional one.
I've loved my life on this beautiful earth, if I stop breathing right now, it's okay. I will live on through my grandchildren, their children and so on. That's the circle of life. Everyone has a chance to be productive and leave a mark. When my time is over, it's over. I am okay with that. I do imagine forever with my husband but if that doesn't happen, I am so grateful for the years we've had, anything beyond that would be a bonus.
When a loved one dies, I mourn them, then I remember them as they were, that keeps them alive for me.
2007-07-27 12:46:10 · answer #2 · answered by Equinoxical ™ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people do find comfort in the delusional thinking that they will someday see their loved ones again. The truth is that no one really knows what happens when a person dies. Why do religious people cry if they believe their loved one is in paradise? That doesn't make sense. They should be having a party for the person....but that wouldn't be a socially acceptable way of grieving someone. People are strange.
2007-07-27 12:25:13 · answer #3 · answered by 12th 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because I simply don't need it; no one does, in my opinion.
I don't need to know that I'll see people again --I got to enjoy my time with them in this world. If there's another realm where I can once again enjoy their company, that'd be okay.
I'd rather remember them for who they were than look forward to times again; that takes your mind out of this world. And for the atheist, this world is all there is.
Death is just another part of life --the final step of it. But death is necessary, and one can find peace in that. I honestly don't want to get reincarnated or sent to some eternal abode. When I die, I'm glad that that'll be it; it'll be nice not experience the pain of living... But again, what you do in this world matters most.
2007-07-27 12:35:04 · answer #4 · answered by GP99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe in an afterlife but it might not be the same concept of "afterlife" that you have. I don't consider myself an atheist but I do not follow the main stream religion either.
2007-07-27 12:24:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I find comfort in the closeness of my wife and family members and use the experience to put perspective on my life and doing the most I can in the short time I'm alive. It also helps to relish and relive the great moments in the recently departed's life.
2007-07-27 12:22:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cherish the people I love, not celebrate the fact that they are gone. I grieve, and deal with the problem, not obfuscate it. Saying "they're in a better place" is to negate your feelings about them, and create a perverse sense of relief through joy...I find it very odd actually.
2007-07-27 12:22:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cry, then I get over it. If there is an afterlife, I'll see them there. For now, they're just gone and I really don't look forward to seeing them anytime soon.
2007-07-27 12:24:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Does it puzzle you that we are completely fine with that notion?
I have dealt with much death of loved ones and find comfort in knowing they had the best time they could while they were here, which is what I'm doing.
2007-07-27 12:22:54 · answer #9 · answered by Spencer Y 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I grieve with family and friends. I had a death in the family recently (my uncle), and there was no discernible difference between the believers and the unbelievers, both groups were grief-stricken and we all came together.
2007-07-27 12:22:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋