The afterlife and the soul

[Vincent]

I think the most alluring thing about religion for many individuals is the promise of an afterlife. As an atheist, I don't believe that the afterlife exists. I don't think it's possible. And here's why. 

In order for there to be an afterlife, there has to be a soul. For the soul is what is carried on after death, correct? 

But is there even reason to believe that the soul exists? Think about it: The brain can be proven responsible for every aspect of you as a person: your personality, your actions, your beliefs, your desires, your emotions, your willpower, the love you have for other people, virtually everything originates and is carried out by your brain, as can be seen in the subject of psychology. Where does the soul even factor in to the equation? The brain explains everything without need for a soul. The soul, if it exists, serves no purpose, as everything we once attributed to it as primitive humans we have since found to be actions of brain functioning. 

So the problem is, if we know that the brain ceases functioning after we die, then what does the "soul" carry on with it to the afterlife (operating under the assumption that it's real)? What lives on after you die, is it really even you? What of you is left? Simply a life force, though your life force vanished with your last heartbeat? You had consciousness entirely because of your brain.

So with the brain gone, how would you even be aware to experience the tortures of hell or the blissful paradise of Heaven? Without a brain to process those feelings, you cannot actually feel them. Without a brain to remember and communicate with your loved ones, how can you meet them in heaven, how can you recognize them, how can you speak to them? Those are all abilities of a brain you no longer have. 

Theists: how do you make rational sense of these dilemmas? Is there some secret about the soul that I'm missing here?

[Foxaèr]

Your next to last paragraph should have been split into smaller, more coherent paragraphs.

[Vincent]

Your next to last paragraph should have been split into smaller, more coherent paragraphs.

Better? Lol I have a tendency to be really rambly so I don't pay as much attention to breaking things up as I should.

[Minimalist]

I think the most alluring thing about religion for many individuals is the promise of an afterlife.

I suspect you are probably right... at least to the extent that brain dead believers won't risk Pascal's Wager on it.

As always, H. L. Mencken defined the problem best.

What is the function that a clergyman performs in the world? Answer: he gets his living by assuring idiots that he can save them from an imaginary hell.
— H L Mencken

[*Deidre*]

Hi Laika

When you're indoctrinated into a faith belief system that presupposes a soul, then you just believe it. But, I never really found the concept of heaven necessarily comforting. And over time, I didn't really believe in an actual 'place' called heaven. I have been reading the Bible again, and while I understand what it points out, it still is anyone's guess as to what heaven might be, or if it might exist.

Many theists believe in ''theistic evolution'' which allows a theist to see their religious beliefs and biological evolution as being compatible. (allowing for souls and science to play together nicely in the sandbox lol) I've never cared for that explanation, really.

[Vincent]

Hi Laika

When you're indoctrinated into a faith belief system that presupposes a soul, then you just believe it. But, I never really found the concept of heaven necessarily comforting. And over time, I didn't really believe in an actual 'place' called heaven. I have been reading the Bible again, and while I understand what it points out, it still is anyone's guess as to what heaven might be, or if it might exist.

First, while I appreciate your kind greeting, I prefer to be called "Vincent" now for gender reasons.

I am curious about how you say you don't believe in heaven as a place. If I may ask, what do you see it as? I felt as though the Bible made it obscenely clear that Heaven was intended to be read as the place for believers to be sent after they died, and I'm uncertain as to how it can be interpreted as anything else. 

[robvalue]

I find the concept of an infinite afterlife incredibly scary, it's about the worst thing I could imagine. I'm comforted by the fact that I do my time here and then I get to rest.

Not that this sways my scientific opinion. There is no evidence of "an afterlife" or a "soul" or even a sensible definition of what the hell these are meant to be. It's all wishful thinking garbage, an inability to cope with the finality of death, and a desire to feel really special.

I remember reading that "heaven" can be a harmful concept, and can stop people being properly able to grieve after the loss of a loved one. I have seen this in action with someone I know They have been consumed by the fact that their loved one is "still here" somehow.

[zebo-the-fat]

After death you will only exist in the memory of those who knew you, asking where you go after that is like asking where the music goes when the band stops playing.

[Aoi Magi]

Soul?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX0x8k5p6Jw

[The Grand Nudger]

I think the most alluring thing about religion for many individuals is the promise of an afterlife. As an atheist, I don't believe that the afterlife exists. I don't think it's possible. And here's why. 

In order for there to be an afterlife, there has to be a soul. For the soul is what is carried on after death, correct? 

But is there even reason to believe that the soul exists? Think about it: The brain can be proven responsible for every aspect of you as a person: your personality, your actions, your beliefs, your desires, your emotions, your willpower, the love you have for other people, virtually everything originates and is carried out by your brain, as can be seen in the subject of psychology. Where does the soul even factor in to the equation? The brain explains everything without need for a soul. The soul, if it exists, serves no purpose, as everything we once attributed to it as primitive humans we have since found to be actions of brain functioning. 

So the problem is, if we know that the brain ceases functioning after we die, then what does the "soul" carry on with it to the afterlife (operating under the assumption that it's real)? What lives on after you die, is it really even you? What of you is left? Simply a life force, though your life force vanished with your last heartbeat? You had consciousness entirely because of your brain.

So with the brain gone, how would you even be aware to experience the tortures of hell or the blissful paradise of Heaven? Without a brain to process those feelings, you cannot actually feel them. Without a brain to remember and communicate with your loved ones, how can you meet them in heaven, how can you recognize them, how can you speak to them? Those are all abilities of a brain you no longer have. 

Theists: how do you make rational sense of these dilemmas? Is there some secret about the soul that I'm missing here?

The general notion, is that the "soul" in the afterlife is an analog for the body, regarding senses.  We hear of the beautiful sights in heaven, the beautiful music, the pleasures and happiness.  There are, apparently, spirit ears, and spirit eyes, spirit tongues and spirit hands for your spirit self.   The body (and brain) seems a bit redundant in that context, but fuck it, these people are crazy, what did you expect?