If you could choose what would happen to you after death...

And yet I seem to be the only reincarnation vote. I still think it'd be neat, regardless. As long as I got to choose, this one time.

lupusFati said:

And yet I seem to be the only reincarnation vote. I still think it'd be neat, regardless. As long as I got to choose, this one time.

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Reincarnated as a wolf?

gordRedeemed said:

Reincarnated as a wolf?

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It would make me happy, yeah. Even if I would live a far shorter life, and that's even if I made it to old age.

I kind of view humanity as a curse.

Coo

Eudaimonist said:

What is that other than a divine lobotomy, or like being drugged up for all eternity?


eudaimonia,

Mark

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I wouldn't look at it that way. You could still be very lucid. Just extremely happy/emotional.

Has anyone considered the possibility that with some kind of eternity in the afterlife, there comes a new body and new way of perceiving time (if it even exists at that point)?

I would agree if we kept our earthly perceptions the same, such a place could become a hell of sorts.

Still, it hardly matters to me, though. Just thought you should all consider that.

jacknife said:

Immortality could be interesting after a few hundred years i'd pretend to know well knowen people and tell horrible stories about them lol.

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The book/film Tuck Everlasting makes a good case against immortality. Sometimes I imagine a universe where death does not exist and it really frightens me. Although dark, the idea that I can end it all with suicide is quite comforting. It gives me a degree of control.

Imagine you get immortality and 3 days later you fall into some deep and hole and you are stuck there for eternity, lol. The stipulations to make sure you do not end up seriously screwing yourself over is endless.

lupusFati said:

Has anyone considered the possibility that with some kind of eternity in the afterlife, there comes a new body and new way of perceiving time (if it even exists at that point)?

I would agree if we kept our earthly perceptions the same, such a place could become a hell of sorts.

Still, it hardly matters to me, though. Just thought you should all consider that.

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Of course. The psychology of humans is pretty linear, there are countless ways of being and perceiving.

MehGuy said:

Of course. The psychology of humans is pretty linear, there are countless ways of being and perceiving.

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Well yeah, I dunno. If there's some god or being that can create an eternal paradise, you'd think it could transform us from an earthly state to a 'heavenly' one or whatever. Just something to consider for people who make that argument, since I've never found it to be a strong one.

But then it does require quite a bit of logical leaps and abstract thinking, doesn't it.

lupusFati said:

Well yeah, I dunno. If there's some god or being that can create an eternal paradise, you'd think it could transform us from an earthly state to a 'heavenly' one or whatever. Just something to consider for people who make that argument, since I've never found it to be a strong one.

But then it does require quite a bit of logical leaps and abstract thinking, doesn't it.

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Of course. I don't see any reason for us to be stuck in the state of mind we have now. Or why our current evolutionary state is so special. With transhumanism probably on the way I think we have to get used to abstract thinking and ideas that will probably seem blasphemous and a seemingly dead end to many people. But we'll find new niches.

Tina W said:

Who would NOT choose Heaven?

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*raises hand/paw*
Some of us find heaven in the stars. Others find it on earth.

Tina W said:

Who would NOT choose Heaven? I would like to go to Heaven definitely, but I would also like to be allowed to be a ministering spirit to those on earth still struggling to find God. Sort of like an angel except humans don't become angels. I would like to be allowed to go back and forth between earth and Heaven to minister to those still on earth in need.

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Oh don't worry, I have a feeling if people were really presented with these choices they'd choose heaven. Lol.

Tina W said:

Who would NOT choose Heaven? I would like to go to Heaven definitely, but I would also like to be allowed to be a ministering spirit to those on earth still struggling to find God. Sort of like an angel except humans don't become angels. I would like to be allowed to go back and forth between earth and Heaven to minister to those still on earth in need.

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Me no offense but just existing in eternal bliss sounds like it would make life so pointless.

lupusFati said:

Has anyone considered the possibility that with some kind of eternity in the afterlife, there comes a new body and new way of perceiving time (if it even exists at that point)?

I would agree if we kept our earthly perceptions the same, such a place could become a hell of sorts.

Still, it hardly matters to me, though. Just thought you should all consider that.

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I think that's the key there. Even us who find eternity 'creepy', even one in 'bliss' is because of the inability to even comprehend what eternity is. Mainly this is most likely caused by being stuck in our earthly perception. Upon death, this could change.

gordRedeemed said:

I think that's the key there. Even us who find eternity 'creepy', even one in 'bliss' is because of the inability to even comprehend what eternity is. Mainly this is most likely caused by being stuck in our earthly perception. Upon death, this could change.

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I view eternity as timelessness. And I also believe our perception of time is flawed.

lupusFati said:

I view eternity as timelessness. And I also believe our perception of time is flawed.

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Agreed

I've always found depictions of heaven/paradise rather unappealing.

If it's too literal, as in the case of Islam and some more... fundamental Christians, you end up with gold-paved streets (ugh) or Cockaigne-like revelries (for all eternity? How tedious).
And if it's too figurative, it all amounts to floating around as a disembodied spirit, praising the Most High throughout all subsequent aeons. What kind of existence is that? Even if we define divine presence as ultimate bliss, it does not strike me as a very interesting way of existing.


As for reincarnation: religions that have traditionally embraced this concept (such as Hinduism and Buddhism) tend to view it as a burden or a curse. It's not seen as a "second chance" (as some Christians conceptualize it), or as a blessed return (as many neo-pagans picture it), but as a result of all the errors you accumulated, shackling you to another round in an illusory prison of self.