So many of you seem mortified by the idea that there may not be an afterlife...?

Question

What is so scary about this life being all we have? I for one find that it makes life much more precious. There are a lot of people who believe there is a better life after this one... and some of these people believe they can get there by killing people who don't believe what they believe. Most of us would agree that this is wrong, but by believing that taking one life will give you a better, everlasting life, they are devaluing life itself. Similarly, to believe that this life is worthless, just a test or what not, to our "real" lives, devalues life just the same.

There is so much more to touch on in this topic but i will leave it at this. I believe that THIS life has infinite value, simply because it is the only one we get. One shot... much like the one diamond among the miles of coal, infinitely valuable because of it's rarity.

Answer 1

That is why they believe in a heaven. The truth scares the crap out of them. They just can't believe that when you die, that's it. They are too egotistical and afraid not to believe. That is also why so many people all-of-a-sudden change on their death beds.

Answer 2

What is so scary about this life being all we have?
Well for one this life sucks and I wouldn't want this to be the only life we have. Actually its my only hope that no matter how much life sucks one day it will be all over and a better afterlife will come. All the things you wished you couldn't do all the people who died you wish was here will one day be there. Its like a reward for all the crap you been through, its doesn't make life precious it makes you hopeful.

People who believe that they will get there by killing are trying to justify there evil ways. There uneducated with what the bible says and is influence maybe even possessed by evil.

I do agree with you on this it is the only life we have. Far as it being valuable well what makes life valuable is that you die walking outside.

Answer 3

I also believe that this life has infinite value, and cherish how I live it, for it will determine where my soul will end up. Why are so many mortified at the thought of an afterlife existing? It isn't scientifically possible? No proof because no experiment to test? In other words, if you live by data, I understand why you cannot fathom a God in Heaven, a Satan in Hell, and your soul going to one or the other; but if you live by faith, well, you don't need substantial proof, that's what separates believers from the unbelievers. It is sad when you see and hear the massive murders in the name of ____, or because they don't believe what you believe, that's no belief system, that's pure hatred and ignorance.

Answer 4

If that works for you...great, but even if there is only one life or many (reincarnation) or an afterlife - this life is just as valuable.

We are not talking about a commodity...like diamonds. Sure they are rare - but a one carat diamond and another one carat diamond is pretty much the same to most people.

Each life is a puzzle piece - the puzzle is not complete without every one. Whether you are conscious of only a single life, many lifes, and/or an afterlife - that piece is priceless for there is no other like it.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 5

The way of the philosopher is in dying. Many have found what you have not, some even while they live, such people are special and a rarity.

As for your comment on religious theology that breeds death, the only time this exist is with corrupted systems who read and apply scriptures outwardly to justify their expression of their baser instincts which springs forth from their animal nature. People are divided within themselves, they are succumb to duality of mind and can not find balance and only draw upon this world via their polarized perspectives. The Ou'ran is completely allegorical, like all scriptures and is meant to BE applied within themselves, the Jihad is to be applied WITHIN themselves, their struggle is to overcome themselves and bring all division within themselves under submission to the one ideal, but they apply this outwardly, just like the Jews before them sacrificed animals when allegorically what was asked for was the sacrifice of ones animal nature.

You have to realize that most religions are corrupted and they await to go to heaven, but not grow to heaven while they live. Because the truth is that if you don't make the most of the life that you live to become a indwelling heaven, you won't become anything when you die. What is of the world returns to the world, because it is their their. Each person must life this life as if it is their last, because for most it is there last life and they have never lived prior to it. But people don't like to hear this, I understand it isn't what they want since shortcuts are more appealing. Your question is more so directed towards Christianity and Islam.

Answer 6

Beautifully put.

Having memories of past lives - but no awareness of any experience in between, makes whatever purpose that brought me into this present life that much more significant to identify and fulfill. There is no hell nor heaven other than what we are experiencing in the now. No adept (out of which every religion has evolved) has ever said otherwise. Religions offer nothing more than psychological paths for abundant life now. BUT, until science advances further to explain the intersection of being/reality, there is no hope of convincing people to give up personifying deity and killing each other over religious differences.

Answer 7

Hmmm. Interesting one. If you notice that throughout human history there hasn't been a single civilization who hasn't had their own 'what happens after death' concept. There are so many of them. Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Valhalla, Reincarnation etc. Why is this? Why can't humans accept that they will cease to exist? As you said, mortified. No other animal does this. One theory would is that if we descended from Adam and Eve, we descended from perfect human beings, who were not created to age and die. Therefore it is unatural for humans to accept death. However, I believe what God told the first humans about what happens after they die. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The cease to exist. In Ecclesiastes it states that the dead know Nothing. If we lived on after death, well what sort of punishment for sin would that be? (don't get me started on the idiotic notion of hell...)

Answer 8

One wonders how the after-life obsessed people coped with not having a pre-life before they were born. It didn't bother ME one bit. I'm sure I'll be just fine without an after-life, too.

Answer 9

I agree. I don't get why it is so hard for people to understand either. I think the idea that there is nothing after life is highly more probably then golden gates in the clouds and pitchforks.

Answer 10

Lovey, this is your second question I am going to answer - as a definite don´t-know-where-exactly-I-am-standing-on-this person...

Please stop your crusade against religious people, trying to stop them from believing what they choose to believe.

I don´t consider myself religious, but I am fine with people who are in any non-extremist sense.

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Plus, if you noticed, you are not exactly asking questions here, but giving your thoughts on the topic in question... which is not what Yahoo! Answers is for. And yes, I gave you my thoughts on your thoughts - which is where this should end.