Do Christians Fear Death?

[Mercator]

Originally posted by Boshko
I don't recall not existing as being terribly unpleasant before I was born, I expect that no existing after I die won't be any worse. All worrying about it does is make the bit of time you have where you do exist that much more unpleasant.

[Robert]

The "not existing" part itself will most obviously not come with much problems.
But the period before it would scare me to death.
Cease to exist forever....

Besides that, since it doesn't matter if I would cease to exist today or tomorrow, why wait for tomorrow?

[Bosh]

Besides that, since it doesn't matter if I would cease to exist today or tomorrow, why wait for tomorrow?

Because I like living. Living is fun.

[Arrian]

I fear the actual dying part - if possible, I'd like to avoid undue pain & suffering. Being dead, on the other hand, I don't fear. I expect nothing at all - oblivion.

-Arrian

[Mercator]

I don't particularly fear the dying part either. Sure, I'd prefer it if it wasn't painful, but there isn't a whole lot I can do about that now.

[Robert]

Originally posted by Boshko

Because I like living. Living is fun.

I don't see the fun in knowing that every step brings you one step closer to eternal non-existance.

[Arrian]

I don't see the fun in deluding myself, but to each his own.

I don't see the fun in pondering the supposed fact that I'm by my very nature a sinner and practically everything I do is wrong, according to some all-powerful being that can send me to eternal damnation if I piss it off too much.

Why dwell on morbid thoughts, anyway? I think death is simply the end of life. So why bother thinking about it at all, except making sure that your will is in order so your loved ones aren't screwed when you die?

-Arrian

[Mercator]

Originally posted by CyberShy
I don't see the fun in knowing that every step brings you one step closer to eternal non-existance.

That makes no sense.

So when you're listening to a CD, all you can think of is the deafening silence when it ends? Or the great CD in the Sky that you can listen to after it, for that matter?

[Bosh]

Originally posted by CyberShy


I don't see the fun in knowing that every step brings you one step closer to eternal non-existance.

So it would be imposible for you to enjoy a mortal life? I find that very strange. Today was a pretty good day (barring an annoying visa SNAFU that I'm trying to get straighened out) and tomorrow should be pretty good too. That's all I want.

[Robert]

I don't see the fun in pondering the supposed fact that I'm by my very nature a sinner and practically everything I do is wrong, according to some all-powerful being that can send me to eternal damnation if I piss it off too much.

Neither do I. And fortunately I actually do not ponder that and neither do I have to ponder that.
Instead I can be happy about the fact that everything that's wrong in me and on earth will be renewed one day.

Why dwell on morbid thoughts, anyway? I think death is simply the end of life. So why bother thinking about it at all

Because things that "you think" might not be true, pherhaps?
I would never dare to stop thinking about the sence of life, only because I have already formed my opinion on it.

except making sure that your will is in order so your loved ones aren't screwed when you die?

Oh well, in 200 years your beloved ones are gone as well. In fact it doesn't matter what happens to them, if life does make no sence indeed.

There's no difference between dying today and dying tomorrow, from the perspective of the day after tomorrow.
And since it doesn't make any difference to me after I die as well, when life makes no sence, dying today makes no difference to dying tomorrow.

So when you're listening to a CD, all you can think of is the deafening silence when it ends?

No, I believe life makes sence, so I can enjoy the good things of life, becuase I know they'll last forever and my life has everlasting value.

My body might be mortal, my soul isn't.
It's not for nothing that people claim that your true age is your mental age. And it's no surprise that to most people that mental age is young.

I can enjoy life, because I believe life makes sence.
I could not enjoy life if it would make no sence.
The fact that I would cease to exist forever would scare me to death everyday.

I would not cease to exist for 1000 years, 10000000 years or 100000^9999999999 years, but forever...

So it would be imposible for you to enjoy a mortal life? I find that very strange.

Indeed.
Would you enjoy today if you know that you would die in a cruel painfull way tonight?

[chequita guevara]

Christians should all fear death. They're all going to hell for not believing in Ahura Mazda!

[child of Thor]

or Brian for that matter

[Arrian]

Because things that "you think" might not be true, pherhaps?

Actually, that was the point I was trying to get across to you.

You said:

I don't see the fun in knowing that every step brings you one step closer to eternal non-existance. .

The clear underlying assumption is that you *do* believe in an afterlife, and you think those of us who do *not* share your belief think "every step brings you one step closer to eternal non-existance."

That's YOUR take on it. I, on the other hand, am more interested in my life than my death. Since I think death is merely the end of life, there isn't much to think about, is there? I'm not saying I'll never re-examine my view of the afterlife, but rather I'm saying I don't bother thinking about dying much. That will probably change later in life.

-Arrian

[Japher]

Death is the only adventure you have left... - Hook

[Sava]

I don't fear death... I fear the method that I'm going to die. I'd hate to be shot, or stabbed, or in a bad car accident.

I'm also scared of taking my own life, even though I'm pretty suicidal. I have fears that if I do take my own life, it will be a sin and I will be punished. But having said that, I feel like I am being punished in life as well. Why else would I have such depression if not to punish me? Or maybe I'm a random occurance in the world and death is an infinitely long dreamless sleep. If that's the case, it won't matter if I take my own life.