A question about death (Earth, mystic, reincarnation, experience, theist)

[WhiteSeal]

Originally Posted by Fluffy

The things we do fear are not the result of rationality or reasoning because fear is not a rational or reasonable emotion.

I happen to be wired such that death is not something that causes me fear. I am wired such that other things do cause me fear.

However, it is still apparent to me that fear is irrational (I am just an irrational person like many others) and this realisation helps me to sustain my lack of fear towards things that I am not afraid of whilst lessening the fear towards things that I am.

I suppose the "because" in my post is a bit tenuous but this is the sense in which I meant it.

I agree, fear is irrational, hence things like fear of chickens, which don't even carry a very high risk of death.

I guess if atheists were more afraid of death they'd probably turn to religion. Atheism is pretty apathetic in nature; it wouldn't make much sense to be a death-fearing atheist. You'd just end up converting on the death bed and ruining the whole point.

[+Xausted]

Originally Posted by michel

(this is obviously aimed at non theists)..................

Do you fear Death ? (I am presuming that you believe that there is nothing left of you after death than the memories of those still living of you).

It seems to me that the pain of dying could be the only thing you would have to fear.

So, do you fear Death? If so, why?

I had no preconnceptions proir to me actually being in a situation were I believed i was going to die. It turns out I found the experience amazingly peaceful, there was nothing to fear, and therefore I have no problem with the concept of my own death.

However, as many of you will know, my mother is in the process at this moment in time. Only this morning I had a tearful conversation from her about how horrible it is to be dying and she is so scared of the pain that she is starting to feel and what she knows is coming. She is a Christian, as opposed to my atheisim, which I find odd. How can someone have a fear of reaching the ultimate goal of being with her Saviour? Her fear of death, although understadable, detracts from the living that she is doing.
This is me blabbering I know. What i am trying to say I think, is that those that do not have a religious belief structure maybe actually benefit. How can there be fear in nothingness.

[Phasmid]

Originally Posted by michel

(this is obviously aimed at non theists)..................

Do you fear Death ? (I am presuming that you believe that there is nothing left of you after death than the memories of those still living of you).

It seems to me that the pain of dying could be the only thing you would have to fear.

So, do you fear Death? If so, why?

Not really. There's a slight fear of the unknown... but yes, the method of death would be the top concern for me. If I wake up and find God there with a stern look on His face, I'll likely say, "Am I going to Hell now? I thought I did alright on Earth... can't we talk about this reasonably?"

[3.14]

fear of death is healthy it keeps you alive

I look at death this way:
if i die and stop existing i can't complain
if i die and still exist i can complain but noone will care

[mball1297]

I wouldn't say I have a fear of death. It's more of a disappointment. At this point in my life, I'd like to think I have all the time in the world to learn new things, and just be a part of this world. It just saddens me a little to think that at some point I have to stop learning and living. It's kind of like being at a great concert and not wanting it to end.

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by mball1297

I wouldn't say I have a fear of death. It's more of a disappointment. At this point in my life, I'd like to think I have all the time in the world to learn new things, and just be a part of this world. It just saddens me a little to think that at some point I have to stop learning and living. It's kind of like being at a great concert and not wanting it to end.

Yeah, but the difference is that after a concert you can feel sad/disappointed it is over. After death there won't be a you to feel that.

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Yeah, but the difference is that after a concert you can feel sad/disappointed it is over. After death there won't be a you to feel that.

True, but if I think about the concert ending, in the middle of the concert, I will be sad then. It's really like a death is not sad for the person who died, just the people who are still living.

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by mball1297

True, but if I think about the concert ending, in the middle of the concert, I will be sad then. It's really like a death is not sad for the person who died, just the people who are still living.

I suppose, but in death there are no wishes unfulfilled, so its not really something to dread any more than it is something to long for. Everyone has to die, so you might as well try and accept it as a good thing, the end of suffering.

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

I suppose, but in death there are no wishes unfulfilled, so its not really something to dread any more than it is something to long for. Everyone has to die, so you might as well try and accept it as a good thing, the end of suffering.

That's the thing, I accept it. I accept the fact that my parents will most likely die well before I do, too. That doesn't mean it can't sadden me. Sadness is good sometimes too.

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by WhiteSeal