Thread: Belief in the afterlife

One of the most important aspects of life, is in fact the truth that it will come to an end one day. Certainly most people believe in an afterlife, mostly heaven, or reincarnation, or the spirit world. Some don't and live their lives to the max knowing the inevitable. Some just make scary wall paintings as to scare Abott and Costello. But to what extent does a belief in the afterlife affect our humainly mortal lives?

A question I actually never thought of asking people. Whether you do believe in an afterlife or not, what does it influence your life if you believe in either? For perhaps one who does not believe in an afterlife it means to live this life as much as possible, a life free of inhibitions. To those who do believe, perhaps they live a life of abstinence, or a life of ignorance to many issues. There are of course many different aspects to this scenario, but I believe a belief or non belief in an afterlife very much affects our lives.

What do you believe? And how does it affect your life?

PS. I personally believe in some form of an afterlife, a spirit realm, for now to say the least. I don't think heaven is something reachable yet, if heaven actually is what everyone seems to think it is. But what would it feel like if you are laying on that bed, or anywhere you are dying where you have time to think, what would go through your mind? A believer would surely see no fear, or maybe they would if they began to question in the end? Would a non believer in the afterlife be scared? Or would they accept death?

(There's no need to question an agnostic on this matter; they can't lose).

I don't know. On one hand I only believe things that are proven to exist for me through sensory input. If I can't find the means of giving myself sensory input of the phenomenon in question then I chalk it up as a possibility but not a probability.

Originally Posted by 425 Chaotic Requisition

One of the most important aspects of life, is in fact the truth that it will come to an end one day. Certainly most people believe in an afterlife, mostly heaven, or reincarnation, or the spirit world. Some don't and live their lives to the max knowing the inevitable. Some just make scary wall paintings as to scare Abott and Costello. But to what extent does a belief in the afterlife affect our humainly mortal lives?

A question I actually never thought of asking people. Whether you do believe in an afterlife or not, what does it influence your life if you believe in either? For perhaps one who does not believe in an afterlife it means to live this life as much as possible, a life free of inhibitions. To those who do believe, perhaps they live a life of abstinence, or a life of ignorance to many issues. There are of course many different aspects to this scenario, but I believe a belief or non belief in an afterlife very much affects our lives.

What do you believe? And how does it affect your life?

PS. I personally believe in some form of an afterlife, a spirit realm, for now to say the least. I don't think heaven is something reachable yet, if heaven actually is
what everyone seems to think it is. But what would it feel like if you are laying on that bed, or anywhere you are dying where you have time to think, what would go through your mind? A believer would surely see no fear, or maybe they would if they began to question in the end? Would a non believer in the afterlife be scared? Or would they accept death?

(There's no need to question an agnostic on this matter; they can't lose).

I believe in an 'afterlife' as a ghost or reincarnation. I also believe in a spiritual world (Universal Mind).

There are 'good' spirits and 'bad' spirits.
The male chauvinists are motivated by the bad spirit of the OT that promotes 'hate'.
The famales are motivated by the good spirit and the spirit of 'love' as the Romans promote the 'mother and child' concept.

However, this can be 'warped' as the Islamic religion does by using their hate to reduce woman to nothing but 'breeding stock' as farm animals.

Cosmo

The "afterlife" should have as much impact on someone as the Land of Oz. None whatsoever.

Originally Posted by (Q)

The "afterlife" should have as much impact on someone as the Land of Oz. None whatsoever.

Now.. why would ya say that?...
It's ultimately the "final destination" for most(i think) people on earth.
I really doubt it that when you will be in your last days on earth you wouldn't
ask yourself the simple question of "what's next?", now won't ya?

As humans it is quite difficoult for us to think that everything that we are doing on
earth is of no impact on their far future(after death). afterlife can wheather be
a place with lots of sissies romain around doing nothing all day long, reincarnation or simply nothingness(i.e. no brain - no existense).

Originally Posted by (Q)

The "afterlife" should have as much impact on someone as the Land of Oz. None whatsoever.

Religious/philosophical fanatics are all the same. They want to stamp on every little thing that they deem is worthless so that they can crush all of human life into this tiny little box of correctness. So now if we are moved by watching the "Wizard of Oz" we are allowing one of Q's demons to invade our minds.

eek! some1 summon Morgan Pim asap, we have a case here!

Originally Posted by Hanuka

Now.. why would ya say that?...
It's ultimately the "final destination" for most(i think) people on earth.

Uh, no, it's simply party time for all the little wormies. You're final destination is either a pine box or an urn, for most.

What makes you think there is anything beyond death?

Originally Posted by mitchellmckain

Religious/philosophical fanatics are all the same. They want to stamp on every little thing that they deem is worthless so that they can crush all of human life into this tiny little box of correctness. So now if we are moved by watching the "Wizard of Oz" we are allowing one of Q's demons to invade our minds.

Watching the movie and believing you're a Munchkin are two different things.

Originally Posted by 425 Chaotic Requisition

perhaps one who does not believe in an afterlife it means to live this life as much as possible, a life free of inhibitions

Often yes. Reason and much of human nature do seem to point that way.

If all there is, is this persistent world plus one's limited existence, life becomes absolutely precious. What could be more important? Like young Gilgamesh, you might desire your "name impressed into bricks" with infinite urgency. You make your own immortality, or don't. The implication is monsterous. But meanwhile human nature has taken a new position: human nature rather than corrupting one to wallow in evil, is actually moderating against a too vigorous regime, and prompting sweeter instincts. I don't spring from bed every morning to do pushups, though I ought, and I don't kick puppies aside jogging to work, though that is logically what an individual driven by mortality should do. In fact I stop to pet the puppies and chat with their owners, because human society today and tomorrow trumps the kingdom of God. There is no end, only means.

Dr Spock once referred to babies as "our visible immortality". I think that most neatly explains why atheists do good.

Young atheists are often found running on inertia from the parental message "I want you to be happy". Can we blame the parents? It's a tempting course in life too, so the most serious weakness of atheism, or any other faith regulated by human nature IMO. Those seekers of happiness may get up to no good for sure because their premise is wrong and extending it far must yield grotesque conclusions.

So far I do not see any concrete evidence that afterlife (i.e. life after death) exists, so it is still just a wishful thinking. I do wish it to be true. However, wish or belief does not change reality.

On the other hand, belief does determine the behavior of the believer. For example, Jihadists do suicide bombing because they believe of happy afterlife.

prasit pointed out:

For example, Jihadists do suicide bombing because they believe of happy afterlife.

And Christians think the ultimate joke is on the jihadists. They cannot both be right.

But obviously, what we believe affects our behavior. Those who believe in an afterlife and also believe there is a "good" place and a "bad" place do what they can in physical life to insure their spot in the "good" place.

If one also believes there is a supernatural being who holds one accountable after death for what he did in life, that might also affect behavior during life since this accounting may have something to do with which place the person ends up in. I should think this belief would suggest that one should conform his behavior to what the supernatural being has said will be the basis of that accounting.

If one doesn't believe in any of that stuff, then one can act with perceived impunity, conforming himself to whatever standard he makes up for himself. But, if what one believes is incorrect, he may be very surprised in his afterlife.

So I do think what we believe has a direct impact on our lifetime behaviors. The Jihadist would not do what he does but for his belief. And Sister Theresa would not have done what she did but for her belief. And had the Enron people believed in anything other than their own enrichment, it is highly unlikely they would have done what they did.

What we believe may have more impact on how we behave than what we know.

Daytonturner wrote

If one doesn't believe in any of that stuff, then one can act with perceived impunity,

That does not mean that he will act recklessly, taking advantage of people around him. Compassion is not caused by the fear of punishment.

But, if what one believes is incorrect, he may be very surprised in his afterlife.

In the same way that if he does not believe a large meteorite will fall on his house tomorrow morning, and it happens to be so.

prasit said:

Quote:

If one doesn't believe in any of that stuff, then one can act with perceived impunity,

That does not mean that he will act recklessly, taking advantage of people around him. Compassion is not caused by the fear of punishment.

Obviously, which is why I used the word "can" rather than the word "will." Someone with belief may well act recklessly, take advantage of others and withhold compassion. However, the non-believe doing so, does so without fear of repraisal, the believer does so hoping he will escape repraisal.

Originally Posted by prasit

So far I do not see any concrete evidence that afterlife (i.e. life after death) exists, so it is still just a wishful thinking. I do wish it to be true. However, wish or belief does not change reality.

On the other hand, belief does determine the behavior of the believer. For example, Jihadists do suicide bombing because they believe of happy afterlife.

There was a book published about children recalling their most recent past life. These were investigated and it was fouind that they were right.

In other words, they remembered their most recent existence.

I do not remember the title of the book. This was a news item.

Most libraries should have copies of these books in their files.

Titles should be 'Reincarnation'.

Cosmo

Originally Posted by prasit

So far I do not see any concrete evidence that afterlife (i.e. life after death) exists, so it is still just a wishful thinking. I do wish it to be true. However, wish or belief does not change reality.

On the other hand, belief does determine the behavior of the believer. For example, Jihadists do suicide bombing because they believe of happy afterlife.

Most libraries should have copies of books on 'reincarnation'.

Cosmo

What better place can there be than the utter most beautiful places upon earth?
What better times can there be than the greatest of memories?

I think there is enough going on in life and in existence to think that much about what is after death.

I do consider it but i can only come up with ideas of 'spirit' lifes or 'harmonius levels of existence' or even 'dark places where the individual spirt will fall' .. which are all really false ideas built into me by pre generation ideas and frikkin books.. I have no evidence of what a spirit is or a soul is or even what the difference is between the both, and i can guarantee no one here can show me.

daytonturner wrote

However, the non-believe doing so, does so without fear of reprisal, the believer does so hoping he will escape repraisal.

And when the non-believer does not take advantage of other people, he does not need the fear of punishment to dictate his behavior, while the believer does not do so, it is because he fears of being punished.

cosmo wrote

Most libraries should have copies of these books in their files.

Titles should be 'Reincarnation'.

Most libraries have copies of the bible, UFO, ESP and scientology. I still do not think it is credible.

Prasit

See URL below:

http://www.comparativereligion.com/r...reincarnation1

Cosmo

I glanced through some of the contents. I agree that some people do believe in reincarnation and even show some scientific evidence. But overall it is still not accepted in scientific community. It also does not have a model explaining what mechanism. Millions of people die every year, only a handful claim of having reborn. Where are the rest? Is it possible that they are actually reborn but do not remember their past lives? If it is so what is the essence of the entity being reborn, with no past memory, no genetic transfer? They have no link at all to their past lives. What about millions more that are born? Were they from other dimensions?

prasit said:

But overall it is still not accepted in scientific community. It also does not have a model explaining what mechanism.

This is off topic, but I find this statement interesting in view of the fact that one of the big problems for evolution is explaining by what mechanism(s) evolution has occurred.

Originally Posted by daytonturner

prasit said:

But overall it is still not accepted in scientific community. It also does not have a model explaining what mechanism.

This is off topic, but I find this statement interesting in view of the fact that one of the big problems for evolution is explaining by what mechanism(s) evolution has occurred.

To be able to understand what mechanisms occurred for the evolution of a species to occur we would have to study the species as the evolution took place through each generation. As of right now it's merely an educated guess. We see what has happened throughout history in the environment from soil samples, rock samples, etc... and we base our assumptions on what happened according to that data.

Originally Posted by daytonturner

prasit said:

But overall it is still not accepted in scientific community. It also does not have a model explaining what mechanism.

This is off topic, but I find this statement interesting in view of the fact that one of the big problems for evolution is explaining by what mechanism(s) evolution has occurred.

Are you sure it's the explanation which is the problem, or just your understanding of the explanation?

(Q) asked:

Are you sure it's the explanation which is the problem, or just your understanding of the explanation?

Well, actually, it is the lack of explanation which is the problem.

Perhaps (Q) could be so kind as to offer enlightenment by means of explanation as to the mechanism(s) of abiogenisis and evolution, especially in view of his previously stated preference for the concept of pan-spermia.

Then could you please create a new thread for this?

Originally Posted by prasit

I glanced through some of the contents. I agree that some people do believe in reincarnation and even show some scientific evidence. But overall it is still not accepted in scientific community. It also does not have a model explaining what mechanism. Millions of people die every year, only a handful claim of having reborn. Where are the rest? Is it possible that they are actually reborn but do not remember their past lives? If it is so what is the essence of the entity being reborn, with no past memory, no genetic transfer? They have no link at all to their past lives. What about millions more that are born? Were they from other dimensions?

Well, when you die, all you got is your memory. So, I guess you have to be aware of this. Althogh it may not have to be aware of this . Some people may just become ghosts. Ha ha.

Cosmo

cosmo wrote

Well, when you die, all you got is your memory.

Where is it stored? People start losing memory even before they die.

Originally Posted by prasit

cosmo wrote

Well, when you die, all you got is your memory.

Where is it stored? People start losing memory even before they die.

I have to do this reply again because a live hacker caused me to lose it.
So I will make this breif reply again.

The Universal Mind does exist, so that would be the place for these ghosts to survive. In the memories of their families and friends.

I know from what I feel.

Cosmo

To explain the universal mind to oneanother is possible, to comprehend the universal mind in its explantion alone is impossible, one must experience the universal mind for one's self and yet one will never experience it if one belives in it blindly without questions which accumilate towards it.

This is a classical argument for things that can not be proven.

To All

To detect for yourself what the UM is, you have to do so by applying the Law of
Probabilities where a couple of events you witness as a coincidence cannot happen according to the Law.
See Below:

Universal Mind
I started this post so that others can become aware of the existence of a
Universal Mind. In other words, the spiritual connectivity of all our feeling.
I will start by describing the links I have witnessed to prove to my
satisfaction that a Universal Mind exists.

When I was about 9 or 10 years old, my father came home from work holding
his side and appearing to be in great pain. So, one of my older siblings had
my father taken to a hospital. It turned out that he had an attack of
appendicitis.
The link here is as follows: My fathers mothers name was Fanceska.
My aunt living accross the street was named Francis. Her oldest daughter
was named Francis (all above are deseased). The daughter had her first
child delivered by caeasarean operation. This preceded my fathers attack
of appendicitis.
So I concluded that this was a spiritual link a couple of decades later.

This coincidence does not necassarily convince most people.

I kept this in mind for a number of years later.
Than when I got a new job in a tool shop after a period of unemployment of a
few years, I was snag grinding and polishing (hand grinding and polishing)
a 3/4 round guard cam that operates with a feed cam to move cutting tools.
While polishing this cam on a SOFT polishing wheel, it grabbed the cam out
of my hands and spun around and struck me in the right side of my abdomen.
I rushed into the restroom to examine the damage. There was nothing
serious but a large red welt. So, I went back to work.
Now here is the clincher evidence that convinced me of the existence of the
Universal mind.
The next day my forman informed us he had an ABDOMINAL RUPTURE and
our department was shut down for two weeks until he recovered.
So, IMO, the Law of Probability refutes this as a coincidence.

I noticed other such coincidences and a couple that were important but
personal, to convince myself that a UM is a reality. I could include several
other lesser coincidences.

Cosmo

Coincidences are isolated events. They are the anomalies. If you want to prove something like spiritual connectivity exists, you need to use the norm as evidence instead of taking the anomalies.

Law of probability has nothing to do with this either. The law of probability states that the more possibilities and options you include, the lower the chances will be for a particular outcome to happen. It does not exclude the possibility of any event to happen, so coincidence certainly is not refuted by law of probability.

Originally Posted by arkofnoah

Coincidences are isolated events. They are the anomalies. If you want to prove something like spiritual connectivity exists, you need to use the norm as evidence instead of taking the anomalies.

Law of probability has nothing to do with this either. The law of probability states that the more possibilities and options you include, the lower the chances will be for a particular outcome to happen. It does not exclude the possibility of any event to happen, so coincidence certainly is not refuted by law of probability.

When time has a link with two separate event, than you had better give the events some credibilty.
Those I mentioned above is just two but I have others that are time linked also.

The two above are linked by the events of an injury and a subsequent rupture in another person. So here you have a location of two events and a time link of just 24 hours.
That is enough for me to be convinced of a Universal Mind.

Cosmo

Life after death is hasn't been proved scientifically anywhere..Having some memories
of some places or even exact details of some events some centuries ago needn't be that you are coming alive after your death or you are taking another human birth..

Our DNA has the ability to store the informations and which is powerful enough to transcend the same to the next generation.So scientists claim that if your grandfather
or great grandfather or gr8..gf have been affected by some serious events or incidents heavily or deeply..there is a possiblity that his future generations may experience few effects as a consequence..

If any comments. put to garnettarun@gmail.com

cosmo wrote

The two above are linked by the events of an injury and a subsequent rupture in another person. So here you have a location of two events and a time link of just 24 hours.
That is enough for me to be convinced of a Universal Mind.

With the human life time of 80 years and a large number of incidents that can be thought to be related (in retrospect) it is highly possible that seemingly unlikely coincident can happen.

In the recent Olympic shotgun shooting contest, a sportwoman's shooting performance get the score of 777.7 and is ranked no. 7. Is it a fluke or the manifest of Universal Mind?

Originally Posted by prasit

cosmo wrote

The two above are linked by the events of an injury and a subsequent rupture in another person. So here you have a location of two events and a time link of just 24 hours.
That is enough for me to be convinced of a Universal Mind.

With the human life time of 80 years and a large number of incidents that can be thought to be related (in retrospect) it is highly possible that seemingly unlikely coincident can happen.

In the recent Olympic shotgun shooting contest, a sportwoman's shooting performance get the score of 777.7 and is ranked no. 7. Is it a fluke or the manifest of Universal Mind?

NO.
But the start of the Olympic games on 08-08-08, might have been a remote trigger?

Cosmo

Universe is infinit, so why not our life.
pure speculations.

'I think therefore I am' - The hability to think make us human.
The difference between a human and an animal. A concience.

Human life is so not random in what seems such a randomness. -God = Spirituality.

I'm pretty grounded down to Earth. Some people I know pretended to have some experiences. You never know.

If spirituality is appart from science, than you can't explain it using science.
Like how can you explain scientificaly that a man will run between a car and a child?

A desire to keep humain species on living?

I can only speak for myself based on subjective experience

But there is most definitely an afterlife because i have seen it.

Although it is very different to the experience of life on earth.

Originally Posted by Absum!

I can only speak for myself based on subjective experience

But there is most definitely an afterlife because i have seen it.

Although it is very different to the experience of life on earth.

Could you snap a picture next time you see it and post it here? Thanks.

Originally Posted by (Q)

Originally Posted by Absum!

I can only speak for myself based on subjective experience

But there is most definitely an afterlife because i have seen it.

Although it is very different to the experience of life on earth.

Could you snap a picture next time you see it and post it here? Thanks.

Yeah sure

I'll make sure i've got my phone on me next time :wink: