Any body believe in life after death

[Mentor]

I guess I am abit of a realist when it comes to god as I can not grasp believing in something I have never witnessed and the only time I will witness it is when it's to late. I am of the opinion that when you die you just die and that is final, as surely when the brain is dead that is lights, I would like to hear some experiences and will be open to listen to them without judgement as I respect peoples views as I hope they respect mine.

[noitcefrep]

I guess I am abit of a realist when it comes to god as I can not grasp believing in something I have never witnessed

You're right. In fact, I've never witnessed Australia (as in the continent), so using that same thought process, I cannot grasp believing in Australia either. Sorry blossom!

[noitcefrep]

I label myself as a fallibilist. Such a debilitating thing to do, though, labelling one's self. Hinders the natural progression of the self, don't ya know!

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Mentor

I guess I am abit of a realist when it comes to god as I can not grasp believing in something I have never witnessed and the only time I will witness it is when it's to late. I am of the opinion that when you die you just die and that is final, as surely when the brain is dead that is lights, I would like to hear some experiences and will be open to listen to them without judgement as I respect peoples views as I hope they respect mine.

I didn't until my father died and we saw his face in the window
my sister took a picture of him and I still have it !

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by Mentor

I guess I am abit of a realist when it comes to god as I can not grasp believing in something I have never witnessed and the only time I will witness it is when it's to late.

Just because you cannot witness it, does not mean it doesn't exist. Also - there are other ways of "witnessing" other than sight and sound.

What about people who experience extraordinary life events, or just everyday life that they feel are miracles from God? Aren't those "valid experiences" in themselves?

Really when it comes down to it... You either place your faith into something higher than yourself, or you place your faith into the idea that your physical senses are telling you everything that there is to know about the universe.

Just how we can't "see" radiation, or radio waves, or different spectrums, we cannot physically detect spirituality or "God" either. But, there are other ways of detecting them, like via personal experiences.

[Dot]

Where were you before you were born into what you perceive as your current existence/self? Because you've "been there." And why can't you remember anything prior to your birth on this planet?

[gene2009]

I don't believe in God. But i hope life should be after death. I like Chan Buddhism.

[Jaiysun4]

Personal experience shouldn't really count as evidence in the existence of life after death. I mean, if the idea of religion or religious ideas makes you do and feel all sorts of things.

Analogously, if i believed that my son wasn't the murderer (hypothetical example), and it enabled me to carry on with hope and experience happiness etc, that wouldn't increase the chances of my son actually being innocent.

And whilst it is true you cannot detect everything with our senses, we only assume things to exist that we can detect physically with instruments. Or those things which we have good reason to believe in because of their necessity in our best scientific paradigms. But presuming God to be intrinsically indetectable, coupled with ockham's razor has some weight behind it.

Just because certain beliefs trigger emotional, phenomenological and ultimately wordly changes (e.g. habits, actions) doesn't make them more true or false. It makes them more useful or practical. Which is why i hold people to hold the beliefs they do most of the time, for consequential and extaneous benefits. For example emotional, social benefits.

So i don't believe in life after death, nor anything paranormal even though i've "seen" a ghost.

[sam260689]

To the OP...you are evidently into personal growth, being a member here.

What would be the point in making permanent positive change if it was to go to waste in several decades when you die?

I've grown so much during my life - I'm a different guy than I used to be. I cannot imagine that the world would be cruel enough to let me develop myself, and then for it all to go down the pan when I die! I just can't understand why it would happen.

If that hasn't convinced you (likely not!) then all I can say is, it is no use to believe in anything other than life after death. How can you experience positive aspects of life when you believe it is all essentially meaningless?

My point is that it is no use believing in anything other than life after death, so you might as well choose to believe in it (even if it doesn't exist) just so that you can enjoy this life.

Much Love

Sam

[ang569]

I honestly want to...but at the moment, I am neutral. *sigh*