DarkBronzePlant

W,

I definitely agree that there's probably "something" out there. Whether it's what we call nature, or whatever, I think there are forces out there more powerful than, an incomprehensible to, mankind.

Problem is, lot of people think that we have figured out such forces, and have summed it up neatly in the Bible. Or in the Koran, or the Book of Mormon, or the Iliad, or Native American cave paintings, or whatever story jives. But whatever is out there, is not some human-like diety, sitting in a chair, watching us, loving us or hating us, determining our fates, listening to our praryers, etc. IMO, that's just humankind grasping, trying to explain the potentially unexplainable using terms and images that human beings can relate to.

QoS,
I was always ponder whether I'd rather there be something after death or not. Sometimes I am glad that, one day, it will all be over for me... no more stress, worry, anxiety, pain, struggle for existence, etc. In another sense, though, it does kind of suck to think of it. I'm the kind of person who likes to keep productively busy; I'm constantly learning things and trying to fill my head with knowledge. I think that's the sucky part... that one day, it'll all by gone. All of my learning, my work, will have been or naught.

Of course, the real answer is that it doesn't matter what I might hope for... it won't change the fact that when it's over, it's over.

Pandora

I'm constantly learning things and trying to fill my head with knowledge. I think that's the sucky part... that one day, it'll all by gone. All of my learning, my work, will have been or naught.

I agree with you on this. Whenever I hear of someone I have a lot of respect for dying. Carl Sagan for example - I always find it so sad that some one who knew so much and had such interesting thoughts should just disappear.

In a way, I have always thought that we should all try to leave something of ourselves that will live on in a sense. It doesn't have to be a cure for cancer or a Nobel prize winning discovery, but it should be something.

I've got a few nice ties that I designed that lurk in unknown peoples wardrobes round the world. I hope I can come up with something more substantial in the future, but I still like the idea that if I drop dead tomorrow, something I created may still be bringing pleasure to someone.

Wasatch

"rest after toil, port after stormy seas, death after life, doth greatly please."

That's the saddest thing I have ever heard. How about a short nap after life?? I WANT TO LIVE.!!!!!!!!!
I recently read Carl Sagans "Demon Haunted World" I guess he is six feet under infested with worms for eternity. I've been indoctrinated for so long, that you have to please a God to get to heaven and live for every. I can give up the heaven and God stuff, but not the life after death.
That's why I'm here, to explore all the different points of view.
Wasatch

Queen of Swords

Originally posted by Wasatch:
<strong>That's the saddest thing I have ever heard. </strong>

Sorry you feel that way. The saddest thing I have ever heard regarding the afterlife is the idea that people will be tortured for ever by a god.

<strong>I WANT TO LIVE.!!!!!!!!!</strong>

So do I. Oh, you mean forever? Wouldn't that get really boring after the sun had gone supernova?

<strong>I recently read Carl Sagans "Demon Haunted World" I guess he is six feet under infested with worms for eternity.</strong>

Actually, if his casket was sealed tightly enough, it would be mostly bacteria and fungi. Does that change the impact he had on the world? No. Does that have any impact on him? I seriously doubt it because, you know, he's dead.

<strong>I've been indoctrinated for so long, that you have to please a God to get to heaven and live for every. I can give up the heaven and God stuff, but not the life after death.</strong>

If you want to believe it, you're perfectly free to, but I have to ask : what, exactly, do you believe "lives" after you die? I mean, is it a soul or spirit? How does it think, when your brain no longer receives oxygen or nutrients?

Queen of Swords

Here's a few more quotes that I hope you might like a bit better :

As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well-used brings happy death. ---Leonardo da Vinci.

So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop
Into thy mother's lap, or be with ease
Gathered, not harshly pluck'd, for death mature.
---John Milton : Paradise Lost.

That would have been a better fate. To die and be forgotten and at peace. ---Jean Rhys.

And as she looked around, she saw how Death, the consoler,
Laying his hand upon many a heart, had healed it for ever. ---H. W. Longfellow.

Is there beyond the silent night
An endless day?
Is death a door that leads to light?
We cannot say. ---Robert Ingersoll.

Sleep, and if life was bitter to thee; pardon,
If sweet, give thanks; thou hast no more to live. ---A. C. Swinburne.

And when the Angel with his darker Draught
Draws up to Thee - take that, and do not shrink. ---Omar Khayyam.

And when I die,
and when I'm gone
there'll be one child born
and a world to carry on. ---Laura Nyre.

I've had a hell of a lot of fun, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. ---Errol Flynn : last words.

People living deeply have no fear of death. ---Anais Nin.

For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. ---Genesis.

[ March 20, 2002: Message edited by: QueenofSwords ]</p>

Wasatch

Posted by QueenofSwords
The saddest thing I have ever heard regarding the afterlife is the idea that people
will be tortured for ever by a god.

Ain't that the truth. According to hard core Xians if the entire world were destroyed today, some 5 billion people will be going to hell. That makes a lot of sense doesn't it.????
I was listening to Billy Graham the other day. He said that many non-believers take comfort in the idea that if they go to hell they will be with all their friends. Billy said no, you will be alone, separated, burning in fire and brimstones. He just made hell worse than it was.
What kind of an all knowing supreme being could do something like that??????
Not one that I would want to follow.
Wasatch
PS The Mormon Hell is a lot nicer.

Queen of Swords

I used to be a born-again christian, so I thought people like you were going to hell.

Then I started losing my faith, so I thought people like me were going to hell.

Finally, I realized that hell (of any kind) was just the stick used to beat people into line.

&lt;sigh&gt;

TestForEric

What's the Mormon Hell like?

Wasatch

Posted by TestforEric
What's the Mormon Hell like?

The Mormons believe that after you are judged you will go into one of three Degrees of Glory.
The first or top is the Celestial Kingdom or Heaven, (you can become a god of your own world if you make it)
The middle Kingdom or Terrestrial Kingdom is for non-mormons that were good honest people.
The bottom or Telestial Kingdom is Hell and it is for murderers and rapist and such.
Joseph Smith made the statement that the Telestial Kingdom is so much better than this earth life that if we could see it we would consider suicide to get there.
Mormons will be rewarded according to their works.
They also have a place called Outer Darkness, its for the Devil and his followers.
No fire and brimstone. The Mormon God is a little nicer than the Bible God.
Wasatch

Kosh

Hmm...

"Jesus Christ Church Of Latter Day Saints"...

Sounds the like the Mormon God is supposed to
be the Bible God. (not that it matters since
both are figments of their followers imagination).

Anybody see a pattern here?

OT GOd - Really mean and nasty vindictive guy,
only likes the Jews.

NT God - Likes everyone, God of love, still got
some quirks

Mormon God - The montesori God. You get good
grades if you feel good about yourself....

Are we ready yet to create the God who lets
everyone in? OH wait, we've got the INS....