Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Godot · 05-30-2003, 11:08 PM

I just don't see the point to being afraid of death. It's one thing that we all have in common, and it is guaranteed to happen sooner or later.
When my time is up, I bet my final thought will be "ahhh, bugger." It's beyond my control. I don't go out of my courting it, mind you; I just don't see a point to worrying about it.

Born Free · 05-31-2003, 06:43 AM

I fear dying, I don't want to die. I have so much still to do and discover and I have less than a hundred years in which to do it. It's just not enough time. I can't imagine not existing either, not being here, not being conscious. It's not fair but that's the way it is I guess and I have to deal with it by making sure my time here is as good as I can make it.

Hedwig · 05-31-2003, 02:07 PM

I fear dying but not death itself. Once oblivion hits I won't be aware of it. But I'm scared of the process of dying being painful.

Beetle · 05-31-2003, 02:58 PM

I occasionally have the irrational fear of dying and meeting a really pissed off Jesus ("Thanks for abandoning me, it's the BBQ for you, pal!")

Most of the time, I don't. Death is the natural end of life and it's going to happen to everybody. So fearing it really is a waste of energy. I'd prefer to go in a nice way, though.

Biff the unclean · 05-31-2003, 04:19 PM

I've got to go wth good old Epicurus on this one. Who said:

Why should I fear death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. Why should I fear that which cannot exist when I do?

I didn't exist for billions of years before I was born. And that wasn't so bad. In fact not existing when there were a bunch of T Rexs running around was a pretty sweet deal.
I can't see how my not existing for billions of years after I die will be any different.

BigBlue2 · 05-31-2003, 06:01 PM

Like others have said, I fear dying, but not death itself. I hope dying will be quick and painless, but you never know.

spacedOut · 05-31-2003, 06:21 PM

Billions of people have died before me, so I doubt the event of my death will be remarkable. Sometimes I think of myself as an organic computer. One day I will lose power (my physical body will fail), the hard drive will crash (my brain will cease to function), and all the collected information will be lost (memory of my life's experiences will be gone). The matter making up my physical being will be recycled back into the universe.

I just find it utterly amazing that I was given life on this planet and was actually aware of my being. I consider myself very lucky indeed.

Duck! · 05-31-2003, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aradia
1) Do you fear death?

Yes and no. I'm young enough and relatively healthy so I have no day to day fear of death. I don't really think about it enough for fear of it to be a factor in my life. I do however live my life with at least a vague wish to continue living. I don't live recklessly or anything.

Quote:

2) If so, why?

I fear death in the sense that I like existing. I believe that that when I die physically I will no longer exist as a person or as a consciousness. I don't want to not exist. I like being alive.

Duck!

HumanisTim · 06-01-2003, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aradia
I'd like to put out two questions for the people here:

1) Do you fear death?
2) If so, why?

I am *not* asking for hypotheses about why people as a whole fear death. Please start a new thread if that's what you want to talk about. Thanks.

I more fear how I'll die, then actuaul death itself. I fear dying alone or in a lot of pain or a terrible illness. Or dying with out living a long and fullfilling life.

southernhybrid · 06-01-2003, 04:37 AM

I don't have any fear of death at all, but I do fear becoming demented, and dependent in my old age. I've worked as an RN with elderly patients for over 25 years and this fear is based on that experience.

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05-30-2003, 11:08 PM	#11
Godot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,335	I just don't see the point to being afraid of death. It's one thing that we all have in common, and it is guaranteed to happen sooner or later. When my time is up, I bet my final thought will be "ahhh, bugger." It's beyond my control. I don't go out of my courting it, mind you; I just don't see a point to worrying about it.

05-31-2003, 06:43 AM	#12
Born Free Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,177	I fear dying, I don't want to die. I have so much still to do and discover and I have less than a hundred years in which to do it. It's just not enough time. I can't imagine not existing either, not being here, not being conscious. It's not fair but that's the way it is I guess and I have to deal with it by making sure my time here is as good as I can make it.

05-31-2003, 02:07 PM	#13
Hedwig Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,921	I fear dying but not death itself. Once oblivion hits I won't be aware of it. But I'm scared of the process of dying being painful.

05-31-2003, 02:58 PM	#14
Beetle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Massachusetts State Home for the Bewildered Posts: 961	I occasionally have the irrational fear of dying and meeting a really pissed off Jesus ("Thanks for abandoning me, it's the BBQ for you, pal!") Most of the time, I don't. Death is the natural end of life and it's going to happen to everybody. So fearing it really is a waste of energy. I'd prefer to go in a nice way, though.

05-31-2003, 04:19 PM	#15
Biff the unclean Banned Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: an inaccessible island fortress Posts: 10,638	I've got to go wth good old Epicurus on this one. Who said: Why should I fear death? If I am, death is not. If death is, I am not. Why should I fear that which cannot exist when I do? I didn't exist for billions of years before I was born. And that wasn't so bad. In fact not existing when there were a bunch of T Rexs running around was a pretty sweet deal. I can't see how my not existing for billions of years after I die will be any different.

05-31-2003, 06:01 PM	#16
BigBlue2 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 6,666	Like others have said, I fear dying, but not death itself. I hope dying will be quick and painless, but you never know.

05-31-2003, 06:21 PM	#17
spacedOut Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 104	Billions of people have died before me, so I doubt the event of my death will be remarkable. Sometimes I think of myself as an organic computer. One day I will lose power (my physical body will fail), the hard drive will crash (my brain will cease to function), and all the collected information will be lost (memory of my life's experiences will be gone). The matter making up my physical being will be recycled back into the universe. I just find it utterly amazing that I was given life on this planet and was actually aware of my being. I consider myself very lucky indeed.

06-01-2003, 04:37 AM	#20
southernhybrid Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: heavenly Georgia Posts: 3,862	I don't have any fear of death at all, but I do fear becoming demented, and dependent in my old age. I've worked as an RN with elderly patients for over 25 years and this fear is based on that experience.

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