After Life in The Lounge...

[kentauros]

I'm considering posting a "what if" supposition about the possibility of life after death to The Lounge with the stipulation that it is to be used to answer the question "Would you be happy?" I just don't know how well it would go across or how well the non-believers would be able to hold themselves back and "just answer the question" alone.

To clarify, here's how I'd set it up:

~~~
What if, at the end of this life, you discovered that your mind continued on, that there was indeed "life" after death. Would you be happy?
~~~

I know most of us here would be happy, but I don't know for those with no such beliefs. I might add, too, that in recent months I have found that I truly can understand the concept of nothing after death, simply because there is no mind left to care! :P

So, should I take the chance and stir up the fire-ant-bed of The Lounge elite? (I know better than to tempt GD with this or worse, Religion/Theology...)

[LaurenG]

1. There are two ways this could go

There are many "skeptics" who don't believe in after life but the majority of them would probably answer the question in an thoughtful manner. I'd go for it.

[kentauros]

2. The "thoughtful" part is what I'm after

so I'll probably post this later today. My home computer has been in the shop for the past week, but I did compose something on my portable word-processor. Just have to transcribe it over now :)

Thanks!

[stellanoir]

3. That would depend entirely on how much popcorn you have on hand. . .

[kentauros]

4. I'll tell them it's popcorn that's devoid of all life-giving water.

They'll eat it up! :P

[Celebration]

5. funny

I think it will inspire a lot of atheists into some funny answers. People use humor to avoid questions like this. Occasionally the truly funny goes to ridicule, which isn't funny.

Let us know when you post it--no need to link.

[kentauros]

6. It's already inspired a copycat

and, as usual, the copy has more posts, one of them my own! :P

[kentauros]

7. I got a few good replies

(it's on page 2 now) but I was dismayed that the hardcore atheists replied with such downtrodden negative pessimism instead of the lightheartedness of the rest. It makes me wonder if their current lives are not filled with much happiness......

[MorningGlow]

8. Sad, isn't it?

I feel so bad for folks who thrive on being so negative and cynical. I mean, I know they believe they're protecting themselves with a tough shell, but at what cost?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

9. Some atheists are content with not existing after death.

Others are upset and defensive about it.

My parents both decided in their old age that there was nothing after death, and they were down with it.

I thought that was very courageous and I was glad that they were contented. :D

[kentauros]

11. I know what you mean, seeing it happen,

but I don't understand how they can be "upset and defensive" about not having an afterlife. They are quite proud that they don't believe in such things, so why not be content with the lack of such an existence? It's almost as if they are feeling "left out" of getting such a nice ending ;)

Now that I have a better understanding of the concept of nothing after this life, I can better appreciate when atheists say they are content with the end of their life and nothing after it. I'm glad your parents are happy with that decision, too :)

[get the red out]

10. Anger

I haven't read your thread yet, but I have seen so many hard core Atheists react to differences of opinion with rage that it reminds me of hard core Christian Fundamentalists. Sometimes I think the two groups are more alike than different, and they both worry me about what they really want.

[kentauros]

12. I know what you mean, and I don't really understand that, either.

It's not very "liberal" of them ;)

Here's the thread, if you're interested in reading it:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8747582

I just replied to yet another reacting out of fear for their perceptions of it and tried to steer the thread back to the initial intent, that of the idea of having your preconceived notions that there's nothing after life dashed and getting a happy ending anyway ;)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

16. I think atheists that are truly reconciled with their position are not mad.

My understanding is that atheists want life to have meaning here, b/c we don't know if there is anything after this life.

My aunt (Methodist) got mad at me when I told her my parents were cool about not believing in heaven. It seems that she wanted them to be scared and apprehensive as if they were going to hell, instead of being at peace with where they were at mentally.

This was my mom's younger sister. I also told her that THEIR MOTHER believed there was nothing after death, and that pissed her off mightily too. I knew this to be true as well, it was not hearsay.

:wtf:

[omega minimo]

13. oh

[kentauros]

14. "oh" as in what I posted for "fun"?

;)

[omega minimo]

15. the "fun" ended too soon