Fear of death, and how it affects your life

[someone447]

We started a discussion in the Sean Taylor thread, but people were getting mad at me for derailing that, so I am posting here. Note: I do not want this to turn into a thread debating whether or not an afterlife or deities exist. If your belief fits with the point you are trying to make, mention it and leave it at that. DO NOT try to argue with someone else's belief about religion. That means, no witnessing for the religious folk, and no trying to convince that there is no god for atheist folk.

I would enjoy life so much more if I knew I wasn't gonna die, because I would try and do more things, there would be no fear.

Like I said before, I feel like death is necessary to be able to love life; just like suffering is necessary to have true happiness.

The way I see it, I am going to die anyways. What does it matter if I die now, or if I die 50 years from now? I will be dead. I won't know any better. I already have an infinite amount of experience not being alive, so what is there to be scared of?

Yes, my friends and family will suffer if I die now, which is why I would rather live. But I won't let the possibility of dying stop me from doing something I want to do. I could die from the drugs I have done, from the alcohol I have consumed, I could piss off the wrong guy and end up shot, I could die from any number of possible reasons. I don't let myself think about how I might die, rather I think about how I can live. I want to try skydiving so bad. A few years ago, I would have been scared to death of it. Now, the rush just seems like it would be worth it.

We only have one life to live, I would rather live it to the fullest than be scared of dying. I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees(I know that isn't exactly what that quote is talking about, but it can fit nonetheless.)

[Vikes99ej]

I'm more afraid of my speech tonight than I am of death. There's nothing I can do about death. When it happens, it happens. That doesn't mean I'm going to live recklessly, however.

[SuperKevin]

The only thing I fear about death is the uncertainty of an afterlife.

[comahan]

For the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.

[EdReedUnstoppable]

My point is, if I wasn't gonna die there would be no consequences, I could do anything I want, any drug I wanted, jump off of buildings, skydive without parachutes, do all the things that I cant do now because of death.

[SubNoize]

most people are going to fear the unknown, and that is where religion is able to come in and fill the void for most people. For others, who do not believe in afterlife there is a fear of experiencing nothing. I'm able to handle death because I look at it as I can't miss life because I'll be dead, that empy feeling in my stomach is a product of myself, and if I'm dead it wont be there anymore.

[Vince Lombardi]

I definitely don't live conservatively out of fear or anything. I can't say that I'm afraid of dying, but at the same time I'd like to stick around for awhile. I make conscious choices to eat healthy and exercise, but then I turn around and do 11 shots of vodka out of a beer bong or one of many other stupid things. I kinda believe that when you die it's over, fade to black. I would love nothing more than to be wrong though, and that somehow our soul lives on in some capacity. Either way, life's too short to not enjoy yourself.

[awfullyquiet]

My point is, if I wasn't gonna die there would be no consequences, I could do anything I want, any drug I wanted, jump off of buildings, skydive without parachutes, do all the things that I cant do now because of death.

But that's just childish.

Seriously. Sure, you could. But why would you. (as a side note, people have fallen from 6 miles onto the earth and still survived, for a couple of days, terminal velocity can only make you go SO fast)...

Consequences are a natural point of life.

So is dying, so, I've always said, well, whatever, i just live life like i might have my affairs in order so that i can go out and do what i want, make the most of it. know that i'm going to have a highly productive life with a family, love my heart out and hang my hat up some day. it's weird to think about, but not bothersome.

[someone447]

My point is, if I wasn't gonna die there would be no consequences, I could do anything I want, any drug I wanted, jump off of buildings, skydive without parachutes, do all the things that I cant do now because of death.

The only way there would be no consequences is if you were invulnerable to all pain. You can still do any drug you want, as long as you take every precaution. Even if you couldn't die, you would spend months in the hospital. You can do pretty much anything within reason, even being able to die.

I guess I just don't let the possibility of death stop me from doing what I want to do. Will that eventually catch up with me? Maybe it will. But I would rather be on my deathbed thinking, I did everything I have ever wanted to do, rather than damn, I wish I would have went skydiving(or any other dangerous activity.)

[EdReedUnstoppable]

But that's just childish.

Seriously. Sure, you could. But why would you. (as a side note, people have fallen from 6 miles onto the earth and still survived, for a couple of days, terminal velocity can only make you go SO fast)...

Consequences are a natural point of life.

So is dying, so, I've always said, well, whatever, i just live life like i might have my affairs in order so that i can go out and do what i want, make the most of it. know that i'm going to have a highly productive life with a family, love my heart out and hang my hat up some day. it's weird to think about, but not bothersome.


Its not childish, its a want to experience things that Ill never get to, I just hate restrictions and death is a restriction of life.

[WinslowBodden]

If you don't think about death you aren't afraid of it...

I just don't think about it.

[someone447]

I definitely don't live conservatively out of fear or anything. I can't say that I'm afraid of dying, but at the same time I'd like to stick around for awhile. I make conscious choices to eat healthy and exercise, but then I turn around and do 11 shots of vodka out of a beer bong or one of many other stupid things. I kinda believe that when you die it's over, fade to black. I would love nothing more than to be wrong though, and that somehow our soul lives on in some capacity. Either way, life's too short to not enjoy yourself.

That is exactly my thoughts, except for the being wrong about an afterlife. The only sort of afterlife that I would want is reincarnation. Like I said, without death, how can you love life? If our souls would live on eternally, how could they be truly happy without the possibility of death?

most people are going to fear the unknown, and that is where religion is able to come in and fill the void for most people. For others, who do not believe in afterlife there is a fear of experiencing nothing. I'm able to handle death because I look at it as I can't miss life because I'll be dead, that empy feeling in my stomach is a product of myself, and if I'm dead it wont be there anymore.

My thoughts exactly, this comic fits my belief to the T
http://russellsteapot.com/comics/2007/widen-your-stance.html
Note: If you are easily offended by mocking of religion, this site is not for you; again, this thread is not for debate on religion.

But that's just childish.

Seriously. Sure, you could. But why would you. (as a side note, people have fallen from 6 miles onto the earth and still survived, for a couple of days, terminal velocity can only make you go SO fast)...

Consequences are a natural point of life.

So is dying, so, I've always said, well, whatever, i just live life like i might have my affairs in order so that i can go out and do what i want, make the most of it. know that i'm going to have a highly productive life with a family, love my heart out and hang my hat up some day. it's weird to think about, but not bothersome.

I can't understand why someone would want to not ever die. I don't want to die now, but like Hunter S Thompson I don't want to outlive my usefulness either. The consequences of our actions, both good and bad are what make me enjoy life. Without danger, these things wouldn't be fun. There is a reason our adrenaline starts pumping when we do things dangerous, it is a survival tactic. Without that adrenaline, those things would not be fun.

[Tha Wootster]

Life is a direct way towards the death. We only choose the way that will take us there.

[someone447]

If you don't think about death you aren't afraid of it...

I just don't think about it.

I am quite a philosopher, so I can't not think about death. Just like I can't not think about the possibility of a deity, no matter how small I think that possibility is. I just enjoy thinking about every single possibility there is. I especially like discussing those possibilities.

[Tha Wootster]

Life is much worthless without death too.

[awfullyquiet]

I can't understand why someone would want to not ever die. I don't want to die now, but like Hunter S Thompson I don't want to outlive my usefulness either. The consequences of our actions, both good and bad are what make me enjoy life. Without danger, these things wouldn't be fun. There is a reason our adrenaline starts pumping when we do things dangerous, it is a survival tactic. Without that adrenaline, those things would not be fun.

And after you do them all so many times, they're not as fun as they used to be either.

I've been reading this book about dead bodies. And how, after a time, you'll just ignore the fact that they were too once people. (the book is called Stiff, it's a fantastic look into one of the more morbid but needed parts of society in cadavery). Being dead isn't half bad. Sure, being alive is great. But dead has it's merits too. With or without an afterlife.

[slightlyaraiderfan]

I can't wait, life is sooo dull. But, I do hope I get stuck in some kind of parallel dimension like in Beetlejuice, or Ghost.

[VoteLynnSwan]

some people let the fear of death consume them... you can die of anything in this world, even from some of the most mundane of tasks. Death is not something to dwell on i think, you're better off just living your life.

[WMD]

The only thing I fear about death is the uncertainty of an afterlife.

Agreed.. Sometimes that makes it very hard for me to sleep at night... thinking that after you die, nothing happens.. Just like it was before you were born. That actually seems the most realistic, to me.. If I could just see a ghost or something.. I'd be able to sleep a lot easier knowing that something happens.

[jballa838]

I can't wait, life is sooo dull. But, I do hope I get stuck in some kind of parallel dimension like in Beetlejuice, or Ghost.
or Groundhog Day

[EdReedUnstoppable]

Agreed.. Sometimes that makes it very hard for me to sleep at night... thinking that after you die, nothing happens.. Just like it was before you were born. That actually seems the most realistic, to me.. If I could just see a ghost or something.. I'd be able to sleep a lot easier knowing that something happens.

My thoughts exactly!

[VoteLynnSwan]

or Groundhog Day

that would be the worst possible thing that could happen... you think life is mundane? How about living the same day over and over for the rest of your life... that'd be sweet.

[Twiddler]

My thoughts exactly!

I'm glad I'm not the only one bothered by these thoughts. As for death, yes, it does affect my decisions because of how I wonder what difference me not being on this earth would really have. Its not a depressing thought process but more of one filled with simple curiosity. Yet all this thought of death doesn't scare me much, it just makes me wonder and may alter decisions regarding my actions. With that being said, I realize that I am young and take very good care of myself and have a solid head on my shoulders so if I am to die at such a young age it will most likely be due to something that is out of my control.

Oh and another thing, am I the only one who every really thinks about the concept of driving? I mean driving pieces of a metal weighing a ton at 65 mph while others are doing the exact same thing the other way just three feet to your left is a little unnerving at times. I realize all of the safety advances but its still a thing to think about when you strip it down to the basics.

[NYGibril28]

The only thing I fear about death is the uncertainty of an afterlife.

I hear that. That's probably what everyone fears about death.

On the subject, how would you rather die?

Unexpectedly or knowingly (disease, more specifically)

[Twiddler]

I hear that. That's probably what everyone fears about death.

On the subject, how would you rather die?

Unexpectedly or knowingly (disease, more specifically)

Unexpectedly. The suspense of imminent (near-future) death would consume me. Unless I'm really old.

[someone447]

I hear that. That's probably what everyone fears about death.

On the subject, how would you rather die?

Unexpectedly or knowingly (disease, more specifically)

Definitely unexpectedly, I saw my grandmother suffer through cancer, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

[NYGibril28]

I'd say unexpectedly, but i wouldn't want my family, loved ones to be in that situation. I still hate the fact that I never was able to say goodbye(not literally) to my grandfather. I think i'd rather know it was coming, for the sake of my family.

[Twiddler]

I'd say unexpectedly, but i wouldn't want my family, loved ones to be in that situation. I still hate the fact that I never was able to say goodbye(not literally) to my grandfather. I think i'd rather know it was coming, for the sake of my family.

Give me like an hour of knowing and I'd be set.

[yodapoop]

I hate thinking about it, since I am 18 years old and hopefully I have 60 years at the very least. I hate thinking about it too when it comes to my parents, my brothers (I have no sisters), and close friends. I hate thinking about it, but at night when I can't get to bed I think about this for whatever reason. I agree with everything and I am in the same boat as WMD.

[steelersfan43]

When your dead, there is just nothingness so im really not afraid..

[someone447]

I hate thinking about it, since I am 18 years old and hopefully I have 60 years at the very least. I hate thinking about it too when it comes to my parents, my brothers (I have no sisters), and close friends. I hate thinking about it, but at night when I can't get to bed I think about this for whatever reason. I agree with everything and I am in the same boat as WMD.

I hate thinking about my family and friends dying. However, for some reason I love thinking about it in regards to me. Don't get me wrong, I don't think about wanting to die or anything like that. I just find it fun to wonder and discuss.

[Twiddler]

I hate thinking about my family and friends dying. However, for some reason I love thinking about it in regards to me. Don't get me wrong, I don't think about wanting to die or anything like that. I just find it fun to wonder and discuss.

I understand. I hate the idea of it and don't want anything to do with it for a long long time but I do think it is a fascinating subject and one that is good to discuss in the open.

[scottyboy]

I would kinda like to know how much time i do have, but at times, I'm perfectly fine with being ignorant.

it really is too weird to think about, and honestly my head hurts when i think about death and what happens if there is an afterlife.

If there is none, than what happens to me? not my body, but my mind and soul? is it just over? will my mind not think?

and if there is one, how long is eternity? what happens? will the world last forever?

this isnt diving into whether afterlife exists or not, it's just saying we really have no clue and are at the hands of fate, not knowing, when or how we will die

[GB12]

Agreed.. Sometimes that makes it very hard for me to sleep at night... thinking that after you die, nothing happens.. Just like it was before you were born. That actually seems the most realistic, to me.. If I could just see a ghost or something.. I'd be able to sleep a lot easier knowing that something happens.
That's what I want. When I'm dead I want to be done.

As for the thread title, I don't fear it one bit and it doesn't affect my life at all. If I knew I was never going to die I wouldn't change what I do. What ERU was saying doesn't make any sense to me. Just because you don't die doesn't mean there aren't consequences. If you had everlasting life and jumped off a 300 foot tall building you'd still **** up your body. Speaking of everlasting life, that would suck so much.

[fischbowl]

I work in a funeral home. I see death everyday and make it nice for the survivors. So if there is no death, I'm ****** three ways to Sunday.

[soybean]

I'm not afreaid of death. I'm afraid of growing old and people around me dying. I can't imagine the day when my parents etc. die.

[duckseason]

Fear is a natural instinct that we all possess as a survival mechanism. We naturally come up with all sorts of ways to cope with the fear of our inevitable deaths. One of which is convincing ourselves that this fear does not exist. To be unafraid of death is to place no value on life, and/or to be certain of the unknown. I believe people can convince themselves that they do not fear death, but I think this inherent fear still exists within them. Just my opinion though.

[CalBears99]

I'm just worried about whether there is a God and Heaven or not. Because I don't know if I should live like a good Christian and not commit suicide or any other sins like that and get into heaven. Because, what if there is no heaven and I refused to allow myself to do any crazy things for no reason? And what if I do do some wild, fun things or kill myself or do any other sins and then find out when I die that there is a God and that he'll block me out of heaven for not believing in him and doing his will. That kind of stuff.
Whatever, probably none of you guys will read this post anyways...

[GB12]

Fear is a natural instinct that we all possess as a survival mechanism. We naturally come up with all sorts of ways to cope with the fear of our inevitable deaths. One of which is convincing ourselves that this fear does not exist. To be unafraid of death is to place no value on life, and/or to be certain of the unknown. I believe people can convince themselves that they do not fear death, but I think this inherent fear still exists within them. Just my opinion though.
Definitely have to disagree with that. I value my life and don't want to die, but at the same time it's not something I'm afraid of. Not trying to make this religious, but I think it really comes down to what your personal belief of what happens to you when you're dead is.

[someone447]

I'm just worried about whether there is a God and Heaven or not. Because I don't know if I should live like a good Christian and not commit suicide or any other sins like that and get into heaven. Because, what if there is no heaven and I refused to allow myself to do any crazy things for no reason? And what if I do do some wild, fun things or kill myself or do any other sins and then find out when I die that there is a God and that he'll block me out of heaven for not believing in him and doing his will. That kind of stuff.
Whatever, probably none of you guys will read this post anyways...

Well, this may get me in trouble, but here it goes anyway.

What you are describing is Pascals Wager. Look at it this way, what if you live your life like a good Christian, believe in God, follow all the rules, etc. Now, when you die, you come to find out that the Christian God was not the correct god? That the real god was God X. Now God X is a very jealous deity. He will sentence you to an eternity of suffering if you believed in the incorrect god. But he was also a god that favored intellectualism and the pursuit of truth. Now, those atheists and agnostics will get to go to heaven, while the christians who blindly followed will not get to go. No matter what you believe, there is a chance you are wrong.

The way I see it, I have never seen evidence of a deity or an afterlife, so I take this life as my only shot. I still live a good life, I try not to hurt other people, and I try to help others when the situation arises. If I am wrong and there is a god, I would rather not spend time with one who will punish me eternally for not believing, regardless of how I acted while on earth.

Just my 2 cents.

[someone447]

Fear is a natural instinct that we all possess as a survival mechanism. We naturally come up with all sorts of ways to cope with the fear of our inevitable deaths. One of which is convincing ourselves that this fear does not exist. To be unafraid of death is to place no value on life, and/or to be certain of the unknown. I believe people can convince themselves that they do not fear death, but I think this inherent fear still exists within them. Just my opinion though.

I fear the process of dying, but I don't fear death itself. I fear dying slowly from a disease, I fear the anticipation of knowing I will die an instant before I actually do. I just don't fear the actual death part. I figure, when I am dead it will be like it was before I was born. I wasn't suffering then, so why would I suffer after my life?

[GB12]

I'm just worried about whether there is a God and Heaven or not. Because I don't know if I should live like a good Christian and not commit suicide or any other sins like that and get into heaven. Because, what if there is no heaven and I refused to allow myself to do any crazy things for no reason? And what if I do do some wild, fun things or kill myself or do any other sins and then find out when I die that there is a God and that he'll block me out of heaven for not believing in him and doing his will. That kind of stuff.
Whatever, probably none of you guys will read this post anyways...

I fear the process of dying, but I don't fear death itself. I fear dying slowly from a disease, I fear the anticipation of knowing I will die an instant before I actually do. I just don't fear the actual death part. I figure, when I am dead it will be like it was before I was born. I wasn't suffering then, so why would I suffer after my life?
Yeah...

Those two posts probably pushed this thread over the limit.

[fischbowl]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825232/

The Bucket List anyone?

[CalBears99]

Sorry. I thought it was related to the topic.

[duckseason]

Definitely have to disagree with that. I value my life and don't want to die, but at the same time it's not something I'm afraid of. Not trying to make this religious, but I think it really comes down to what your personal belief of what happens to you when you're dead is.

Yes, I believe that a person's personal beliefs are certainly capable of suppressing the inherent fear of death that we all possess.

[someone447]

Yeah...

Those two posts probably pushed this thread over the limit.

I think as long as we don't debate and argue what religion is right, we should be fine. I kept a thread about the positives of drug use up for two days without it getting banned. However, if one of those stupid internet arguments starts, it will be deleted in a heartbeat.

[someone447]

Sorry. I thought it was related to the topic.

It was related to the topic, this topic is borderline within the rules as it is.

[duckseason]

I fear the process of dying, but I don't fear death itself. I fear dying slowly from a disease, I fear the anticipation of knowing I will die an instant before I actually do. I just don't fear the actual death part. I figure, when I am dead it will be like it was before I was born. I wasn't suffering then, so why would I suffer after my life?

You don't know what 'it' was like before you were born. All you know is your own consciousness.

[someone447]

You don't know what 'it' was like before you were born. All you know is your own consciousness.

So I won't know what it was like after I am dead, that was exactly my point. If I don't know I couldn't have suffered.

[CalBears99]

I guess the process of dying a painful death is something I fear; not death itself.

[duckseason]

So I won't know what it was like after I am dead, that was exactly my point. If I don't know I couldn't have suffered.

But you don't know that, now do you? How can a mere human such as yourself be so certain of the unknown?

[someone447]

But you don't know that, now do you? How can a mere human such as yourself be so certain of the unknown?

If I cannot know before my existence, I cannot know after my existence either. I am not certain of that, just as I cannot be certain that you truly exist. I am as sure that I will not be conscience of my existence without my existing as I am sure that you are real.

[Paul]

Death is a once in a life time experience,we have that to look forward to.

[duckseason]

If I cannot know before my existence, I cannot know after my existence either. I am not certain of that, just as I cannot be certain that you truly exist. I am as sure that I will not be conscience of my existence without my existing as I am sure that you are real.

You can be certain that I truly exist because I am responding to you right now.

But you cannot be certain of the unknown. Your mind may have convinced itself that there is nothing to fear about death, but that doesn't mean you don't fear it at all. It's natural to suppress fear. Especially the fear of something as inevitable as death. We have no choice but to cope with it in one way or another.

[CalBears99]

Well, this may get me in trouble, but here it goes anyway.

What you are describing is Pascals Wager. Look at it this way, what if you live your life like a good Christian, believe in God, follow all the rules, etc. Now, when you die, you come to find out that the Christian God was not the correct god? That the real god was God X. Now God X is a very jealous deity. He will sentence you to an eternity of suffering if you believed in the incorrect god. But he was also a god that favored intellectualism and the pursuit of truth. Now, those atheists and agnostics will get to go to heaven, while the christians who blindly followed will not get to go. No matter what you believe, there is a chance you are wrong.

The way I see it, I have never seen evidence of a deity or an afterlife, so I take this life as my only shot. I still live a good life, I try not to hurt other people, and I try to help others when the situation arises. If I am wrong and there is a god, I would rather not spend time with one who will punish me eternally for not believing, regardless of how I acted while on earth.

Just my 2 cents.
I gave you +1 rep for this post btw.

[someone447]

You can be certain that I truly exist because I am responding to you right now.

But you cannot be certain of the unknown. Your mind may have convinced itself that there is nothing to fear about death, but that doesn't mean you don't fear it at all. It's natural to suppress fear. Especially the fear of something as inevitable as death. We have no choice but to cope with it in one way or another.

You could be a figment of my imagination. I can be making up everything that has happened this far in what I remember of my life. I could be a brain in a vat. Like Descartes said, "Cogito, ergo sum." That is the only thing we can be truly certain of. Everything else we have to just accept based on evidence. If there is no evidence for something, we have to accept that it almost certainly isn't there.

Lets say I am wrong, I would rather be in hell if whatever deity is going to judge me sends me there for seeking truth. Just because I am sure right now of what happens after I die doesn't mean it can't change.

[duckseason]

You could be a figment of my imagination. I can be making up everything that has happened this far in what I remember of my life. I could be a brain in a vat. Like Descartes said, "Cogito, ergo sum." That is the only thing we can be truly certain of. Everything else we have to just accept based on evidence. If there is no evidence for something, we have to accept that it almost certainly isn't there.

Lets say I am wrong, I would rather be in hell if whatever deity is going to judge me sends me there for seeking truth. Just because I am sure right now of what happens after I die doesn't mean it can't change.

Right, I agree with most of that. But I also believe that the fear of death is present within all humans. Could be wrong though, obviously. You were talking about adrenaline earlier. When you jump out of an airplane, that adrenaline is evidence of your inherent fear of death. Your mind may tell you different, but that is just a way of protecting yourself, much like the adrenaline.

[someone447]

Right, I agree with most of that. But I also believe that the fear of death is present within all humans. Could be wrong though, obviously. You were talking about adrenaline earlier. When you jump out of an airplane, that adrenaline is evidence of your inherent fear of death. Your mind may tell you different, but that is just a way of protecting yourself, much like the adrenaline.

We are talking about different things then, because I agree 100% with what you are saying, and that is what I was saying to ERU. I mean the conscious fear of death. Like the kind that keep some people awake at night, or the kind that keep people from going on airplanes, etc.

[duckseason]

We are talking about different things then, because I agree 100% with what you are saying, and that is what I was saying to ERU. I mean the conscious fear of death. Like the kind that keep some people awake at night, or the kind that keep people from going on airplanes, etc.

Yes, I agree that people are capable of consciously suppressing their natural fear of death. I don't doubt that you truly do not fear death in your own mind.

Also, I agree 100% with your Pascal's wager post. I've always felt the same way, but had never seen those thoughts on paper.

[ArtfulDodger]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/tuned4trash/myspace/funny_jesus_6.gif

[someone447]

Yes, I agree that people are capable of consciously suppressing their natural fear of death. I don't doubt that you truly do not fear death in your own mind.

Also, I agree 100% with your Pascal's wager post. I've always felt the same way, but had never seen those thoughts on paper.

I hate Pascal's Wager with a passion. I have an even better analogy, but I will get in trouble if I use it here, lets just say it involves ritual bodily desecration to get the eternal reward.

^^^It isn't working^^^

[fischbowl]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/tuned4trash/myspace/funny_jesus_6.gif

hilarious. I +repped you.

[sweetness34]

I believe in reincarnation...I also believe I was Abraham Lincoln in a previous life, for some reason I always dream about that dude. :D

[fischbowl]

I believe in reincarnation...I also believe I was Abraham Lincoln in a previous life, for some reason I always dream about that dude. :D

http://heathervescent.blogs.com/heathervescent/images/dreams_miss_you.jpg

[Bengalsrz]

I have a lot of faith in my religious beliefs and strongly believe in an afterlife. My only fears of death are who I leave behind on earth and the possibility of going to hell. I don't wanna die before redeeming myself for my sins. Not trying to offend anyone with different beliefs btw. I do fear the idea of death itself just because even with religion, I don't know exactly what will happen and it can be scary to think about.

[Twiddler]

http://heathervescent.blogs.com/heathervescent/images/dreams_miss_you.jpg

I immediately thought of that also when I read he dreams of Abe Lincoln. Great commercials.

[ArtfulDodger]

God died for my sins... Shall I make his martyrdom meaningless by not committing them?

It's amazing how good at philosophy people think they are after taking one or two college intro classes in it.

[someone447]

God died for my sins... Shall I make his martyrdom meaningless by not committing them?

It's amazing how good at philosophy people think they are after taking one or two college intro classes in it.

Good at it, no. Like to do it, yes.

[litlharsh]

God died for my sins... Shall I make his martyrdom meaningless by not committing them?

It's amazing how good at philosophy people think they are after taking one or two college intro classes in it.

hahahaha **** i misinterpreted this quote at first. I lolled now that I got it. I'm dumb. But this quote is awesome.

[litlharsh]

I would take the time to voice my views, but due to me being stupid, I've deleted two paragraphs worth twice already. Anyway, everything I've wanted to say has been said by someone447. He's hit the nail on the head so many times for me it's ridiculous. I think we might be the same person. I was thinking about how our views are pretty much the exact same, and I was thinking about Galileo's Wager for a reply to the post(I always thought it was Galileo's wager, my mistake) right where you mentioned Pascal's Wager. I actually said "holy s***"aloud right when I read that, it's really eerie how similar our thinking is on this subject. We're soulmates or something. Everything I said in my paragraphs you've essentially said here.

Anyway, here is an awesome comic that kinda describes life for me. The last line is brilliant in my opinion. The Boondocks for life:
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9421/20891965cl4.png

[yourfavestoner]

Fear is a natural instinct that we all possess as a survival mechanism. We naturally come up with all sorts of ways to cope with the fear of our inevitable deaths. One of which is convincing ourselves that this fear does not exist. To be unafraid of death is to place no value on life, and/or to be certain of the unknown. I believe people can convince themselves that they do not fear death, but I think this inherent fear still exists within them. Just my opinion though.

As an atheist, I completely agree. It's just something that you have to accept and push out of your mind. However, that fear remains there, even subliminally. In my case, it's led me to live an overly reckless life. It's almost like...if you dare danger and death, they seem less real.

[Cashmoney]

Im definitely not afraid of death because I believe in what I believe for "afterlife", I just hope that whatever reason I go out for helps to better someone elses situation or something of that nature.