AFTERLIFE, XYZ

[Pyrrho]

I attended a loved one's memorial service this weekend and a recurring thought was in my mind as I listened to comforting words on being free from pain and suffering ...
"I wish this was true."
...

That part is true.  Ceasing to exist necessarily means that one has no pain and no suffering.

[Godscreated]

@ Thena323, sorry for your loss, even though you don't really care about Christian prayer, I'll pray for you, it's something that I do even when people do not care about it, it's my way of trying to be of help. Sorry if this offends you.
Stay strong and relive all the good times you had with this person, I think it helps to keep them close. 

GC

[Athene]

@ Thena323, sorry for your loss, even though you don't really care about Christian prayer, I'll pray for you, it's something that I do even when people do not care about it, it's my way of trying to be of help. Sorry if this offends you.
Stay strong and relive all the good times you had with this person, I think it helps to keep them close. 

GC

No need to apologize GC, I know you mean well. Thank you.

[Drich]

I attended a loved one's memorial service this weekend and a recurring thought was in my mind as I listened to comforting words on being free from pain and suffering, and God's loving eternal embrace in the hereafter:
"I wish this was true."
So often on this forum, many theists seem to consider atheism to be a bitter refusal or willful act of spite. This is far from true, . If there were any good reason to believe that loved ones move on to a peaceful afterlife after they die, I wouldn't reject it. I don't think most atheists would.
During the service, in the midst of tears and grief, I found myself wondering if I had missed something...anything that might demonstrate that I could be wrong. That an afterlife in Heaven might be possible someway, somehow.
I couldn't think of any plausible reason to believe that life continuing after death is possible. My only reason for entertaining the idea was because I wanted  it to be a possibility. I still do.... but that doesn't make it so.

If this is what you want to see for yourself... Then A/S/K for it. Ask him to show you what is in store for you. One way or another I promise He will grant your request.

[robvalue]

I'm very sorry for your loss

I don't know if it's of any comfort, but it's those who are left behind who are sad. The person who has died feels no pain, no sadness or loneliness.

[brewer]

Sorry for the loss.

Does this after life come with an optional frontal lobotomy at the time of my choosing?

[Lek]

I attended a loved one's memorial service this weekend and a recurring thought was in my mind as I listened to comforting words on being free from pain and suffering, and God's loving eternal embrace in the hereafter:
"I wish this was true."
So often on this forum, many theists seem to consider atheism to be a bitter refusal or willful act of spite. This is far from true, . If there were any good reason to believe that loved ones move on to a peaceful afterlife after they die, I wouldn't reject it. I don't think most atheists would.
During the service, in the midst of tears and grief, I found myself wondering if I had missed something...anything that might demonstrate that I could be wrong. That an afterlife in Heaven might be possible someway, somehow.
I couldn't think of any plausible reason to believe that life continuing after death is possible. My only reason for entertaining the idea was because I wanted  it to be a possibility. I still do.... but that doesn't make it so.

The problem is that you're looking for the answers to supernatural questions in natural sources. I think there's something inherent in humans that causes most of us continue to believe in God and an afterlife, even after we've stopped believing in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. You'll know for sure after you die if it does exist.

[Pyrrho]

...  I think there's something inherent in humans that causes most of us continue to believe in God and an afterlife, even after we've stopped believing in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny.  ...

Yes, there is something in human nature that explains that. It is called "stupidity."

[Aroura]

I'm sorry for your loss. I understand the desire for it to be true.

I think I was a very bitter atheist for a while, because of the death thing. I hated that others could still take comfort in their fairy tale, but it had been ripped away from me, so I was kind of mean to theists for a while. It took time but I got past that stage.

I have also dearly wished that there was an afterlife. I miss my grandmother even 20 years after she passed. She was like a second mother to me. The thought of losing my own mother, my husband, my child, horrifies me and fills me with fear.

It is much harder to learn to live with the truth. You are brave to do so.

[Athene]

I attended a loved one's memorial service this weekend and a recurring thought was in my mind as I listened to comforting words on being free from pain and suffering, and God's loving eternal embrace in the hereafter:
"I wish this was true."
So often on this forum, many theists seem to consider atheism to be a bitter refusal or willful act of spite. This is far from true, . If there were any good reason to believe that loved ones move on to a peaceful afterlife after they die, I wouldn't reject it. I don't think most atheists would.
During the service, in the midst of tears and grief, I found myself wondering if I had missed something...anything that might demonstrate that I could be wrong. That an afterlife in Heaven might be possible someway, somehow.
I couldn't think of any plausible reason to believe that life continuing after death is possible. My only reason for entertaining the idea was because I wanted  it to be a possibility. I still do.... but that doesn't make it so.

The problem is that you're looking for the answers to supernatural questions in natural sources.  I think there's something inherent in humans that causes most of us continue to believe in God and an afterlife, even after we've stopped believing in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny.  You'll know for sure after you die if it does exist.

I believe I was engaging in wishful thinking, rather than looking for answers. I don't believe I'll be capable of knowing anything after I die. I could be wrong, but it's unlikely.