What do you think happens when we die?

[Frosty6611]

Just had this discussion with my DP and mum and we all had a completely different answers.

I believe in reincarnation.

My DP is an atheist and believes nothing happens.

My mum believes in heaven/hell.

The belief that religion is free from criticism is surely only the standpoint of the weak / religious?

In your haste to make this comment, you missed my point entirely, actually.

I know every topic that covers spiritual matters is merely an opportunity for atheists to preach endlessly to the rest of us about the one true viewpoint, but actually considering some of the reasons people decide to participate in threads about what happens to people after death on a mum's site, perhaps it would be nice not to aim the tiresome dogmatic nihilistic internet atheist preaching at them for daring to (as the thread invites them to) share their beliefs.

Our bodies die, but I think our spirit goes somewhere, not heaven or hell, but back to a universal force of some kind is what I believe.

Church is a hospital for sinners not a museum for Saints. Confession is not just for gaining forgiveness but also a chance to repent and change your way of life. In terms of clergy pedophilla, the Church got that wrong. No Catholic will tell you any different. It was absolutely wrong to sweep it under the rug. These men should face full justice on earth. However, although there are sinners in the Church, that does not eclipse the truth that the Church teaches.

I don’t know which one of you goes to Heaven. That is purely for God to judge. In fact, the Catholic Church never ‘condemns’ someone to hell as we simply don’t know the state of their soul at the end of their life.

I was a ‘don’t know, don’t care’ for 20 years. I’ve since gone back to the Church and currently building a strong relationship with God. When I die (hopefully not too soon - lots still to do and living a very fulfilling life), I get to meet Him again and it will be wonderful.

I wish I could be a Christian as they're the happiest people I know. Alas, I don't have it in me.
There is nothingness.

I'm amazed how many people believe they will go on in some way after death. I also find it hard to understand those who find it depressing and pointless if this is all there is. Personally I think the finite nature of life gives it more meaning and gives me more motivation to make the most of if. If it was going to continue indefinitely, then I'd feel a bit overwhelmed and not know where to start. Like having unlimited money- what on earth would I do with it all?

And quite frankly, much as I am enjoying my life, I think I'll be in need of a break at the end of it. The prospect of coming back again, of bring forever in the presence of "God" is no comfort whatsoever, thank you!

"I know every topic that covers spiritual matters is merely an opportunity for atheists to preach endlessly to the rest of us about the one true viewpoint."

That's a bit of a generalisation about atheists.

And tbf Christians have had the unquestioning upper hand for hundreds of years, it seems churlish to deny atheists the right to voice their opinions when they've really only very recently been allowed to do so (and not even now in many countries).

Thank you for replying to my question lazy and die.

An Atheist here... I believe life and death are a constant rearrangement of molecules.

God does not force us to believe in him, though he could. Instead, he has provided sufficient proof of his existence for us to willingly respond to him. The earth's perfect distance from the sun, the unique chemical properties of water, the human brain, DNA, the number of people who attest to knowing God, the gnawing in our hearts and minds to determine if God is there, the willingness for God to be known through Jesus Christ.

Children starving in Africa, nothing to do with God either. Blame mans greed and love of war.

God gets all the credit but none of the blame? How convenient.

You believe in an omnipotent God who could prevent, to take a current news story, the repeated selling of a child for sadistic rape and sexual abuse by his mother over a 2 year period, but chooses not to, and you think it's worthy of worship. You think it can be explained away by "we shouldn't have human expectations of God". This is what people find difficult to respect. I'm very glad the God you believe in doesn't exist. A universe created and run by a being that could prevent any suffering but allows it on an immense scale and to a vile degree, over and over and over, would be a dreadful place.

he has provided sufficient proof of his existence for us to willingly respond to him.

Um no he hasn't, otherwise we would all believe in him. So for some reason 'he' has decided not to provide sufficient proof.

Oh don’t talk tripe lazyhazy 🙄

We evolved and adapted to suit our environment. If you think otherwise you need to educate yourself.

I don't believe because I am religious or because I'm scared of death and need a comfort blanket. On the contrary, I would hate to go on forever as life can be exhausting.
I have had a few interesting experiences regarding the after life though. I once lived with a spirit. It was palpable. When I told someone where I lived the first thing she said wad ' Oh xxx used to live in that house. It is haunted, she saw a man walk through a wall.' I wasn't in the least bit surprised but the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Cal it my 6th sense.
When my mum was dying o cancer I was thinking of getting an end of life carer to help her with the transition. In the end we decided not to. The day before she died my mum kept saying 'They are coming to get me. I want to go home.'
We all thought she was going potty due to the morphine. When I told the end of life carer she started crying and said that most people say these very things on their death bed. 'Home' is the source/god/nature / origin of life etc. 'They' are your dead ancestors waiting on the other side. Inexplicable.
I guess I am Buddhist in that I do believe that the body is a vehicle for the soul and that when we achieve Nirvana or enlightenment we are released from the cycle of birth, rebirth and suffering.

I literally felt dd waiting for me before I got pregnant with her. I guess some people are more open to this sort of feeling than others.

sorry typos.

lazyhazysummer that sounds bonkers!

The brain is a powerful thing Malificent. That is it.

notpertickly So I and millions of people across the world need to educate ourselves because we believe in God? Where would we go for this education, the school of educated atheists? Perhaps you should educate yourself, open your mind up a bit?

If a human decides to pour boiling water over a load of ants do they go to hell? Or gas a load of humans? Is there a hierarchy of beings according to God? Anyone know?

I reckon God likes vegetarians the best

god likes Vegans best, because he apparently doesn't like suffering.

In what way Nanny?

Yes vegans would be best, but the one that most religions speak of seems to like suffering and fear and hate so....

I don't know for sure obviously but I don't think there is a 'god' as in a 'him' or 'her.' I think the more we dwell on this, the weirder life appears to be.
The mind is powerful but I knew that house was haunted, so did the colleague ( before I mentioned it) and so did colleague's friend. My mind didn't create that coincidence.

I also don't think that anyone 'likes' suffering but suffering is an inevitable part of resistance to change (including death) and attachment to the material world

Diddly fuckin squat.