What so you think happens to us when we die?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a neuroscientist. I can assure you that we know enough about personality, consciousness and memory to know that they are entirely products of the physical brain. no need for a "soul" to explain any of these.

I don't think you understand what everyone else is talking about when they use the term 'soul'. It's not about personality, physical consciousness or memory.

pp - what does "soul"mean to you? just you -- don't try to speak for everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a neuroscientist. I can assure you that we know enough about personality, consciousness and memory to know that they are entirely products of the physical brain. no need for a "soul" to explain any of these.

I don't think you understand what everyone else is talking about when they use the term 'soul'. It's not about personality, physical consciousness or memory.

pp - what does "soul"mean to you? just you -- don't try to speak for everyone else.

Neuroscientist PP needs to read "The Science Delusion".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a neuroscientist. I can assure you that we know enough about personality, consciousness and memory to know that they are entirely products of the physical brain. no need for a "soul" to explain any of these.

I think that perhaps you give yourself too much credit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can one be Catholic or Jewish or whatever and still believe in no afterlife?

I'm not Jewish but I've been to a number of Jewish funerals and noticed that there was no discussion of an afterlife.

That's right. Christians keep harping about an afterlife. We Jews don't talk about it. Maybe there is one, maybe not. Christians are always saying that we must act morally because that's how to get to Heaven. If you act immorally, you go to Hell. To a Jew, that makes no sense. Jews believe that one must act morally because it's the right thing to do. If you're acting morally simply because you're afraid that if you don't, you will burn in Hell for eternity, that doesn't make you a moral person. It makes you a person acting out of self interest.

What does it mean for something to be the "right" thing to do? How is this derived and by what method do we resolve disputes amongst different people about what is in fact right?

be kind, do no harm, do unto others.... Simple stuff

Is abortion harm? Does being kid require paying high marginal tax rates, a d if do, how high? When does doing unto others require personal sacrifice and when is it sufficient to be a bystander and live your own life? What about euthanasia? Is there a such thing as a just war? Is a non-democratic system inherently immoral and, if so, are you required to oppose it publicly at personal risk? Is leaving an enormous national debt immoral? Is driving to work rather than taking the bus? Drinking at a bar rather than visiting the local old folks home?

I could go on and on. If it's so simple, why are there such widely divergent views on these issues?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can one be Catholic or Jewish or whatever and still believe in no afterlife?

I'm not Jewish but I've been to a number of Jewish funerals and noticed that there was no discussion of an afterlife.

That's right. Christians keep harping about an afterlife. We Jews don't talk about it. Maybe there is one, maybe not. Christians are always saying that we must act morally because that's how to get to Heaven. If you act immorally, you go to Hell. To a Jew, that makes no sense. Jews believe that one must act morally because it's the right thing to do. If you're acting morally simply because you're afraid that if you don't, you will burn in Hell for eternity, that doesn't make you a moral person. It makes you a person acting out of self interest.

What does it mean for something to be the "right" thing to do? How is this derived and by what method do we resolve disputes amongst different people about what is in fact right?

be kind, do no harm, do unto others.... Simple stuff

Is abortion harm? Does being kid require paying high marginal tax rates, a d if do, how high? When does doing unto others require personal sacrifice and when is it sufficient to be a bystander and live your own life? What about euthanasia? Is there a such thing as a just war? Is a non-democratic system inherently immoral and, if so, are you required to oppose it publicly at personal risk? Is leaving an enormous national debt immoral? Is driving to work rather than taking the bus? Drinking at a bar rather than visiting the local old folks home?

I could go on and on. If it's so simple, why are there such widely divergent views on these issues?

I like this story: "Rabbi Hillel the Elder (c.60 BCE-c.10CE) was once asked by a man, 'Teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot.' Rabbi Hillel responded: 'What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah and the rest is commentary. Now go learn.'"

Judaism is concerned with the here-and-now. Most Jewish leaders and discussions are agnostic on the idea of an afterlife because what we do with our time on earth is most important; we don't need the lure of an afterlife to tell us what's right and wrong. (Though some talk about something after life, it's one state of being for everyone, not divided into heaven/purgatory/hell.)

Once you think about not doing to someone else what is hateful to you, things sort of fall into place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can one be Catholic or Jewish or whatever and still believe in no afterlife?

I'm not Jewish but I've been to a number of Jewish funerals and noticed that there was no discussion of an afterlife.

That's right. Christians keep harping about an afterlife. We Jews don't talk about it. Maybe there is one, maybe not. Christians are always saying that we must act morally because that's how to get to Heaven. If you act immorally, you go to Hell. To a Jew, that makes no sense. Jews believe that one must act morally because it's the right thing to do. If you're acting morally simply because you're afraid that if you don't, you will burn in Hell for eternity, that doesn't make you a moral person. It makes you a person acting out of self interest.

What does it mean for something to be the "right" thing to do? How is this derived and by what method do we resolve disputes amongst different people about what is in fact right?

be kind, do no harm, do unto others.... Simple stuff

Is abortion harm? Does being kid require paying high marginal tax rates, a d if do, how high? When does doing unto others require personal sacrifice and when is it sufficient to be a bystander and live your own life? What about euthanasia? Is there a such thing as a just war? Is a non-democratic system inherently immoral and, if so, are you required to oppose it publicly at personal risk? Is leaving an enormous national debt immoral? Is driving to work rather than taking the bus? Drinking at a bar rather than visiting the local old folks home?

I could go on and on. If it's so simple, why are there such widely divergent views on these issues?

I like this story: "Rabbi Hillel the Elder (c.60 BCE-c.10CE) was once asked by a man, 'Teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot.' Rabbi Hillel responded: 'What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah and the rest is commentary. Now go learn.'"

Judaism is concerned with the here-and-now. Most Jewish leaders and discussions are agnostic on the idea of an afterlife because what we do with our time on earth is most important; we don't need the lure of an afterlife to tell us what's right and wrong. (Though some talk about something after life, it's one state of being for everyone, not divided into heaven/purgatory/hell.)

Once you think about not doing to someone else what is hateful to you, things sort of fall into place.

If something that would be hateful to others helps propagate my genes, wouldn't it be irrational to refrain from doing it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can one be Catholic or Jewish or whatever and still believe in no afterlife?

I'm not Jewish but I've been to a number of Jewish funerals and noticed that there was no discussion of an afterlife.

That's right. Christians keep harping about an afterlife. We Jews don't talk about it. Maybe there is one, maybe not. Christians are always saying that we must act morally because that's how to get to Heaven. If you act immorally, you go to Hell. To a Jew, that makes no sense. Jews believe that one must act morally because it's the right thing to do. If you're acting morally simply because you're afraid that if you don't, you will burn in Hell for eternity, that doesn't make you a moral person. It makes you a person acting out of self interest.

What does it mean for something to be the "right" thing to do? How is this derived and by what method do we resolve disputes amongst different people about what is in fact right?

be kind, do no harm, do unto others.... Simple stuff

Is abortion harm? Does being kid require paying high marginal tax rates, a d if do, how high? When does doing unto others require personal sacrifice and when is it sufficient to be a bystander and live your own life? What about euthanasia? Is there a such thing as a just war? Is a non-democratic system inherently immoral and, if so, are you required to oppose it publicly at personal risk? Is leaving an enormous national debt immoral? Is driving to work rather than taking the bus? Drinking at a bar rather than visiting the local old folks home?

I could go on and on. If it's so simple, why are there such widely divergent views on these issues?

I like this story: "Rabbi Hillel the Elder (c.60 BCE-c.10CE) was once asked by a man, 'Teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot.' Rabbi Hillel responded: 'What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah and the rest is commentary. Now go learn.'"

Judaism is concerned with the here-and-now. Most Jewish leaders and discussions are agnostic on the idea of an afterlife because what we do with our time on earth is most important; we don't need the lure of an afterlife to tell us what's right and wrong. (Though some talk about something after life, it's one state of being for everyone, not divided into heaven/purgatory/hell.)

Once you think about not doing to someone else what is hateful to you, things sort of fall into place.

If something that would be hateful to others helps propagate my genes, wouldn't it be irrational to refrain from doing it?

I'd say yes, because there are ways of propagating your genes without raping someone. There are also ways of acquiring wealth without stealing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can one be Catholic or Jewish or whatever and still believe in no afterlife?

I'm not Jewish but I've been to a number of Jewish funerals and noticed that there was no discussion of an afterlife.

That's right. Christians keep harping about an afterlife. We Jews don't talk about it. Maybe there is one, maybe not. Christians are always saying that we must act morally because that's how to get to Heaven. If you act immorally, you go to Hell. To a Jew, that makes no sense. Jews believe that one must act morally because it's the right thing to do. If you're acting morally simply because you're afraid that if you don't, you will burn in Hell for eternity, that doesn't make you a moral person. It makes you a person acting out of self interest.

What does it mean for something to be the "right" thing to do? How is this derived and by what method do we resolve disputes amongst different people about what is in fact right?

be kind, do no harm, do unto others.... Simple stuff

Is abortion harm? Does being kid require paying high marginal tax rates, a d if do, how high? When does doing unto others require personal sacrifice and when is it sufficient to be a bystander and live your own life? What about euthanasia? Is there a such thing as a just war? Is a non-democratic system inherently immoral and, if so, are you required to oppose it publicly at personal risk? Is leaving an enormous national debt immoral? Is driving to work rather than taking the bus? Drinking at a bar rather than visiting the local old folks home?

I could go on and on. If it's so simple, why are there such widely divergent views on these issues?

I like this story: "Rabbi Hillel the Elder (c.60 BCE-c.10CE) was once asked by a man, 'Teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot.' Rabbi Hillel responded: 'What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah and the rest is commentary. Now go learn.'"

Judaism is concerned with the here-and-now. Most Jewish leaders and discussions are agnostic on the idea of an afterlife because what we do with our time on earth is most important; we don't need the lure of an afterlife to tell us what's right and wrong. (Though some talk about something after life, it's one state of being for everyone, not divided into heaven/purgatory/hell.)

Once you think about not doing to someone else what is hateful to you, things sort of fall into place.

If something that would be hateful to others helps propagate my genes, wouldn't it be irrational to refrain from doing it?

I'd say yes, because there are ways of propagating your genes without raping someone. There are also ways of acquiring wealth without stealing

+1

Also: If you would find it hateful for someone to steal from you, don't steal from others. If you would find it hateful for someone to rape you, don't rape others. If you would find it hateful for someone to initiate a raid on your country, don't initiate a raid on theirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can one be Catholic or Jewish or whatever and still believe in no afterlife?

I'm not Jewish but I've been to a number of Jewish funerals and noticed that there was no discussion of an afterlife.

That's right. Christians keep harping about an afterlife. We Jews don't talk about it. Maybe there is one, maybe not. Christians are always saying that we must act morally because that's how to get to Heaven. If you act immorally, you go to Hell. To a Jew, that makes no sense. Jews believe that one must act morally because it's the right thing to do. If you're acting morally simply because you're afraid that if you don't, you will burn in Hell for eternity, that doesn't make you a moral person. It makes you a person acting out of self interest.

What does it mean for something to be the "right" thing to do? How is this derived and by what method do we resolve disputes amongst different people about what is in fact right?

be kind, do no harm, do unto others.... Simple stuff

Is abortion harm? Does being kid require paying high marginal tax rates, a d if do, how high? When does doing unto others require personal sacrifice and when is it sufficient to be a bystander and live your own life? What about euthanasia? Is there a such thing as a just war? Is a non-democratic system inherently immoral and, if so, are you required to oppose it publicly at personal risk? Is leaving an enormous national debt immoral? Is driving to work rather than taking the bus? Drinking at a bar rather than visiting the local old folks home?

I could go on and on. If it's so simple, why are there such widely divergent views on these issues?

I like this story: "Rabbi Hillel the Elder (c.60 BCE-c.10CE) was once asked by a man, 'Teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot.' Rabbi Hillel responded: 'What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah and the rest is commentary. Now go learn.'"

Judaism is concerned with the here-and-now. Most Jewish leaders and discussions are agnostic on the idea of an afterlife because what we do with our time on earth is most important; we don't need the lure of an afterlife to tell us what's right and wrong. (Though some talk about something after life, it's one state of being for everyone, not divided into heaven/purgatory/hell.)

Once you think about not doing to someone else what is hateful to you, things sort of fall into place.

If something that would be hateful to others helps propagate my genes, wouldn't it be irrational to refrain from doing it?

I'd say yes, because there are ways of propagating your genes without raping someone. There are also ways of acquiring wealth without stealing

This in law school is what we called "fighting the hypothesis?."

Do you disagree that there are times when one can most successfully advance their own interests by harming others?

If so, wouldn't it be rational for them to do just that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a neuroscientist. I can assure you that we know enough about personality, consciousness and memory to know that they are entirely products of the physical brain. no need for a "soul" to explain any of these.

I think that perhaps you give yourself too much credit.

+1 I seriously think "The Science Delusion" should be required reading all undergraduate and graduate science programs and in medical school. Modern science is rigid dogma, far far far from its original spirit of inquiry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I like this story: "Rabbi Hillel the Elder (c.60 BCE-c.10CE) was once asked by a man, 'Teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot.' Rabbi Hillel responded: 'What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah and the rest is commentary. Now go learn.'"

Judaism is concerned with the here-and-now. Most Jewish leaders and discussions are agnostic on the idea of an afterlife because what we do with our time on earth is most important; we don't need the lure of an afterlife to tell us what's right and wrong. (Though some talk about something after life, it's one state of being for everyone, not divided into heaven/purgatory/hell.)

Once you think about not doing to someone else what is hateful to you, things sort of fall into place.

I like this ideal/philosophy very much.

- Non-Jewish person

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for short responses. Tia

We meet our maker. We are asked to account for our life (pretty similar to how folks in near death experiences discuss "life reviews").

We are called to free ourselves from any remaining sins. We can accept or reject.

Most that accept will still not be ready to immediately enter their final destination, so there will need to be a process of purification. (Purgatory).

Those that cling to their sins will always do so due to the greatest sin, pride. They will refuse to accept any need to reform themselves or submit themselves to something greater than themselves. They will be granted their wish and will be alone. They will fade to a shell of their former selves.

Ultimately, I very much hope that most will choose to free themselves from sin and join in perfect union with our creator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can one be Catholic or Jewish or whatever and still believe in no afterlife?

I'm not Jewish but I've been to a number of Jewish funerals and noticed that there was no discussion of an afterlife.

That's right. Christians keep harping about an afterlife. We Jews don't talk about it. Maybe there is one, maybe not. Christians are always saying that we must act morally because that's how to get to Heaven. If you act immorally, you go to Hell. To a Jew, that makes no sense. Jews believe that one must act morally because it's the right thing to do. If you're acting morally simply because you're afraid that if you don't, you will burn in Hell for eternity, that doesn't make you a moral person. It makes you a person acting out of self interest.

What does it mean for something to be the "right" thing to do? How is this derived and by what method do we resolve disputes amongst different people about what is in fact right?

be kind, do no harm, do unto others.... Simple stuff

Is abortion harm? Does being kid require paying high marginal tax rates, a d if do, how high? When does doing unto others require personal sacrifice and when is it sufficient to be a bystander and live your own life? What about euthanasia? Is there a such thing as a just war? Is a non-democratic system inherently immoral and, if so, are you required to oppose it publicly at personal risk? Is leaving an enormous national debt immoral? Is driving to work rather than taking the bus? Drinking at a bar rather than visiting the local old folks home?

I could go on and on. If it's so simple, why are there such widely divergent views on these issues?

I like this story: "Rabbi Hillel the Elder (c.60 BCE-c.10CE) was once asked by a man, 'Teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot.' Rabbi Hillel responded: 'What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah and the rest is commentary. Now go learn.'"

Judaism is concerned with the here-and-now. Most Jewish leaders and discussions are agnostic on the idea of an afterlife because what we do with our time on earth is most important; we don't need the lure of an afterlife to tell us what's right and wrong. (Though some talk about something after life, it's one state of being for everyone, not divided into heaven/purgatory/hell.)

Once you think about not doing to someone else what is hateful to you, things sort of fall into place.

If something that would be hateful to others helps propagate my genes, wouldn't it be irrational to refrain from doing it?

I'd say yes, because there are ways of propagating your genes without raping someone. There are also ways of acquiring wealth without stealing

This in law school is what we called "fighting the hypothesis?."

Do you disagree that there are times when one can most successfully advance their own interests by harming others?

If so, wouldn't it be rational for them to do just that?

But this is not "doing unto others...." unless you're some kind of masochist who wants others to harm you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for short responses. Tia

We meet our maker. We are asked to account for our life (pretty similar to how folks in near death experiences discuss "life reviews").

We are called to free ourselves from any remaining sins. We can accept or reject.

Most that accept will still not be ready to immediately enter their final destination, so there will need to be a process of purification. (Purgatory).

Those that cling to their sins will always do so due to the greatest sin, pride. They will refuse to accept any need to reform themselves or submit themselves to something greater than themselves. They will be granted their wish and will be alone. They will fade to a shell of their former selves.

Ultimately, I very much hope that most will choose to free themselves from sin and join in perfect union with our creator.

So, you're Catholic, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for short responses. Tia

We meet our maker. We are asked to account for our life (pretty similar to how folks in near death experiences discuss "life reviews").

We are called to free ourselves from any remaining sins. We can accept or reject.

Most that accept will still not be ready to immediately enter their final destination, so there will need to be a process of purification. (Purgatory).

Those that cling to their sins will always do so due to the greatest sin, pride. They will refuse to accept any need to reform themselves or submit themselves to something greater than themselves. They will be granted their wish and will be alone. They will fade to a shell of their former selves.

Ultimately, I very much hope that most will choose to free themselves from sin and join in perfect union with our creator.

So, you're Catholic, right?

Yep, guilty as charged.