Are religious people really afraid of death?

[robvalue]

I think most people are, but not all. I've never feared death, even when I was healthy. Now that I'm very ill, it can't come quick enough as far as I'm concerned.

Oh, Rob. 😞   It hurts my heart to hear you talk like that.

I'm sorry

I try really hard to be positive, and to keep working towards a time where things might be different.

[Succubus]

Take care Rob.

Fondest regards.

[robvalue]

Thank you

[robvalue]

I think another big factor here is losing loved ones. One of my rabbits passed away a few days ago, and I'm devastated. She was such a big part of my life, and I've been crying my eyes out knowing I will never see her again. I cry for my other rabbit who has lost his friend, who he loved dearly.

It's a really harsh fact that death is (probably) the end. I'd give anything to see her again. I totally understand how easy it would be to instead believe she is waiting for me in a happy place, and we'll be together again. It's such a wonderful yet sad idea that I'm crying again just thinking about it.

Such beliefs can spare people grief, to an extent. It's not the end, it's just the beginning. I can see how this brings a kind of comfort. However, it's known that stifling the grieving process makes it harder to move on. The emotions aren't properly dealt with, and this can have negative effects.

I'm suffering through my grief, but I know I need to go through it. Once I've come to terms with it, I'll be able to place her in that special place in my heart where I can think of her and smile instead of cry. This is where all my previous pets are.

[ReptilianPeon]

That's...very unfortunate. I really liked your rabbits. I don't know what to say. I was hoping to meet both of them again. When I'm sad I try to find something that will make me laugh.

But, back on topic, I suppose it depends on the individual. If you believe Samsara I suppose death is less of a worry? Secondly, if you're willing to blow yourself up for a religious reason then you must be pretty arrogant and very sure of your beliefs.

[EgoDeath]

I certainly do think the thought of an afterlife is comforting for many religious folks. It is a very weird to think that once you die, that is it, your consciousness simply ceases to be an you will never have awareness of anything ever again. Of course, it's been compared to how things were before you were born... You don't remember before you were born right? So death will be like that. Well, after, let's say, 60 or 70 something years of life, that idea is scary to most people. So having an afterlife is sort of like, "well, I'll be dead but I'll be with my family after at least"

There's nothing inherently wrong with the idea, but ultimately we have no evidence to believe in any kind of afterlife and some may argue the concept is hurtful in many ways.

[chimp3]

I am not afraid of death. However, there are zillions of ways I do not want to die. Dying is a worry for me. I stress over it.

[Anomalocaris]

I may not be able to speak for others, but I don’t fear death, or think that life is meaningless

Is that because you think someone decided meaning for you and let you dodge oblivion after death?

[Minimalist]

It seems to me that religitards are afraid of their own shadows.

[RoadRunner79]

I may not be able to speak for others, but I don’t fear death, or think that life is meaningless

Is that because you think someone decided meaning for you and let you dodge oblivion after death?

I was never really afraid of death (except perhaps for the "how" involved), even before I was a Christian.  And while I look forward to heaven, it's not a motivator for me.   I'm a Christian, because I believe it's true, not because of what it promises, and I wouldn't just change over my beliefs; just because a better promise comes along.

And I do think that there is an objective meaning to life; and that how we live are life matters.  I don't think it is just a subjective difference, if one person spends their life helping the poor, and those who are down; while another person views their purpose to take advantage of the weak and helpless.   That there is an objective teleology that ones life may be compared to; and one judged to be more aligned with that purpose than another.    I have heard the criticism, that some don't think that there is meaning in this life, but only point to the next.  I disagree here, and think that the next life gives more meaning to this fallen one.   Not because of the where we will spend eternity, but in what C.S. Lewis described as preparing us to become heavenly creatures.