Atheist, Are'nt you scared?

[Yom]

There's no agnostic option, so I'm not voting. Either way, I'm not sure if "fear" is the right word to describe my feelings towards death. I definitely want to avoid it at almost all costs. However, I don't think "fear" adequately describes how I see death. Life, in perhaps any form, would be preferable to death and the eternal nothingness that comes with it. I don't mean eternal nothingness as in a disembodied sentience experiencing nothing but blackness; in fact, this would be preferable, as thought is still possible. What I am talking about is the nonexistence that preceded birth. That, to me, is perhaps always worse than life. I have yet to experience torture, however, so I may change that view later in life (not to imply that I plan on being tortured).

 

[Alex the Great]

I just personally figure there's no evidence for any sort of god at the given time. Should he show up at my front door, I would reconsider, however until that time I won't waste my Sundays/sacrifices to him/what have you. For any unexplaineds, we will probably explain them in good time, but resorting to the "god(s) magically did it" is just a cop-out and a most likely a horrible ignorance of reality. On death though, there's nothing worse than losing consciousness permanently and dying. That sure is a huge drop off after having life and all . Nevertheless there are a few scenarios after death all of which point to a well reasoned fearlessness of mine:

1. No afterlife, just nothingness. I got the most out of life, unburdened by religious worship and all. No pain, just like I was before birth. Death as a quick process itself is certainly bad but oh well.

2. Afterlife, good god(s). Benevolent, rational deity/deities (the only type I would bother spending time with) exists. I get in on general good merit. "Come on man, how could I pick you out of the infinite possibilities and religions?" "Good point, welcome to paradise." (May require slight punishment, not eternal if the deity/deities runs their show properly) It may or may not be boring, and an omnipotent being would no doubt make it as least boring as possible.

3. Afterlife, bad god(s). Evil/kooky/idiotic deity/deities. Well then most everyone loses and suffers. Nothing I can do to change it.

 

[Shadylookin]

I'm not afraid of dying, I am definately not looking forward to not existing anymore but since I'm a young guy I don't really worry about it.

I'm especially not afraid of an afterlife. for one I dont think such a thing exists, and two if god exist then he has only himself to blame for creating me when the reason not to believe in him and it would be unfair to send me to hell.

 

[The Last Conformist]

I've never undergone what you're referring to. Death is a natural part of life. Without it, life would be even more meaningless.

Pain is a natural part of life. Doesn't mean I do not feel terror as something flies against my face at speed.

 

[stratego]

Wait, so what does taps have to do with my post?

 

[Perfection]

Wait, so what does taps have to do with my post?

Because to drink the amount of alcohol we estimate you consume before posting from a single container you would need a tap.

 

[elfangor801]

Wait, so what does taps have to do with my post?

He was going to kill you for the homosexual comment, and Taps was to be played at your funeral .

 

[Goober]

I am Christian, and one of the things that I am least scared of is Death. In fact, I am not scared at all of it. I don't believe in the traditional afterlife, heaven/hell, I do believe in a form of afterlife, but, well, its complicated. If you really wanna know, PM me.

No, Death does not scare me. I am more scared my my computer randomly deleting data then Death.

 

[Quentin]

I am agnostic and I fear Death. Most of the scenarios that can happen after death do not seem awfully pleasant to me.

For me it is particularly frightening to think of lack of sentience which is the scenario that seems the most likely . Also I am sure a tall, floating, cloaked guy with a scythe would be very scary. I suppose eternal torment could be worse though but I can't see how that might be.

 

[Perfection]

I'm surprised to see how many people could view eternal torment as better than nothing. How can one value a life of no happiness?

 

[Sarevok]

"Heh, I do not fear death... do you?"

 

[Fifty]

I am terrified of dying, but life must go on and I refuse to take comfort in something like God. Seems equivalent to the people who become drug addicts just to avoid the pain and realities of life.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Not really. There is very good evidence that LSD, in fact, exists.

 

[Mapache]

Believers fear the wrath of God.

 

[Hotpoint]

I'm an Atheist and not scared of dying at all. If there was an option I might be a bit more concerned but there isn't, so what's the point worrying about it? When someone has developed an immortality serum I'll likely take my existance more seriously (more to lose).

If I thought there was an afterlife then I would be worried in case I found out I was worshipping the wrong religion and Osiris was really annoyed with me

 

[nonconformist]

"I'm not scared of dying, I just don't want to be there when it happens"-Woody Allen.
Same applies to me; I'm not really scared of dying that much (I think), I just would want it over an done with.

"You come from nothin', you go to nothin', what have you lost? Nothin'! Worse things happen at sea, y'know!"

 

[~Corsair#01~]

I'm absolutely terrified of it, as any sane man should be. If you're not afraid of death, it speaks a lot about your quality of life.

 

[boogaboo]

I'm an "Atheist~no".

~Corsair#01~ said it right, I guess.
I have only some quality of life and I was near suicide 3 times (ages 12, 20, 25).
My real fear is that my mom hears I'm dead.
If she suddenly pass away (no!!!), I can see myself commitng suicide on my first bad day... well, second.

 

[King Alexander]

I'd be scared if God existed and I'd be forced to hear he's blah-blah-blah-amen-amen-amen-purity-sexless(repeat: [insert favorite loop here]) and all that nonsence, for the eternity, although I'm sure that I'd find a way to beat him senseless, handcuff him and leave him in the devil's hand for the bad he's caused to humans and continues to do so. I'd also force God to watch movies for adults... so he realizes what a stupid one he was all those billion years... that he didn't wanted a Goddess by his side.

I'd then go on to find my own place(anti-Heaven) and I'd fill it with all the things/'creatures' that interest me: if you happen to realize that all that you believed in your life on earth were crap, you can find me in my own place, ask for forgiveness(!!!) and come to enjoy all that that you 'lost-on-purpose' while you were alive - Amen, brothers

 

[Hamlet]

I'm not scared of death. Death to me, is not scary because it's the 'undiscovered country', but intriguing.

In any case, I'm just as likely to have my expectations of the afterlife proven 'wrong' as any believer in a diety(ies), considering the enormous range of religions and possible religions there are.