Valuing life

[_Buffalo]

What law or principle of nature, if there is no afterlife, would prevent evolution of the brain to the point of being able to question our own existence?

The better question is:

What law or principle of nature, if there is no afterlife, would encourage evolution of the brain to the point of being able to question our own existence?

See... what is the evolutionary advantage of consciousness? Of questioning our own existence?

That goes hand in hand with intelligence. And intelligence is an useful trait, unless you're a mopologist.

[_Buffalo]

It isn't strange at all. Lived a full life? And what to show for it when you don't exist anymore?

Someday, if you ever have kids, you'll understand.

[_harmony]

If there were no afterlife, anything we do or achieve ends. I can think of nothing more depressing.

Did the lightbuld end when the lightbulb inventor died?
Did the telephone end when the telephone inventor died?
Did the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints end when Joseph Smith died?
Do our children end when we die?

Your statement makes no sense at all. Our accomplishments can be enjoyed by us during our lives and enjoyed by others after we are gone.

And there is our living legacy: our children and their children.

I don't understand Simon's viewpoint at all.

[_Simon Belmont]

How will you know if you don't exist? Simon, you know how silly you sound when you say, "I can think of nothing more depressing than to not exist", don't you?

I know now that I won't exist then (at some undetermined time in the future). As an atheist, I would be depressed now.

The majority of people in the world are not Aethist. Please CFR on who said the majority of people in this world are Aethist.

You said it:

Doesn’t the fact that the majority of the world’s population manage to live perfectly satisfactory, fulfilled lives without believing what you believe make you stop and think just for a moment?

What I did say is that the vast majority of people on this earth live happy, healthy and productive lives and these people do not believe as you do.

We aren't talking about LDS beliefs here, Everybody Wang Chung. We're talking about belief in the afterlife. So, by saying the majority of people don't believe in an afterlife is to say the majority of people are atheist.

These Aethists are not sad, depressed or taking medication for depression (see Utah's anti-depressant use).

And you've surveyed all of them, right?

Why do you think so many Aethists are happy, helpful, healthy, loving parents and productive? According to your logic, they should all be sad, depressed and unmotivated to do anything.

No, I said I would be sad as an atheist.

I think not being able to understand how an Aethist could be happy speaks volumes of your myopic perspective. What do you make of these hundreds of millions of Aethists who are, loving, kind, helpful, productive and happy? Does it give you pause?

Being loving, kind, and helpful can coexist with being sad. I am happy for atheists who can reconcile their beliefs, but I just don't think I could. And when you really think about it, I don't think you could either.

I have found in life that most people who cling to religion most tightly are the ones who are the least happy and most scared in their lives.

I'm not necessarily talking about religion. I am talking about belief in an afterlife.

[_Buffalo]

Simon, have you ever been an atheist? I mean, since you were old enough to be indoctrinated into religious belief?

[_just me]

I just want to point out that you can be a theist and not believe in an afterlife and you can be an atheist and believe in an afterlife.

[_Simon Belmont]

Simon, have you ever been an atheist? I mean, since you were old enough to be indoctrinated into religious belief?

One has to be something to know about or have an opinion about that something?

I just want to point out that you can be a theist and not believe in an afterlife and you can be an atheist and believe in an afterlife.

There are always exceptions. But generally, an atheist doesn't believe in an afterlife, while a theist does.

[_Buffalo]

Simon, have you ever been an atheist? I mean, since you were old enough to be indoctrinated into religious belief?

One has to be something to know about or have an opinion about that something?

You have to be an atheist to know what it's like to be an atheist, yes. It's not what you'd think, as a believer.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

How will you know if you don't exist? Simon, you know how silly you sound when you say, "I can think of nothing more depressing than to not exist", don't you?

I know now that I won't exist then (at some undetermined time in the future). As an atheist, I would be depressed now.

Simon, I hope someday that you will truly be happy and enjoy life. It's tragic that your belief in the afterlife is your source of happiness and without it you would be "depressed". You are truly missing out. I think you are forgetting, "men are that they might have joy". Some simple suggestions for you: laugh, connect with nature, connect with people, learn, have simple pleasures, slow down, love your children, spouse, and others.

Good luck, Simon.

[_Simon Belmont]

Simon, I hope someday that you will truly be happy and enjoy life. It's tragic that your belief in the afterlife is your source of happiness and without it you would be "depressed". You are truly missing out. I think you are forgetting, "men are that they might have joy". Some simple suggestions for you: laugh, connect with nature, connect with people, learn, have simple pleasures, slow down, love your children, spouse, and others.

Good luck, Simon.

Thanks, but to what end, Everybody Wang Chung?