If you are religious (any belief/creed) do you fear death?

[sauvignonsass]

Not trying to be provocative or upset anyone.

For transparency I'm not religious.

I always wonder though how I would feel or think if I believed in an afterlife though.

If you believe in life after death does that make you more or less afraid of dying?

OK well in answer to your question- no. As I feel at the moment my faith will remain the same till the final moment (but I also don't fear death now...)

I thought about this the other day. I'm petrified of dying. Albeit I don't thin off it a lot as I'm only 30 and have a long way to go (hopefully) but I have an irritation real fear of dying by cardiac arrest. The thought makes me quiver. I also don't like the thought of how I will die. Now necessary dying just how

What terrifies me more is the fear of afterlife - what awaits me. That's why I'm so happy I'm not religious in any way. Once you are dead - you're dead. It's like falling to sleep and never waking again. That's actually worse

I don’t fear death and have a belief system (that gives me reassurance) that I’ve not as yet had challenged…having worked in a hospice ,fear of death is a personal thing , people both with and without a faith or belief system can fear death, and people both with and without can not fear it. What many people fear is the process of dying, worrying about what and how it will happen, if they will be in pain etc. Part of my comfort comes from speaking to patients who have experienced near death and met relatives , or people near the end of life who see / talk to deceased relatives in the room…I feel that loved ones come to escort us to the next step.

I'm a Christian but I do fear death. Not death itself necessarily because I do believe that whatever comes after will be something good and I'll be at peace, but I really fear leaving my son and missing out on seeing him grow up or not being able to be there with him through big life events and what that might mean for him at different ages. I've always felt that way since I had him but especially since his dad is no longer around - I feel more responsibility to be both parents.

People ( both of faith and those without a faith) nearing the end of their lives often face spiritual dilemmas and fears and may suddenly doubt the existence of god even if they have followed a faith their whole lives …sometimes this is along the lines of “ why is this happening to me when I have prayed/ been a good person “etc etc. it can be hard when some people who have a very personal, direct intervention-type view of god eg. God will cure me , get something like cancer or another terminal illness and the cure doesn’t materialise.

I don't fear death, I don't want to die today and don't look forward to the process of dying, however I believe it will be a glorious day when I get to Heaven! I'll get to fix my eyes on my saviour and it will be a place of no more suffering, no hurt, no tears - what is there to fear in that!

And if I'm wrong, then what have I lost? If I'm wrong I'll just be dead however I wouldn't regret how I have lived this life out at all!

Well, I have had times of doubting over the 35 years since I became a Christian, but also over those years, I can point to so many things where my faith has been proved true. The thing about Christianity is that it’s about a person - Jesus. And while you might love a person instantly, after 35 years of knowing a person, you know whether or not you can trust them. So, no, I have no doubts.

I shouldn't think it has any sway either way, as everyone is so different.

I'm not particularly observant but I do have a faith and I don't fear death. However I'm young, I don't know if that will change as I age and the prospect gets nearer and more likely?

No. I’ve been privileged to know several wonderful Christians through their final months, weeks and days, and without exception their faith has grown more certain in that time. To die with that certain hope is a joyful, peaceful, end to suffering and the beginning of a better life.

Are you terrified by the thought of the millions of years BEFORE you existed?

For myself, I haven't made my mind up yet (typical Anglican...)

One of my elderly cousins has a very profound religious faith (also an Anglican) and has said to me that she is ready to go. She seems to be utterly unafraid.

I don't fear being dead but I do fear dying. I don't want it to hurt!

I'm a Catholic. I'm no longer practicing, due to circumstances. May return in later years, I will return. Growing up, I never questioned anything and felt really terrible guilt if I ever did. I openly question now and consider whether or not religion is a social construct. I have times where my faith is stronger. I am still Catholic, always will be and I definitely veer towards believing in the afterlife as i really hope to see my family again. The idea of nothingness is horrible.

I'm Jewish and the concept of death in itself holds no fear or dread for me. Death is part of life; a world where nobody died would quickly become hell on earth. Billions of years passed quite well before me and the world will continue to turn once I'm no more. That's not to say I think I don't matter, I think we all do, within the circles of our families and friends (and arguably our enemies too!) I just don't think the loss of me will be a permanent scar.

I'm more concerned by the process of death and whether I'll have any control over what's happening to me when I'm at my most vulnerable. Pain and indignity frighten me in a way that what comes next never will - even if what's next is nothingness.

I am a lapsed Catholic and I fear death. The reason why is because it was drummed into me as a child and young adult that if you committed a mortal sin and did not confess it, you would go to hell. It's very hard to let go of this doctrine. Mortal sins in the Catholic Church range from the terrible (that is, things that would be illegal, like murder) to not going to Mass on a Sunday or on a holy day of obligation; e.g. Good Friday, The Feast of the Assumption, Ash Wednesday. So if I die and haven't confessed to a priest that I haven't been to Mass for years....straight to hell for me. Catholic schools and staunchly Catholic parents and weekly Mass and confession can put the fear of God into you and this is the reason I fear death. 😨 I would love to believe that all souls go straight to heaven and that there is no hell....I wouldn't fear death at all then. But years and years of being taught that hell is real and even if you have lived a good life and have been kind to people and a good, kind, caring person, you could still end up there.....I want to believe that surely that's enough to admit you to heaven, but I can't because of...well....brain washing I suppose. It would be easier for me if I knew for a fact that when you die, there is nothing. No consciousness. No memories. The same as before you were born. Just nothing. I wouldn't be scared then.

Really? Because from where I'm sat, he (or his assistants) seem to be terrified. Constantly asking us to pray for his recovery.
It's one aspect of Catholicism that I struggle with, (there's a few others!).

I heard an atheist say that he knows nothing of his life before he was born, he was clearly "there" but was in a state of peace. He said he felt death would be the same. I think this is very comforting.

I have had the same thought ! Especially at an advanced age, I would hope not to cling to life ( I’m nearly there…)

Yes, I've briefly touched this world. It existed before me and will exist after me. And that's OK.

I am Christian and 100% believe in Jesus and the afterlife, but I have to say I am frightened of the transition. If my time came I would pray for peace and acceptance, but I would be sad for my family and saying goodbye in general

I hadn't quite grasped that this was your question. I don't think I do fear that. My experience so far is that my faith is much stronger when times are bad. My original conversion was sparked by an experience at probably the worst time of my life to date. So while I can't say definitively that my faith won't waiver if I'm dying, it isn't something that actively worries me.

Just catching up on this now and I’ve had @lillyp who didn’t even contribute to the thread laugh at my post… how rude!!

Anyway I agree with what pps have said, religion gives you hope and a great sense of peace too.

I'm Catholic although have wavered back and forth between atheism and back to my faith throughout my life. I agree with this.

I don't think the Pope, or anyone who had spent their lives seriously studying and thinking about religion and philosophy and praying, would have a deathbed panic over whether it was all a crock of lies. I think even if they worried, or had a moment of perceiving right before death, that the afterlife wasn't what their faith taught, they would feel that their faith itself had been a positive force in their lives. Does that make sense?

It isn't death I fear, once I'm dead I shall be gone forever.
However, I do fear pain a great deal, so it's only the manner of dying that I fear.

I fear the process if dying and leaving my dh and kids suffering if I'm gone but I don't fear being dead. I believe I will be reunited with my loved ones in heaven and will watch over my living family until they join me.

If my beliefs are totally wrong and there is nothing then I won't know the difference will I? And in the meantime my faith gives me comfort and community. Seems like a win win to me.