Yesterday I ran an errand with my youngest. We went to the store to buy candy for his classmates. He loves candy, not to eat but to share. His favorite game is to share out any candy he gets, taking one piece, and then another to each person in the room. If we don't stop him he will give it all away and have none for himself. He is the most beautiful person I know.
One day, maybe soon, maybe long years away, he will be cold and still. Everything I have, I only have for a short while. All that I care about will be lost and forgotten. It's a simple fact.
Things are what they are, it is how I chose to feel about them that gives me sorrow or joy. I broke an old piece of family china. I was sad, but china breaks. Knowing that mades its loss easy to accept. People die. Knowing that make my death easy to except.
What does that leave me? I have today. Best that it isn't drowned in sad memories, or lost in dreaming hopes for tomorrow. I have a chance to live fully in what time I have.
2007-08-10 05:23:22 · 14 answers · asked by Herodotus 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My question is simple. Do I need a belief in a supernatural afterlife to be at piece with my eventual death?
2007-08-10 05:23:33 · update #1
Yes CJ, I'll fit it on a bumpersticker for you.
2007-08-10 05:28:09 · update #2
Thank you all for your time and thoughtful answers
2007-08-10 05:55:19 · update #3
No apparently not. At this time you seem to be at peace w/ the eventuality of your own death. I just wonder what kind of peace you will have when you discover that there is a hell and you are in it and then you realize it will then be too late to do anything about it. This is totally your choice. I hope you are making the right one. Good luck and from my point of view I hope you don't mind my telling you God Bless.
2007-08-10 05:37:26 · answer #1 · answered by DAS 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I would say you're correct - one doesn't need it to be at peace with eventual death. But if you want a hope for something better instead of just acceptance of life at face value, then it can be an inspiration.
Personally, knowing that when I die I can take nothing with me, lets me feel more secure in not falling as complete prey to the materialistic world we live in today. Yes, there are certain things we need to live each day - however striving for the excessive and boastful will only dwindle ones life away and leave less time for the more important things - like family, love, etc. My beliefs give me hope that there's more to experience yet in the future.
2007-08-10 12:39:10 · answer #2 · answered by CHRISTINA 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You make very good points. I feel that same way about my child. He is 6 and is the most compassionate and considerate person I know. He puts me in check just by watching his response and reactions to things.
So your point it well taken. Putting things in proper context in this journey of life is important and is a very healthy way of living.
But regarding the afterlife the issue becomes different. You gave good examples of contextualizing events and phases of life as these can be experienced and fully enjoyed when you know what to expect.
But after death we don't know what to expect. There is no way we can treat it the same way we treat things in life. Even unexpected tragedy in life is a potential that we are aware could happen, therefore even the worst tragedy in this life can somewhat be braced for. But regarding afterlife, if you don't know what's coming, how can you prepare for that? How can you have peace with something you can't fathom? It is a valid concern, especially when you consider that it's possible that this life can have bearing on the state of affairs after death, if there be existence after death.
2007-08-10 12:42:46 · answer #3 · answered by sickblade 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We all need something to help us to make sense of the senseless and what you have put so poignantly in your question is so very true. This is the issue I have with Christians. Why waste your life on worrying about something you might have done that could maybe get you sent to some terrible place that probably doesn't exist anyway.... We should take every moment and cherish those we love and live well and kindly. As it is, is as it is. My Pagan beliefs help me to see the beauty that is all around me and to live gently and without fear. I am blessed.
2007-08-10 12:38:34 · answer #4 · answered by hedgewitch18 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your easygoing loving ways have encouraged your son to express the generous side of his nature. By allowing him to grow in a loving environment you have given him a beautiful gift.
I don't think "belief", or not, in an "afterlife" would have any real effect on whether one fears death or the loss it represents. I do think that by being loved one can obtain a self esteem that would allow one to accept death. In that way I think you are giving your children the best weapon against the powerlessness we all face with death.
2007-08-10 16:53:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Very wise. When you mix these two ingredients at the dawn of humanity:
1) The avoidance of death at all cost, honed by millions of years of evolution
2) The realization that you yourself will die someday
... it's no wonder that religion and afterlife stories are made up every day. To really transcend our animal nature is to understand and accept death as a part of life.
2007-08-10 12:31:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
"Do I need a belief in a supernatural afterlife to be at piece with my eventual death?"
Nope, but it's the after death part that you need to worry about.
Hbr 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
2007-08-10 12:54:05 · answer #7 · answered by Machaira 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No. Death is a fact of life that we all must face and come to peace with.
2007-08-10 12:29:37 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The answer is no, IF this life is all there is.
However, Jesus spoke of a resurrection.
The subject is quite misunderstood, but still, he did say a resurrection would take place.
That means your simple, quiet, enjoyable life could continue again, even last forever.
Psalm 37:29
2007-08-10 12:31:44 · answer #9 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
some people think you do, because they do. my hubby is atheist, i'm pagan. we were discussing afterlife recently, and he said that he would really like to believe that we reincarnate, or go to heaven or whatever, but it just doesn't make sense to him. plain and simple, he just doesn't believe it. but he really wanted to.
i don't think you can change what you believe, just like you can't change what kind of person you're attracted to (i'm not necessarily referring to gender) but i do think that people who believe in heaven think it's so wonderful that they don't want anyone to miss out on it
p.s. cranberry wine sounds lovely!
2007-08-10 12:29:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋