Do we go nowhere ?

Vikka_V wrote: »

Avocado_Angel wrote: »

Actually intrested to get an atheist view on life. Do you think when we expire that's it? What can your views on life possibly be if that's the case? I am very intrigued by this.

When we die we are 'done'...we 'compost' into the world and become part of whatever?? Fertilizer? Random debris?recycled? Garbage or a pollutant?

I understand why people want to think there is more to themselves and their 'consciousness', but realistically I think that is just some human ego thing...none of us are significant in a big picture...but in a small picture, amongst the people we touch and know, we are the very essence of "life"...and should be treasured

I agree with this.

laprimaJenny wrote: »

What I struggle with is, isn’t it better to believe in something rather than taking the risk in not believing in nothing at all? Possibly nothing is real but isn’t it more reassuring to have something to hold onto, even if it’s merely a crutch?

My own feeling is that I am not reassured by trying to hold onto a belief in something that does not make sense to me with no evidence. I believe in things I have experienced or things that have been proven to be fact.
I guess I don't understand why I should need something like religious faith to hold onto. I don't feel so lost or scared or directionless that I can't cope.

I know religion/spirituality is a coping mechanism for some people. If believing in an afterlife, reincarnation, ghosts, aliens, crystals gets you through your tough times then okay. I'm not going to tell you it is crap unless you use that belief to hurt others.

Where do you feel there is a risk in not beleving in something spiritual/supernatural- whatever that is? Do you think bad things happen if you don't believe in something? Like there will be an earthquake or something? Or are you scared that you will suffer after death?

As for the existence of God, God exists......... and I have proof.


The Cleveland Browns.


God Hates the Cleveland Browns.


How could he hate them if he doesn't exist?

It's a great question with many opinions, but unfortunately none of us will ever know, until we actually die. I think most of what we each feel/believe is based on what we want to hold on to, what gives us solace and helps us along the way, whether it's a belief system (religion) or not. Either way, we all strive to live the best life we can by being honest, caring, compassionate and always being there for each other.

I've read that when the heart stops (beating) that it takes several minutes for the blood to stop pumping through our body, during which time our brain is still functioning. I imagine it's during this time that people have had near death experiences. But there are many different things that people have experienced, ranging from seeing a bright light at the end of a long tunnel, to just being peacefully asleep, to actually going to heaven and many experiences in between.

When I was little, I remember thinking about dying and the nothingness and it would scare me, but it no longer does. I think death is calm and peaceful and not scary at all. Perhaps the most peaceful we will ever feel in our lives here on earth - those minutes just before our brain ceases functioning.

I won't go in to what I believe simply because this isn't the place for it. We all believe differently. Even the Bible is interpreted many different ways. Perhaps it's not for us to know. The ponderings are good for us, it shows that we care about the reasons for being alive.

I wish that we could all love each other regardless of beliefs and do away with the hatred that's so prevalent today. There's no reason for it or any of the insults. We owe each other more than that. All of humanity deserves respect regardless of beliefs. Nothing, absolutely nothing should make us hate each other. I know that's a pipe dream, but that's okay.

craygslyst1 wrote: »

Religion is not code for Christianity, and I don’t think there is an afterlife discussion without the mention of religion.

It’s Kinda hand in hand.

That's fair.

That also opens a whole can of worms too ( i.e. - ethics, morality & other ultimate issues of life.).

Yeah I get my knickers in a twist when the faithful try and find “scientific” evidence. Like coming up with “proofs” of a bible aged earth, or the location of Eden. All it does is make a mockery of their beliefs.

Avocado_Angel wrote: »

sarahbums wrote: »

yep. I think being dead is just....nothingness. The same as before we're born.

to me the point of life is just to try to leave the world a little better off than you found it. and that can mean something different for everyone.

But what's the point if we all disappear? Why would a dead person care if the world is better?

For their progeny?

God(s) and religion are constructs created by humans to abate the fear of death and keep control of the masses.

Most tenets of organized religion are so ridiculously illogical it’s pretty unbelievable to me how they have so many followers.

Sorry to hear about your brother. Life (DNA) is still a miracle regardless of a persons belief, and the wisdom and knowledge of every person worthy of preservation. Let your brother know that there are indeed people (you) who would miss him very much if he weren’t here. I hope he starts feeling better about his life soon.

I've had this conversation with family members a few times...

If you're doing "the right thing" simply for the reward (heaven), are you still doing the right thing?


And that's where said family members and I disagree. I was raised Catholic (went to Catholic school, was and alter boy, etc), and was fairly religious and pretty faithful through much of my childhood. I went to a Jesuit college and during my early adult years formed some of my own thoughts/opinions, and eventually left the church.

At this point in my life, I'm not sure where I stand regarding faith, but I have pretty much no use for religion. I believe you do the right thing because it's the right thing, not because you want some sort of reward for being "good".

TheRoadDog wrote: »

I believe in what I can see, touch and examine. God is a fabrication to try and explain the universe. That was acceptable thousands of years ago and helped create rules to live by and a morale standard. "Don't want to sin and be banished to hell."

Faith is not proof.

If you spend your time worshipping that which is non-existent, you have wasted time you could be spending with those you care about so you can ascend to a place that does not exist.

Before you crucify me, I just want to say, I have great respect for those that believe in any religious doctrine as long as they live by those standards. Hypocrites are the worst.

But surely there are things you can't see, touch, or examine that do exist, right? That is to say, the inability to see/touch/examine does not necessitate a lack of existence, does it? Surely there are things at the furthest reaches of the universe or at the deepest depth of the ocean that we can't see/examine... but does that mean they don't exist? New species of animals are still being discovered - does that mean they don't exist prior to discovery? Where do you draw the line between that which you don't know to exist and that which you know to not exist? I could say that's an issue of faith as well.