Do you believe in an afterlife? If so what is your beliefs as to what happens when you die?

rgp said:
In your ignorance you fail to realize that, that is not a personal attack. It is my opinion on religion~V~cults.

Perhaps brush up on your reading comprehension skills.
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Oh, forgive me. It was just your opinion.
 

From Merriam-Webster:

FAITH
a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty
  • lost faith in the company's president


b (1) : fidelity to one's promises
(2) : sincerity of intentions
  • acted in good faith



2 a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God
(2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion

b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof
  • clinging to the faith that her missing son would one day return

(2) : complete trust


3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs
  • the Protestant faith


— on faith

Lara, none of these definitions come even close to my preference for ideas which can be proved (or disproved!) via science. Science does not demand "faith" or any kind of official "belief," only the desire to study and
discover what is true, and what is not. Scientific ideas are always being modified, occasionally even discarded, as new evidence comes to light. But that's the big difference. Science depends on evidence, not on "belief" or what you call faith.

You are attempting to equate your passionate faith in what's in the Bible with a modern understanding of how science works. It is apples and oranges.

Here's an example: The Bible tells us that the entire universe, including the earth, was created in six days. For many centuries, people of faith believed that. After all, it says so in the Bible.

But then, science came along and demonstrated that the universe was billions of years old, and the earth many millions of years old. Even man, the newest animal to appear, has been around for millions of years. Why believe
this? Because science (carbon dating, etc.) demonstrates to us that it is true. No one is asked to accept that idea based on blind faith. If science suddenly came up with some new irrefutable proof that it all really did happen
in six days, we would change our opinion. But it has to be proven using the scientific method. Otherwise, it's just belief in the fairy tales of a more ignorant age.
 
I have been posting for 20 years on a partciular forum now, where 90 percent of the posters are atheists. In fact, most of the purpose of the board is to dispute religion. That's okay with me,--finally-- because everyone has to eventually come to their own conclusions, Die and think as you want. We are born without our permission or thought, but God willing, we can think and decide how we want do die.
 

C'est Moi said:
I do not believe in an afterlife. I fully expect that when I die, it will be exactly as it was before I was born. Nothing.
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And so you think your time here on earth will have been worthless when all is said and done? No reason for your existence?

I mean, I respect your opinion but I just can't imagine feeling that way...no hope.
 
I don't even want to contemplate dying until I'm at least 294, I've got so much to do.
I want to go hang-gliding when I'm 138 and maybe link up with the 'sneezy gal' in Gary's taproom, I've already bought shares in a pepper company.
One ambition I really want to bring about, is setting a world record for hopping to the South Pole, then walk back on my hands.
Then of course, there are all the lovely girls hereabouts that I'd like to dance the tango with.....Hmmmm, perhaps 294 years won't be enough......:hatlaugh1:
 
Oh come on Ferocious, going by all those 'fun' things you want to do, you'd burn out 200 years before you got to them. :)
 
Lara said:
And so you think your time here on earth will have been worthless when all is said and done? No reason for your existence?

I mean, I respect your opinion but I just can't imagine feeling that way...no hope.
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Where did he mention his time here ?

He noted the nothingness before birth, and his expecting to return to it.
 
And so you think your time here on earth will have been worthless when all is said and done? No reason for your existence?

I mean, I respect your opinion but I just can't imagine feeling that way...no hope.
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Who said anything about "worthless?" We make our time on earth worthwhile by doing good for our fellow human beings and other creatures, and trying to preserve our beautiful planet. Why do we require
an afterlife system of "heavenly rewards" in order to be worthwhile?

When I look at my six wonderful grandchildren, that's where I see hope. Not by dreaming of pie in the sky.

Lara, you seem like a very nice person and I don't wish to offend you. But you seem to have a habit of taking your own, very personal beliefs and trying to make universal truths out of them. It doesn't work
that way. We each see the world through our own prism, and agree with theories that answer our own needs.
 
The existence of "life after death" is self-fulfilling. If you believe there is none, for you there won't be one. If you believe there is, for you there will be. And as for the "soul" or "spirit" surviving after our mortal death, it is really simple, too. For example, if you have a smart phone, you know that its data will automatically be backed up "to the cloud" unless you change the settings to stop it. Even if the phone is destroyed, the data is still out there. Our soul/spirit is the sum total of our life experiences and thoughts here on earth. Those we still remember and those we have forgotten. Those memories/thoughts/images/sensations (data) are "backed up to the cloud" by some process as yet unknown, unless you have selected to turn off that process. My personal opinion is that the unknown process is triggered by prayer. So, I will have an after-life, not bodily, but my spirit will live on, and I will be reunited with the love ones that have preceded me in earthly death.
 
Lara said:
And so you think your time here on earth will have been worthless when all is said and done? No reason for your existence?

I mean, I respect your opinion but I just can't imagine feeling that way...no hope.
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Please don't project YOUR feelings onto me. I have plenty of hope, but I'm a realist. No need to challenge my beliefs unless you are shaky with your own.
 
Again, C'est Moi, how did you (or anyone come to think of it) manage to come about from nothing? Did you mean nothing as something? But then, if so, what would be that something--just wonderin' here. :)
 
Elsie said:
Again, C'est Moi, how did you (or anyone come to think of it) manage to come about from nothing? Did you mean nothing as something? But then, if so, what would be that something--just wonderin' here. :)
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I guess some benevolent spirit in a nightgown waved his magic wand. Happy now?
 
How could a sperm and egg/ovum exist from nothing? Maybe when you said "nothing" you didn't mean there is only nothingness everywhere, period, but you meant if sperm and ovum does not join, nothing (us) is created? ?
 
Elsie said:
How could a sperm and egg/ovum exist from nothing? Maybe when you said "nothing" you didn't mean there is only nothingness everywhere, period, but you meant if sperm and ovum does not join, nothing (us) is created? ?
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I believe in the SCIENCE of biology. And I'm done with this discussion. The topic is Do You Believe in an Afterlife and my response is "no."
 
Hoot N Annie said:
The existence of "life after death" is self-fulfilling. If you believe there is none, for you there won't be one. If you believe there is, for you there will be. And as for the "soul" or "spirit" surviving after our mortal death, it is really simple, too. For example, if you have a smart phone, you know that its data will automatically be backed up "to the cloud" unless you change the settings to stop it. Even if the phone is destroyed, the data is still out there. Our soul/spirit is the sum total of our life experiences and thoughts here on earth. Those we still remember and those we have forgotten. Those memories/thoughts/images/sensations (data) are "backed up to the cloud" by some process as yet unknown, unless you have selected to turn off that process. My personal opinion is that the unknown process is triggered by prayer. So, I will have an after-life, not bodily, but my spirit will live on, and I will be reunited with the love ones that have preceded me in earthly death.
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So you believe that in order to have an afterlife you have to believe that there's one? What if all your loved ones didn't believe? Or your baby died before understanding the concept of an afterlife? Exceptions to the rule, perhaps?

I believe in a Creator and have a spiritual relationship with Him/Her, but man-made religions leaves me cold.
Whatever comes after this will almost certainly be the fate of us all.
 
Hoot n Annie, Have you heard of the Holy Trinity? God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit? I believe that we have a soul. Not a soul that retains all the data of our lives, but is a part of our being given from God that never dies. The Holy Trinity is sent by God to dwell in all who except Christ Jesus into their hearts as Savior. He silently guides us with knowledge of what is right, or what is wrong. But He does not stop us from choosing to do either, not even what is wrong. God has given us the freedom to live as we will, so the Holy Spirit leaves our choices up to us.
At our physical body's death, our soul returns to God, and of course, the Holy Spirit does also...........
 
Hoot N Annie (post#119)...This makes it abundantly easy and clear to understand. It's brilliantly explained and meets everyone where they're at. "If you believe there is no life after death, for you there won't be one. If you believe there is, for you there will be". And your phone/cloud/backup analogy is also excellent.

I've always thought about how our brain records our data (memories, thoughts,images,sensations as you said). Which explains dejá vu maybe. The brain goes into rewind and then forward at rare times. It's all data backed to "the cloud". Which is an archaic way of looking at it as compared to what's really going on but is certainly a valid way to express it on Man's level of understanding.

I do believe I will be given a new spiritual body in eternal life. I'm intrigued and confused by one sentence, Hoot... "My personal opinion is that the process is triggered by prayer". Hmm, I don't know exactly what you mean. But I do feel prayer is a way to have a deep personal relationship with God through prayerful conversation.
Elsie, I also believe in the Trinity :) The data of our lives is what will be reviewed by God on Judgement Day. It sounds scary but it's not. Because God will not punish believers for the bad things, but rather reward them for the good things (Christ paid the punishment for the bad things already).

Star Song, babies will have an afterlife. They are too young to have heard or read the Gospel. All children, up to an unknown accountable age will be given an after life. Anyone who has never heard or read the Gospel will be given an afterlife because they never had the chance to choose to believe or not to believe.

Hoot N Annie said:
The existence of "life after death" is self-fulfilling. If you believe there is none, for you there won't be one. If you believe there is, for you there will be.
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Lara said:
This makes it abundantly easy and clear to understand. It's brilliantly explained and meets everyone where they're at. "If you believe there is no life after death, for you there won't be one. If you believe there is, for you there will be".
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Let me clarify my reply to Hoot. I believe that if you believe there is NO life after death, for you there won't be a Spiritual life after death. If you believe there IS life after death then for you there will be a Spiritual life. The word "spiritual" is key.

I believe there will be an after-life for all. The ones who are entering into a spiritual life will appear before a different judgement seat though. Their sins will not be judged but rather their good things rewarded. The ones who are spiritually dead will face another judgement seat and judged by a different set of standards. Both seats will be judged by Jesus. That's what the Bible says. Remember, I'm not pushing anyone to change their mind. I'm posting it for biblical clarity. This is my belief. My personal choice to believe the Bible.
 
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Hoot N Annie said:
The existence of "life after death" is self-fulfilling. If you believe there is none, for you there won't be one. If you believe there is, for you there will be. And as for the "soul" or "spirit" surviving after our mortal death, it is really simple, too. For example, if you have a smart phone, you know that its data will automatically be backed up "to the cloud" unless you change the settings to stop it. Even if the phone is destroyed, the data is still out there. Our soul/spirit is the sum total of our life experiences and thoughts here on earth. Those we still remember and those we have forgotten. Those memories/thoughts/images/sensations (data) are "backed up to the cloud" by some process as yet unknown, unless you have selected to turn off that process. My personal opinion is that the unknown process is triggered by prayer. So, I will have an after-life, not bodily, but my spirit will live on, and I will be reunited with the love ones that have preceded me in earthly death.
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Nicely expressed.


I believe in science also. Majored in Biology.
For myself, Science and God ( our creator ) are synonymous.
 
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