Why is this so hard to understand?

Question

As an Atheist, I am CONTENT with the fact that I will die one day and there will be nothing more. I don't see this as a negative. The thought is peaceful to me actually. I won't be scrambling around asking some man in the clouds for forgiveness for not believing in him all these years. I will be contemplating my life and what I have done to make the world a better place.
Just because *you* may need something to look forward to when you die doesn't mean I do.

Anthony, I am talking about before I die.

Thank you Abides, Cynical (pic is of Katharine Hepburn), Billy (love how you think), Linz (you are fabulous and open minded and I appreciate it), Axel, John, Joe_Citizen (lol), 182, Reported, Archy, Cranky, Spirit, Hugh (you are right on), UFO, Robert, Hedge, Invisible (so eloquently said, thank you), Willa, Andy, Gigi (*hugs*)

Answer 1

Well when you are talking to someone who has used the word "God" in regular conversation since they were born, due to family beliefs, culture, etc, its like trying to convince them that you believe the ocean isn't made of water. They consider it as factual as any true fact, because they are so used to the idea.

I personally am starting to come to terms with the atheist perspective on death, and you are right, is does seem rather peaceful after all.

Answer 2

I respect you views however, Question??? What if you die and find out that you are wrong? What if there is a heaven and a hell? What if you are tormented for eternity because you did not believe? What will anyone who did believe stand to lose if there is not a heaven or a hell? Is it truly worth the risk? Be assured that we will all know the answer to these questions (some sooner than later). Know that we cannot see the air we breathe but just because we cannot see, touch, or smell it that doesn't make it any less real. Be blessed!

Answer 3

The fear of death is hardwired in the human brain. It is definitely an integral part of religion as people seem to be scared of making the wrong choices and ending up in the wrong place, or just ending up dead period. This is where I find I'm different from a lot people, even some of my atheist and agnostic friends. I have absolutely no fear of being dead. I never worry about it one iota. I want to live a long healthy life and I certainly don't want to die painfully, but I really don't give death much thought on a day to day basis.

Answer 4

I'm half with you on this one. I won't be scrambling around hoping to get some God in the sky to forgive me either. I do think though, that as we are Energy and came from Energy ,that we will also go back to it in some form. I don't yearn for some wonderful heaven as a reward for being a saint on Earth but I look forward to seeing loved ones again and catching up with all the knowledge that I have temporarily forgotten .

Answer 5

Many are not just confused by the atheist's lack of belief in "something more," but are horrified that the atheist may be right.

Consider this: a person spends his or her entire life focused on one belief system, completely refusing all others. Somehow that person finds out irrefutably that he or she has been completely wrong and has wasted that one life.

If the believers faith is wrong, well, the atheist has lost nothing, the believer has lost everything.

Answer 6

I'm pretty much in agreement. At least I see nothing offensive here.

But I will disagree somewhat: I really would like to believe that I'll never die. And I really would like to believe that ultimately there is justice for everyone. The good and the bad. And I really would like to believe that the human race will come to some good end.

but I can't latch on to this obvious fantasy just because I want to believe these things.

Answer 7

Hitchens compared God and the afterlife to a celestial North Korea. Imagine living your life in fear that a sky fairy is reading your thoughts, looking at what you do in the bathroom and the bedroom. A god like this seems rather scary.

Edit: NO RIF, God-fearin'-folks are FAR more likely to be the ones trying to censor and suppress free speech. Atheists just ask God people to prove their claims. Atheists just use logic to ask questions that religious people can't answer coherently.

Answer 8

I don't understand the concept of heaven as well. If we keep our current mental state, then how could we tolerate living for all of time. I love and enjoy life now, but I'd want a cut off time somewhere.

I suppose most people just see their lives as being bad and want something good to look forward to instead of trying to make their own lives better.

Answer 9

Hang in there kid I saw a news story that said scientist were close to making life from sctratch once that happens the bible will go the way of the greek gods.

Answer 10

As a believer in Christian faith, I am CONTENT with the fact that you will die one day and believe that there will be nothing more... Who said this is hard to understand? You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and I am not "trying to save you" from it. As long as you are at peace with the choices that you make in life and in your beliefs, who am I to challenge that? As long as you are not blaspheming God, or making ignorant remarks about what I believe, we are cool.
**Hugs**

Answer 11

see, that's what I don't get...you are ok with nothing after death? You are ok that one day you will cease to exist and eventually everyone who ever cared about you will also cease to exist and it will be like you never existed at all? That doesn't frighten you in the least?
How do you know that there will even be a consienceness (sp?) to contemplate your life?
So dear atheist, there is either something or there is nothing. Either you exist after death or you don't. And if you do think that you exist in some form, you do believe in something, might not be my God, or somebody else's, but it's something. Either the light goes out or it doesn't, which is it?