Is there an Afterlife?

[Anonymous]

Yes or no? Why or why not?

[Anonymous]

No. It's a nice idea, certainly, but where is the evidence? Where exactly is "the afterlife"? Just because your particular brand of holy book says it's true doesn't make it so.

[Anonymous]

I hope not. One life is enough.

[Anonymous]

Nobody knows the answer to this - nobody.

Some people say they've had a 'near death experience,' but these can all be explained by hormonal brain activity (not to mention, they're always conditioned by their own cultural conditions).

I do not believe in an afterlife, in heaven/hell, or in any gods/religion. But nobody knows with 100000.000% certainty. All we can do is base our ideas about life/death based on what we think is most likely, given evidence (or lack thereof).

[Anonymous]

many religions teach that there is an afterlife and have guidelines on how to get there. There are usually tow destinations -- one good and one very bad. The idea is to strive to get into the good place.

The idea of a good and eternal afterlife is very appealing to a lot of people. There is no evidence for an afterlife of the kind of evidence that humans usually demand to believe something is real, but that does not stop people fom believing. Indeed, in some religions, it is sinful not to believe.

Of course, religions do not depend on facts and evidence, they depend on faith and many people find it very easy to have faith in a concept as pleasant as living forever in a lovely place.

[Anonymous]

I don't know. I don't think so. But I'll admit that I like the idea of having my family members waiting to greet me on the other side.

I don't believe there's a God waiting to judge us after we die.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. I don't think so. But I'll admit that I like the idea of having my family members waiting to greet me on the other side.

I don't believe there's a God waiting to judge us after we die.

It's a nice idea. Like a homecoming. That's why it's so appealing. Doesn't make it true, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. I don't think so. But I'll admit that I like the idea of having my family members waiting to greet me on the other side.

I don't believe there's a God waiting to judge us after we die.

It's a nice idea. Like a homecoming. That's why it's so appealing. Doesn't make it true, though.

Who cares if it it "true" or not. It brings peace to my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. I don't think so. But I'll admit that I like the idea of having my family members waiting to greet me on the other side.

I don't believe there's a God waiting to judge us after we die.

It's a nice idea. Like a homecoming. That's why it's so appealing. Doesn't make it true, though.

I'm the PP you quoted. I agree.

[Anonymous]

I think there is some sort of existence, and I don't believe in God. I don't attach it to religion at all. But to the fact nobody can explain consciousness yet. And that energy never disappears. That energy could just be trapped here on earth somehow. Who knows? But I don't base my life around this belief, either. If there isn't, then we just all go to sleep.

[Anonymous]

I think so. I believe that I have a body, but I am spirit. This body is much like a space suit allowing me to navigate this physical world. I do not believe that energy is ever destroyed. I think after my body dies, I join the creative, collective consciousness of God. I believe that's what God is. I also believe that our spirit can, and often does return to live additional lives. That is my definition of "hell"..." I don't believe in the traditional hell many Christians believe in. I think it is simply a separation from God. Once we learn the lessons we are here to learn, we remain a part of God.

Just my opinion based on stories I've heard about past lives, reading scripture and other sacred texts, listening to people who I feel are more awake than I, and on a lot of prayer and meditation on. I am likely wrong on much of it. But I am seeking.

[Anonymous]

A book that shaped my early thinking was Merton's The Seven Storey Mountain. Her recounts the life of a Trappist monk and his relationship with God through solitude and outdoor physical labour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is some sort of existence, and I don't believe in God. I don't attach it to religion at all. But to the fact nobody can explain consciousness yet. And that energy never disappears. That energy could just be trapped here on earth somehow. Who knows? But I don't base my life around this belief, either. If there isn't, then we just all go to sleep.

That's one possibility - one of many, including whatever human consciousness can imagine -- and the one that allows for eternal life, just as some religions do. It negates the possibility or likelihood that humans die and return to the universe just like all other life forms. This seems like saying that consciousness equals living forever in a conscious form.

We were not conscious before we were conceived and even for a while after we were born. Why would be we conscious forever after we're dead? SOmething to think about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is some sort of existence, and I don't believe in God. I don't attach it to religion at all. But to the fact nobody can explain consciousness yet. And that energy never disappears. That energy could just be trapped here on earth somehow. Who knows? But I don't base my life around this belief, either. If there isn't, then we just all go to sleep.

That's one possibility - one of many, including whatever human consciousness can imagine -- and the one that allows for eternal life, just as some religions do. It negates the possibility or likelihood that humans die and return to the universe just like all other life forms. This seems like saying that consciousness equals living forever in a conscious form.

We were not conscious before we were conceived and even for a while after we were born. Why would be we conscious forever after we're dead? SOmething to think about.

How would you possibly know that? Think about this - A baby living in his mother's uterus has absolutely no consciousness of a world outside that womb. But he is fully concious. He has no idea that he is loved unconditionally by another being, but he is literally a part of her. It may be very much the same for us and our Source. He/She is here. We are a part of God. Most of us just rarely see that.

[Anonymous]

People who don't believe in God need to read books and watch videos by Alvin Planiga and Greg Bahnsen. Watching the debates between Dr. James White and Dan Barker would also help. If all you consider is Science, the logical position is Agnosticism, not Atheism.