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This is not a simple question. Our own mortality certainly can be a concern that is addressed by religion but not always helpful in coping with it. Those of us who have caused the death of others in war have a different concern that impinges on the irreversibility of the deaths we have caused for what may have been temporary or capricious political or geopolitical reasons. That certainly could be a stimulus to seek out religion to assuage those concerns. I can only use my own experiences as a benchmark.
In all candor, as an atheist, I had no preconceived bars against taking life in defense of my country and its interests. However, when faced with the reality of the actual carnage I wreaked, I eventually developed significant issues with it. My atheism precluded using religion to deal with it and it was instrumental in motivating the intensity and diligence of my quest for Nirvana resorting ultimately to biofeedback. I sought the promised and vaunted complete indifference to suffering promised in Buddhism.
During my epiphany, I was simultaneously disappointed and unimaginably joyful at the reality I actually encountered. My concerns over suffering were not assuaged and I certainly did NOT become indifferent to it, but the Oneness made any such concerns moot. I can say with absolute confidence that I have no concerns about what happens at death whatever is or is not true about my current views. I am looking forward to feeling like that again at death, even if, as so many of my critics contend, it turns out to be only temporary as I pass into oblivion. I have absolutely no fear of death and no need for religion to cope with it.
This is not a simple question. Our own mortality certainly can be a concern that is addressed by religion but not always helpful in coping with it. Those of us who have caused the death of others in war have a different concern that impinges on the irreversibility of the deaths we have caused for what may have been temporary or capricious political or geopolitical reasons. That certainly could be a stimulus to seek out religion to assuage those concerns. I can only use my own experiences as a benchmark.
In all candor, as an atheist, I had no preconceived bars against taking life in defense of my country and its interests. However, when faced with the reality of the actual carnage I wreaked, I eventually developed significant issues with it. My atheism precluded using religion to deal with it and it was instrumental in motivating the intensity and diligence of my quest for Nirvana resorting ultimately to biofeedback. I sought the promised and vaunted complete indifference to suffering promised in Buddhism.
During my epiphany, I was simultaneously disappointed and unimaginably joyful at the reality I actually encountered. My concerns over suffering were not assuaged and I certainly did NOT become indifferent to it, but the Oneness made any such concerns moot. I can say with absolute confidence that I have no concerns about what happens at death whatever is or is not true about my current views. I am looking forward to feeling like that again at death, even if, as so many of my critics contend, it turns out to be only temporary as I pass into oblivion. I have absolutely no fear of death and no need for religion to cope with it.
Not quite sure I understand everything you wrote, but the idea of death (which I believe is nothingness) does not entice me. I have come to believe what the Bible says about this despite the distortions of many. My main comment here, though, in response to your post is that I have come to learn that religion plays a big, big part in warfare and justifying it or supporting it. For instance, as one small example, the U.S. in WWII hired many chaplains for the military. Thousands, and they really needed more but the positions were not being filled.
I don't see my religion anything to do with coping with death or because of fear of death. It is all to do with understanding of my existence (this life) and understanding the purpose of my existence. This then extends to what is the best way to live this life which travels so fast that it's gone before we even realize we have lived so many years.
I have no fear of dying. To me dying is like going into sleep that happens to me every day. One moment I am awake the next asleep. That's how death will be for me; here one moment and gone the next. Why worry about the inevitable?
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Originally Posted by Woodrow LI
We each have to come to terms with the reality of physical life being temporary and quite short. It is simply the nature of existence in a mortal world.
Exactly! There is no need to fear or worry about coping with something that is inevitable. I would be more concerned with making sure that when it does come eventually I have not left a burden on someone else because of my actions in this life. I will sleep better if I had been of benefit to someone than of loss to anyone.
I must admit one thing though; I do worry how my loved ones will cope the day I die. I just pray that they will have the courage to carry on with their life as usual and my death does not make them too sad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodrow LI
Our reason for religion should be simply the acknowledgment of our Creator and to serve Him by submission to Him alone.
Acknowledgement of our Creator is of course the starting point and the rest is extension from that belief. Too often serving or submission to the Creator is seen as an extremely narrow action of a human slave entirely dependant on the human master. In my view submission to the Creator is much wider than just one action of slavery as known to people. My way of serving our Creator is to meet the purpose of my existence on earth through my actions which is to believe in my Creator, help other human beings whenever I can, help earthly creatures and help to improve earthly environment so that earthly human life could be sustained continuously. There could be no better action for me than to meet the purpose of my existence on earth.
I don't see my religion anything to do with coping with death or because of fear of death. It is all to do with understanding of my existence (this life) and understanding the purpose of my existence. This then extends to what is the best way to live this life which travels so fast that it's gone before we even realize we have lived so many years.
I have no fear of dying. To me dying is like going into sleep that happens to me every day. One moment I am awake the next asleep. That's how death will be for me; here one moment and gone the next. Why worry about the inevitable?
Exactly! There is no need to fear or worry about coping with something that is inevitable. I would be more concerned with making sure that when it does come eventually I have not left a burden on someone else because of my actions in this life. I will sleep better if I had been of benefit to someone than of loss to anyone.
I must admit one thing though; I do worry how my loved ones will cope the day I die. I just pray that they will have the courage to carry on with their life as usual and my death does not make them too sad.
Acknowledgement of our Creator is of course the starting point and the rest is extension from that belief. Too often serving or submission to the Creator is seen as an extremely narrow action of a human slave entirely dependant on the human master. In my view submission to the Creator is much wider than just one action of slavery as known to people. My way of serving our Creator is to meet the purpose of my existence on earth through my actions which is to believe in my Creator, help other human beings whenever I can, help earthly creatures and help to improve earthly environment so that earthly human life could be sustained continuously. There could be no better action for me than to meet the purpose of my existence on earth.
The Bible says that we can live forever. (John 3:16.) I hope I can and will.
"The righteous shall inherit the earth and live upon it for ever." (Jubilee Bible 2000)
But that was the question; which earth, this earth or a new earth?
It can't be this earth as the Psalm 37:29 hasn't come true up till now. Therefore, Psalm 37:29 can only come true in the afterlife (after your first and the only death). Even then only if you were the righteous otherwise you will neither live nor die there.
But that was the question; which earth, this earth or a new earth?
It can't be this earth as the Psalm 37:29 hasn't come true up till now. Therefore, Psalm 37:29 can only come true in the afterlife (after your first and the only death). Even then only if you were the righteous otherwise you will neither live nor die there.
On this earth, every soul shall taste death.
We are all in a state of dying, but I'm not so sure every soul shall taste death as in "go to sleep," or be buried in the grave.
Currently, all deceased Christians are in heaven, in the presence of God.
2 Corinthians 5 “We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord…and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."
The Bible says that we can live forever. (John 3:16.) I hope I can and will.
Living forever seems appealing at first. But if you really think about it, it's actually pretty terrifying. What do you do after the first million years? After the first 100 million? 100 billion? Even a trillion years is nothing compared to eternity. What if you want out? You'd be trapped, with no possibility of escape!
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