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Original poster

What do you think happens when we die?

555 replies

Frosty6611 · 05/08/2018 12:28

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.

OP posts:
lazyhazysummer · 08/08/2018 17:12

It is distasteful. The pope sitting in his silly golden hat for goodness sake.
Anything distasteful about any other religions? or is it only acceptable to mock Catholicism. If there was a similar remark about a rabbi or an Imam it would get reported and removed. Why is this so i wonder.

Vitalogy · 08/08/2018 17:33

or is it only acceptable to mock Catholicism That would be an ecumenical matter.

2018SoFarSoGreat · 08/08/2018 17:35

I wish I had faith. I find myself quite envious of those who have unwavering belief, whatever religion they follow. I don't though. I do enjoy the rituals and beauty of places of worship, but that is all. I marvel at those who actually feeel it all.

I so wish I could believe that I will go to somewhere/something and be reunited with those I miss so dearly. I often find myself talking to them, and even thinking "oh must tell XXX that when I see him/her" - then I catch myself.

Vitalogy · 08/08/2018 17:36

We are miniscule. It's all lies I tells ya.

Vitalogy · 08/08/2018 17:38

I often find myself talking to them, and even thinking "oh must tell XXX that when I see him/her" - then I catch myself. I do that, what's the harm in it.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 08/08/2018 17:54

WraithBabe you're so right that there are many things we just don't know; even the Bible got that right in 1 Corinthians: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known

Also right are all the remarks about awful circumstances in the world, but for those who believe this life isn't all there is, it all works out. Those who've played a part in causing horrors will be held back by the price they have to pay and others who've suffered may progress, according to how they've handled things

For those who believe in the light - whatever "system" they subscribe to and whatever they perceive it to be - there isn't anything which won't have to be accounted for in the end

Janni01 · 08/08/2018 18:04

What do all the Christians here think about us becoming a secular society?

I think everyone should be able to choose what religion they follow or not follow but surely it isn't fair Christianity is the so called state religion.

lazyhazysummer · 08/08/2018 18:13

Yes, i once read an account of someone who'd "died" and had a glimpse of the afterlife. He said that all his life was flashed before him at speed but he was able to see it all clearly. There was no talking but he was shown people he'd hurt in his life and was able to see how it had made them feel at the time. The main thing was he wasn't in anyway frightened, he felt safe and the overwhelming feeling was of pure love unlike he'd ever experienced before.

Maliali · 08/08/2018 18:28

lazyhazy I had a near death experience about 15 years ago. I had the awareness I was dying and had to tell someone so they could help me. Then the sensation of whizzing backwards at great speed. I was absolutely petrified and all I could think of was trying to indicate to the doctors I was about to die. My experience couldn’t have been more different to the one you mention. I think all the weird sensations and any hallucinations are due to chemical changes in the brain caused by lack of oxygen or drug side effects. Dying people often have auditory and visual hallucinations due to the massive deterioration in major organ function.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 08/08/2018 18:54

the people with the power have really used the church for their own gain and to oppress the people, keep them scared

In too many cases and organised religions this is sadly true. It's a shame that some have thought mainly of themselves instead of helping others, but yet again that's humanity for you

As with questions around "didn't the ancient gods count", so much depends on what god's perceived to be. It may well be dangerous to assume your own truth somehow outranks the rest, when there are others just as devout who believe their guiding light is embodied in a tree or sacred stone, for example

Overall it's surely the intent that matters and the life that's lived as a result ... and whether that's based on some byzantine image of a guy on a cloud, a local village spirit or even a precious icon doesn't seem to me to matter too much

AnxiousPeg · 08/08/2018 19:06

I find it odd when people try to catch out religions on the minutiae or individual rules etc.

I'd imagine that, even if Christianity or Islam or any religion (or elements of more than one) are "right", they're still bound to have got loads of stuff wrong! Surely it's the central tenet that counts, not the various ways in whih humans have misinterpreted stuff?

I wouldn't, for example, use the fact that church wealth is a bit questionable to dimiss wholesale the very notion of any sort of spiritual reality.

Would you use the fact that politicians are a dodgy bunch to reject out of hand the idea of government?

If you can see no way of accepting that humans are more than chemicals - fine. But why pick random bits of major religions to disagree with? They're neither here nor there.

Vitalogy · 08/08/2018 19:46

to dimiss wholesale the very notion of any sort of spiritual reality. I wasn't dismissing spirituality.

lazyhazysummer · 08/08/2018 19:54

Mallialk I think your experience knocks on the head the theory that many atheists claim, that the white light is down to chemicals to take away the fear of death. Evolution had no need to allow us to see dead loved ones to calm us.

RainySeptember · 08/08/2018 19:57

"I find it odd when people try to catch out religions on the minutiae."

I think it's been quite a respectful discussion so far.

It's not 'catching out' to ask questions or seek clarification in an effort to understand; it's an opportunity to talk in a way that is not really possible in rl.

What random minutiae have you seen discussed that are neither here nor there?

AnxiousPeg · 08/08/2018 20:23

Did I suggest it hadn't been a respectful discussion? Or are you suggesting that my contribution is altering the tone? Hmm

The thread was about what happens after death. It seems to me that some posters are arguing against particular aspects of established religions in order to bolster their belief that there is no soul/afterlife etc.

For example, if having beautiful, expensive things in a church is morally bad - well, so what? Does that mean every other aspect of the religion in question is null and void?

Perhaps I've misunderstood and pp are just wanting to criticise religions for other reasons. I assumed the relevance of the scrutiny was in how it pertains to the topic in the thread title.

RainySeptember · 08/08/2018 21:24

AnxiousPeg, well yes I did think your 'I think it odd when..' was a slightly passive aggressive dig at those of us asking questions but I apologise if I was wrong.

Could you elaborate on what minutiae you think is irrelevant?

Is it mainly the fact that some people are uncomfortable with the wealth acquired and displayed by some world religions?

RainySeptember · 08/08/2018 21:26

"For example, if having beautiful, expensive things in a church is morally bad - well, so what? "

I suppose, when deciding which religion you are drawn to, their morality might indeed inform any opinion you might be forming.

73kittycat73 · 08/08/2018 22:03

@Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow

I didn’t used to believe this until various things happened. I find it comforting

Would you mind sharing your experiences? Of course if not, that's fine. Smile

AnxiousPeg · 08/08/2018 22:22

Yes, I agree people will weigh up the morality of a religion and that will affect their views.

Fair point.

But I think there's a danger of throwing out the baby with the bath water...

I apologise if my finding something 'odd' sounded passive aggressive!

centerparcs · 08/08/2018 22:23

What’s the deal with god and the dinosaurs?

Walkingdeadfangirl · 08/08/2018 22:33

What’s the deal with god and the dinosaurs?
Well the dinosaurs had free will and they chose not to evolve so they were sent to hell for not worshipping jesus.

lazyhazysummer · 08/08/2018 22:43

Why should the dinosaurs not have had a purpose.

centerparcs · 08/08/2018 22:48

I didn’t say they didn’t. But did got create them before man and if so why?

AnxiousPeg · 08/08/2018 22:51

I just think it's a bit off to use this thread (which poses a perfectly valid question) make fun of religions (well, Christianity).

You don't have to believe in the Garden of Eden or Noah or Jesus to spend a few minutes wondering whether human consciousness is just chemicals.

I don't think anyone has suggested any explanation for those aspects of human experience I mentioned up thread - why do we see beauty in nature, or in music for example?

Fibbertigibbet · 08/08/2018 22:56

I don't believe anything happens to us because I don't believe in souls or God or anything like that, but I do believe little bits of us go around in all of the people we ever met, and we live on in that way. I often think fondly of my Grandad and all of the bits of be he built, and how he is part of me. I find it very comforting that he lives on in a way, and that when I am gone I will too.

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