New atheist here, gotta say, not loving it

[KevinM1]

Same here.  I’m not afraid of stupid shit like hell.  I’m convinced that it, or any other kind of afterlife, does not exist.  What scares me is non-existence.  Of everything that I am simply ceasing to be.  Of no longer having any kind of awareness.

I don't understand. How can you fear something that is identical to what it was like before your birth?

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And, I think that similar thoughts are what convinced early peoples to concoct things like an afterlife or reincarnation.  Because it’s utterly terrifying if you actually think about it.

No it's not! It's the LEAST scary thing when you think about it. For starters it's not even a thing! I couldn't think of anything less terrifying than nonexistence! Even happy times are scarier because something might go wrong! After you die there's literally nothing to be afraid of anymore. It's life that's scary. After death there can be nothing scarier for me than before death. I've NEVER feared death. Not even when I was a child. The suffering from dying is bad, but after I'm dead?  I don't care about my absence when I won't even be capable of missing it. I don't get it. If I didn't wake up tomorrow I literally wouldn't and couldn't give a shit. And if I was told by a doctor that I wouldn't wake up tomorrow, I'd be sad that I wouldn't get to experience joy anymore but I wouldn't have anything to be afraid of anymore either. It's only utterly terrifying if you don't actually think about it and you think about something else instead. Nonexistence can't be scary.

I don't find life scary. Individual events? Sure. Mostly those that potentially involve physical pain (having 45 surgeries, and all of the various follow ups and rehab, starting from when you're only a few months old, conditions one to shy away from anything that could land them back in the hospital). But, overall life ranges between boring to fun for me.

And the difference between the universe prior to my existence and now is that I do exist now. And, outside of bouts of depression stemming from my guilt of the burden I impose on others due to my medical needs and care, I like existing. And, most important, I'm aware I exist. Having that awareness, being a unique individual, are important things for me. And while death is inevitable, that doesn't mean I have to be content with the idea. I don't think I'd want to be eternal, but a human lifespan is woefully inadequate for all the things I want to do, experience, and learn.

Finally, I came this close to ripping you a new one. Your habit of replying to others with "You only think/believe that because you're stupid (implied or explicitly stated)! You wouldn't feel that way or believe that thing if you actually thought about it!" is wearing incredibly thin. You're a smart guy, but that doesn't give you license to jump on someone merely for expressing their feelings.

I'm pretty sure that's not how you intended things (which is why I held back), but it's something I think you should be aware of.