How do atheists cope with the thought of nothingness when you die?

The way I see it, it's a lot better than an eternal afterlife. The fact that life is finite makes living so much more meaningful to me. -Sun_Tzu-

[QUOTE="Lord_Omikron666"][QUOTE="darkhadou"] No you don't actually. You have to believe in ChristCrocodileNuts

[QUOTE="ADF_Game"][QUOTE="darkhadou"]Well the book of Ezekiel, the book of Daniel, and the book of Revelation have a description of God, and I can tell you it ain't no pink Elephant! :-)darkhadou

And those books are correct because...? Regardless of what you claim; someone else will have just as much faith in some other book.

You do have to wonder why religious people don't see how silly their arguments are at times. We are at the peak of technological advancement and understanding of the universe we live in throughout the entire of human history; but some desert tribe in the bronze age new the secrets to the universe, despite lacking even basic understanding of the world around them.

I cope with nothingness because that's all there is within my none belief so i've just come to accept it, i'll admit at first it was a little scary but if it comes it comes.

[QUOTE="darkhadou"]

Guys, observe this example. If you were blind and living in a cave, does it mean the Sun doesn't exist? Or does the Sun exist regardless of your condition here on Earth?

My point is that it doesn't matter what your backgroud or nationality is. The truth is that there is an Almighty God, and His Word can be read in the bible. And the Word applies to every one of us regardless if you're atheist, muslim, hindu, or christian.

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"]The way I see it, it's a lot better than an eternal afterlife. The fact that life is finite makes living so much more meaningful to me. racer8dan

By living life instead of worrying about death? :|spazzx625

Quite easily actually. How do you feel about the possibility if being burned and tortured for eternity?

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"]The way I see it, it's a lot better than an eternal afterlife. The fact that life is finite makes living so much more meaningful to me. CrocodileNuts

Yeah, but I don't, so I'm going to hell right?Lord_Omikron666

[QUOTE="darkhadou"][QUOTE="ADF_Game"]

And those books are correct because...? Regardless of what you claim; someone else will have just as much faith in some other book.

You do have to wonder why religious people don't see how silly their arguments are at times. We are at the peak of technological advancement and understanding of the universe we live in throughout the entire of human history; but some desert tribe in the bronze age new the secrets to the universe, despite lacking even basic understanding of the world around them.

Guys, observe this example. If you were blind and living in a cave, does it mean the Sun doesn't exist? Or does the Sun exist regardless of your condition here on Earth?

My point is that it doesn't matter what your backgroud or nationality is. The truth is that there is an Almighty God, and His Word can be read in the bible. And the Word applies to every one of us regardless if you're atheist, muslim, hindu, or christian.

darkhadou

Quite easily actually. How do you feel about the possibility if being burned and tortured for eternity?

nitsud_19

[QUOTE="Lord_Omikron666"][QUOTE="CrocodileNuts"]Only God can judge.

darkhadou

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"]The way I see it, it's a lot better than an eternal afterlife. The fact that life is finite makes living so much more meaningful to me. racer8dan

[QUOTE="nitsud_19"]

Quite easily actually. How do you feel about the possibility if being burned and tortured for eternity?

CrocodileNuts

Sounds like a part of those lives will be partly lived in fear. I would rather just live and not worry about the end.

Well, if you believe in God, its because it came from that book, why couldn't you beleive what it says regarding his image?racer8dan

They believe in God, I don't. Which makes using those books as "evidence" of a God and what God is in a argument not very effective. The fact that they thought those books were a suitable counter argument to what I said; just further convinces me the fear of death scares people into believing in silly things. There are many other religions with many other books claiming many different things, all of which are the "one truth".

To a outsider it looks ridiculous; and you have to wonder why the part of their brain responsible for logic doesn't see that. If I were to claim six dragon gods rule the universe you would either call me mad or ask for evidence, if the evidence I provided was my own claim of it being true; people would laugh. But here are people who believe these books are true, because the books themselves claim to be true.

Just a comment, if I may - we wouldn't know we reached a peak unless our technological advancement were at a decline.entropyecho

I'm not claiming we are at a peak, what I meant is there hasn't been a time in human history when we knew more than what we do now.

Faith passed off as fact, what's new there? I've seen enough creationist propaganda to know of the "creation scientists" that aren't in jail for one reason or another; are professional liars. People who seem to have no issue spreading the same lies no matter how many times they are disproved.

Look, I'm not interested in hearing more of how you are a religious indoctrination victim. Quite frankly I really dislike people like you, you're very selfish. Creationists are the type of people who gorge themselves fit to burst on the benefits of scientific naturalism; then attack the table with a axe. They attack the very thing that gave them the comfortable lifestyle that enables them to take the time to attack science in the first place.

I cope just fine with knowing my death will be the end of my conciousness or whatever you want to call it. After the event, I doubt I'll be able to percieve anything at all, so it really doesn't matter after that. It's not very useful to worry about that when you're alive. All that matters is to pursue what you want in life and not get caught up in silly worries.

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"]The way I see it, it's a lot better than an eternal afterlife. The fact that life is finite makes living so much more meaningful to me. -Sun_Tzu-

I assume they live as much as they can in this world. Make the most of it and then see what the afterlife is like. Religious people do the best they can to prepare for the afterlife, doesn't mean they can't enjoy life :?

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]Well, if you believe in God, its because it came from that book, why couldn't you beleive what it says regarding his image?ADF_Game

They believe in God, I don't. Which makes using those books as "evidence" of a God and what God is in a argument not very effective. The fact that they thought those books were a suitable counter argument to what I said; just further convinces me the fear of death scares people into believing in silly things. There are many other religions with many other books claiming many different things, all of which are the "one truth".

To a outsider it looks ridiculous; and you have to wonder why the part of their brain responsible for logic doesn't see that. If I were to claim six dragon gods rule the universe you would either call me mad or ask for evidence, if the evidence I provided was my own claim of it being true; people would laugh. But here are people who believe these books are true, because the books themselves claim to be true.

[QUOTE="darkhadou"][QUOTE="ADF_Game"]

And those books are correct because...? Regardless of what you claim; someone else will have just as much faith in some other book.

You do have to wonder why religious people don't see how silly their arguments are at times. We are at the peak of technological advancement and understanding of the universe we live in throughout the entire of human history; but some desert tribe in the bronze age new the secrets to the universe, despite lacking even basic understanding of the world around them.

BuryMe

"There is for me powerful evidence that there is something going on behind it all....It seems as though somebody has fine-tuned nature's numbers to make the Universe....The impression of design is overwhelming" - Paul Davies

"As we survey all the evidence, the thought insistently arises that some supernatural agency - or, rather, Agency - must be involved. Is it possible that suddenly, without intending to, we have stumbled upon scientific proof of the existence of a Supreme Being? Was it God who stepped in and so providentially crafted the cosmos for our benefit?" - George Greenstein

"A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a superintellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as with chemistry and biology, and that there are no blind forces worth speaking about in nature. The numbers one calculates from the facts seem to me so overwhelming as to put this conclusion almost beyond question" - Fred Hoyle

"Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with the very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life, and one which has an underlying (one might say 'supernatural') plan." - Arno Penzias (Nobel prize in physics)

"I would say the universe has a purpose. It's not there just somehow by chance." - Roger Penrose

"Then we shall… be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason - for then we would know the mind of God." - Stephen Hawking

"When I began my career as a cosmologist some twenty years ago, I was a convinced atheist. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that one day I would be writing a book purporting to show that the central claims of Judeo-Christian theology are in fact true, that these claims are straightforward deductions of the laws of physics as we now understand them. I have been forced into these conclusions by the inexorable logic of my own special branch of physics." - Frank Tipler

"It now seems to me that the findings of more than fifty years of Deoxyribonucleic acid: the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms.DNA research have provided materials for a new and enormously powerful argument to design." - Antony Flew

Let me know if you want more

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"][QUOTE="racer8dan"]I think I would prefere an afterlife actually, I like living.

racer8dan

They believe in God, I don't. Which makes using those books as "evidence" of a God and what God is in a argument not very effective. The fact that they thought those books were a suitable counter argument to what I said; just further convinces me the fear of death scares people into believing in silly things. There are many other religions with many other books claiming many different things, all of which are the "one truth".

To a outsider it looks ridiculous; and you have to wonder why the part of their brain responsible for logic doesn't see that. If I were to claim six dragon gods rule the universe you would either call me mad or ask for evidence, if the evidence I provided was my own claim of it being true; people would laugh. But here are people who believe these books are true, because the books themselves claim to be true.

Just a comment, if I may - we wouldn't know we reached a peak unless our technological advancement were at a decline.entropyecho

I'm not claiming we are at a peak, what I meant is there hasn't been a time in human history when we knew more than what we do now.

I believe it because they are the words of the true God given to men! Let me ask you something. How was the universe formed? And before you answer that, I would point out to you that there are "Atheist Scientists" who study the Universe for a living, and have proclaimed that "There has to be being that created it" because of how all the galaxies exist in perfect and uniform harmony darkhadou

Faith passed off as fact, what's new there? I've seen enough creationist propaganda to know of the "creation scientists" that aren't in jail for one reason or another; are professional liars. People who seem to have no issue spreading the same lies no matter how many times they are disproved.

Look, I'm not interested in hearing more of how you are a religious indoctrination victim. Quite frankly I really dislike people like you, you're very selfish. Creationists are the type of people who gorge themselves fit to burst on the benefits of scientific naturalism; then attack the table with a axe. They attack the very thing that gave them the comfortable lifestyle that enables them to take the time to attack science in the first place.

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"][QUOTE="racer8dan"]I think I would prefere an afterlife actually, I like living.

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"] But if we are in store for an afterlife after death, that renders our lives here on earth pretty meaningless. Not only that, but existence just for the sake of existence seems rather bland. In an eternal afterlife, there is no need for ambition, no need for motivation - you literally have an eternity to do whatever you want. -Sun_Tzu-

[QUOTE="darkhadou"][QUOTE="Lord_Omikron666"]You'd think He would judge me very poorly for being atheist and all that.Lord_Omikron666

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"] But if we are in store for an afterlife after death, that renders our lives here on earth pretty meaningless. Not only that, but existence just for the sake of existence seems rather bland. In an eternal afterlife, there is no need for ambition, no need for motivation - you literally have an eternity to do whatever you want. darkhadou

You know, at some point in my life I questioned the legitimate existence of God (Jesus Christ) as well. If you truthfully give it attempt to know Him, there is no way (and I repeat NO WAY) that He would not reveal this truth to you!darkhadou

The fact that I think nothing happens after death is probably easier on my mind than always worrying about going to hell after death. I'll take nothingness over hell. JML897

[QUOTE="BuryMe"]

[QUOTE="darkhadou"] I believe it because they are the words of the true God given to men! Let me ask you something. How was the universe formed? And before you answer that, I would point out to you that there are "Atheist Scientists" who study the Universe for a living, and have proclaimed that "There has to be being that created it" because of how all the galaxies exist in perfect and uniform harmony darkhadou

"There is for me powerful evidence that there is something going on behind it all....It seems as though somebody has fine-tuned nature's numbers to make the Universe....The impression of design is overwhelming" - Paul Davies

"As we survey all the evidence, the thought insistently arises that some supernatural agency - or, rather, Agency - must be involved. Is it possible that suddenly, without intending to, we have stumbled upon scientific proof of the existence of a Supreme Being? Was it God who stepped in and so providentially crafted the cosmos for our benefit?" - George Greenstein

"A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a superintellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as with chemistry and biology, and that there are no blind forces worth speaking about in nature. The numbers one calculates from the facts seem to me so overwhelming as to put this conclusion almost beyond question" - Fred Hoyle

"Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with the very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life, and one which has an underlying (one might say 'supernatural') plan." - Arno Penzias (Nobel prize in physics)

"I would say the universe has a purpose. It's not there just somehow by chance." - Roger Penrose

"Then we shall… be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason - for then we would know the mind of God." - Stephen Hawking

"When I began my career as a cosmologist some twenty years ago, I was a convinced atheist. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that one day I would be writing a book purporting to show that the central claims of Judeo-Christian theology are in fact true, that these claims are straightforward deductions of the laws of physics as we now understand them. I have been forced into these conclusions by the inexorable logic of my own special branch of physics." - Frank Tipler

"It now seems to me that the findings of more than fifty years of Deoxyribonucleic acid: the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms.DNA research have provided materials for a new and enormously powerful argument to design." - Antony Flew

Let me know if you want more

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"][QUOTE="racer8dan"]If your a religious man and believe God created a heaven and earth, Then I bet he made heaven so amazing, that it would be beyond our comprehension. If you beleive in an afterlife like what we have now, then I can see where you're coming from.

racer8dan

[QUOTE="darkhadou"]

[QUOTE="BuryMe"]Extraordinary claim require extraordinary evidence. Can you provide any reliable source for that?Teenaged

"There is for me powerful evidence that there is something going on behind it all....It seems as though somebody has fine-tuned nature's numbers to make the Universe....The impression of design is overwhelming" - Paul Davies

"As we survey all the evidence, the thought insistently arises that some supernatural agency - or, rather, Agency - must be involved. Is it possible that suddenly, without intending to, we have stumbled upon scientific proof of the existence of a Supreme Being? Was it God who stepped in and so providentially crafted the cosmos for our benefit?" - George Greenstein

"A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a superintellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as with chemistry and biology, and that there are no blind forces worth speaking about in nature. The numbers one calculates from the facts seem to me so overwhelming as to put this conclusion almost beyond question" - Fred Hoyle

"Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with the very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life, and one which has an underlying (one might say 'supernatural') plan." - Arno Penzias (Nobel prize in physics)

"I would say the universe has a purpose. It's not there just somehow by chance." - Roger Penrose

"Then we shall… be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason - for then we would know the mind of God." - Stephen Hawking

"When I began my career as a cosmologist some twenty years ago, I was a convinced atheist. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that one day I would be writing a book purporting to show that the central claims of Judeo-Christian theology are in fact true, that these claims are straightforward deductions of the laws of physics as we now understand them. I have been forced into these conclusions by the inexorable logic of my own special branch of physics." - Frank Tipler

"It now seems to me that the findings of more than fifty years of Deoxyribonucleic acid: the chemical inside the nucleus of a cell that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms.DNA research have provided materials for a new and enormously powerful argument to design." - Antony Flew

Let me know if you want more

[QUOTE="darkhadou"] He will judge you for not believeing in Him, despite all the literature about Him all over the world.xaos

[QUOTE="darkhadou"][QUOTE="racer8dan"]If your a religious man and believe God created a heaven and earth, Then I bet he made heaven so amazing, that it would be beyond our comprehension. If you beleive in an afterlife like what we have now, then I can see where you're coming from.

[QUOTE="xaos"][QUOTE="darkhadou"] He will judge you for not believeing in Him, despite all the literature about Him all over the world.darkhadou

[QUOTE="xaos"][QUOTE="darkhadou"] He will judge you for not believeing in Him, despite all the literature about Him all over the world.darkhadou

How do youdeal with the possibility that death is the end?

CrocodileNuts

They dont. Makes me glad I am not an atheist.MoonMarvel

Well, I'm not atheist, but I doubt this is true. Most atheists cope with nothingness by thinking rationally about it. If it's nothingness, you experience... nothing. It would be just like before you were born. That's not a terribly discomforting thought, given that you're incapable of being discomforted by it.

[QUOTE="Lord_Omikron666"]

[QUOTE="darkhadou"] He will judge you for not believeing in Him, despite all the literature about Him all over the world.darkhadou

[QUOTE="darkhadou"][QUOTE="xaos"] I hope that you have read the Eddas and accepted Odin as the All-Father, lest he be forced to judge you and condemn your soul to Niffleheimxaos

I dearly wish I had seen that. By the time I got here, it was a private group. I could only find a few little cached tidbits with Google.