Space Chef

If you're serious, here's a suggestion...

Read the "Space Odyssey" series. I'm totally serious. Whether you hate sci-fi or not. The first book, to me, was just mindblowing, and I had seen the film first. The author is Arthur C. Clarke.

The series, to me, is a view of possibilities of this universe. The author said in an introduction (or foreward, whatever), to the first, that it's not a factual book, and it makes no claims to be. He then states "As always, the truth will be far stranger", or something along those lines.

And, always remember, the universe probably had a beginning. Just ponder the idea, think about the cause, but don't anthropomorphize, just let the idea wander. Endless possibilities...

(PS: if someone would like to debate my post and the scientific evidence for/against it, do so in a seperate thread, okay?)

Gawdawful

You forgot one:
4. Give Yahzi 10% of your income.

If you don't like that one, join the First Warren Discount Church, we only charge 5% in tithing.

Note: Not tax deductible.


Warren, prime minister

lpetrich

If an afterlife is what's bothering you, then play some Ghost Master and apply a high-tech versions of the argumentum ex litteratura.

Sedim

As High Inquisitor, I invite you to come to the one TRUE faith, the worship of her Holy Horniness The Invisible Pink Unicorn (praise be unto her holy horn). Provided you live decently, and drink the occasional pepsi while eating ham and pineapple pizza, you're practically guaranteed to get into the Invisible Pink Beach Party when you die. Discard teh guilt and opression fo other, false faiths. Come to the joyous truth of She Who's Horn Is Eternally Sharp, and know true peace and happiness.



(But seriously, dude, please look into getting professional help with major depression and hopelessness you keep expressing. Continuing this mindset not healthy.)

Crystal

Hi, I am not sure if this is much help http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,53709,00.html
Perhaps science one day will find a way to bring us back in far off future it's unlikely but it is better than no hope for live after death.

callmejay

Being scared of death is sort of like being afraid of being asleep. It's not like it's going to bother you when it happens.

Sedim

Here is what I have learned about death, having been honored to attend several dozen passings in my life.
I have learned that it is a natural part of life. I have learned that everyone goes through it, and that it is harder for the survivors than for those who are dying. It is not to be feared, though sometimes it can be hard to let go. When your time comes, there is a certain peace to it. I have seen people smile the most beautiful face-lighting smiles, as they exhale their last breath. And I have learned that religion has absolutely nothing to do with the actual passing. People from all walks of life and all forms of faith/non-faith have had beautiful, peaceful passings.
Take some time, meditate, face your feelings and fears honestly. if you want to talk a little more deeply I'm here and can be PM'd.

Invisible Insanity

I was a Roman Catholic-->Seventh Day Adventist-->Born Again Christian-->Atheist I have been atheist ever since. Like you, I too went through a horrible deconversion. I thought that my life had no purpose any more and an overall sense of desperation clouded my life. All I can say is that when you finally look within yourself, you will find joy again. As a theist, what I liked and what I wanted were determined by what God liked and God wanted. My sense of Identity was only as deep as my understanding. When the house of cards fell, so did everything else in my life, because everything I did hinged on the idea that God exists and spoke to me via the Bible. I went through different belief systems as the cracks in my theism became more apparent. All I can say is start to have faith in yourself and stop worrying about the hereafter when you have a perfectly good life now to lead. Should there be an afterlife, we will worry about then, but to worry about that now is a waste of time and a waste of energy.

variant 13

No it's not!!!!! You get to wake up from sleep.

I don't fear death (yet) but I sure as hell (damn what would be an atheist way of saying that?) don't have to like it.

Jeffrey Formosa

There may be a afterlife, can you all stop talking for the whole world, there are many people who need, want and believe in a afterlife, call me a mad man if you want but I am not going to think that death is the end.