Problem dealing with death as an atheist

[everythingafter]

"The universe is 13.5 billion years old. For 13.5 billion years I NEVER EXISTED. It didnt hurt me one bit. In fact, I didnt even notice it. When I am dead, it will be the same as before I was born"

I take solice in that mental exercise. After a while you will realize that you no longer need to wrry about it so much, and focus on living and enjoying your life, right here, right now.

This has often given me some comfort as well. Depending on whatever medical issues you may have to deal with later in life, there may actually be a point where you wished you were dead. I have some breathing issues, and when I get pneumonia or bronchitis, I sometimes think this because just moving can be a challenge since lung infections make breathing even worse if you already have some type of condition. I remember laying there very sick and the thought coming to my mind. Luckily, I recovered. Not terribly comforting, I don't suppose, but there may come a time when your death may seem like a respite from suffering. I think some who utilize euthanasia in Europe and elsewhere find some peace in that. As for what death will feel like, you described it as best as I can imagine. I just look at it as sleep ... or being anesthetized and never being woken up. I have been anesthetized, and if some evil doctor chose to do so, he could have made me a vegetable, and I would have never known the difference.

[theVOID]

Cynical8, if you want to avoid your fear in death without becoming religious perhaps you could get yourself an irrational belief in Ray Kurzweil instead.

http://www.wired.com/medtech/drugs/magaz...ntPage=all

[reverendjeremiah]

Cynical8 = still just one post. I wouldnt put much more thought into this until he or she posts again.

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"The universe is 13.5 billion years old. For 13.5 billion years I NEVER EXISTED. It didnt hurt me one bit. In fact, I didnt even notice it. When I am dead, it will be the same as before I was born"

I take solice in that mental exercise. After a while you will realize that you no longer need to wrry about it so much, and focus on living and enjoying your life, right here, right now.

This has often given me some comfort as well. Depending on whatever medical issues you may have to deal with later in life, there may actually be a point where you wished you were dead. I have some breathing issues, and when I get pneumonia or bronchitis, I sometimes think this because just moving can be a challenge since lung infections make breathing even worse if you already have some type of condition. I remember laying there very sick and the thought coming to my mind. Luckily, I recovered. Not terribly comforting, I don't suppose, but there may come a time when your death may seem like a respite from suffering. I think some who utilize euthanasia in Europe and elsewhere find some peace in that. As for what death will feel like, you described it as best as I can imagine. I just look at it as sleep ... or being anesthetized and never being woken up. I have been anesthetized, and if some evil doctor chose to do so, he could have made me a vegetable, and I would have never known the difference.

Thankyou. As I said before. I worked with death for some time. I had many moments of clarity, burying friends from school who died in drunk driving. Burying family. I have had much time to contemplate death and I accept it and take comfort in death, but not dying. Dying is the part that sucks. Dying can be drawn out for years and years. If there be a god, then god damn him for creating such a method of hell for his lowly creations. God damn him for the pain you have gone through. A benevolent creator would not see to it that you suffer so much. Here is to hoping you live with strength, die with courage and conviction, and in death you will find your salvation of true peace. The darkness of the grave may shake those who dwell on greed to the core, but for such as we? We have found the inner peace beforehand.

[downbeatplumb]

Personally I plan to live forever.


So far, so good.

[KichigaiNeko]

I am thinking that collectively the atheists on this forum have no real "fear" of death or dying.

It is the inevitable conclusion to living ergo part of life and the cycle of life. What is there to fear?? You are dead..the end..nada..zip ...finito...left the building do to speak.

Religion on the other hand would have one thinking otherwise.

[theVOID]

Think of rotting cabbage, or rotting pig meat, then couple it with decaying clothing. I am going with cremation.

I'm donating my corpse to science

[Rwandrall]

I know what you mean. Death scares me shitless as well and i'm pretty sure everyone is more or less scared of it. I tend to go with denial and thinking maybe science will give us immortality in my lifetime, and if not, meh. That small tiny window of possibility, however small, is enough to comfort me.

Or cloning, that'd be cool.

[Ateo]

The sooner people come to realise that this is all they are gonna get .... and after ... zilch , nothing , nada, the better the world will be. People have to realise that their presence here is to make this world a better place now and for future generations instead of having hang-ups about some mythical hereafter place.

[reverendjeremiah]

I am thinking that collectively the atheists on this forum have no real "fear" of death or dying.

It is the inevitable conclusion to living ergo part of life and the cycle of life. What is there to fear?? You are dead..the end..nada..zip ...finito...left the building do to speak.

Religion on the other hand would have one thinking otherwise.

I dont fear death or dying..but I very much fear pain and leaving my children behind...

[everythingafter]

God damn him for the pain you have gone through. A benevolent creator would not see to it that you suffer so much. Here is to hoping you live with strength, die with courage and conviction, and in death you will find your salvation of true peace. The darkness of the grave may shake those who dwell on greed to the core, but for such as we? We have found the inner peace beforehand.

Thanks. Good words here.

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Personally I plan to live forever.
So far, so good.

lol. Only your year of eventual death - current year + infinity to go!