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.

This is what Anthony Flew, philosopher and most famous atheist of the 20th century said after changing his mind and becoming a believer.

Flew: I think the origins of the laws of nature and of life and the Universe point clearly to an intelligent Source. The burden of proof is on those who argue to the contrary.

I lean towards reincarnation.
Otherwise it's game over... a bunch of atoms released back into the ether to be reused,
When my DS1 was 6 he had a lovely friend...same age. His Mum took him to some WW1 exhibition. The lad behaved quite oddly, then told his mum how he'd died in 1917 as an 18 year old lad at the front. He recognised the guns, told his mum all about the trenches and how horrible it was.
She was pretty shaken up!
He was a dear little boy, not given to making up stories at all, but wise for his age. I believed her and him.
I believe we are recycled!

The burden of proof is on those who argue to the contrary.

There are horrible, nasty, painful, dreadful things happening to children right now in this world. There is also supposed to be a benevolent, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent god. Either god can do something and doesn't therefore not benevolent. Or can't do anything therefore not omnipotent. Or doesn't know therefore not omniscient/omnipresent.

logical proof.

Also, we can map the brain; see the pathways and connections; know where thoughts, emotions and memories live. In the brain tissue. That rots.

BTW I have nothing against well-meaning religion. Nice churches are accepting of people with challenges and do a lot of good. I have many religious friends. Who are utterly lovely and make the world a better place. And I sort of wish they were right.

I thoroughly object to religion informing anything other than that. Which is why atheists fight and annoy people. Not because we're arseholes. But because when it becomes 'common knowledge' that religion is fact, you get it in government, schools and my uterus. So we balance things. We're the spanner in the works of religious juggernauts.

MrsTerryPratchett May I please re-refer you back to this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pam_Reynolds_case

Bloody links!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pam_Reynolds_case

Not tremendously convincing though, is it?

People who have done high-G stuff (astronauts and pilots) report similar and that points to it being what your brain does starved of oxygen.

MrsTerryPratchett I hope I come across, as a Christian, as non-judgy as you do, as an Atheist. I've been asked, many times, about my views on God letting children starve etc. But it's always been confrontational. You ask the question beautifully. I just needed to say that. ❤

Actually, I'm reading it fully and all the links from it now: rabbit hole /

Awwww AllRoads that's nice.

Honestly the vast majority of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Wiccan and Jewish people I know are lovely. I suppose we all get our backs up when people mess with our deeply held beliefs.

Yup! I have had to argue Evolution (believe in btw- I know some Christians don't) equal rights, gay rights- you name it- with fellow Christians and Atheists alike (and I can fucking argue 😂). Your posts always smack of "live and let live", and that no one person is "right" in what they believe. Respect.

God that came across wrong. Please try to read that as it was supposed to be meant?

Nothing at all, just the same as before you were born.

What I would like to happen is a sort of giant internet, where I could float around checking out different planets, solar systems etc whilst finding out all the secrets of the universe. Coupled with a break from all the info to pop in to visit loved ones like my grandad and his runner beans/tomatoes, my Nan and her biscuit tin. Then back to my After Life Google machine where I could spend eternity finding out stuff, reading etc.

I think, or possibly that is I feel, that there is something. But I don't know what. I don't even know if I'm right that there is something!

But...do you know what I mean by the difference between a room with a person in it and an empty room? When you enter the room just after someone has died, sometimes it is an empty room, and sometimes it is a room that has a person in it. So I guess that means that my personal experience is that there is something that can last at least briefly after death. Beyond that? Well, for me it's enough to keep the door open on the possibilities.

I have always been an unbeliever , however my dear older brother died far too young , I was so upset, he came back to see me 3 days after he died,
I know because my them girlfriend saw him too , and our two dogs , she was terrified

my mum died a couple of years ago, she came back to see me , so although I know I have seen family members , I still don't believe in God

I recommend you download and watch the Film
WHAT DREAMS MAY COME , the best film Robin Williams ever made, its a real tear jerker , it might help you have some understanding

HERES THE TRAILER

Best get a big box of tissues handy

Also, we can map the brain; see the pathways and connections. That rots

It is not only mapping these things but asking why our brains differentiate? Why can we not predetermine our brains even though we can map the past? Therin lies the duality of selfawareness of understanding cognitive behaviours but never being able to predict for certain the future. Or understanding the brain, wanting to use it on such a way, but failing. Is this a soul?

It's the question of free will over algorithmic mapping and morality over pointlessness that noone can answer.

(Also what keeps the electricity going through the neural pathways?????)

NotPerTickly
No it isn't a stupid thing to say at all. It certainly does take a far bigger leap of faith to accept so complacently that we've evolved to what we are than to believe we've been created. There's far too many impossible "coincidences" that had to occur to actually be here at all.In case you missed my link, here it is again. Even a child gets it.....a rather clever one admittedly.

I'd love to hear a bit more about your experiences foxyliz26, if you don't mind? (Obviously if you do, don't worry.)

I was wondering about the electrical impulses in our brains too MarcieBluebell but didn't know quite how to put it!

73kitty
It's all so weird!

I was going to post the "Physicist at the funeral" piece, but I see Mrs TP has got there before me.

I believe in an afterlife so I have no fear of death at all,although I want to outlive my current pets.Have had too much proof to not beieve.

I agree with foxy,that film does explain a lot.

We are but flesh and bone.
Electrickery contracts the inanimate muscle and nerve cells creating the illusion of life.
Once the supply has been cut that's it. The carcass bears no more relevance to anything than the discarded nail parts you've bitten off and discarded over the years. Or the hair that gets swept away after a hair cut..
The energy that powered you continues to exist but it bears no direct connection. Least of all the body that it powered for a fleeting moment.

Ask me this time tomorrow and I'll have probably changed my mind though.
Only because I don't want to believe the obvious.

Both my husband and I died as children and were resuscitated (I'd love yo know what the odds on that are!) and experienced the same thing. Nothing.