ANSWERS: 43
  • Atheism isn't about not believing in life after death. I believe there is. I've got no idea of how and in what form, but I don't believe in an almighty god or any forms of religion.
  • No. I am perfectly comfortable believing that life ends when you die.
  • Now hear this. Human live on earth is but a combination of atomic matter. It is not the center of everything. Look at the pictures that come back for the telescope Hubble. Google "the most important picture ever taken". If you still feel important in the overall scheme of things you have the ego of Zeus. http://www.deepastronomy.com/hubble-deep-field.html
  • Yes, that would be great. At least, at first thought it would. But then, how about my best friend who died when we were 7 years old? I will be quite old when die, and wouldn't have anything in common with a seven year old boy. My wife, too, was a few years older when she died; now she would be decades younger than me. And then I would think to myself: *eternal* life? That would mean that the whole history of the world from its creation until now would be nothing in the infinite void. I could live while the sun died. And I could live while the galaxy dissipated. And when the universe eventually ran down in the unimaginably distant future, I would still be alive, and what I had lived would not be the tiniest fraction of eternity. And then I would start to feel scared. Wouldn't eternal life be unendurable, whether you were in heaven or hell? The glare of eternal consciousness would eventually become a torment after the first 100 years, or thousand years, or million years, or trillion years. No, all in all, I think oblivion would be the kinder option, thanks very much.
  • This is a tricky one to answer. As to wanting to believe the quick answer is no. I want to know as far as I can. Not believe. If something is true so be it and I prefer that level of truth to wanting something I see as highly unlikely, or impossible, to be true. To lose someone you love is a tremendously painful experience and it would be a cold soul indeed that wouldn't want to have that person back again in one form or another. In that simple respect I would want to be able to see lost loved ones again. Also the fact that one is going to die and will simply cease to be is whilst not distressing, somewhat annoying as there is so much to do and see and so little time to do it in SO again on that very basic level life after death has appeal. However... Once you dig a little deeper there are some uncomfortable issues to look at. Firstly if we are to accept that there is a divine being that can grant these gifts if you will the nasty question arises of can these gifts be withheld, or worse made into some form of punishment? Many religions, not all, hold this to be the case. So it comes down to having to obey rules which you may think are completely immoral merely to achieve reward. That is akin to the ultimate form of dictatorship. Would one want to live in a dictatorial regime and reap rewards even if the actions necessary to do so went against every ethical principle you held? Further if we accept this divine being or beings as being omniscient again we have a rather unpalatable conclusion to whit, you are always under surveillance. Now many people cherish their freedom from surveillance and to have everything you do, and every thought you ever have constantly monitored would be the ultimate Orwellian nightmare. Another thought is eternity is a long time. A very long time. You would given time get to the point of having experienced everything you could millions or billions of times over with no hope of ever experiencing anything new. How long would it take before you became bored senseless? And if (or when) that happened what could you do about it? Precisely nothing. You would be locked in a prison of your own eternal existence with no hope of it ever ending. If you think TV reruns are bad then eternal life may not be your cup of tea. Furthermore would you wish some of these problems on your worst enemy? If not, would you wish it for those you love? And so on, there are many other considerations which don't immediately seem obvious. So it is a bit more complicated than it first appears and to be honest I could go on for some time on this topic. Personally I want to live for a lot longer than I probably will but for eternity? With an all powerful being having that level of control over me and my happiness? Would the cons outweigh the pros here? So no I don't think I'd want that to be honest. Not to say I wouldn't want longer and fuller lives for myself and loved ones, indeed for all creatures but not some of the scenarios I have described. Complex topic so please don't take this as an exhaustive analysis, I am merely scratching the surface.
  • I'm not atheist but if I was I would say yes. However an athiest would then say that was human emotion getting in the way of rationality.
  • I believe my in my own after life anyway.
  • Sure but logic tells me otherwise...
  • There is, of course. Humans are energy beings, and energy cannot be lost, only transferred. So, the energy that makes up our thoughts and actions will continue to be transferred from place to place and person to person until the end of the universe. That's enough for me.
  • And through strange Aeons, even Death may die. That's more or less how I feel about it.
  • I'd like to yes. However just because I desire something to be true, doesn't mean that it is. Or that I would truely desire it, after I had it.
  • I am not an Atheist, but I am not a "believer" either. I feel compelled to answer this question because I recently had a conversation with someone about this very topic. I have certain beliefs, but nothing even remotely similar to pop-relig. There are times that I would love to believe the way that the pop-relig followers do. In fact, I yearn to believe.
  • The word 'die' is sort of defined as 'the ending of life'. If life does not end, what is wrong with murder ? In out modern world a lot of people reach senile dementia before they die, enough that the rest would be occupied full time caring for them on the 'other side'. I married a widow. Exactly which loved ones get to be united again ? You are going to get some pretty huge 'marriages' of people who dont neccesarily love eachother even though there is a chain of 'loved ones' connecting them.
  • I just want the truth. The truth isn't about what makes me happy or removes my fears or gives me comfort. It's just the truth and again that's all I want. To find truth, I look for evidence. When I find good evidence I choose to believe. When someone makes claims of the supernatural and tries to use what I may desire as a pull to believe in something that they have no evidence for--I say, put up your evidence or shut the fuck up.
  • What has being an atheist got to do with denying an afterlife? Most people who beleive in reincarnation are athiests and most spiritualists are athiest.
  • Yeah, if it came free of all of the accompanying bullshit that so many religions try to tack onto it.
  • No, I wouldn't. I'm not given to delusions
  • If I was to become an Atheist,were do we go In our after life... heaven or space or other,would we see our love ones?
  • Sure. I would like to believe in Santa Claus and that life is fair. Some things just don't stand up to scutiny.
  • getting born happens. dieing happens. atheists will find out just like everyone else what that white light is at the end of the tunnel.
  • Sorry, I know it is always nice to be able to believe that there is something more, but I trust science more. Usually little kids are told that when someone dies they go to a better place simply because children can not comprehend death. It's my belief that this sticks to most people lol.
  • i used to until i realized that there doesn't need to be a "god" for life to be special I'm honestly an all around happier person as an Atheist.
  • It would be cool not to wear out, tire out and die out yeah. Just being around to see what happens from moment to moment.
  • I don't want to rely on what might be and plan my relationships on that. Instead I want to maintain loving respectful relationships with my family and friends while we are together. I think for some the idea of an afterlife excuses bad behavior or allows them to leave things unresolved while on earth. I would rather be good for goodness sake than do it because I want a reward.
  • I wouldn't like to believe, no. There are any number of pleasant fairytales one could believe - like that there is no death at all... that I'll be young and healthy forever and that all my loved ones who have died really just went to France and will be back next week - also young and healthy. But why? Life is here, now and real. Dreaming about something that almost certainly isn't going to be diminishes from the here and now. I try to make the most of those around me while I have them and to enjoy the days I have. +5
  • Dude, I don't wanna see my dad rise from the grave, all mouldy and corpish, that would be creepy.
  • I agree with 23skidoo, Your question in my eyes is not far from, "would you like to be able to believe that no body in the world is actually starving, when your stomach rumbles because you skipped breakfast there isn't someone on the other side of the world who hasn't eaten properly for days" I doubt anyone would choose naivety. Although it is only naivety to me because i don't believe in it. But to be fair, one can't base their beliefs on something because they like the idea of it. Peace,Love and Clarity
  • Hey, while we're believing in fairy tails, how about I can fly like a bird, and I get younger, healthier, stronger by drinking the fountain of youth.
  • no i wouldn't like to believe in something that isn't concrete. i would rather have faith in facts & what i can see & touch than some omniscient being that has complete power of my life aside from my free will. but to humor you, i'd like to see the ones i loved again, but i wouldn't want to be stuck with the ones i didn't like for all eternity. which is why, if there is any type of God, i will happily go to Hell. where all the interesting people are.
  • I don't want to see anyone when i die because I'll be dead. The logic is bullshit there. it's a circle argument that has no answerable ending.
  • No. I strongly prefer recreational drugs for my fantasy world trips.
  • Sure! And I wish Santa Claus would come down my chimney every year too! ;-)
  • We do believe that. We call it "death." Sorry that your narrow-minded worldview makes you think that the rest of us are unhappy. We're not.
  • dont come knocking on my door!!!!go away with your provoking questions, go sell your books elsewhere...god botherers!!cant leave people alone...grumble grumble
  • It actually doesn't play on my mind to be honest. I don't wish I believe that. I enjoy life as it is, the idea of waiting for death to come in the hope of something better - to see the family and friends I have loved and lost would add to the pain almost. I feel completely free to take advantage of every minute, with no lingering wishes or thoughts for what may come afterwards.
  • What is the point in believing in something that is manifestly impossible? This sort of escapist thinking could result in very bad behaviour if you think you can make up for your failings in "another life". Live each day as though it is your last so that the ones who lose you will be sure of your esteem for them.
  • What would be the point in believing in something that was so transparently false, even if I COULD make myself believe things by sheer force of will? Like the man says -- wish in one hand, shit in the other, and see which one fills up first...
  • No.. not really. I'd rather know something than have a mere belief in it.
  • I would LOVE to believe that I will see my parents and other loved ones that are dead again someday. I can't seem to wrap my brain around something like that. It seems so out in left field.
  • What I'd like is the end result of faith - the sureness, the calmness, the comfort during life-changing events. I think it's silly to believe I'll meet dead people/animals when I die.
  • I would like that. I have had great loses and i would liek to see them again but that just isn't happening.
  • If there is something after life, it would be interesting to explore. Yes, it would be great to again see loved ones that have passed on, but I have no desire to belive anything that I do not currently believe. I might wish it to be so, but I don't wish to believe.

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