Theism = belief in afterlife? (reject, Deist, beliefs, Revelation, atheist)

[Green Gaia]

Do all theists necessarily have to believe in some sort of afterlife because of their belief in a deity?

On the flip side, must atheists reject the idea of an afterlife because of their rejection of the idea of a deity?

Can a theist reject the idea of an afterlife? Can an atheist believe in afterlife? If so, on what do they base these beliefs?

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

I see the question of god(s) and the question of an afterlife as two distinct thoughts. One does not necessarily lead to the other.

[Meesheltx]

I suppose anybody can pick and choose what they want to believe. I think athiest can surely believe in an afterlife. Since aithiesm is sooo broad, many people have different reasons for it. Not all athiests reject the existence of God simply because its just not logical and there's no proof. Also, many many people I think believe in a "god" of sorts yet don't believe in the afterlife...so, yes. I would say its very possible both ways.

[Victor]

I'd be interested in hearing from someone who believes in an afterlife but no deity. What drives you to believe in it?

~Victor

[Meesheltx]

Well, why would there need to be a diety in order for there to be an afterlife? Just because it is just understood in the society that the two of them go together? I don't really know whether or not I believe that there is an afterlife, I lean towards thinking that there isn't. But I could easily understand someone with beliefs very similar to mine who did not believe in a god...but rather a natural goodness...a law of goodness, I guess. And it would be easy to incorporate into that belief the existence of an afterlife because I just don't think the two beliefs either help or hinder eachother.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by Meesheltx

...so, yes. I would say its very possible both ways.

I would agree... and I'm interested in hearing the basis of those beliefs from someone who is a theist with no belief in the afterlife and from someone who is an atheist with a belief in the afterlife.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Maize

Do all theists necessarily have to believe in some sort of afterlife because of their belief in a deity?

On the flip side, must atheists reject the idea of an afterlife because of their rejection of the idea of a deity?

Can a theist reject the idea of an afterlife? Can an atheist believe in afterlife? If so, on what do they base these beliefs?

Oh come on, Maize, you can do better than that, surely ? - asking simple questions like that ?

Surprisingly, (after reading Pah's post), I found that theist is defined as:-
Theist: - 1662, from Gk. theos "god" (see Thea) + -ist. The original senses was that later reserved to deist: "one who believes in a transcendant god but denies revelation." Later in 18c. theist was contrasted with deist, as allowing the possibility of revelation. Theism "belief in a deity" is recorded from 1678; meaning "belief in one god" (as opposed to polytheism) is recorded from 1711. Theistic is attested from 1780.

it would seem that a theist dooes believe in a God, fro the above - and yet, as a U.U, I believe you call yourself a theist........I am confused.

I think that if one believes in a deity, in practice, one would believe in an afterlife, although there is no logical reason to do so - per se. I think most of us would do so, I am in no doubt.

On the flip side, must atheists reject the idea of an afterlife because of their rejection of the idea of a deity?

- yes, I think that goes without saying. Death leaves omnly a pile of dust, there is no soul; the human mind exists no more.

Can a theist reject the idea of an afterlife? Can an atheist believe in afterlife? If so, on what do they base these beliefs?

No to both, I think, as above.

After that, I think I deserve a pre supper drink.

[Radar]

A Buddhist believes in an afterlife or continuance of life without believing in a deity.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by michel

I think that if one believes in a deity, in practice, one would believe in an afterlife, although there is no logical reason to do so - per se.

Sometimes I just shake my head in amazement ... or bemusement ...

[Meesheltx]

Originally Posted by michel

- yes, I think that goes without saying. Death leaves omnly a pile of dust, there is no soul; the human mind exists no more.

Why would not believing in God require this belief? I don't understand the connection.