Are you afraid of Death?

[Stooti]

Death- the Ultimate Fate. A single point in time where your physical body dies.
Dead- An indefinite period of time spent not in your physical body.

Are you afraid of death? Maybe, at first thought, no. What if your views are wrong? What if you are going to Hell, or you are going nowhere?

How do you feel about death?

If you believe in Christianity, and you believe when you die, you will be welcomed by Jesus, could you be considered right no matter what? You either go to Jesus, or die thinking you will making the last moments of your life happier than someone that doesn't? (not counting other religions *sniffles*)

Or should you even be worried? Life is a gift, something to be cherished but all things come to an end?

[myth-one.com]

Are you afraid of death?

Whose?

hahahahahahaha

Sma't aleck.

And here I was thinking, "Oh, hey, there's myth-one.com, let's see what profound philosophy he has to share with us today."

You owe me a minute of my life back myth-one.com!

Take two, my friend Joey! I'm still full of wit.

Here's the real story:

The topic was alluring, so I clicked on page 9. And after negotiating through three marathons which were the first three posts on page 9, I decided to make the shortest response possible to bring the average post size down to a reasonable length. A one word post.

"Nuts" was my immediate thought, but that was used previously by General McAuliffe of the surrounded 101st Airborne troops during the Battle of Bastogne in World War II -- and I would have to give him credit.

Nuts was inappropriate anyway.

But "Whose?" was and is a valid question, I thought.

Upon reflection, my intentions "may" have been more profane than profound. Hope I don't get moderated -- sorry.

Joey, did you remarry and change your name?

[BwhoUR]

Are you afraid of death?

Whose?

Yours.

If I make it to page 10, will you answer?

[myth-one.com]

Are you afraid of death?

Whose?

Yours.

If I make it to page 10, will you answer?

Ahhhhh, a new page. Thanks Suckka!

My response did have some meaning. Someone may have already stated this aspect (I haven't read all of the postings in this thread), but I fear a handful of other people's death much more than mine -- grandchildren, children, wife. Thus the question "Whose?"

I have hard times getting over the death of pets. I cannot imagine ever getting over the death of any young grandchild. I cursed God when one of mine was born with a handicap. Not proud of that -- but it's true. Now the best part of my day is driving her back and forth to her special school, which she began attending before the age of two. I was a damn fool, God knew what He was doing! If anything ever happens to her I will be devastated. The same goes for at least five other people in my life. I would quickly offer my life for theirs in a heartbeat.

So I am totally unafraid of death. I view it as a final and necessary event of any physical life. There is a time to live and a time to die. If I live past my appointed time to die through artificial means, I sense that I will live to regret it. But that statement is just for me -- not necessarily others. In fact I expect the last moments to be an enjoyable adventure. After all, it's something I've never done before -- a new and final adventure. I am somewhat worried about any problems and inconveniences it may cause others. You know, cleanup, burial, wills, etc. But, that's life.

Regarding death in general:

I believe we fear things which we do not understand, the unknown. Mankind's most obvious fear is death. Death is the one thing we cannot try out on a test basis. You are either dead or alive. Furthermore, you cannot discuss death with someone who has experienced it. Those who claim otherwise are charlatans!

It has always been interesting to me that the largest group of people who do not fear death are those who have undergone what are called near death experiences. The vast majority (about 85%) report them as a total feeling of contentment, lack of worry, serenity, peace, etc. Having approached so close to death and found the experience very pleasant, many near death experiences have resulted in a person's change of lifestyle with less worry and fear. In other words, they exit the experience unafraid of death because it is no longer unknown. It was "pleasant." Thus the worry over their future death is removed. I predict that in the near future, near death experiences will be induced as a treatment for the severely depressed.

Everything "occurs" in our brains. Recently, a guy named Michael Persinger designed what he calls the "god helmet" -- a device he claims can cause the brain to feel religious experience. In experiments, those wearing the helmet in an empty and sensory controlled room sense that some other being is present, have outer body experiences, etc. when the helmet stimulates a certain part of the brain. Here is one article about the helmet:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental- ... igion2.htm

Anyways, could this be the predecessor to a near death experience helmet? I hope somebody is working on that idea. It could be revolutionary for relieving mankind's fear of death. Safely bring them close to death, let them see and travel through the tunnel towards the bright light, become totally at peace, content, etc; then return them safely to reality -- no longer fearful of death.

Just some thoughts.

Thanks again Suckka. (No offence, but I feel uncomfortable talking to you like that!)

I love you Suckka! (That too seemed strange). Oh well.

Thanks my friend! Ahhhhhh!

[Stooti]

Are you afraid of death?

Whose?

Yours.

If I make it to page 10, will you answer?

Ahhhhh, a new page. Thanks Suckka!

My response did have some meaning. Someone may have already stated this aspect (I haven't read all of the postings in this thread), but I fear a handful of other people's death much more than mine -- grandchildren, children, wife. Thus the question "Whose?"

I have hard times getting over the death of pets. I cannot imagine ever getting over the death of any young grandchild. I cursed God when one of mine was born with a handicap. Not proud of that -- but it's true. Now the best part of my day is driving her back and forth to her special school, which she began attending before the age of two. I was a damn fool, God knew what He was doing! If anything ever happens to her I will be devastated. The same goes for at least five other people in my life. I would quickly offer my life for theirs in a heartbeat.

So I am totally unafraid of death. I view it as a final and necessary event of any physical life. There is a time to live and a time to die. If I live past my appointed time to die through artificial means, I sense that I will live to regret it. But that statement is just for me -- not necessarily others. In fact I expect the last moments to be an enjoyable adventure. After all, it's something I've never done before -- a new and final adventure. I am somewhat worried about any problems and inconveniences it may cause others. You know, cleanup, burial, wills, etc. But, that's life.

Regarding death in general:

I believe we fear things which we do not understand, the unknown. Mankind's most obvious fear is death. Death is the one thing we cannot try out on a test basis. You are either dead or alive. Furthermore, you cannot discuss death with someone who has experienced it. Those who claim otherwise are charlatans!

It has always been interesting to me that the largest group of people who do not fear death are those who have undergone what are called near death experiences. The vast majority (about 85%) report them as a total feeling of contentment, lack of worry, serenity, peace, etc. Having approached so close to death and found the experience very pleasant, many near death experiences have resulted in a person's change of lifestyle with less worry and fear. In other words, they exit the experience unafraid of death because it is no longer unknown. It was "pleasant." Thus the worry over their future death is removed. I predict that in the near future, near death experiences will be induced as a treatment for the severely depressed.

Everything "occurs" in our brains. Recently, a guy named Michael Persinger designed what he calls the "god helmet" -- a device he claims can cause the brain to feel religious experience. In experiments, those wearing the helmet in an empty and sensory controlled room sense that some other being is present, have outer body experiences, etc. when the helmet stimulates a certain part of the brain. Here is one article about the helmet:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental- ... igion2.htm

Anyways, could this be the predecessor to a near death experience helmet? I hope somebody is working on that idea. It could be revolutionary for relieving mankind's fear of death. Safely bring them close to death, let them see and travel through the tunnel towards the bright light, become totally at peace, content, etc; then return them safely to reality -- no longer fearful of death.

Just some thoughts.

Thanks again Suckka. (No offence, but I feel uncomfortable talking to you like that!)

I love you Suckka! (That too seemed strange). Oh well.

Thanks my friend! Ahhhhhh!

Aww come on, share the love around! I love you (too)!

[Dr.Physics]

I am not afraid of death but i am afraid of judgment on my actions in this life.

well, dont be... there are no gods

[BwhoUR]

Are you afraid of death?

Whose?

Yours.

If I make it to page 10, will you answer?

Ahhhhh, a new page. Thanks Suckka!

<Great thoughts clipped for space >

Just some thoughts.

Thanks again Suckka. (No offence, but I feel uncomfortable talking to you like that!)

I love you Suckka! (That too seemed strange). Oh well.

Thanks my friend! Ahhhhhh!

When I signed up to DC&R, I used the first word that came to me because I never sign up for this kind of stuff. I was like, "Okay, you suckered me." Months after my first post I got an email saying "Happy Birthday Suckka", it cracked me up.

Thanks for the post, I just loved it. My two experiences with death are having my husband share his drowning experience with me, scary and painful, but he got through it and is a better person for it, he does not fear death because he's done it already, so I don't really fear it either.

The second one was not a death experience but an auto accident. We got out of my '67 Park Lane convertible and the crash was like butter, I love that car! But the point is that, aftewards, when we were sitting on the side of the road, a couple drove up and without saying anything, the lady held me and took my hand. When they realized we were okay, they left, no names, nothing. It was soo sweet, I felt sure they were religious because it just seemed that way. This is the one and only experience I have ever felt was religous and it was amazing, so selfless. They were just people, of course, but I think when critical times come, there are people out there who are like "angels". I have always vowed that if something like that happens around me, I will be there for someone else.

Both of these experiences have shaped "death" for me. And although I wish it to never happen to my daughter or husband, I accept it as a part of life. In fact, what is life without death?

[ChaosBorders]

I am not afraid of death but i am afraid of judgment on my actions in this life.

well, dont be... there are no gods

Do you know this as a fact or is it your personal opinion?

This is what we would generally call an unproductive one-liner. If it is merely your opinion it:
A) Should be labeled as such
B) Should actually contribute to the debate at hand

A very well respected forum member made a list today of things people may wish to avoid. See this topic here: http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... hp?t=14437

Comments like this one here would fall under 3, 8, and 26. Some advice for future reference since you're new here.

[myth-one.com]

In fact, what is life without death?

Yep, we could not cause or prevent our conception and birth, nor can we prevent our ultimate death.

What we can affect is the part in the middle:

And when the one great scorer comes,
To write against your name,
He writes not that you won or lost,
But how you played the game.

Not sure who wrote that, but it was always know to me as "The football player's prayer."

Since we are forced to play the game, let's play it to the fullest. The effort required between average and excellent can oftentimes be small. It required very little on the part of your "angels" for example. And yet, whether religious or not, they were blessed by the situation more than you. They saw you as an opportunity -- to do something worthwhile.

Your vow to do likewise if the situation ever presents itself proves them to be correct!

Life is precious.

[Scotracer]

It's only natural for animals to fear death. I too deathly fear mine (geddit?) almost solely for the reason that I don't want to stop existing. I enjoy existing! Pain doesn't bother me one bit, though, so the act of dying really doesn't enter my mind.

[myth-one.com]

Im not scared of death as long as i die doing something heroic...

. . . and my husband and I would go together "in a blaze of glory" to quote Sid Vicious. Ahh, one can dream...

There may be an even better way to go for us “John Wayne� types!

Thanks to a late departure, the passengers aboard United Airlines flight 93 on this day nine years ago knew their fate. Their hijacked plane was to be crashed into an American landmark. Some quickly decided to prevent that occurrence. Time was short so the revolt had to be hastily designed. Stewardesses boiled water to throw on the hijackers, and the serving cart would be used as a battering ram into the cockpit.

Their act was totally unselfish. They would gain nothing personally because everyone onboard was doomed to die – including the hijackers. Their concern was for those on the ground. They momentarily waited for the plane to reach an uninhabited area before initiating their attack.

Could one hero have succeeded in such an act? Definitely not, it required a team. There is something to be said for the team concept. Members of a team draw strength from the others. We can do this! Individually, each is determined to do his or her part so as to not let the team down.

When I make my imaginary attempts at putting myself in their place, I can do nothing but consider them all as being equal that day. There was no time to consider any differences which on normal days might have prevented them from working as a team! Whether Christian, atheist, Jewish, Muslim, black, white, brown, yellow, Republican, Democrat, heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, male, female, etc, -- the only requirement was the desire and ability to participate. There was no time for the frivolous.

These few civilian strangers hastily created and executed a plan designed in a few minutes – defeating a group of commandos who trained and drilled together for years. Although they had just met, I imagine they quickly became a close team, with each determined not to fail the others.

No one knows exactly what occurred that day or who did what. Todd Beamer can be heard saying, "Are you ready? Ok, let’s roll!"

I imagine they recognized their victory as the plane took that fatal dive. Perhaps those still able, smiled at each other knowingly. I can even imagine one grabbing another and shouting, "I love you, man!" Then a last thought of loved ones.

So they die as heroes. But not alone. They die in the company of other heroes. That has to be rare for civilians. What an honor and privilege, and perhaps an even better way to go!