Afterlife

[oldnitro]

Does anyone think that it could be possible there might be an afterlife that has nothing to do with God or religion? because it has always seemed to me that if there is nothing then it has all been a waste of time. And as for the idea of judgement day, heaven and hell, that was drummed into me at primary school, I quit believing that fairy tale at a very early age, but I would just like to believe there is something so that life was n`t all for nothing.

[Old_Geezer]

And keeping the blinkers on doesn't help when the subject being discussed is off to the side.

[naomi24]

Sorry, not with you there OG. What do you mean?

[notasyoungasiwas]

"Severe stroke is one of the saddest conditions" How I agree ..

Hi naomi ...

[jake-the-peg]

Well I pretty much do know what's going on his mind.

He can still talk and has good days as well as bad ones - but his personality has changed, much of his memory is gone.

It comes down to what it is that makes you well "You".

Much as we'd all like to think that there is an imortal part of us I think we all know that our memories and personality are held in our brains.

And surely it's the combination of those two things that makes a person what they are.

I wish it weren't so - but if there was no life before birth why would you expect life after death?

[naomi24]

//I think we all know that our memories and personality are held in our brains. //

But in what capacity? What do memories and personalities consist of? What is their substance?

//if there was no life before birth ....//

Do we know that?

[pa___ul3]

I'd love there to be an afterlife, where my Grandad can go and see my Nan again, but I'm afraid I can't force myself to believe that.
The idea that your life is worthless if there is no afterlife seems a little oxymoronic (right word / even a word!?) as surely if this is all we have it has the utmost value! We can only control what we do here and now so I'm going to live in the assumption that there is no afterlife, enjoy this life as much as I can, and then hopefully be pleasantly surprised!

[notasyoungasiwas]

There is a beautiful poem on the afterlife called Eden Rock which I posted in Arts and Literature some weeks ago. Would that it was like that .....

[naomi24]

Paul, you're right. Discussing the possibility of an afterlife existing is one thing, but making it a focus of life or depending upon it happening is quite another! If we're sensible we'll live our lives to the best of our ability.

[wildwood]

In a funny sort of way we do keep on existing after death, but in a different form. The mineral residue of a decomposed or cremated body is eventually taken up by plants which are in turn eaten by animals and insects. These are eaten by others etc. etc.

I wonder who I'll have for tea tomorrow?

[beso]

The afterlife we can be sure of is the one where the spirit of our existence goes on in the lives of those who know us. The best receipe for this afterlife is to live a good nowlife.

[whiskeryron]

Because we do not know everything (I know that some A/Bers think they do) is it possible that when everything was created ( big bang) invisible particles were made some of which could maybe be of some sort of intelligence these could then penetrate & invade physical life forms once they had evolved ( which we now call souls). Upon the death of the physical body the soul then reverts back to its original state until it once again gets into a new host, this is now referred to as re-incarnation.
There is of course no positive proof ( yet) that this is happening but on the other hand there is no proof that it is not & one theory is as good as any other.

Ron.

[RATTER15]

Nice thought Ron but I really dont see it happening, who know though?

[starone]

And, ron, why should you think that one little world out of the billions out there should have been picked for this marvellous transformation. Moreover even one little species amongst the many on the earth.
Regarding strokes, my mother suffered two very bad ones and was unable to move or speak properly. However she could manage a couple of words and I will never forget the day when she said to me "I'm bored" - to me that expresses everything. It made me even more conscious of how she was feeling.

[RATTER15]

Starbuckone, "i'm bored" that really is a tough one and one I admit I have not paid a lot of thought to, although aware of the situation. What have you got when you can only imagine, when all you have is your thoughts but you cant do anything with them.

[naomi24]

Starbuck, the story about your mother illustrates the point I was making very well indeed. We can't assume that what we see on the outside affects what's going on inside.

[beso]

One theory is as good as another?

No. Some hypotheses require far more speculation than others. The idea that a simple particle capable of cognisance requires an unaticipated mechanism producing unexpected complexity of action from simplicity of structure.

Our brain is the the most complex thing known and involves vast arrays of neurons in a highly structured organ. It is far more likely to produce a sense of self than any other known structure, especially one forged in the Big Bang.

[whiskeryron]

// Our brain is the the most complex thing known//

Known to us, like I said we don't know everything.

Ron.

[flobadob]

If you believe it, then it becomes true oldnitro. Believe whatever you wish.

[pa___ul3]

you said it yourself though ron, this theory of intelligent, invisible particles is a nice one, I'd love it to be the case, but I wouldn't dedicate my life to the hope that it's true.
What I do know is that in 150 years, when I'm gone (providing these theories of extra-long lives in the imminent future isn't true), I will hopefully have family who will remember me. I want them to remember me as a good man and that is something I am in control of and so I will live my life to make myself and my loved ones happy and my offspring and theirs proud of me.

[naomi24]

Hi Flobadob, //If you believe it, then it becomes true... //

I beg to differ. Believing that something is true doesn't necessarily make it so.