Is Eternal Life Even Desireable?

[robvalue]

I don't want eternal life, at least not one imagined by a third party on my behalf. If I could design my own eternal life, to be perfect for me in every way and which I could turn off forever at any time, then I'd want that.

I spend a lot of time in that world anyhow, it exists on my head and I retreat to it to escape the shitstorm that is life on Earth.

Like most religious concepts, I don't think people put much thought into it at all. It's just a mental pacifier, to say "It's ok, you're not really going to die, and you're loved ones aren't really dead." It's actually a very harmful belief in many ways in my opinion. It devalues this life, doesn't permit proper grieving, and can lead to terrible decisions particularly on behalf of those under your care.