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What Atheists Believe Happens When Life Comes to an End


Grim Reaper 6

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Interestingly both optimism and pessimism are belief systems in a way. 

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1 minute ago, XenoFish said:

Interestingly both optimism and pessimism are belief systems in a way. 

Hi Xeno

It might for some, I don't force myself to be optimistic or pesimistic I just do what needs to be done.

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29 minutes ago, XenoFish said:

I don't believe so...

I believe you're a good man--there just ain't no demand for'em.

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32 minutes ago, XenoFish said:

Interestingly both optimism and pessimism are belief systems in a way. 

I'm neither; I'm a realist.

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46 minutes ago, XenoFish said:

Interestingly both optimism and pessimism are belief systems in a way. 

I agree, optimism and pessimism can be considered both belief systems and emotions. Belief systems because they involve underlying attitudes and expectations about the future, and emotions because they influence how we feel in the present moment. For example, someone who is typically optimistic may feel more hopeful and positive, while someone who is pessimistic may feel more anxious or discouraged. It's an interplay between mindset and feelings.

Edited by Sherapy
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On 3/24/2024 at 4:11 PM, Grim Reaper 6 said:

Atheists do not believe in God, gods, or any form of a religious afterlife. Instead, atheists often believe that this life is the only one you get. They deny what religious scripture, such as the Christian Bible or the Islamic Qur’an, says. However, as life does come to an end, many atheists have various views on what happens when they die. Because everybody is different, the idea of what occurs when life comes to an end can vary from one atheist to another. 

As many atheists believe that their death will result in eternal oblivion or nothingness, some feel death is a calm and peaceful experience. This is because eternal oblivion will result in the complete end of one’s consciousness — and one’s pain. Through death and eventual nothingness, they believe they will no longer experience pain. Though they do not necessarily desire death, it nonetheless frees them from human suffering.

Scientists say that energy cannot be created — or destroyed. Therefore, when one dies, a body’s energy must go somewhere else. Scientists say this energy is redistributed into other forms upon one’s death.  Some atheists believe their death brings about this transformation. Though they don’t believe in any afterlife, they believe their death simply transforms their energy into something else in the universe.

What Atheists Believe Happens When Life Comes to an End (msn.com)

  

That's just a different flavor of unprovable, non-falsifiable mystical nonsense.

Edited by Hammerclaw
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On 3/24/2024 at 4:11 PM, Grim Reaper 6 said:

Atheists do not believe in God, gods, or any form of a religious afterlife. Instead, atheists often believe that this life is the only one you get.

Technically atheists just don't believe in gods although for most disbelief in an 'afterlife' goes along with it.  Off the top of my head I can only think of two possibilities for an afterlife.  The first is a common one, that this is a simulation/MMORPG-like world and by virtue of that have we no information about the simulating universe, including about death.

The only other one for me is linked to the idea that time doesn't always behave the way we think it does, if that was the case it really opens everything up as far as possibilities but admittedly strains the 'after' part of 'afterlife'.  If time can go backwards or if we 'ever' become unstuck from the arrow of time we seem to be locked in, I have trouble imagining what that experience would be like as I think it's very difficult to discuss things without references to and assumptions about time.

I don't think either of these are very strong arguments for an afterlife though, I guess it's more that if this is a simulation or if time doesn't work how we think it does then my basis for my afterlife disbelief goes away, admittedly along potentially with anything I understand about reality.

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4 hours ago, papageorge1 said:

I never understood how this stuff about energy can't be destroyed has anything to do with the afterlife question. Atheist materialists do not believe in any general life force energy and the energy in the body is just the energy and matter of the constituent atoms, electrons and molecules and cells. So, the matter and energy is still there, but the processes to keep the brain cells functioning end so consciousness ends. There is nothing that experiences peace or anything.

Basically, the body produces electrical energy through the processes you mentioned above. I was talking about the energy within the body when life ends, this energy doesn't stay within a corpse, it leaves the body during decomposition. 

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1 hour ago, Hammerclaw said:

That's just a different flavor of unprovable, non-falsifiable mystical nonsense.

Ok, so what is you point?

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21 minutes ago, Liquid Gardens said:

Technically atheists just don't believe in gods although for most disbelief in an 'afterlife' goes along with it.  Off the top of my head I can only think of two possibilities for an afterlife.  The first is a common one, that this is a simulation/MMORPG-like world and by virtue of that have we no information about the simulating universe, including about death.

The only other one for me is linked to the idea that time doesn't always behave the way we think it does, if that was the case it really opens everything up as far as possibilities but admittedly strains the 'after' part of 'afterlife'.  If time can go backwards or if we 'ever' become unstuck from the arrow of time we seem to be locked in, I have trouble imagining what that experience would be like as I think it's very difficult to discuss things without references to and assumptions about time.

I don't think either of these are very strong arguments for an afterlife though, I guess it's more that if this is a simulation or if time doesn't work how we think it does then my basis for my afterlife disbelief goes away, admittedly along potentially with anything I understand about reality.

I think this subject is based upon personal beliefs, and yours are as good as any other because NO ONE knows for certain what happens when we die. I like your way of looking at this subject because you do not recriminate the beliefs of others. As far as, spirituality is concerned I have chosen to follow Buddhist beliefs, although I do not understand the methodology of reincarnation. But even if I decide to not belief in reincarnation there are many layers of the Buddhist Philosophy I will continue to practice, Because, like all philosophical beliefs the largest portion of the belief system is a life lesson that will make one a better and happier person. In the end everyone is right, and everyone is wrong so when the end comes it all comes down to how we are remembered. Everyone is remembered for the good or bad things they have done during their short time as part of the human race. So, it's better to be a positive individual because your time spent here will be a happy one!!:yes:

JIMHO

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5 hours ago, Sherapy said:

Anything should be and can be questioned that is the viability of critical thinking. 

Indeed, and I think the existence of the soul or spirit as the Bible calls it should be included in that.  Are you familiar with Socrates theory of eternal forms?  He uses mathematics, specifically the existence of the square root of two, I believe, to argue that there are eternal forms which exist in nature.  Prior to Pythagoras it could be argued that no one had ever thought of the square root of two, yet it can be mathematically proven to exist.  So, something we now know to be true forever, was only known by humans in the last couple thousand years.

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14 hours ago, psyche101 said:

Try and resolve that though. 

Can you or anyone today identify something that can't be seen, felt or measured ? There are many believers today and many more people than ever. Surely of someone could identify something a thousand years ago they could today? 

More than that of you have a good look at the origins of afterlife it soul claims, it all goes back to literature. Basically guesses. I always saw those people as more pioneers who started the journey of knowledge. I'm not sure the people who came up with the idea would hold onto them if they could be here today. Early questions were raised by curious minds. I think they would honestly be more likely to accept modern findings over their original ideas. And be excited that they inspired what would eventually become the sciences. 

Good counter point.

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14 hours ago, psyche101 said:

I'm not a fan of Eben. I think he's a sham artist. 

What makes you think so?

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12 hours ago, joc said:

 

Consciousness has no energy.  

 

Are you sure?  What does an EEG measure?

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9 hours ago, jmccr8 said:

Hi Guyver

Not sure what chakras are or if they exist any more than soul. Accupuncture deals with the body which can physically react so results can be measured but have no personal experience with it. Actually I don't even go to the doctor very often, usually if I need to get stitched up or a cast and can go for years without seeing one. To me spirit is about me interacting with life. 

Chakras are considered to be spiritual energy centers in the body.  
Link

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that uses fine needles to activate certain areas of energy flow throughout the body.  The idea being that there does seem to be mysterious energies at work within the body, and they could be a result of the existence of the spirit.

 

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1 hour ago, Grim Reaper 6 said:

Ok, so what is you point?

That is the point. Having indulged in my early adulthood for ten years in Zen Buddhism, I came to the realization there is no inherent superiority in one belief system over another. I realized I was simply indulging my idealistic penchant for xenophilia. 

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13 hours ago, joc said:

Believing  something doesn't make it true.  Regardless of how many people believe it.  

What are the 'great arguments'?  People have been contemplating UFOs and Bigfoot for a long time.  

None of the arguments have been shown to be true.

 

 

Until Pythagoras no one ever thought there were unknown numbers either.  Question.  Let’s say that you are right, that none of the arguments have been shown to be true.  Does that automatically make them false?

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15 hours ago, psyche101 said:

Without doubt it exists. That's where Chinese whispers make it into something completely different. 

Cultural exchange is great. It opens up ideas and shared the best we have to offer. 

Agree.

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7 minutes ago, Hammerclaw said:

That is the point. Having indulged in my early adulthood for ten years in Zen Buddhism, I came to the realization there is no inherent superiority in one belief system over another. I realized I was simply indulging my idealistic penchant for xenophilia. 

I agree with you there is superiority in one belief system over another. Unfortunately more people don’t understand this concept and if they did they would be much happier for doing so.

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1 minute ago, Guyver said:

Until Pythagoras no one ever thought there were unknown numbers either.  Question.  Let’s say that you are right, that none of the arguments have been shown to be true.  Does that automatically make them false?

That makes them an unknown and not verifiable either way. 
 

Quote

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that uses fine needles to activate certain areas of energy flow throughout the body.  The idea being that there does seem to be mysterious energies at work within the body, and they could be a result of the existence of the spirit.

That’s reaching a conclusion beyond the available evidence as there is no verifiable evidence that a spirit exists. More likely IMO to be suggestive of a less than completely understood working of the central nervous system. 
 

cormac

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1 hour ago, Guyver said:

Are you sure?  What does an EEG measure?

Electrical activity of the brain. 
 

cormac

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1 hour ago, Guyver said:

Until Pythagoras no one ever thought there were unknown numbers either.  Question.  Let’s say that you are right, that none of the arguments have been shown to be true.  Does that automatically make them false?

Reverse that?  Does not being able to prove they are false make them automatically true?

The point is: knowledge is provable.  Belief is not.  I like truth, provable facts, not mambi pambi this ancient person said this to that ancient person scenarios.  If I tell you a lie and you believe me, does that make the lie true?  How many people have to believe the lie before the lie becomes true?  How many years?  

Truth is provable.  People said, there are no more numbers...Pythagoras said:  Is that true?  Or is it just a lie someone spoke and everyone else believed it?  

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1 hour ago, Guyver said:

Chakras are considered to be spiritual energy centers in the body.  
Link

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that uses fine needles to activate certain areas of energy flow throughout the body.  The idea being that there does seem to be mysterious energies at work within the body, and they could be a result of the existence of the spirit.

 

Hi Guyver

I don't know that there is spiritual energy, I do know that I expend physical energy. Chakras to me is no different than the concept of soul which can neither be defined by it qualities or shown to exist.

As far as accupuncture goes I know people that go for treatments that say it helps so if it does great for them. It deals with the nervious system and pressure points which is fairly well understood so results can be measured.

I have no personal experience with it so all I can go on is what people tell me or have read about so really can't say much about it.

Edited by jmccr8
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1 hour ago, Guyver said:

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that uses fine needles to activate certain areas of energy flow throughout the body.  The idea being that there does seem to be mysterious energies at work within the body, and they could be a result of the existence of the spirit.

The problem here Guyver is that you think you know things that you don't actually know.  There is no Energy Flow throughout the body.  

Let me explain exactly how acupuncture works.  It's pretty simple.  Suppose I stick a needle in your arm.  What will you do when I jab you?  You will pull your arm away.  That's it.  That's how it works.  The pain...the real pain...is when one's nerves are being touched.  Nerves don't like to be touched, and if your swollen muscle touches one, the nerve will tell your brain all about it in no uncertain terms!  So, by placing a needle in a particular spot, the end result is the muscle pulls away from the nerve...just like you pulled  your arm away from my needle.  The nerve is no longer being touched and is now a happy nerve and stops screaming at the top of it's lungs to the brain. 

There is no magic.  If you continue to make stuff up like WillDue, I will just stop talking to you.  You need to think about what you believe and stop trying to find confirmation of the absurd.

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