I'm not trying to strike up some hateful argument. This is just curiosity.
I'm just wondering about those monks/priests/nuns/etc. who devote their entire life (or even die for it) to an unseen being. For example, they won't get married, have children, or live like a normal person with any of the luxuries life can give. And I'm not just talking about cars or money, but that they can't even have romantic love for instance or wear a nice dress?
What if after death it's just that - death? Nothingness. Wouldn't it be better they enjoyed life rather than waste it like that?
2007-10-15 04:35:19 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
you have nothing to loss even if your beliefs turn out false after life. its better to believe than not . as human being we know there is a highest power out there beyond your mind.
2007-10-15 06:52:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, I'm not defending or criticizing any faith here. But having said that, you gave some reason why religous orders don't enjoy life. You mentioned chastity, no family, and poverty or simply just not enjoying life like we "normal" folks do. They have so many Don'ts.
Anyway, what makes you happy isn't necessarily what makes them happy. In their minds and hearts they have devoted their lives to God, and that makes them happy. Perhaps even happier than you or I. And even when they die a horribly gruesome death, I can still believe that happinness is still a possible state. People singing Hosannas while burning has happened before.
That answers your question partly. Happiness lies in the heart of faithful, so to speak.
But anyway, you asked what happens if death is the 'finis'. No afterlife. No hell. No rewards. No soul. Are their efforts and lives wasted for believing in a falsehood?
Good question. But let me pose the natural corollary to the question also. What if it were true?
If it were not true then nobody loses. They die happy (even if you think otherwise). You die happy.
Ahh, but if it were true, thats the rub. they've earned themselves keys to the pearly gates while you will be spending an eternity in hell.
If you were a gambling man, which side gives the better odds?
Honestly.
2007-10-15 12:04:15 · answer #2 · answered by chriscole 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they were wrong they'll never know it. This is dealt with by the French philosopher Blaise Pascal in what they call the "wager argument" for God's existence.
The Wager posits that it is a better "bet" to believe that God exists than not to believe, because the expected value of believing is always greater than the expected value of not believing. Here are the stakes:
Option 1: You live as though God exists.
If God exists, you go to heaven: your gain is infinite.
If God does not exist, you gain nothing & lose nothing. Everything ends when you die.
Option 2: You live as though God does not exist.
If God exists, you go to hell: your loss is infinite.
If God does not exist, you gain nothing & lose nothing. Everything ends when you die.
2007-10-15 12:41:24 · answer #3 · answered by almac 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have decided that their beliefs are a waste which is wrong. They have a RIGHT to live and believe what they wish to believe. Just like you have the same right. But your opinion is NOT correct because you think it is.
Why worry about how other people live their lives, not bothering yourself. But rather think about how to live you life to the fullest and think less about materialist things.
2007-10-15 11:46:55 · answer #4 · answered by jon_mac_usa_007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why I'm an atheist.
Thank you so much for reflecting on what these "faith" people are doing.
I do like Buddhism, its a good alternative to over-consumption, anger, and greed.
I used to be a Christian until I realized it was all a sham and started learning about other religions and atheism/agnosticism.
2007-10-15 11:44:30 · answer #5 · answered by kashyyyyko 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Trust me they have massive faith and they are happy doing this because it is what they belive is right. they dont mind and again i say they just have ultimate faith in what they belive in and therefore have no doubt. But i admit they are a little over the top and many people think this
2007-10-15 11:45:57 · answer #6 · answered by Jimbob - 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All dont have the guts it takes to live a full life.They are living a life of delusion.But each one is entitled to make a choice as to how he/she wants to spend his/her life.Dont ou think so too?
2007-10-15 13:28:01 · answer #7 · answered by money money 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was living as my value & that's
all it's a few things but these are miene
2007-10-19 07:28:59 · answer #8 · answered by kh-snake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I'm imagining. Now what?
2007-10-15 16:30:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i guess they're sure about what lies beyond them after death... but we could all be wrong about what we're sure about...
2007-10-15 11:40:11 · answer #10 · answered by wisefool 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋