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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU, fear of death

216 replies

aliveandhealthy · 12/02/2026 17:48

I was raised a Christian and grew up believing in god however I've recently come to the realisation that god is very very unlikely. For anyone interested here is my reasoning behind this conclusion:

A lot of people argue that the universe has to have a cause. The universe doesn't have to make sense, we cant just extend human logic to the universe. According to Einsteins Theory of Relativity, the big bang was the beginning of time. The argument "what came before the universe" or "how could the universe have appeared out of nowhere" doesn't make sense as there is quite literally no BEFORE the universe (time emerged alongside it). I know, mindboggling. That's why I said the universe doesn't' have to make sense it doesn't follow human logic.

Second of all it's very clear that all religions are created by humans. There is no reason to believe we are the centre of gods creation. Animals have conscience and it is VERY likely intelligent life exists somewhere else in the universe. There is no reason to assume we are special (like mosts religions suggest) simply because we appear to have more intelligence than other species. Also it's illogical to assume that god, the creator of the entire universe, would care about petty things, such as sex before marriage, gay sex, all these sins in the bible, these are very clearly moral values imposed by humans.

Also religion is very clearly based on fear. People are scared of death and so they resort to believing in a higher power and an afterlfie for comfort. People are scared of the unkown and so they use religon to explain concepts that cannot be explained. In the Roman Empire people used to believe gods are responsible for storms. Now we know that storms are caused by weather cycles and so this explanation falls apart. And yet we still have many unanswered questions, such as why does the universe exist, and so people resort to religion to explain them. People are also very scared to question religion, as they fear leaving it could lead to eternal suffering, hell. Religion is so powerful because most never question it due to fear of what happens if they do and due to how powerfully they've been indoctrinated.

There is no reason to believe your religion is any more true than any other religion. I used to be christian and I used to convince myself that christianity is real based on "all of the evidence for christ". Now that I look at this evidence from an objective standpoint it's very clear it cannot be held as actual evidence. For example the proof we have that Jesus resurrected are accounts written 100 years after his death by people who weren't alive at the time of his life. All religion has equal evidence. NONE. It is irrational to believe your religion is any more true than any other religion simply because of faith. There's literally zero reason when all have no evidence. Everyone claims their religion is the ONLY true religion.

As a result I've become quite sad recently, acknowledging that all of us have an inevitable death. Neuroscience makes it clear that conscience is an illusion created by the brain. As neurological activity ceases, conscience also ceases. I've heard that you won't suffer during death as you won't be aware of your non existence, just like before birth. But can you imagine your conscience not existing forever? It's crazy that one day we will not exist for eternity. I understand we won't feel it, just like we didn't feel anything before birth, but at least before birth our lives were still to come and after death what if there's nothingness forever? Sad really.

Is my fear irrational, has anyone been in a similar situation?

If we were born even 500 years later, biological immortality will maybe be possible. Death wouldn't be an issue. If only we were born a little later...

OP posts:
Miranda65 · 14/02/2026 23:11

YesIReallyDoLikeRootBeer · 12/02/2026 19:20

I'm not afraid of dying, I'm afraid of being dead. I think of all the things I'll miss out on. All the people I'll leave behind. I think about, what if my kids (who are adults now, but that doesnt matter) NEED me. There will be so many life events they will have that I wont be there for, good and bad. It would be a comfort if I believed there was life after death, then I could see those who have already passed that I miss and know that I would again see my kids and grandkids one day. But sadly none of that makes one bit of realistic sense. Once we are gone, we are gone. I never want to die.

But you'll be dead, so you won't know any of this! You won't exist, therefore you won't have any emotions. It really will be "blissful ignorance", if you will

stickydough · 14/02/2026 23:08

Neuroscience makes it clear that conscience is an illusion created by the brain. As neurological activity ceases, conscience also ceases.

I haven’t RTFT so apologies if this has been discussed but I wonder do you mean consciousness rather than conscience? In either case, neuroscience proves no such thing. It’s an assumption held by many, but not all neuroscientists and it is certainly not proven.

GalaxyJam · 14/02/2026 22:52

Oh and another one, having seen that his plan to save mankind isn’t working, why do you think be hadn’t revised his plan? Feels like he’s setting people up to fail TBH.

GalaxyJam · 14/02/2026 22:50

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 14/02/2026 22:04

I wasn’t going to come back, but I’ve been thinking about this thread.
I didn’t mean to offend about the school reference and apologise for mentioning it, you’re right it is too soon. Of course if I met any one who has suffered in that tradegy my response would be compassion and to help in any way possible, as anyone here would. I was involved in the Scarlett Lewis Forgiveness Project and communicated with her directly following Sandy Hook (if anyone remembers that). I guess that is why it was on my mind as an example of how harm can have terrible far reach. I thought it was a well known link, with the spate of US school shootings in recent years re: the bullying link (a quick search has brought up at least 6 examples)
‘Several American school shooters have reportedly been victims of bullying at the same schools they later attacked, a factor often cited by family, friends, and investigators.’

I should have made the point in a more neutral way but it is well known that many killers have abusive backgrounds. It does not excuse the behaviour, but it does show a link. There are also ppl that have (quote) ‘normal’ upbringings and still go on to commit violent crime, so is not a given.

Anyway I am not here to say hurtful things of scaremonger. If it came across like that, I am very sorry. When Jesus taught about heaven and hell he didn’t say those things to scare and hurt people. He warned people because he cares and doesn’t wants anyone to end up in the wrong place.

You can chose not to believe me and that’s fine, but I would give up my life (not my soul) if it meant I could trade that in to stop even one person going to hell. Just one. I mean that with all my heart.

You can still be angry with me if you like, honestly I won’t be offended.
I’ll try and answer any questions ppl might have as best I can

I have a question. Why isn’t it enough for God that people are good, and kind, and do good things? Why do they also have to believe in God to go to heaven? Feels a bit narc-y to me. Surely if his priority was that people were good, whether they actively believed in him or not would be irrelevant to him?

cardibach · 14/02/2026 22:06

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 14/02/2026 22:04

I wasn’t going to come back, but I’ve been thinking about this thread.
I didn’t mean to offend about the school reference and apologise for mentioning it, you’re right it is too soon. Of course if I met any one who has suffered in that tradegy my response would be compassion and to help in any way possible, as anyone here would. I was involved in the Scarlett Lewis Forgiveness Project and communicated with her directly following Sandy Hook (if anyone remembers that). I guess that is why it was on my mind as an example of how harm can have terrible far reach. I thought it was a well known link, with the spate of US school shootings in recent years re: the bullying link (a quick search has brought up at least 6 examples)
‘Several American school shooters have reportedly been victims of bullying at the same schools they later attacked, a factor often cited by family, friends, and investigators.’

I should have made the point in a more neutral way but it is well known that many killers have abusive backgrounds. It does not excuse the behaviour, but it does show a link. There are also ppl that have (quote) ‘normal’ upbringings and still go on to commit violent crime, so is not a given.

Anyway I am not here to say hurtful things of scaremonger. If it came across like that, I am very sorry. When Jesus taught about heaven and hell he didn’t say those things to scare and hurt people. He warned people because he cares and doesn’t wants anyone to end up in the wrong place.

You can chose not to believe me and that’s fine, but I would give up my life (not my soul) if it meant I could trade that in to stop even one person going to hell. Just one. I mean that with all my heart.

You can still be angry with me if you like, honestly I won’t be offended.
I’ll try and answer any questions ppl might have as best I can

How about the one I’ve asked twice for a starter.
Why would a benevolent and omnipotent God allow children to die of malaria or be born with congenital issues which cause them pain and shorten their life - sometimes to days or weeks, sometimes they suffer longer.

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 14/02/2026 22:04

I wasn’t going to come back, but I’ve been thinking about this thread.
I didn’t mean to offend about the school reference and apologise for mentioning it, you’re right it is too soon. Of course if I met any one who has suffered in that tradegy my response would be compassion and to help in any way possible, as anyone here would. I was involved in the Scarlett Lewis Forgiveness Project and communicated with her directly following Sandy Hook (if anyone remembers that). I guess that is why it was on my mind as an example of how harm can have terrible far reach. I thought it was a well known link, with the spate of US school shootings in recent years re: the bullying link (a quick search has brought up at least 6 examples)
‘Several American school shooters have reportedly been victims of bullying at the same schools they later attacked, a factor often cited by family, friends, and investigators.’

I should have made the point in a more neutral way but it is well known that many killers have abusive backgrounds. It does not excuse the behaviour, but it does show a link. There are also ppl that have (quote) ‘normal’ upbringings and still go on to commit violent crime, so is not a given.

Anyway I am not here to say hurtful things of scaremonger. If it came across like that, I am very sorry. When Jesus taught about heaven and hell he didn’t say those things to scare and hurt people. He warned people because he cares and doesn’t wants anyone to end up in the wrong place.

You can chose not to believe me and that’s fine, but I would give up my life (not my soul) if it meant I could trade that in to stop even one person going to hell. Just one. I mean that with all my heart.

You can still be angry with me if you like, honestly I won’t be offended.
I’ll try and answer any questions ppl might have as best I can

Twoshoesnewshoes · 13/02/2026 23:32

dairydebris · 12/02/2026 17:55

I have s similar history to you and I see all the points you've raised, but I still have the fear of what if we are actually wrong, and God is real, and we end up being tortured in hell for eternity.

Yes, this keeps me awake at night

1000StrawberryLollies · 13/02/2026 22:46

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 13/02/2026 20:42

We are already in hell. Just look around.

<Looks around>. Nope.

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 13/02/2026 20:42

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 13/02/2026 14:49

I am very used to being not believed. It is so hard, I don’t want anyone to go to hell but people have convinced themselves there is no such place and death is nothing to fear. It could not be further from the truth, Jesus warned more about hell than he taught about heaven. He does not want anyone to go to that terrible place. Nothing I can say will make a difference and I find it so hard. It’s not like a jail sentence and you get to walk out after x time, it is forever 💔

We are already in hell. Just look around.

Somethingsnapped · 13/02/2026 17:00

I am not religious, but I am quite a spiritual person, and always interested in the beliefs and thoughts of others, and in different religions.

Our brains are not able to comprehend the vastness of the universe, and concepts of death and eternity, and I think this is why it creates such a specific and consuming fear in people, because however hard we try, our brains are unable to go there. I think we can try, but the closest we will get to exploring these concepts can only come from a place of calm, not from fear as a starting point.

I don't know of course what happens to us, and our world, in eternity. But what I find the most comforting, is the understanding that the world, and life itself, is endlessly miraculous. The beauty and chemistry of the world and everything that lives on it is, in my opinion, pure magic. And if this exists - and we know it does - what's to stop there being something else magical that we can't possibly imagine in our lifetimes? Maybe there's nothing, but the thought of the world going on, and myself and my loved ones becoming part of it again, does comfort me. But maybe there is something that is impossible for us to imagine, that is as miraculous as life itself.

As Shakespeare wrote... 'there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'

Wabbajack · 13/02/2026 15:34

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 13/02/2026 15:03

That is not true and not what I said. I am going to say this one last thing then leave as I won’t be targeted for posting on here.

So I was taking about how words can hurt other people and drive them to despair. It is no secret that bullying costs lives, this is predominantly through abusive words. So speaking hateful words to others can cause them to end their lives or end the lives of others. That is the context I was referencing the school. It is absolutely horrific. Damaged people can go on to commit heinous crimes against others.

So you're saying that the shooter was bullied and that's what caused the shooting.

Yes, words can be hurtful. Like what you're saying right now.

feellikeanalien · 13/02/2026 15:28

I was also brought up in a very religious household and until fairly recently I always slightly had the "what if" feeling that another PP refers to.

I think what changed for me was having a disabled child. She doesnt deserve to have the conditions she was born with. Any god who can do this to an innocent child because other people dont believe in him is not a god I want to follow.

I suppose I still look at the world and find nature so amazing that it's sometimes hard to believe it just happened but maybe that is just how it is. Our minds are really quite limited in some ways and I don't think many of us spend much time pondering the miracle of life.

To be honest all that bothers me about death now is that it's not going to be horrible. I also do really worry about DD though if I'm not here. That is something that does frighten me about death.

cardibach · 13/02/2026 15:15

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 13/02/2026 14:49

I am very used to being not believed. It is so hard, I don’t want anyone to go to hell but people have convinced themselves there is no such place and death is nothing to fear. It could not be further from the truth, Jesus warned more about hell than he taught about heaven. He does not want anyone to go to that terrible place. Nothing I can say will make a difference and I find it so hard. It’s not like a jail sentence and you get to walk out after x time, it is forever 💔

As I’ve said before on this thread, my dad always said there’s nothing his children could do that would stop him loving us or mean he wouldn’t forgive us. So are you saying God is a vengeful father? Less good at parenting than my dad?
And I’d still like an answer about why an omnipotent God might let chikdren die of malaria or congenital issues.

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 13/02/2026 15:13

Dying scares me. Death doesn't

I've spent most of the span of the universe not existing, going back to that state doesn't worry me at all.

The pain and suffering that comes just before it on the other hand...

Catterbat · 13/02/2026 15:08

I don’t believe in heaven and hell, or god in a traditional sense. But I also don’t believe we die and just cease to exist. Beyond that, I have no idea.

raspberets · 13/02/2026 15:05

There’s a Christian forum on mumsnet, you can preach to the converted.

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 13/02/2026 15:03

Wabbajack · 13/02/2026 14:51

It's in unbelievably poor taste to bring up a shooting that happened only a few days ago where most of the victims were children to proselytise about how people's suffering is their own fault. Would you say that to the face of someone who lost a loved one? Or just when hiding behind a username?

That is not true and not what I said. I am going to say this one last thing then leave as I won’t be targeted for posting on here.

So I was taking about how words can hurt other people and drive them to despair. It is no secret that bullying costs lives, this is predominantly through abusive words. So speaking hateful words to others can cause them to end their lives or end the lives of others. That is the context I was referencing the school. It is absolutely horrific. Damaged people can go on to commit heinous crimes against others.

raspberets · 13/02/2026 14:57

finbow · 13/02/2026 14:54

Your reasoning is so different than mine so I’m struggling to understand. Why would anyone mind not existing, not being, no awareness, no feelings? What is scary about that?

I guess I just accepted death for what it is long time ago. It’s the ultimate part of life. Nothing you do will have a meaning if you’re perpetual, living forever and being just you forever.
The limited timeframe of life makes it precious and meaningful for a being that is aware of herself.

And from the perspective of how nature works - you do realise that having immortal people who procreate, (and immortal plants and immortal animals that reproduce) would be unsustainable for everybody?

I would read more literature on natural sciences and work on my acceptance of death. May be, Buddhism philosophy can help you there as well.

Beautifully said.

finbow · 13/02/2026 14:54

Your reasoning is so different than mine so I’m struggling to understand. Why would anyone mind not existing, not being, no awareness, no feelings? What is scary about that?

I guess I just accepted death for what it is long time ago. It’s the ultimate part of life. Nothing you do will have a meaning if you’re perpetual, living forever and being just you forever.
The limited timeframe of life makes it precious and meaningful for a being that is aware of herself.

And from the perspective of how nature works - you do realise that having immortal people who procreate, (and immortal plants and immortal animals that reproduce) would be unsustainable for everybody?

I would read more literature on natural sciences and work on my acceptance of death. May be, Buddhism philosophy can help you there as well.

raspberets · 13/02/2026 14:54

Twattergy · 13/02/2026 14:53

I agree with you about the very clear human-made nature of religion and gods. Seems crystal clear to me too. In terms of non existence - I dont find that sad, for me its quite reassuring. We get to be, and then we are not. This is the way of nature and we are, at the end of the day, just creatures.

I agree, the natural cycle of life.

raspberets · 13/02/2026 14:53

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 13/02/2026 14:49

I am very used to being not believed. It is so hard, I don’t want anyone to go to hell but people have convinced themselves there is no such place and death is nothing to fear. It could not be further from the truth, Jesus warned more about hell than he taught about heaven. He does not want anyone to go to that terrible place. Nothing I can say will make a difference and I find it so hard. It’s not like a jail sentence and you get to walk out after x time, it is forever 💔

You’re a fear mongerer and a very patronising one.

Twattergy · 13/02/2026 14:53

I agree with you about the very clear human-made nature of religion and gods. Seems crystal clear to me too. In terms of non existence - I dont find that sad, for me its quite reassuring. We get to be, and then we are not. This is the way of nature and we are, at the end of the day, just creatures.

Wabbajack · 13/02/2026 14:52

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 13/02/2026 14:49

I am very used to being not believed. It is so hard, I don’t want anyone to go to hell but people have convinced themselves there is no such place and death is nothing to fear. It could not be further from the truth, Jesus warned more about hell than he taught about heaven. He does not want anyone to go to that terrible place. Nothing I can say will make a difference and I find it so hard. It’s not like a jail sentence and you get to walk out after x time, it is forever 💔

How difficult for you. I think I can hear the world's smallest violin playing.

Wabbajack · 13/02/2026 14:51

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 13/02/2026 14:20

When we see terrible things happening in the world, especially to innocents like children it is terrible. I can understand why people can think that if there is a God he must not care or lacks power. Yet he is both omnipotent and loving. The problem is people doing evil that is the root of all suffering, we have free will choice to do good or evil. With our hands we can commit murder, make war or we can give care and help. With our words we can crush and maim, evil words can drive people to despair, to end their lives or end the lives of others (I am thinking at the moment of the terrible school shooting in Canada) or with words we can love, protect, nurture and support, encourage, build up, heal. The latter is God’s heart, that is what he wants for us, to love eachother.
God gave Moses the 10 commandments but his people failed to keep them just as we are all guilty of breaking God’s law because we are incapable of doing right, at least for more than 5 minutes(!), we continually mess us, we continually hate and hurt eachother and spill blood (literally and spiritually).
We live in a fallen and deeply broken world but we have not been abandoned. There is hope, there is a Redeemer. God’s very active plan is to redeem the world, save us from ourselves. But he doesn’t force himself upon us, we can choose to accept or reject his son Jesus. It is a free gift but many (most) will reject it. Narrow is the gate that leads to life:

Matthew 7 13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and few find it.

It's in unbelievably poor taste to bring up a shooting that happened only a few days ago where most of the victims were children to proselytise about how people's suffering is their own fault. Would you say that to the face of someone who lost a loved one? Or just when hiding behind a username?

ImGoingtoSayitButyouWontBelieveme · 13/02/2026 14:49

I am very used to being not believed. It is so hard, I don’t want anyone to go to hell but people have convinced themselves there is no such place and death is nothing to fear. It could not be further from the truth, Jesus warned more about hell than he taught about heaven. He does not want anyone to go to that terrible place. Nothing I can say will make a difference and I find it so hard. It’s not like a jail sentence and you get to walk out after x time, it is forever 💔