Atheists and Afterlife views

[Zandan]

Dark Matter has actually been proven to exist. They found it they same way they found black holes. As with all matter in the universe, dark matter bends light.

Nah, at present it is still Hypothetical, there are some phenomena that can be observed, yet unexplained, that it may have an effect on...

But, as yet, we dont actually know if it exists...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_matter

As important as dark matter is believed to be in the universe, direct evidence of its existence and a concrete understanding of its nature have remained elusive. Though the theory of dark matter remains the most widely accepted theory to explain the anomalies in observed galactic rotation, some alternative theories such as modified Newtonian dynamics and tensor-vector-scalar gravity have been proposed. None of these alternatives, however, have garnered equally widespread support in the scientific community.

Alternative explanations:
Modifications of gravity
Quantum mechanical explanations
Or just neutrinos?

Exactly, and until I can get direct evidence, I maintain that it doesnt exist, merely interesting speculation...

That is a very close-minded way of thinking...

[Maurepas]

Dark Matter has actually been proven to exist. They found it they same way they found black holes. As with all matter in the universe, dark matter bends light.

Nah, at present it is still Hypothetical, there are some phenomena that can be observed, yet unexplained, that it may have an effect on...

But, as yet, we dont actually know if it exists...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_matter

As important as dark matter is believed to be in the universe, direct evidence of its existence and a concrete understanding of its nature have remained elusive. Though the theory of dark matter remains the most widely accepted theory to explain the anomalies in observed galactic rotation, some alternative theories such as modified Newtonian dynamics and tensor-vector-scalar gravity have been proposed. None of these alternatives, however, have garnered equally widespread support in the scientific community.

Alternative explanations:
Modifications of gravity
Quantum mechanical explanations
Or just neutrinos?

Exactly, and until I can get direct evidence, I maintain that it doesnt exist, merely interesting speculation...

That is a very close-minded way of thinking...

I like to think of it as a truthful way of thinking...just gotta open your mind to it,

[Helgrin]

The only afterlife is the one you make for yourself. With death comes cessation of consciousness.

Hence, I plan to be cryogenically frozen before my death, to be awakened at some point in the future when they have discovered a way to make people immortal. Or, failing that, for the maximum length of time they can keep me frozen without me actually dying. Living forever, even past the extinction of the rest of the human species, would be preferable to dying forever.

I'd have to disagree, I'd rather die forever than live forever. Living even after humans go extinct would be a very lonely existence.

Until you play God and create your own life on another planet.

[Risottia]

Exactly, and until I can get direct evidence, I maintain that it doesnt exist, merely interesting speculation...

That is a very close-minded way of thinking...

Actually it's the only soundly scientifical way of thinking. Until proven real, it's just an idea.

[Maurepas]

The only afterlife is the one you make for yourself. With death comes cessation of consciousness.

Hence, I plan to be cryogenically frozen before my death, to be awakened at some point in the future when they have discovered a way to make people immortal. Or, failing that, for the maximum length of time they can keep me frozen without me actually dying. Living forever, even past the extinction of the rest of the human species, would be preferable to dying forever.

I'd have to disagree, I'd rather die forever than live forever. Living even after humans go extinct would be a very lonely existence.

[Zandan]

I like to think of it as a truthful way of thinking...just gotta open your mind to it,

Well, yeah I guess you could call it being the ultimate realist...

[Czardas]

The only afterlife is the one you make for yourself. With death comes cessation of consciousness.

Hence, I plan to be cryogenically frozen before my death, to be awakened at some point in the future when they have discovered a way to make people immortal. Or, failing that, for the maximum length of time they can keep me frozen without me actually dying. Living forever, even past the extinction of the rest of the human species, would be preferable to dying forever.

I'd have to disagree, I'd rather die forever than live forever. Living even after humans go extinct would be a very lonely existence.

I prefer being alone to being around other people, though. (In fact, there would be distinct advantages to living without people for me. I've always wanted to watch how civilization falls apart after humanity is gone, to visit various natural sites such as waterfalls that are inaccessible due to being on private property, et cetera.) You can die, if you want.

Besides, there might be other forms of intelligent life in the universe I could find and befriend.

Finally, if they have invented immortality, I'm sure lots of people would choose to take the treatment. It would probably mean the technological stagnation of humanity, of course, but meh -- by that point I'm sure we'll have plenty of technology already.

[Zandan]

The only afterlife is the one you make for yourself. With death comes cessation of consciousness.

Hence, I plan to be cryogenically frozen before my death, to be awakened at some point in the future when they have discovered a way to make people immortal. Or, failing that, for the maximum length of time they can keep me frozen without me actually dying. Living forever, even past the extinction of the rest of the human species, would be preferable to dying forever.

I'd have to disagree, I'd rather die forever than live forever. Living even after humans go extinct would be a very lonely existence.

I prefer being alone to being around other people, though. (In fact, there would be distinct advantages to living without people for me. I've always wanted to watch how civilization falls apart after humanity is gone, to visit various natural sites such as waterfalls that are inaccessible due to being on private property, et cetera.) You can die, if you want.

Besides, there might be other forms of intelligent life in the universe I could find and befriend.

Finally, if they have invented immortality, I'm sure lots of people would choose to take the treatment. It would probably mean the technological stagnation of humanity, of course, but meh -- by that point I'm sure we'll have plenty of technology already.

Well, if other humans will be immortal then by all means, I want to live. I like being alone more than with people as well, but there are times when I like to talk to other people too.

[Dyakovo]

That is a very close-minded way of thinking...

Being willing to accept anything that is proven is close-minded?

[Boonytopia]

I think that when you die, that's the end of it as far as you're concerned. The body ceases to live & there is not spirit, soul, afterlife, etc.

[Buffett and Colbert]

It'd be interesting to come back as a ficus...

[Dyakovo]

It'd be interesting to come back as a ficus...

I read that the first time as fetus...

[Bottle]

I believe that what we are, as individuals, derives from the physical bodies we inhabit. Mainly our brains, though other parts contribute. Once the physical body is dead, we are dead. I do not believe our individual consciousness remains after physical death.

However, I absolutely believe in people "living on" through the contributions they have made to the world and the memories that others carry of them. My grandmother continues to influence the world to this day, because she made such an impact on her children and grandchildren. My grandfather's artistic sensibilities and tastes live on in me, because he had a major impact on me as a child and I've since learned that many of the unusual things I find beautiful are probably due to him and the time I spent drawing with him. My 7th grade geography teacher still touches the world even though she died many years ago, because she changed the lives of many students and many of us are different people thanks to her.

[Seculartopia]

Death cant be the ULTIMATE destruction of your particles, that would violate basic physics, so your body degrades into:

Topsoil

And you are decomposed in the grave by ... all the decomposers

Thats the true afterlife in my view *nods*

[Lazuril]

I agree with Seculartopia

However, it would be nice to have an afterlife, like Dyakovo says

[Seculartopia]

I agree with Seculartopia

However, it would be nice to have an afterlife, like Dyakovo says

Of course. Why do you think Religion has so many people?

They believe the sacrifice is worth the "promise" of an afterlife.

[Lord-General Drache]

Atheists don't believe in the existence of deities, but there is no requirement that they not believe in afterlives. Atheists may vary in their views on the possibility of an afterlife.

I'm an atheist, and I believe that nothing that makes us the unique individuals we are truly survives death. Our personalities pass out of existence. At best, I can say that there is life after death, but the life that exists after my death won't be my own.

So, as a non-believer in gods, what are your views on life after death?

Absolutely nothing happens. The concept of the soul and the afterlife fall into the same flimsy territory as the divine, not to mention how selfish it is that to say there exists a realm (generally) viewed as made just to reward people for being good little boys and girls, or punished if they act...well..human. It reminds me of a childish tree house, in which only your "cool" friends could get in, but no stinky girls, on account of them being girls.

[Fassitude]

So, as a non-believer in gods, what are your views on life after death?

"Life after death" is a nonsensical phrase. It's sort of like "manual dexterity in someone without arms" or "highlights for the bald". Death is the end of life. It is not death unless it is that.

[Corntownian]

So, as a non-believer in gods, what are your views on life after death?

"Life after death" is a nonsensical phrase. It's sort of like "manual dexterity in someone without arms" or "highlights for the bald". Death is the end of life. It is not death unless it is that.

Marker pens are an option I suppose

[Fassitude]

Marker pens are an option I suppose

Those wouldn't be highlights. They'd be doodles.

[Scotus Anonymous]

According to a Rael, there is no soul, no God and no heaven, but...

...the space aliens who genetically engineered us 25,000 years ago are monitoring us, and using advanced computers to record the memories and personality of those who work for peace and love on earth. When those people die, the aliens clone their body and transfer the mental information into the new body, then take them to live on their planet.

If you join the Raelians, someone called a "Guide" will perform "Cellular Transmission", where your genetic information is transmitted to the aliens. When you die, a small square piece of your foreskull is extracted and put in a safety deposit box with others, so your DNA can be given to the space aliens when they arrive.

[Hydesland]

I don't believe in an afterlife. I envy those who do.

[Fassitude]

I envy those who do.

How daft of you to do so, especially with, but not only limited to, the versions of it they delude themselves into believing. You shouldn't envy self-delusion. You should either pity, or better yet, scorn it.

[Hydesland]

How daft of you to do so, especially with, but not only limited to, the versions of it they delude themselves into believing. You shouldn't envy self-delusion. You should either pity, or better yet, scorn it.

I don't see the truth as inherently special. The truth (or at least how I perceive it) is depressing and cold.

[Fassitude]

I don't see the truth as inherently special. The truth (or at least how I perceive it) is depressing and cold.

And lies to yourself are nothing but lies. No matter that they comfort you. "I'm not fat, I'm big-boned." Don't yearn to be the fat slag lying to herself in the mirror.