Question for Atheists: You are Going to Die, Soon. Does that Bother You?

[SingleCellOrganism]

It occurred to me recently that when arguing theism/atheism I'm arguing against people with no *real* hope for the future; which makes me sad and feel like a d-bag for even bringing up the topic of life/death. Maybe everyone is screwed in the same way, but people with faith don't contemplate the question because we assume there is something after this. (and maybe that is wrong, hence screwed anyway)

Do you have hope? What in? Does this question depress you? How do you deal with the permanent end of yourself?

Just trying to get a handle on just how direly depressing the question of permanent death is for an atheist. (or, alternatively, what mechanism of thinking do you employ to alleviate the torture of that knowledge?)

 

[Cephus]

Nope, doesn't bother me a bit. I'm not afraid of death, it's a natural part of the life cycle.

 

[SingleCellOrganism]

Nope, doesn't bother me a bit. I'm not afraid of death, it's a natural part of the life cycle.

So because it is a cycle that everyone is subject too the permanent end of you isn't troubling?

I don't really mean fear of death (as in the moment of death) but rather the infinite blackness of non-existance where everyone you know and everything you did is invalidated. That has to bother you in some way no?

Alternatively, you are just ballsy!

So you don't fear it, but how do you deal with it?

 

[StillBallin75]

I'm not an atheist, but I see no reason why atheists have to be scared that no afterlife exists.

 

[Cephus]

So because it is a cycle that everyone is subject too the permanent end of you isn't troubling?

I don't really mean fear of death (as in the moment of death) but rather the infinite blackness of non-existance where everyone you know and everything you did is invalidated. That has to bother you in some way no?

Alternatively, you are just ballsy!

It doesn't make a bit of difference if it's troubling, it's true. If you fall off a tall building, I'm sure gravity would be pretty troubling as you fall, but it doesn't change your inevitable fate.

Where did people get the ridiculous idea that they had to like reality for it to be reality?

 

[SingleCellOrganism]

I'm not arguing the truth of the matter, just looking for some insight into the mental mechanism you use to either a) deal with it b) ignore it

For example, I personally would ignore the fact until I was literally forced to deal with it (i.e. old age, cancer etc.)

 

[Cephus]

I'm not arguing the truth of the matter, just looking for some insight into the mental mechanism you use to either a) deal with it b) ignore it

For example, I personally would ignore the fact until I was literally forced to deal with it (i.e. old age, cancer etc.)

I've been in the situation, I've been on the verge of death. Okay. So? It's something I accepted long ago, I'm going to die, so is everyone I know. That's life. What is there to deal with? What good is a lot of mental masturbation when the end result is the same? Accepting reality as it comes, rather than how one wishes it was is a much healthier way of living one's life.

 

[StillBallin75]

I've been in the situation, I've been on the verge of death. Okay. So? It's something I accepted long ago, I'm going to die, so is everyone I know. That's life. What is there to deal with? What good is a lot of mental masturbation when the end result is the same? Accepting reality as it comes, rather than how one wishes it was is a much healthier way of living one's life.

I know I called you out in that other thread for being a party pooper, but I thought you were ruining the fun then.

I totally agree with you here. I see no point in worrying about what happens at or after death if the end result is the same and there's nothing you can do to change it.

 

[SingleCellOrganism]

I've been in the situation, I've been on the verge of death. Okay. So? It's something I accepted long ago, I'm going to die, so is everyone I know. That's life. What is there to deal with? What good is a lot of mental masturbation when the end result is the same? Accepting reality as it comes, rather than how one wishes it was is a much healthier way of living one's life.

Good answer, I agree with the sentiment. For someone like me who hasn't acknowledged eventual doom the question is a lot more foreboding to contemplate without the God-mechanism to save the issue.

So basically from your perspective "what can ya do? don't worry about it" sums it up.

 

[Cephus]

I know I called you out in that other thread for being a party pooper, but I thought you were ruining the fun then.

I totally agree with you here. I see no point in worrying about what happens at or after death if the end result is the same and there's nothing you can do to change it.

This isn't about being a party pooper, it's about being realistic. Believing lies doesn't stop them from being lies no matter how good believing them makes you feel. For anyone who actually cares about believing the truth, regardless of the consequences, rejecting comforting lies for the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it is, is essential.

 

[SingleCellOrganism]

This isn't about being a party pooper, it's about being realistic. Believing lies doesn't stop them from being lies no matter how good believing them makes you feel. For anyone who actually cares about believing the truth, regardless of the consequences, rejecting comforting lies for the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it is, is essential.

I completely agree. I don't see them as lies, but as a philosophical statement I think this is right on. Pursuit of truth could be seen as the prime directive for humanity.

 

[tessaesque]

"Permanent death" doesn't depress me. To me, that's like say "death death". I have no problem living through the time I have and then being done. I picture death as blankness. There is nothing, so what is there to be sad about? Just like I really don't care if people believe in heaven or hell. I don't think they exist, but if you want to believe what harm does it do? It isn't like you'll know you were wrong once you die, because everything ceases to exist for you.

 

[StillBallin75]

Again, I'm not an atheist but it really pisses me off when some religious folks insist that there's no such thing as "an atheist in a foxhole," that somehow atheists are insincere in their religious beliefs and will turn tail as soon as they stare death in the face. I know plenty of atheists in foxholes, they exist and they are not unicorns.

Edit: In fact, some individuals who have seen enough of war and violence might actually become atheists in response to their experiences.

 

[SingleCellOrganism]

Again, I'm not an atheist but it really pisses me off when some religious folks insist that there's no such thing as "an atheist in a foxhole," that somehow atheists are insincere in their religious beliefs and will turn tail as soon as they are faced with death. There are plenty of atheists in foxholes.

Absolutely, look at Hitchens!

Balls-of-Steel (Duke N.)

 

[tessaesque]

Again, I'm not an atheist but it really pisses me off when some religious folks insist that there's no such thing as "an atheist in a foxhole," that somehow atheists are insincere in their religious beliefs and will turn tail as soon as they are faced with death. There are plenty of atheists in foxholes.

I think if you're scared of death you'll try to find something to make death seem less permanent. Life is hard, it's hurtful, it's exhausting...it's also a wonderful experience and chance to leave an impression on the world. So when it's all done, I'm okay with that. I've had some pretty low downs and some pretty high ups. I've loved and hated and cried and sang (horribly off key) and I'm satisfied with that. I'm also okay with only having this time with my loved ones. Knowing that this is it makes it more special than I imagine it would be if I thought I had eternity.

 

[StillBallin75]

I think if you're scared of death you'll try to find something to make death seem less permanent. Life is hard, it's hurtful, it's exhausting...it's also a wonderful experience and chance to leave an impression on the world. So when it's all done, I'm okay with that. I've had some pretty low downs and some pretty high ups. I've loved and hated and cried and sang (horribly off key) and I'm satisfied with that. I'm also okay with only having this time with my loved ones. Knowing that this is it makes it more special than I imagine it would be if I thought I had eternity.

So, essentially if we lived for eternity, then life would pretty much lose its meaning. I can agree with that. I can sing in tune though so I guess if I did live forever at least I'd have that.

 

[tessaesque]

So, essentially if we lived for eternity, then life would pretty much lose its meaning. I can agree with that. I can sing in tune though so I guess if I did live forever at least I'd have that.

My boyfriend was going to be a music major and everytime I sing I can tell he's trying really hard not to cringe. It's very, very bad. My speaking voice is pretty pleasant though, even if I do sound like a 12 year old before puberty hit.

 

[Goshin]

I would think a belief that when you're dead, you're just a pile of rotting meat like a dog in the street... no consciousness, no memory, no nothing, just gone... and likewise for everyone you ever loved, everyone who ever knew you... would be a very dark and depressing belief.

You can't prove it is so, btw, so don't call it a fact. It is a belief about something unproven and probably unproveable. It also discounts a huge amount of NDE reports without any way to prove them false.

To believe that one day not only you, but every human being you ever knew, and humanity itself, would become entirely non-existent, would seem nihilistic and make all of existence utterly pointless.

 

[Cephus]

I completely agree. I don't see them as lies, but as a philosophical statement I think this is right on. Pursuit of truth could be seen as the prime directive for humanity.

I do. I see them as people who are uncomfortable with the reality that we all die making up different beliefs that make them feel better. It's self-delusion in favor of emotional comfort. That's called believing a lie.

 

[tessaesque]

I would think a belief that when you're dead, you're just a pile of rotting meat like a dog in the street... no consciousness, no memory, no nothing, just gone... and likewise for everyone you ever loved, everyone who ever knew you... would be a very dark and depressing belief.

You can't prove it is so, btw, so don't call it a fact. It is a belief about something unproven and probably unproveable. It also discounts a huge amount of NDE reports without any way to prove them false.

To believe that one day not only you, but every human being you ever knew, and humanity itself, would become entirely non-existent, would seem nihilistic and make all of existence utterly pointless.

I guess it kind of depends. If you're living life for the "reward" of eternity in heaven I guess life would become pointless if the reward were taken away. To me it's like...that pint of ice cream is gone when it's gone. So I can either get depressed over it and miss out on the enjoyment of the ice cream, or I can savor every bit of it while it's here.

 

[Cephus]

I would think a belief that when you're dead, you're just a pile of rotting meat like a dog in the street... no consciousness, no memory, no nothing, just gone... and likewise for everyone you ever loved, everyone who ever knew you... would be a very dark and depressing belief.

You can't prove it is so, btw, so don't call it a fact. It is a belief about something unproven and probably unproveable. It also discounts a huge amount of NDE reports without any way to prove them false.

To believe that one day not only you, but every human being you ever knew, and humanity itself, would become entirely non-existent, would seem nihilistic and make all of existence utterly pointless.

Except for the fact that we can replicate NDEs in the lab, we know what causes them. It's the same as astral projection. Lots of people claim to be able to do it, but when they put pictures on top of file cabinets that could only be seen from above the body and none of these people can identify the pictures after they come back...

Reality is what it is. Even if it makes life pointless, it still is. Who said reality had to make you happy anyhow?

 

[isthatajoke]

depend on how you feel about false hope. Do you want the doctor to be honest with you or not? Me I am not afraid of the dark, nothingness does not scare me.

 

[scourge99]

So basically from your perspective "what can ya do? don't worry about it" sums it up.

Besides living a full and meaningful life, one option is to contribute to life extending solutions.

 

[Manc Skipper]

Knowing, or at least expecting that this life is all we have, encourages atheists to savour every moment, appreciating every one while we can, and working to make life better, rather than sitting back putting up with a mediocre existence in expectation of reward in the afterlife. Seize it now!


"...
You work and work
For years and years
You're always on the go.
You never take a minute off,
Too busy making dough.
Someday, you say, you'll have your fun
When you're a millioniare.
Imagine all the fun you'll have
In some old rocking-chair.

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink.
The years go by, as quickly as a wink.
Enjoy yourself, Enjoy yourself
It's later than you think.

You're gonna take that ocean trip
No matter come what may.
You got your reservations
But you just can't get away.
Next year, for sure, you'll see the world,
You'll really get around;
But how far can you travel
When you're six feet underground? ..."

 

[scourge99]

I would think a belief that when you're dead, you're just a pile of rotting meat like a dog in the street... no consciousness, no memory, no nothing, just gone... and likewise for everyone you ever loved, everyone who ever knew you... would be a very dark and depressing belief.

Actually what is sad is that people such as yourself can't fathom living complete and happy lives unless you get to live forever in some fantasy land of non-stop orgasms and bliss.

You can't prove it is so, btw, so don't call it a fact.

We can't prove that fairies don't whisk your soul away to Never Never Land after you die either.

But what we do KNOW is that every piece of evidence and everything we know indicates that when our brain/body dies, so do we along with it. Unverifiable holy book tales, personal anecdotes, hearsay as well as unsubstantiated speculation/conjecture only convince the gullible.

It is a belief about something unproven and probably unproveable.

Which is a damning indication that you are being gullible for willfully accepting speculation and conjecture about reality.

Gullible - credulous, trusting, naïve, innocent, simple

It also discounts a huge amount of NDE reports without any way to prove them false.

About how much time and effort have you spent looking at studies, experiments, and analysis' of NDE's from scholars, scientists, and medical professionals? If I had to guess, not much. Can you cite or present any of their findings/conclusions? Or is your knowledge about NDE's solely dependent on unverifiable personal anecdotes and hear-say?

To believe that one day not only you, but every human being you ever knew, and humanity itself, would become entirely non-existent, would seem nihilistic and make all of existence utterly pointless.

Perhaps people such as you NEED religion to comfort yourself from what you believe is an otherwise pointless life. Take note that this indicates your own personal failing and not of others. Many live happy and complete lives without NEEDING any belief in an afterlife.