Christians say a deceased "Has gone to a better place"... do athiests say "Gone to rot in the ground"

Answer 1

First of all to assume that after death anyone has "gone to a better place" is a bit presumptuous. I don't say anything when someone dies, other than "they died, they're dead, they're not here anymore."

Answer 2

this question has to do with the different senses of what constitutes a "self." A "Christian" believes that the self is an eternally maintained individual immaterial thing that, for purposes of the great creator/war-god in the sky, is maintained in some state of either pleasure or pain for all time after the material body has failed, and "died." An "atheist" is just that, an "a-" "theist," that is a person who denies ("a-" as in "anti-") the existence of, and therefore purposes of, any god and especially the "Christian" creator/war-god (because the schizophrenia underlying this duality is a mental disease the objective effect of which is the ultimate destruction of the planet earth, ala the "apocalypse"). Thus, an atheist simply says that the body has failed, or "died." On this view, there is no self to last after the failure of the material body, and, therefore, no self left over to go to "rot in the ground."

Answer 3

I am a Christian and I bugs me that people say "they have gone to a better place". The Bible speaks of a resurrection. What would the point be if they are already in a better place? I am having the words "Takin a dirt nap" put on my headstone.

Anyway, Most Atheists that I know have memorials for a person or a funeral but do not speak of an afterlife. They cherish and remember the life the person had on earth.

Answer 4

we are meant to be sturdy, no count if we are tall or short, republican or democrat, believer or unbeliever. that may no longer ngotiable. Jesus says all human beings's innovations-set at demise could desire to be : we are unworthy servants; we've only achieved what grow to be our accountability" As to disbelief, there are in basic terms 2 opportunities one million) it is your fault which you have not got self assurance (laziness, no longer employing the mild you have, grave sins that boring your ethical experience, scuffling with against the fact in any variety, and so on.). Or 2) it rather is no longer your fault. undergo in innovations no count if it is your fault you're actually not a Christian and as a result your prayers do no longer make a contribution the help they could have contributed, then it rather is all on you.

Answer 5

I like this question. Because death occurs regardless if you are Christian or atheist, duh that is what actually happens. But if you are atheist, I guess it is hypocritical to believe that there is anything past that. To me that is highly depressing. If this is all just it, and we just die and go to rot in the ground, what is the point of trying to live a good life? If nothing matters in the end, then why would people try so hard to lead a good life, atheist or Christian, or any other religion that tries to do the same thing.

Answer 6

There are plenty of polite, kind, and inoffensive things to say.
For example:

"He died"
"He passed away."
"She will be missed."
"May she live on in our memories."

In fact, the phrase you suggested, "Gone to a better place" can be painful and insulting to those who do believe and to those who do not.

While the thought that a loved one is out of pain, or resting in Heaven, can bring comfort, it is rarely a comfort to be told that anything about the death of someone we love is "for the best."

If someone is talking about their own grief, then I doubt any atheists in the room will contradict a believer who says "...has gone to a better place."

I'd assume, an atheist talking about his own grief would say, "...he died. I miss him. He would have appreciated this moment.. I wish he could be here... I think of her often... etc."

Answer 7

Right now they are rotting in the ground, but on the last day Jesus will come back to earth. And there will be a Resurrection of the dead. The believers will be given a new spiritual body for heaven. The unbelievers will have the same body they had before.

Answer 8

I sure don't say that, but that is in fact what happens. Decomposition isn't a very pleasant way to described the recently deceased, but pleasant or not, it is the way of the world. Besides, being buried is a horrible waste of space. I will opt for cremation.

Answer 9

They are both right:
(John 5:28-29) Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
this is during the judgement day, so all those who die are rotting in the ground right now. the Athesist forever and the righteous until their resurrection during the 1000 year rein of Christ Jesus.

Answer 10

I'm a pagan pantheist (which some people view as being really close atheism) and I say "Back to all that is". My husband, who is an atheist, says deceased and dead. There are ways of being non-religious and tactful about it. Atheists aren't barbarians, you know.