Does anyone else think an afterlife sounds awful?

[wednesdayweather]

I do. If after I die I find a wake up to an afterlife, I will be seriously pissed. I went to an evangelical church for a little bit many years ago, and knew it was not for me when the preacher said, ' why are you worried about what is going on?! (in the news) when we have ETERNITY!' And I thought, ' that sounds AWFUL. So I decided christanity wasn't for me as I just don't want their big payoff. It doesn't matter what the afterlife is like, I just don't want it.

I actively like the idea of life being time limited. You are here and then you aren't, and that suits me.

Anyone else think the same?

@Tumbleweed101

I think we get recycled as the Earth is already a fairly closed system where things are in cycles. Like water being rained, going into rivers, drank by living things and then back into the atmosphere where it will be rain again at some point (for example). Or autumn leaves being broken down and then feeding the following years plants with the nutrients.

So I think the elements of our physical bodies are used again by the Earth and our ‘spark’ or energy is reused in a new living thing. Whether we keep some semblance of ourselves in that and experience being different life forms/ new humans or not is something I guess we won’t ever know although I think there is something to be said about people feeling like they’ve met before and old/young souls etc. Maybe an old soul is simply someone who has more of their energy kept together from being alive before.

Because we don’t know I think it’s important to appreciate the uniqueness of being alive and alive in human form. Despite how hard life can be it’s something very different and so far something that we know has only happened on this planet. We have consciousness to see and experience the wonder of the universe.

Yep totally agree with this.

I also think that we live on through people we influence in our lives and how we then affect their personalities and actions whether that's with children or other relatives or people we work with e.g. teaching. It's why I think it's important for us all to be as 'good' as we can in this lifetime, help each other and our communities as much as possible etc so in that respect religion can do a lot of good when done right.

When thinking of the concep of the afterlife (which I don't believe in) and our place in the world I am really drawn to the final line of Middlemarch:

The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.

@dangerrabbit that’s so beautiful.

@Createdjustforthis

I know, it’s sad but in a good way, and how the last glimpse of the world he sees looks like the country he grew up in. Instant tears whenever I fancy a good sob.

@TheFnozwhowasmirage

How does it work,in the afterlife in the case of someone who loved you,but you didn't want anything to do with them? Who gets the afterlife that they want?

Yes, I always think this is where it falls apart. What if the stalker ex's idea of eternity is to only spend it with you?

I always imagine it to be like One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - everyone drugged up and unaware as it'd be the only way to deal with the terminal boredom.

I think it sounds very overcrowded. Also I'd be cross if my coffin outfit was all wrong.

@Pollythecat15

It depends on the quality of life the person is living now - in this life. If they haven't been blessed with the basics like speech, independence and freedom - then do they get another shot at it?

(Speaking as a heartbroken Mum of a very severely disabled adult son).

The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs

I think this is very true. Very simple, ordinary acts mean a lot. At times when I have been at my lowest, something as simple as someone simply smiling or saying hello, or acknowledging my existence have meant so, so much.

My Dad believed strongly in standing up for people in trouble, or who were being bullied or on the receiving end of aggression from other people and I think he's right that we should look out for each other.

Having said that, I know that I have failed my own moral codes very badly when my own life turned to shit. Not proud.

I’m Protestant and I’ve always thought the afterlife has too many unanswered questions. What if you remarry after your spouse dies? How far does your family history go back in “heaven” - like will I meet my great, great, great grandad there? Why can’t my pets (I don’t personally have any) go to heaven?

Imo the afterlife is like a static caravan..
Change of scene with the possibility of having people around you that you don't like!!

Oh god, the thought of my mother being able to mon at me for ETERNITY! I really hope there’s no afterlife.