Do You beleive in life after death

[pudding450]

Originally posted by Neil Caple:
It seems to me that those who believe in an eternal existence for themselves after their physical death run the risk of squandering this life, or, worse, living in subservience, in the hope of making up for it in the afterlife.

Far better, I believe, to make as much as you can of this life on the assumption that it's the only one you're going to get. Live THIS life to the full and do not die with any regrets. If, as I believe, there is no form of existence after physical death you have not squandered your only chance. If, on the other hand, there IS an afterlife then, hey, BONUS!

This is how I feel also Neil.
As a result of death being so final does the thought of it not scare you? It does me. But I wish It did not.........Pudding



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pudding

so put on a happy face....

One of humanity's most admirable traits is our ability to overcome our fears and put ourselves in harm's way for the benefit of others or ourselves. Who could do a bungee jump without first overcoming their fear of death? What soldier could take on an enemy machine gun for the sake of his companions without overcoming their fear of death?

If you've lived well and can die without regrets, you can overcome your fear.

Of course the idea scares me at times but on the whole I think I can face it without whimpering. As Shakespeare's Henry V said to his men on the eve of battle "Each of us owes God one death. If we pay Him today we do not have to pay Him tomorrow." It's coming, whether you like it or not, so you might as well keep your chin up and your chest out and face it full on.

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The man o' independent mind,
He looks an' laughs at a' that.

Originally posted by Neil Caple:
It seems to me that those who believe in an eternal existence for themselves after their physical death run the risk of squandering this life, or, worse, living in subservience, in the hope of making up for it in the afterlife.

Far better, I believe, to make as much as you can of this life on the assumption that it's the only one you're going to get. Live THIS life to the full and do not die with any regrets. If, as I believe, there is no form of existence after physical death you have not squandered your only chance. If, on the other hand, there IS an afterlife then, hey, BONUS!

Neil, I've enjoyed your postings in the past. You have always stated your beliefs rather eloquently. However, you don't have a clue about what spiritualist beliefs are. Not everyone believes as you do that things are black or white. Situations in life aren't black or white, why should death be. FYI, I don't know of one spiritualist who sits around pissing their life away because they think they have another one waiting in the wings.
Keep your flippant remarks to yourself.


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Gaol, Dilseachd, Cairdeas

[pudding450]

Neil, I live my life to the fullest, but as you know, not everyone is the same. Thats why sometimes opposites attract. Some are strong some are stronger and some are weak, but make up for that in other traits.
I have admirable traits also even though I have certain fears.
Lets face it, some people are reckless with there lives, like the person who is afraid to try drugs for the first time you can't posibaly admire them for going ahead and trying it, thats just spupidity not brave, or a parent who takes unnessary risks like drinking and driving, knowing their children depend on them being there.
Of course death comes like it or not but what about the more unfortunate people who maybe can't live life to the fullest and can't give there kids the best of things, maybe due to illness, they would have regrets about that no matter how much they loved their children. So it is not just a matter of living life to the fullest. And I sure hope you can face death without fear or whimpering because you do not know what your cause of death will be.




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pudding

so put on a happy face....

I am quite well versed in the belief systems of others, and I don't see where you reach your conclusion that I do not know of spiritualists' beliefs. I admit my final sentence was flippant, but the rest of my post was deadly serious. There are more theologies than spiritualism. Why is religion, especially Roman Catholicism, so strong in so many impoverished countries? Because the religion promises an eternal reward after the pain and misery of this life. It teaches it's followers that this life is a vale of tears but it doesn't matter because the NEXT life will be perfect. People are encouraged to tolerate their lot in this life in exchange for a promise of life everlasting in paradise. What happens if these poor peasants go through 70 years of misery and then there's nothing? Far better, I say, to make this life the best life you can and live it to the full.

It was not for nothing that Karl Marx called religion the opiate of the masses. It keeps people enslaved by persuading them to give up happiness now in exchange for eternal bliss after death.

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The man o' independent mind,
He looks an' laughs at a' that.

[Willy]

I agree with Neil in that many organized religions DO promote "eternal" life in the herafter to their followers. Some of these religions then persecute those that do not deem theirs as the "One True Religion".
With the male-dominated religions introduced by the conquering nations came the "oppressed" populations which set the stage for many religious beliefs offering a better "life" after death.
So many religions stem from History's battles. For Instance Constantine The Great was a solar henotheist. Prior to his march against Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine had a vision of Christ. After his victory, the persecution of Christians was ended in Rome although at the time, tolerance was still given to Pagan religions. If Constantine had NOT won that battle, one wonders if Christianity would have flourished as it did in the 3rd and 4th Centuries.

Perhaps it may be that the "spiritualist" that I know and am are not within mainstream religion. I don't beileve in organized religion, never have, since I was old enough to not have it forced upon me. And if I'm not correct that was the idea of Rob posting this topic to begin with.
My definition of a "spiritualist" is one who is learning about their soul's mission in life. Has absolutely nothing to do with organized religion. I believe it goes by other names as well from Pagans, Druids, New Agers, etc.

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Gaol, Dilseachd, Cairdeas