What makes people want to believe in the afterlife?

Lara said:
My personal answer as to "what made me want to believe in afterlife" is the peace, love, and joy I saw in my best friend in High School. I lost contact with her but later in life, out of the blue, I thought, "I want what she had". And I began to search for it.

She had a light that reached everyone around her that came from within her. She was patient and grateful for what she had and where she was. She could sing like an angel. Not many people knew that. She wasn't boastful. She was beautiful but plain.

But she didn't have many friends. She didn't go to the drinking parties, or do drugs, or join cliques, or gossip. She didn't fit in with many. She had self-control.

Her example is why I wanted to believe.
Click to expand...
She sounds like my Auntie. Aunt Florence. Everyone loved her, but somehow she exuded even more love than she was loved.
Auntie worked at my grandfather's tailor shop, where I worked also. Grampa taught me to cut fabric and use the machines, but Auntie taught me to sew.
 

feywon said:
I will say here what i said on another such thread.

Those of you who think the reality you are consciously aware of is the only and the entire reality need to read more neuroscience, only a small percent of what is perceived by our physical senses makes it to our waking conscious minds. Also our senses are somewhat limited compared to other animals. Sounds, light waves and aromas exist that we can't perceive (0r can't perceive without close proximity in case of some aromas) but it is clear animals can.

Our brains filter out a great deal, how much can vary between individuals, but the fact remains our 'reality' is based on incomplete transmission of data to one's conscious mind, and once it gets there, it is often interpreted and sometimes distorted by one's past experiences, preconceptions and biases.
Click to expand...
So basically you're saying we are only human. Personally, I'm ok with that. I do like to ponder the possibilities, though.
 
Marie5656 said:
I think it is comforting to believe there is something beyond this life. Whatever that may be. Some may believe in a place where we reunite with loved ones who have passed before us.
I am not overly religeous, and not sure if I believe in a Heaven, but I would like to think it just does not end.

If you have never seen it, I may suggest What Dreams May Come starring Robin Williams, and Cuba Gooding Jr. Robin's character dies in an auto accident, and goes to a version of an afterlife. Later, his wife, commits suicide, and, of course, goes to the other place. Robin attemts to reconnect with her, in the bad place.
It is a good movie, but hard to explain here. But it shows how HIS afterlife was created, from his life experiences
Click to expand...
That is one of my all time favorite movies. And i often refer people to it as it explains the role we have in creating what comes 'after' in an entertaining way that could if one wished be simply enjoyed as a 'fantasy', it is a visually beautiful film.
 

Last edited:
There is no afterlife. We get one life and then cease to exist totally. Every organism has the same outcome. Heaven, Hell, and Jesus are nice to believe but they do not exist at all. Jesus was a great MAN and a good example of how to face pain and torture at death. His music as accessible here is nice to hear but it is just good music and lyrics:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXlEVp8uHTXWQWfqT5eInJUe3C2TgrB6v&feature=share

"I know Who holds tomorrow and I know Who holds my hand."
 
Murrmurr said:
So basically you're saying we are only human. Personally, I'm ok with that. I do like to ponder the possibilities, though.
Click to expand...
Actually, what I'm saying is that even considering the science we come smack up against the wall of things we do NOT know, which is something many are uncomfortable with. There are few true agnostics anymore.
I am also suggesting, tho i did not say so outright that there's a good deal of data stored in our subconscious minds which we access spontaneously in dreams and can sometimes access in meditative states. Not all of it but some. That subconsciously stored data i suspect is a factor in both hunches and predictions that are proved accurate. Our subconscious puts the clues together and often presents the conclusions that seem a sudden guess or insight when its based on data one's brain has but we aren't consciously aware of.
 
Marie5656 said:
I think it is comforting to believe there is something beyond this life. Whatever that may be. Some may believe in a place where we reunite with loved ones who have passed before us.
I am not overly religeous, and not sure if I believe in a Heaven, but I would like to think it just does not end.

If you have never seen it, I may suggest What Dreams May Come starring Robin Williams, and Cuba Gooding Jr. Robin's character dies in an auto accident, and goes to a version of an afterlife. Later, his wife, commits suicide, and, of course, goes to the other place. Robin attemts to reconnect with her, in the bad place.
It is a good movie, but hard to explain here. But it shows how HIS afterlife was created, from his life experiences
Click to expand...
@Marie5656, thanks for mentioning What Dreams May Come, looks like a good movie and happens to be on Netflix.
 
Nathan said:
For those raised in a family that practices religion, the idea is instilled early in life. My question is: if in absence of any religious influence, would the concept of "after life" ever occur to a person? Some think we are hardwired to believe in an afterlife, that is an interesting subject.
P.S. Some suggest that religion is an instrument for control of human thought and behavior, that is hard to refute.
Click to expand...
You'd have live very isolated to have zero exposure to religious ideas. Raising my kids i exposed them to a wide variety of faiths and philosophies. Told them the only way their choices would bother me is if they were hypocrites. That if they commit to faith, practice it, live by the tenets of it.

And there is a book by neuroscientist about our being hardwired to believe both in a 'greater power' and something, some kind of existence beyond this world. Can't recall title and not up to rummaging my dusty bookshelves right now. Not 'The God Gene' this was specifically about the brain and the author looked at a lot of fMRI studies if i recall.

Oh, and we could have a huge thread on the uses and misuses of religion. If you think about it they were kind of the first forms of government. My thought has always been you can find good principles (often same basics like Golden Rule) in most all scriptures but that most of them are folklore/legends/myths that got promoted to being a religion. Most of the bad things done in the name of religions are usually based on warped interpretations by people seeking in power, they grow from human failings. A lot of people do good in the name of their faith. Also, while most atheists i know are moral without needing commandments from on high i've known personally and known of way too many religious people who definitely need the threat of hell to keep their baser nature under some kind of control. Tho many of them think of themselves as righteous people.
 
Last edited:
Belief in an afterlife gives a lot of people comfort, for a lot of reasons. A reward for a life well lived, being reunited with loved ones, a chance to punish evil doers who get away with things in life, and just the sense that this is not all there is. Certainly no harm in believing, and I think it helps a lot of folks.

Sometimes I wish I could, but I just can't - doesn't seem logical to me. I guess I am agnostic on it, nothing I'd like better than waking in heaven after death, but I don't think I will.
 
Last edited:
Loved the movie. Since I was a child I always thought I was older than I was. I went to many different churches as my mother was trying to find her way. But I believe in an afterlife and am anxious to meet my family of Old Souls. I prefer the Episcopal faith and love the people there. But now because of the virus I listen to services of the Catholic, Methodists and the Episcopal Church each Sunday morning. I like the different ideas and rituals. I don't fear death but consider it another experience and where I will mingle with my loved ones that have already left me. These are MY ideas and the way I live. I respect yours also. We each have our own journey whether we believe it or not.
 
It all probably started at the beginning in order to control the
unruly in a time of no police, to get them to stop and think.

After the origins were lost it then became fear of the black, the
nothing, so it was preached again to get the fear of death to go.

It is easier to accept the inevitable if there is something in the
future that stopped with your last breath.

Mike.
 
Mike said:
It all probably started at the beginning in order to control the
unruly in a time of no police, to get them to stop and think.
Click to expand...
There is evidence of worship, statues and drawings, from caveman days, before there were any crowds to control. Early man sometimes worshiped the sun or the moon. I think we have a natural yearning for a creator, something higher than ourselves. I don't know why we would have that if there's no pull from the other side.
Mitch86 said:
There is no afterlife
Click to expand...

With respect, Mitch, how do you know? I sometimes see a stronger faith in the unknown in atheists than I do in the religious. None of us have died and come back to report, so we'll just have to wait and see.
 
Mr. Ed said:
Perhaps as a reward for good conduct? Based on a promise? Heaven not Hell. Comfort in dying. Hope? Belonging? Higher consciousness and awareness?

What makes people want to believe in the afterlife?
Click to expand...
It is not that I "want" to believe in the afterlife, it is because of the things I have personally seen while being with a person (and yes, animals too) that is dying. I have been with more than my share due to working in a nursing home. But my biggest impressions were seeing my MIL (who was VERY religious) and then my own father (who was NOT religious at all).

Now I am not saying what or where they were going, but it truly was moments in my life I will never forget. I did not have a religious upbringing at all so can't blame it on that.
 
For me, it’s a dichotomy where there is either nothing after death, or there is something. If there is simply oblivion, I’ll have nothing remaining to perceive that with, and there is peace in being insensate; expectations are nil. If there’s an afterlife, great, and I’m in with that program! As I have no control over either contingency and death is inevitable, there’s no percentage in worrying about it, although I’d prefer to remain functional until the end...
 
katlupe said:
I have been with more than my share due to working in a nursing home...my biggest impressions were seeing my MIL (who was VERY religious) and then my own father (who was NOT religious at all). Now I am not saying what or where they were going, but it truly was moments in my life I will never forget. I did not have a religious upbringing at all so can't blame it on that.
Click to expand...
Have you ever considered writing a book about that? I would read it. Your background of seeing "more than your fair share of death" with your "not having a religious upbringing", coupled with "unforgettable moments" you don't want to "say" or "blame" makes for a unique and intriguing book. But you would have to open up and that may be too uncomfortable. I understand.
 
Lara said:
Have you ever considered writing a book about that? I would read it. Your background of seeing "more than your fair share of death" with your "not having a religious upbringing", coupled with "unforgettable moments" you don't want to "say" or "blame" makes for a unique and intriguing book. But you would have to open up and that may be too uncomfortable. I understand.
Click to expand...
I can't say I ever thought about doing that. Religion can be such a touchy subject with many people so I usually stay away from it.
 
Fyrefox said:
For me, it’s a dichotomy where there is either nothing after death, or there is something....As I have no control over either contingency and death is inevitable, there’s no percentage in worrying about it...
Click to expand...
What if you did have "control over either contingency"? You chose to leave choice out of your scenario when choice is real.
 
katlupe said:
I can't say I ever thought about doing that. Religion can be such a touchy subject with many people so I usually stay away from it.
Click to expand...
True. It is a touchy subject and comes with risks like losing friends. There is value in retaining friendships and there is value in making new ones and being admired for the courage to speak your mind. A book is also a daunting task. Maybe a shorter version...a blog, a poem, a magazine article, etc. Published in a place where you don't already have "friends" established.

When I lose friends over sharing who I am then I no longer consider them friends worth having. I'd rather have one true friend than many who don't accept me for who I am. And I am grateful when fake "friends" are revealed. It makes things quite clear for me so I don't waste my time on them.
`
 
Last edited:
Pepper said:
I wish people would stop having imaginary friends and concentrate on reality, 'cause that's all there is.
Click to expand...
Reality is simply the perception of what is assumed to be real. Are assumptions real? Assumptions are real until proved otherwise. I don't know about heaven or hell, only what was told to me because somebody told them to spread the word.
Christianity is based on the reward and punishment system. Do this, don't do that for everlasting life. What is everlasting life? If it is anything like this one I would rather stop the process and be done with it all.
I'm not afraid of dying but it is too early for me to determine an after death experience.
 
I personally believe in an afterlife because of the wonderful experiences I've had. There are many dimensions and those with limited beliefs or perceptions can't seem to grasp anything except the perceived "reality" of the gross dense matter of the three dimensional world, so they seem to deny there is anything except this mundane world. So be it.
 
Mr. Ed said:
Christianity is based on the reward and punishment system. Do this, don't do that for everlasting life. What is everlasting life? If it is anything like this one I would rather stop the process and be done with it all.
Click to expand...
Ok, you brought it up :giggle: Christianity is not based on reward and punishment. Those are results of man's faith being tested. You can't work your way to a perfect eternal afterlife.

Christianity is based on simply believing in God and that Jesus was who he said he was. But in the eternal "afterlife" there will be rewards. There's no punishment for believers (Jesus paid that price) but there are natural consequences for man's disobedience and evil choices.
`
 
Liberty said:
those with limited beliefs or perceptions can't seem to grasp anything except the perceived "reality" of the gross dense matter of the three dimensional world
Click to expand...
Yep, that is me, I only believe in what I can see or see evidence of. For me it is hard to understand otherwise.
Liberty said:
so they seem to deny there is anything except this mundane world.
Click to expand...
I don't deny, I just don't believe in what I can't see or understand. I am open to being proven wrong, would welcome it in fact. I do not see this world as "mundane" many amazing things here. I am happy to be having the chance to experience it!
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top