To an atheist from a Christian.

mineman43 · Post by **mineman43** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:20 pm

Hello, I haven't quite seen this question around the site, but please answer.

What do atheists believe will happen when you die? I would appreciate specific answers too...

Goat · Post by **Goat** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:41 pm

mineman43 wrote:Hello, I haven't quite seen this question around the site, but please answer.

What do atheists believe will happen when you die? I would appreciate specific answers too...

I have seen several answers to that, depending on the atheist. However, the vast majority of the responses I have seen indicate that they are no longer in existence.

Skeptic · Post by **Skeptic** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:02 pm

The electrical pulses that cause this body to be animated will discontinue thus rendering my body inanimate. I suppose you could call it a life force, it will cease to exist and my body will be returned to the earth in the form of ash.

upallnite · Post by **upallnite** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:50 pm

What do atheists believe will happen when you die?

Physically I agree with Skeptic.

Metaphysically (something I do not belive in)
I do not know.

That answer may not make people feel happy and secure but it is as honest as I can be.

Pazuzu bin Hanbi · Post by **Pazuzu bin Hanbi** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:07 pm

When we die our consciousness ceases. Have you ever felt so tired (or drunk) you’ve simply passed out and your consciousness just switched off? I think it’d feel like that, but without the waking up after it.

Zzyzx · Post by **Zzyzx** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:57 pm

.

mineman43 wrote:Hello, I haven't quite seen this question around the site, but please answer.

What do atheists believe will happen when you die? I would appreciate specific answers too...

I cannot answer for Atheists; however, as a Non-Theist I conclude that upon death the body will cease to function as a living entity. I have no illusions or delusions that death can be avoided or that a "soul" will "transcend death" and go up in the sky (or whatever).

I have no need for theories of an "afterlife" or "heaven" or "hell" as alternatives to accepting the finality of death. The alternative theories have a common fault – lack of evidence. I am not attracted to wishful thinking nor am I intimidated by threats and promises that lack substance and substantiation.

Meronym · Post by **Meronym** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:22 am

mineman43 wrote:Hello, I haven't quite seen this question around the site, but please answer.

What do atheists believe will happen when you die? I would appreciate specific answers too...

I don't believe in an afterlife, but not necessarily because I don't like the idea in general; rather, I'm not aware of evidence for it. That's all there is to it. I don't revel in the idea of having a finite life. What I believe happens to a person when he dies is that the ghost ceases to exist, and the shell reintegrates into the Earth, because that's all I can be sure of.

As to how I would break such a belief to my child (if I ever have one) were he to ask, I quote Karim Temple, known at my forum by the alias "X", who posted the following hypothetical exchange:

X's Child (some day): Daddy, what happens to us after we die?
X: No one knows. I doubt anything happens. But if you live this life right, then once should be good enough.

Furrowed Brow · Post by **Furrowed Brow** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:20 am

Wittgenstein sums it up well I feel.

wittgenstein wrote:Not only is there no guarantee of the temporal immortality of the human soul, that is to say survival after death: but, in any case, this assumption completely fails to accomplish the purpose for which it has always been intended. Or is some riddle solved by surviving for ever?

I am sure all metaphysics is nonsense. I am sure I have no soul and that no part of me in any metaphysical sense survives death. However I am unable to envision not existing. This is a logical limitation in much the same way the dragon cannot swallow itself by first starting at its tail. I can state the words I shall not exist, but cannot imagine any situation in which "I" am non existence. But I accept my imagination is limited. And then I contemplate Wittgenstein's words.

Wittgenstein wrote:If we take eternity to mean not infinite temporal duration but timelessness, then eternal life belongs to those who live in the present.

queemlosh · Post by **queemlosh** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:25 am

mineman43 the bugs'll eat me. i'll be under the ground.

mushroomspirits · Post by **mushroomspirits** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:20 pm

From what I've read when you die your Pineal gland which is located inside of your brain floods your mind with DMT which it produces naturally. DMT is one of the most psychoactive drugs known to man and one of the most illegal. Dr. Richard Strassman did some research into DMT and found many people would have events very similar to reported near death experiences, spiritual religious experiences, as well as alien abductions, and other weird stuff hehe. I believe that when you die you go on what is basically the most intense LSD/Mushroom type trip ever.

I highly reccomend his book which you may be able to find online and read for free
DMT The Spirit Molecule by Dr. Richard Strassman

Debating Christianity and Religion

To an atheist from a Christian.

To an atheist from a Christian.

Re: To an atheist from a Christian.

I believe:

Re: To an atheist from a Christian.

Re: To an atheist from a Christian.