Does it really matter what we believe?

[Davian]

Right here is one major problem with atheistic logic. You all think you know what happens after death. You think it's a fact that you'll cease to exist. This thinking is illogical because the truth is that no human knows what will happen after death because logically if anyone did know then that would prove there is an afterlife.

For one to have knowledge of what happens after death means one must exist after death in order to be capable of knowing what happens. Has any atheist died and then explained that they ceased to exist to which we could all say "Okay, it's a fact, we all will cease to exist since that dead atheist said so". No, this has never happened and it would be completely illogical if it did, therefore we cannot say it's a fact that we will cease to exist upon death, therefore for the sake of logic, we must all continue questioning what death is and what it means because no living human who hasn't experienced death, knows what happens when they die. That is a fact that many atheists gloss over in order to keep their illogical beliefs that they, personally, will cease to exist upon death.

Or, we could look at it from the evidence we have on hand. If I were to throw you from the top of a tall building, there is a chance that you might survive. You might flap your arms just fast enough to achieve lift. A passing alien spacecraft might swoop by and catch you. But these things seem unlikely.

Life is a process involves breathing, consuming, excreting, and being subject to entropy. When those processes stop, you are dead. What to you mean by "afterlife"? Do you have anything other than speculation?

This is a blind faith belief because no one knows for sure what happens!

Must you misrepresent the positions of others?

I don't understand how this logic is so difficult for atheists to understand,

I understand it. It is faulty, and boils down to wishful thinking on your part.

but I suppose if they understood it then it would mean they could no longer logically say that they won't be around after death to experience anything, which gives them so much comfort in thinking they won't be held accountable for anything they do in this life.

Such as in your theology, where people are held responsible for things beyond their control.

 

[juvenissun]

You had existed, as opposed to never having existed.



It does. For the rest of eternity, you will have existed. You will have had a life. That can never be erased.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Yes, it can.
Millions and millions HAVE BEEN erased.
That is the point.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Yes, it can.
Millions and millions HAVE BEEN erased.
That is the point.

I understand that millions have died, but the past has always happened. Those individuals have, and will have always, lived through their lives. That is my point.

You will always have lived your life, as opposed to not ever having existed at all.

You are focusing on the issue of life in the wrong way. Try not to be so nihilistic. Life is something worthwhile in itself, even if you have wasted the better portion of it.

Life isn't just a means to something in the future. If it were just a means, then I would agree with you. A means without an end is worthless. However, life is an end, not just a means. A finite life is still worthwhile.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Nihilism in religious circles in an inappropriate as it is anywhere else.

IIRC the prefrontal cortex is a higher order area of the brain involved in planning, execution of action, conscience, religious life.



I think religious beliefs matter because in part they form a "symbolic telos" or "dramatised overview" or end towards which we strive. And help to determin our "oughts" and the nature of our "super ego" or inner hero and inner guide etc. Conscience, who we'd like to be etc in a visual form....

For instance, if "Elvis is King" then society will rock ''n' roll.

If Christ is "King of Kings" then people will travel along that mysyic time line.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I think religious beliefs matter because in part they form a "symbolic telos" or "dramatised overview" or end towards which we strive. And help to determin our "oughts" and the nature of our "super ego" or inner hero and inner guide etc. Conscience, who we'd like to be etc in a visual form....

Agreed.

The only thing I would add is that one doesn't need a religion-as-such (or to be a theist-as-such) in order to have that awareness of telos. I'm an atheist and I certainly am aware of my telos.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[GrowingSmaller]

edit (sorry bout the post not used too having 'respectable friends' and dont want to shame anyone.)

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Hope this is not against site rules, (I honestly dont know), apologies if so.

 

[Davian]

I understood you were making some illogical assertions about what happens after death.

 

[Neochristian]

Because what we admire and aspire to we become.