Does anyone else find the finality of death terrifying? (Buddhists, hell, after-life)

[Trimac20]

I'm perplexed how some atheists can be so cool with the idea. I believe in some kind of afterlife, but when I didn't really believe I often worked myself up into an existential panic over the fact that once I died, it would be the END OF THE UNIVERSE, THE END OF EXISTENCE AND THE END OF TIME FOREVER! From a subjective point of view, of course.

Isn't that freaking scary?

[iPwn]

yes. i kind of wonder how deeply even religious people believe in afterlife. i mean atheists actually seem more accepting of other people's deaths than christians.

[sanspeur]

No, not at all. I am curious though about one thing...It seems any fear of death that I once had decreased as I aged, until it disappeared altogether...Perhaps the younger one is, the greater the fear???

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I'm perplexed how some atheists can be so cool with the idea. I believe in some kind of afterlife, but when I didn't really believe I often worked myself up into an existential panic over the fact that once I died, it would be the END OF THE UNIVERSE, THE END OF EXISTENCE AND THE END OF TIME FOREVER! From a subjective point of view, of course.

Isn't that freaking scary?

Being an atheist means that you do not believe in God. It does not mean that you don't believe in some type of after-life arrangement. Perhaps our vital energy disperses into the universe or perhaps it does not. To create new life that energy must come from somewhere. It is not "created". So I believe that your vital energy is recycled into a new life. Reincarnation of sorts.

Personally, I think that when it is your time to go, you are ready. Dying is such a part of nature, that it would make no sense for it to be a cold or cruel act. Of course, dying before your time from illness or accident sucks.

But I am not worried by it in the least. First of all, I think you are recycled. Secondly, at the time, I don't think it matters and thirdly, there really is nothing we can do about it. So why on earth waste a precious moment in angst about the inevitable?

20yrsinBranson

[achickenchaser]

Death isn't scary for atheists. We don't have to worry about "maybe" ending up in hell for anything, or standing in some cosmic courtroom and have our lives put on trial. It's simply the end. You won't care one bit after you're gone.

I would imagine death would be a lot scarier for people who really do believe in heaven and hell. You never can be certain where you're gonna end up!

[AREQUIPA]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I'm perplexed how some atheists can be so cool with the idea. I believe in some kind of afterlife, but when I didn't really believe I often worked myself up into an existential panic over the fact that once I died, it would be the END OF THE UNIVERSE, THE END OF EXISTENCE AND THE END OF TIME FOREVER! From a subjective point of view, of course.

Isn't that freaking scary?

"I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it."
--Mark Twain

The idea of keeping myself occupied for eternity is a lot more scary than non existence.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by achickenchaser

Death isn't scary for atheists. We don't have to worry about "maybe" ending up in hell for anything, or standing in some cosmic courtroom and have our lives put on trial. It's simply the end. You won't care one bit after you're gone.

I would imagine death would be a lot scarier for people who really do believe in heaven and hell. You never can be certain where you're gonna end up!

You're totally missing the point. Some people may be afraid of hell, but others find the idea that you won't be around just as or even more scary. Forever! Can you comprehend what forever means?!

[old_cold]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

You're totally missing the point. Some people may be afraid of hell, but others find the idea that you won't be around just as or even more scary. Forever! Can you comprehend what forever means?!

Can you comprehend what being oblivious to the fact that you're not around or even aware of what forever is?
While you were in a deep sleep 'last night' were you frightened?
Were you obsessing over whatever it was that you were missing that was going on without you?

[fishbrains]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

You're totally missing the point. Some people may be afraid of hell, but others find the idea that you won't be around just as or even more scary. Forever! Can you comprehend what forever means?!

But you are not around to understand that you are not around.

Back in the year 1840, did you have anxiety and trauma about the fact that you had not yet been born, and therefore did not exist? I certainly did not, and I am ok with that.

I feel the same way about the year 2140. I will be dead, but will not have any ability to be concerned about it.

As a human being, I am a bit concerned about the process of dying. There are lots of unpleasant, painful, lingering ways to go, but those are the same for atheists, christians, moslems, buddhists, santareans, ...

Religion does not give you a pass on end of life. It simply (falsely) promises you something after that.

[Melvin.George]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I'm perplexed how some atheists can be so cool with the idea. I believe in some kind of afterlife, but when I didn't really believe I often worked myself up into an existential panic over the fact that once I died, it would be the END OF THE UNIVERSE, THE END OF EXISTENCE AND THE END OF TIME FOREVER! From a subjective point of view, of course.

Isn't that freaking scary?

It will be like the best night's sleep you ever had and it will continue. A man who is afraid to die isn't fit to live. IMO

Don't get me wrong...I'm 76 but not quite ready to start sleeping yet.