Coming to terms with death

[andy1984]

Originally Posted by 3k1yp2

this idea of converting to christianity to avoid hell has intrigued me for some time now. I am an agnostic who leans rather heavilly towards athieism, but have often wondered if perhaps I should "accept" christ and go to church just to be safe, even though i find much absurdity in the religion. (not Absurd as in Camus) But wouldn't I still go to Hell anyway, even if ther was a God, since I essentially would be converting to save my own skin rather than out of any real caring for God? Looks like if there is a God, I'm damned if I do ad damned if I don't...

don't you have to accept the existence of hell before it could make any sense to convert so you wont end up there? if you already believe in hell, then its not much of a jump to become a christian; if you believe in one thing christians talk about why not the rest? if you don't believe, then why would you bother even contemplating it?

i guess you could be trying to avoid the tiniest probability that christians are right and being a superficial/selfish christian keeps you out of hell. but that makes no sense to me, considering the many other things that are possible and other religion's views.

[3k1yp2]

Originally Posted by andy1984

don't you have to accept the existence of hell before it could make any sense to convert so you wont end up there? if you already believe in hell, then its not much of a jump to become a christian; if you believe in one thing christians talk about why not the rest? if you don't believe, then why would you bother even contemplating it?

i guess you could be trying to avoid the tiniest probability that christians are right and being a superficial/selfish christian keeps you out of hell. but that makes no sense to me, considering the many other things that are possible and other religion's views.

i don't really believe any of it, and that's precisely my point. i can't find it in myself (or delude myself?) to believe, so on the off chance that they're actually right, im totally screwed right? Maybe i should just enjoy life, huh? It may be kind of odd, but a part of me can't wait to the end so I can see if there is indeed a supreme being or afterlife, I guess I'm just a curious person or something...

[Greddy]

I dont think people are that much afraid of death itself, when they have come to terms with it.

I think:
When people have lived a long life, and seen and experienced alot of things, they probarly have a much more casual relationship to death. The only thing I can think of being intimidate is loneliness.

In my case death itself is not that terrifying, it's missing out the experience that might come in the future that scare me most. That's why dying in a young age might be more "scary" when you have a life ahead of you, then being old, lived and experienced alot of things.

[3k1yp2]

for me the problem is the fact that would feel as if i was leaving things undone and leaving people alone. If i didn't have people who needed me, i wouldn't mind dying. I would hate to not be there to help someone. also, i want to experience life to the fullest. im only 18, and there are sooo many things that i want to do, and so many places i want to go an see. To me, death and the afterlife is no big deal. But like greddy said, it's about leaving things undone. i'm not afraid to die, but i would prefer to die old rather than young. just fyi, Some common (widely read and familiar) literary works that have an element dealing with coming to terms with death are Hamlet, The Stranger by Camus, and A Man for All Seasons, by Bolt. I actually chose those three boks to write a paper on and I compared them along this point.

[Febo]

In my personal case I have often tried to come to terms with death, because of little accomplishment up until now I cant say "I'm ready to die", but I accept death as it is a natural occurence and when the time comes, the time comes.

As far as hallucinogens, I am on the same boat, and having new perspective through another state of consciousness I think is really important.

I am lucid dreaming

[William]

Originally Posted by Mentally Ill

I can truly say, I am now ready to die. And, now, I feel more than ever, that I can truly say, I am ready to live.

Good statement. Other than "ready to live" you might want to say "begin to live".

William

[Febo]

[QUOTE=3k1yp2;119514]for me the problem is the fact that would feel as if i was leaving things undone and leaving people alone. If i didn't have people who needed me, i wouldn't mind dying. I would hate to not be there to help someone. also, i want to experience life to the fullest. im only 18, and there are sooo many things that i want to do, and so many places i want to go an see.

_________

Im 16 and feel the exact same way, theres some truth to live every day so that when you get to point of passing away its not so hard and you cant say "I didnt live my life"

[3k1yp2]

[QUOTE=Febo;119554]

Originally Posted by 3k1yp2

for me the problem is the fact that would feel as if i was leaving things undone and leaving people alone. If i didn't have people who needed me, i wouldn't mind dying. I would hate to not be there to help someone. also, i want to experience life to the fullest. im only 18, and there are sooo many things that i want to do, and so many places i want to go an see.

_________

Im 16 and feel the exact same way, theres some truth to live every day so that when you get to point of passing away its not so hard and you cant say "I didnt live my life"

well said,************

[G-Thomson]

Originally Posted by 3k1yp2

for me the problem is the fact that would feel as if i was leaving things undone and leaving people alone. If i didn't have people who needed me, i wouldn't mind dying. I would hate to not be there to help someone. also, i want to experience life to the fullest. im only 18, and there are sooo many things that i want to do, and so many places i want to go an see. To me, death and the afterlife is no big deal. But like greddy said, it's about leaving things undone. i'm not afraid to die, but i would prefer to die old rather than young.

I agree with you. I'm only 18 too, but I'm hitting my 'existential crisis' pretty early.
I also think about leaving friends and family and all the jazz associated with it, but I hold no belief whatsoever in an afterlife.
This brings me on to a point in which I begin to truly question what I call, my 'life'.
I can't remember where it is from, but the quote, "When I die, the world dies with me" comes into mind when pondering the big question.
If there is no afterlife, then you won't know of any pain and suffering caused by your death, as there is no experience for you after that. You will not be able to know of everything you cherished, of the plants, the trees, the air, the people...the Earth.

However, I don't plan on going anytime soon, even though I contemplate suicide every few days. (Nothing major, just things like, "I wonder what would happen if I jumped in front of that train, took too many pills", etc)

I suppose it's all just part of my OCD.

Oh, and I've already started my '100 things to do before I die' list. Just to keep me striving for something and not lying around, stagnant...thinking.

[Mentally Ill]

"i'm not afraid to die, but i would prefer to die old rather than young."

Agreed. Accepting the inevitability of your death is not the same as submitting yourself to death. Although I know that the only truly fated course in my life is towards death, I still strive to live and rebel against my demise every single day. Every bite of food you eat and every push-up you do is an act of defiance in the face of your ultimate destiny, but that's what life is: the antithesis to death.
Right?
The system wants equalize, and organisms are rebels in that system, taking what they can and processing it in different ways so that they can all continue to exist. Life is an act of rebellion (in my eyes at least).