Endless fascination with the possibility of the "afterlife" ;

It is many years since I believed in any sort of god or an after life and it is unlikely that I shall change my mind now. To be truthful, the thought of an after life horrifies and disgusts me; it is not something that I would want.

However, I quite like the idea that those who truly do believe and yearn for an after life would have one. I spoke at one my beloved aunt's funerals and talked about how she would be spending Christmas (she died at the end of November) with her Friend, as she often talked about "getting by with a little help from my Friend" [Jesus]. It would be a joy if she did, but I really don't want to know. Enough is enough.

If you have to fall back on 'faith' as your reason for relying on the truth or otherwise of something, that is a tacit admission that you don't know why you accept something as being truthful. And the word 'ignorant' merely means 'not knowing'.

As a Christian, we have feelings and thoughts that we sometimes suspect dont come from us, if you see what I mean.
These help to bolster our faith.

feeltlebaum. You said wilfuly.

Certainly : accepting something without having, or at least searching for a sound reason is an act of will.

We do not know if there is an afterlife, we cannot know, so we have to accept that with a good grace.

In any event the idea is not attractive - I am happy that my atoms will go back into the general pool of "stuff" and re-emerge as part of something else - like compost really!

I am going to get shot down in flames here (ducks!), but I find the idea that we as humans are any different from animals in the above regard as being rather arrogant, and that is another reason I steer clear of religion. There is something horribly self-satisfied about thinking you are superior to and more important than all the other species on earth. (Made in god's image and all that pat-yourself-on-the-back stuff).

Most Christians, in fact I would say all, have searched for many years.

Anyone who thinks being a Christian means never questioning, knows nothing of being a Christian

We are superior to animals yes.
Superior to another human being? We cant judge ourselves, so no.

I think most christians have searched for years, and, failing to find any answer, have adopted the fall back position of relying on faith - i.e. abandoning reason.

I do not say this in a deprecatory way as it is part of what humans do.

Are all of you who do not believe in anything at all after death, quite "happy" with the thought that all of the really evil people who have perpetrated terrible suffering and not been punished for deeds in this life, will just go quietly to sleep one day and that is it?

annsixty, we have to accept that it is so. When the lights go out it is game over, some would like to think that evil people were roasting in hell for eternity and good people were working with the angels. I am happy to believe that I will live on in the hearts of my family.

@annsixty - would you be disappointed to know that watching others in eternal torment isn't going to be an option? If so - what does that say about you?

Actually let me hazard a guess at what being dead will be like: Exactly like it was for the millions of years before I was born, I should think.

I think I will start to really enjoy myself then. I know quite a few I can get my revenge on with no thought of retribution.

You mean that's all that's been stopping you, annsixty?

I am not sure if you are joking or not annsixty.

Luckygirl, it is seek and ye shall find. We find.

Yes I am soontobe

I agree with feetle now. And that way is fine with me. It would be nice to think I could somehow watch over the ones I leave behind, but it ain't gonna happen. So I will give, and eventually leave, them as much money as I possibly can. That's the only way I can look after them.

No I dont think that anyone can look after someone once they have died.

jingl, even if you dont believe, you can still leave wisdom to the ones you leave behind.

There's no one more cynical than I when it comes to the afterlife. However, since DH died, I have often, in desperation, panic and tears, beseeched him to help me find the b****y paper/lost ring/whatever, 'if you're up there and listening, just tell me where it is. On each occasion, I have found the missing item. Now, the sceptic in me says that's because I have concentrated the mind, looked at the situation logically and by means of elimination have found the thing; but, lurking deep down, I occasionally wonder if, possibly, maybe, he is 'up there' coming to my aid when I am completely beyond it?? Who knows.......

Eternal life in my book means leaving your children with hearts full of love that they can pass on to their children who pass it on to their children who pass it on to their children.........or simply to others with whom they interact.

I agree that being dead is likely to be a lot like never having been born.

I actually never even thought of being " holier than thou" in wanting to watch people in eternal torment rather than perhaps having to return to life and try to put our wrongs right. But I realize I am being far too simplistic in hoping that NONE of us ever get away , in this world or the next, with our trangressions. An early Methodist Sunday School upbringing perhaps.

I agree annsixty it is very hard to think that Hitler gets off scot free. But I think that is the way it is. Nothing ain't fair.

My son was bathing his 8 year-old Downs Syndrome daughter, when she turned and stared hard towards the door. " What are you looking at Rosie?" he asked. "Mrs Bailey." was her reply. Now Mrs Bailey was my son's disabled grandmother, who had died many years before Rosie's birth. Her surname was never used, she was just known as "Granny", and was a very kind thoughtful woman, whose sympathies would have been abundant for Rosie ( not her actual name). This incident is hard to explain, but it is comforting to think our deceased relatives are looking out for us.