Valuing life

[_harmony]

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

That is not true. Were that so, no one would ever study history.

[_Simon Belmont]

Why would an Atheist find that depressing? If they have lived a full life, helped other people, made meaningful contributions, then why would they not be fulfilled? Strange, Simon.

It isn't strange at all. Lived a full life? And what to show for it when you don't exist anymore? You won't care what you've accomplished, or how fulfilling your life was. There won't be a you to care. As I sit here typing, each nanosecond brings me closer to that reality. I can think of nothing more depressing.

Actually, it's an appeal to facts. Nice dodge. In other words, you can't answer the question. The vast majority of people do not believe as you do, but manage to live fulfuilled and happy lives. Doesn't that make you pause?

I don't think the majority of the world is atheist. If you can provide a reference for that, then I'll believe it. The majority of the world believes in an afterlife.

I know its the only life there is, too. I enjoy it because we only get one mortal life on earth. But I also believe that I will be able to see the fruits of the things I've done here from the perspective of the afterlife.

Why would that make you happier than an Atheist?

Because, if I were atheist, knowing that in the blink of an eye it will all end and it ultimately means nothing is the most depressing thing in the universe.

Simon, the facts are that most Atheist live happy, healthy and productive lives. They are not sad, depressed or taking anti-depressants (think Utah) according to conclusion of your logic.

I am happy for those who can reconcile happiness with atheism. I cannot.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

It isn't strange at all. Lived a full life? And what to show for it when you don't exist anymore? You won't care what you've accomplished, or how fulfilling your life was. There won't be a you to care. As I sit here typing, each nanosecond brings me closer to that reality. I can think of nothing more depressing.

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 don't think the majority of the world is atheist. If you can provide a reference for that, then I'll believe it. The majority of the world believes in an afterlife.

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

Among this vast majority of people are hundreds of millions of Aethists. These Aethists are not sad, depressed or taking medication for depression (see Utah's anti-depressant use). 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.

I am happy for those who can reconcile happiness with atheism. I cannot.

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?

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. This situation above all others perhaps deserves our compassion and respect. For this I have compassion for you, Simon.

[_GR33N]

We didn't evolve so we could begin to question our own existence. The ability to question one's own existence is a side-effect of having a brain which is very good at empathy, complex problem-solving and pattern recognition. Your brain's ability to see the suffering of a brother or sister being stalked or eaten by a saber-toothed tiger and recognizing that the tiger's intended victim might just as easily have been you proffers a powerful survival advantage. Empathy increases your chance of survival because empathic creatures take care of each other in times of injury, sickness or physical danger. The ability to be empathic is almost certainly founded in part upon the brain's ability to recognize the possibility of dying. Once your brain knows about dying, by seeing it in the world all around you, and being able to put itself in the place of those who have died before, you now have the ability to question your own existence. It's not an evolutionary advantage per se, but the side effect of a powerful survival mechanism.

We didn't evolve. (there, fixed)

[_beefcalf]

We didn't evolve so we could begin to question our own existence. The ability to question one's own existence is a side-effect of having a brain which is very good at empathy, complex problem-solving and pattern recognition. Your brain's ability to see the suffering of a brother or sister being stalked or eaten by a saber-toothed tiger and recognizing that the tiger's intended victim might just as easily have been you proffers a powerful survival advantage. Empathy increases your chance of survival because empathic creatures take care of each other in times of injury, sickness or physical danger. The ability to be empathic is almost certainly founded in part upon the brain's ability to recognize the possibility of dying. Once your brain knows about dying, by seeing it in the world all around you, and being able to put itself in the place of those who have died before, you now have the ability to question your own existence. It's not an evolutionary advantage per se, but the side effect of a powerful survival mechanism.

We didn't evolve. (there, fixed)

Oh, come on, GR33N! You can do better than that!

[_beefcalf]

GR33N,

Seriously, there are many proofs of the truth of common descent and we have an excellent understanding of the method by which the species currently found on Earth have diverged from our shared common ancestors.

Although the practical scientific methods and strategies employed to uncover these truths were admittedly used by men with advanced degrees, using advanced technology, the resulting explanations can be easily grasped by any man or woman who is honestly willing to listen.

Although a lay-person in the realm of molecular biology, I have a good grasp on the incredibly persuasive line of argumentation and evidence which compels us view common descent as absolute fact, and that it is completely incompatible with a literal interpretation of Genesis. Accepting the absolute fact of common descent does not, however, compel one to discard a belief in god or gods.

If the god you worship is real, I have a difficult time believing he would approve of his children closing their eyes and covering their ears so as to avoid hearing or seeing evidences and explanations of how the world really works.

If you care to read, I can elucidate just one of the many, many incredibly powerful proofs of why either evolution is true, or the God who created us has employed deceptive and dishonest practices to hide his creative efforts.

Let me know if you are interested.

[_Hades]

There is no "thirst for power." The purpose of an afterlife is to continue learning, growing, achieving, and working. If there were no afterlife, anything we do or achieve ends. I can think of nothing more depressing.

Afterlife sounds a whole lot like this life. That leads me to believe it was dreamed up by man. Man knows no other existence.

[_just me]

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.

[_Some Schmo]

We didn't evolve. (there, fixed)

This says it all...

[_Buffalo]

Is life of more value to one who does not believe in afterlife or one that does?

Not at all.

Not having an afterlife, for me, makes life much less valuable. Without our divine nature and the understanding that this is just a phase in an infinite and beautiful existence, what do we have?

Well, we're a conglomerate of bones, skin, and other tissue that somehow evolved the ability to question our own existence. When we die, that's it. What's the point?

Having been a believer and an unbeliever, I will say that for me life became MUCH more valuable after I stop believing. That which is in limited supply is much more valuable than that which is in endless supply.