Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Rational BAC · 08-12-2003, 05:57 PM

The deconversion of Emotional made me think of this. He definitely had what I would consider an irrational fear of death. Not, in my opinion, a very good reason for being any kind of "believer".

Why should anyone fear death? Even if there is no afterlife, what is there to be afraid of as far as non-existence?

We all "die" every night of our lives. A good 1/4 of our lives (or more) is spent in non-existence. Of course we do dream. But not that all that much and not much of any of those dreams do most of us recall. For most of us we are "dead" for 6-8 hours a day.

Essentially we all spend 8 hours a day in non-existence. We all should understand the concept very well.

I have no problem with atheists believing and accepting very easily that after this life there is nothing.

Of course, if there is an afterlife, that is just a plus.

But why would anyone fear an "endless sleep"?

Rational BAC · 08-12-2003, 06:19 PM

I think an 'endless sleep' would be terribly scary for any entity that was constantly awake during their lifetime. (Assuming they had the consciousness and intelligence to consider such a thing as non-existence.)

But we humans are certainly not like that. We "die" every night.

Trying to think of any somewhat advanced species that do not sleep------sharks come to mind---not absolutely sure about that one. Are there any living creatures who do not sleep?---------(not talking about amoebas here.)

DBT · 08-12-2003, 06:47 PM

I think that death is the ultimate loss, all your family, friends,everything that that you worked for your whole life, house,cars investments, all gone in the moment of death,
I think that scares a lot of people.
perhaps more so than non existance.

Rational BAC · 08-12-2003, 07:12 PM

But non-existence means you would not know or care anyway. So what difference would it make?

You are just asleep -----------endlessly.

Godless Wonder · 08-12-2003, 08:22 PM

I have to agree with you on this one Rational BAC, it's hard to see how being dead, as understood by those who do not believe in an afterlife, and as such, unperceivable to the dead person, would be anything to be frightened of.

So I missed it, what happened with emotional? I noticed his status appears to be "Banned" now, is that something new? If he's lost his fear of being dead, well, good for him. (Hope iI'm not crossing some line by mentioning a banned member...) I'm surprised, I imagine this board is somewhat tough to get banned from. Seems pretty tolerant around here.

Rational BAC · 08-12-2003, 08:25 PM

Emotional is banned? I hadn't noticed that. Lord knows why.

Godless Wonder · 08-12-2003, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rational BAC
Emotional is banned? I hadn't noticed that. Lord knows why.

Yeah, it surprised me too, I mean, I didn't agree with his reasoning on a few things, but I never observed him doing anything that I thought would warrant banning, and he always seemed very civil, not even trying to push any limits or anything. That's why I asked if it was something "new". When you said he deconverted, (which I had noticed an oblique reference to in another thread) I just kind of idly checked his profile to see what he listed his beliefs as now ("recovering atheist") and I happened to notice "Status: Banned"... Say whut? So I figured there must have been something I missed.... it does seem a little odd.

winstonjen · 08-12-2003, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rational BAC
Emotional is banned? I hadn't noticed that. Lord knows why.

No, the lord does NOT know why.

The mods and admins know why.

As for the topic, I agree that it's an irrational fear.

Doctor X · 08-12-2003, 11:40 PM

["Poof!"--Ed.]

JaeIsGod · 08-13-2003, 12:54 AM

Non-existance doesnt scare me one bit. Im more afraid of the whole dying process , knowing that ill never see my family again and of course there might be physical pain as well =[

08-12-2003, 05:57 PM	#1
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	Fear of non-existence The deconversion of Emotional made me think of this. He definitely had what I would consider an irrational fear of death. Not, in my opinion, a very good reason for being any kind of "believer". Why should anyone fear death? Even if there is no afterlife, what is there to be afraid of as far as non-existence? We all "die" every night of our lives. A good 1/4 of our lives (or more) is spent in non-existence. Of course we do dream. But not that all that much and not much of any of those dreams do most of us recall. For most of us we are "dead" for 6-8 hours a day. Essentially we all spend 8 hours a day in non-existence. We all should understand the concept very well. I have no problem with atheists believing and accepting very easily that after this life there is nothing. Of course, if there is an afterlife, that is just a plus. But why would anyone fear an "endless sleep"?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

08-12-2003, 06:19 PM	#2
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	I think an 'endless sleep' would be terribly scary for any entity that was constantly awake during their lifetime. (Assuming they had the consciousness and intelligence to consider such a thing as non-existence.) But we humans are certainly not like that. We "die" every night. Trying to think of any somewhat advanced species that do not sleep------sharks come to mind---not absolutely sure about that one. Are there any living creatures who do not sleep?---------(not talking about amoebas here.)

08-12-2003, 06:47 PM	#3
DBT Contributor Join Date: May 2003 Location: ɹǝpunuʍop puɐן ǝɥʇ Posts: 17,906	I think that death is the ultimate loss, all your family, friends,everything that that you worked for your whole life, house,cars investments, all gone in the moment of death, I think that scares a lot of people. perhaps more so than non existance.

08-12-2003, 07:12 PM	#4
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	But non-existence means you would not know or care anyway. So what difference would it make? You are just asleep -----------endlessly.

08-12-2003, 08:22 PM	#5
Godless Wonder Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,197	I have to agree with you on this one Rational BAC, it's hard to see how being dead, as understood by those who do not believe in an afterlife, and as such, unperceivable to the dead person, would be anything to be frightened of. So I missed it, what happened with emotional? I noticed his status appears to be "Banned" now, is that something new? If he's lost his fear of being dead, well, good for him. (Hope iI'm not crossing some line by mentioning a banned member...) I'm surprised, I imagine this board is somewhat tough to get banned from. Seems pretty tolerant around here.

08-12-2003, 08:25 PM	#6
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	Emotional is banned? I hadn't noticed that. Lord knows why.

08-12-2003, 11:40 PM	#9
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	["Poof!"--Ed.]

08-13-2003, 12:54 AM	#10
JaeIsGod Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 760	Non-existance doesnt scare me one bit. Im more afraid of the whole dying process , knowing that ill never see my family again and of course there might be physical pain as well =[

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.