[Crimson Dynamo]

How do you feel about that when you die nothing happens, a bit like before you were born?

[Nedusa]

You won't feel anything about it because you will not exist

or.........as one of God's chosen ones you will be living it large up in Heaven with 72 virgins.......

No one knows..no one has ever come back or sent a message back...Not one of the 60 Billion people who has ever lived has ever come back....???

So it's not looking good is it ?

[Ramsay]

I wont know i'm dead so i'm not really that fussed

[Livia]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

How do you feel about that when you die nothing happens, a bit like before you were born?

Well, Jews don't really do heaven, but I believe something of us goes on after death. There's as much evidence for either argument frankly - ie, none.

[RichardG]

I've never been religious at all and have always accepted the fact that once i'm gone i'm gone, and that's fine with me right now. However, i'm sure closer to the time when i'm much older it will start to bother me so I'll probably start believing in one of the life after death theories just as comfort more than anything. I'll be more than willing to pass away if I think i'm going to reincarnate as an international kpop sensation

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Livia

Well, Jews don't really do heaven, but I believe something of us goes on after death. There's as much evidence for either argument frankly - ie, none.

I don't know... There's certainly a lot to suggest that a person or personality couldn't continue "as is" after death, in my opinion. Try lobotomising someone, for example, or making any one of countless alterations to the brain (or brain chemistry) that can completely alter personality.

There is ample empirical evidence that all aspects of personality can be found (and changed) in the physical brain. Some might choose to ignore that but... Well, the evidence is there and can be demonstrated. It therefore seems impossible that a "person" can continue to exist beyond death, exactly as they were at the point of death, once that physical brain is worm food. I mean, which version of themselves are they? Not the happy version, or the depressed version, or the angry version or the excited version or any other version of themselves that rely on brain chemistry and can be "removed" through physical or chemical brain alterations... And if that's the case... Are they really "themselves" at all?

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

I don't know... There's certainly a lot to suggest that a person or personality couldn't continue "as is" after death, in my opinion. Try lobotomising someone, for example, or making any one of countless alterations to the brain (or brain chemistry) that can completely alter personality.

There is ample empirical evidence that all aspects of personality can be found (and changed) in the physical brain. Some might choose to ignore that but... Well, the evidence is there and can be demonstrated. It therefore seems impossible that a "person" can continue to exist beyond death, exactly as they were at the point of death, once that physical brain is worm food. I mean, which version of themselves are they? Not the happy version, or the depressed version, or the angry version or the excited version or any other version of themselves that rely on brain chemistry and can be "removed" through physical or chemical brain alterations... And if that's the case... Are they really "themselves" at all?

Well firstly, human beings don't even know how the brain really works while we're alive, so I don't think it's even worth us guessing what happens when we die because we just don't know. Any evidence would probably be beyond our understanding now as we're still groping around in the dark. Secondly, although my husband died, I can still feel him around me sometimes. Other people won't believe that, people will put it down to "wishful thinking" and come up with a myriad of reasons why it's not true. But I know. There's nothing I can say that will convince you I'm right, and there's nothing you can say that can convince me that I'm wrong. So I suppose we're all just going to have to wait and see because one day we'll all know the truth.

[Cherie]

I quite welcome nothingness. Bit like going under general anaesthetic, just blackness. Nice.

Originally Posted by Cherie

I quite welcome nothingness. Bit like going under general anaesthetic, just blackness. Nice.

Once you go blackness, you never go backness.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I suppose you leave traces of yourself in your children and their children so a wee bit of you continues for a few generations

[Brother Leon]

I'll be too busy enjoying my 72 Virgins to file an essay on my feelings after death.

Sorry.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Brother Leon

I'll be too busy enjoying my 72 Virgins to file an essay on my feelings after death.

Sorry.

Sadly they all look like Ann Widdecombe. Enjoy!

It might be your heaven Leon, but don't forget there are 72 girls about to go to hell.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Livia

Well firstly, human beings don't even know how the brain really works while we're alive, so I don't think it's even worth us guessing what happens when we die because we just don't know. Any evidence would probably be beyond our understanding now as we're still groping around in the dark. Secondly, although my husband died, I can still feel him around me sometimes. Other people won't believe that, people will put it down to "wishful thinking" and come up with a myriad of reasons why it's not true. But I know. There's nothing I can say that will convince you I'm right, and there's nothing you can say that can convince me that I'm wrong. So I suppose we're all just going to have to wait and see because one day we'll all know the truth.

Really strong post.
As to you feeling your Husband around you or having the feeling he may be there at times, I do understand that and I cannot explain why but I feel that with my Grandmother who I was extremely close to as well.

Really interesting and thought provoking post Livia.

[AnnieK]

My grandad was a grave digger when he was younger and he believed in life after death. He always told us he would find a way to prove it. I spent the first few months after he died scared that I would wake up and he'd be sat on the end of my bed....that never happened. But my mum is convinced he is around at times. There is quite often a strong smell of cigarette smoke even though no one smokes (he did). Also, we planted arose tree in my parents garden and it blooms wonderfully every year even when the weather hasn't been kind to plants and nothing else thrives, his rose bush is beautiful.

[Kazanne]

I don't believe we are 'gone' I believe we have several incarnations and several life tests,how we behave in this life I think reflects on our next one ,it's hard to explain but I think at least a couple of people will understand what I mean,even if I haven't worded it right.

[MTVN]

'tis all quite exciting in a way, the only thing where literally anything could happen but it's impossible to know for certain what

[Redway]

It's a daunting prospect at first but doesn't affect me half as much now seeing you won't know you're dead - because you're dead. I'm indifferent to it; not something to either look forward to or not look forward to. Totally neutral.

[waterhog]

tibb forum will be free when i go - no more poems. herayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyy

[Z]

Death scares me. I like being alive, it's super. I don't know what I believe when it comes to what happens after you die, because I don't like thinking about being dead. I don't know what being dead is like, nor do I want to know. It'll happen one day anyway, so no point thinking about it all the time.

Even if that's truly the end of you when you die, there will always be reminders of you left behind for the people who knew you. Maybe physical possessions, songs or films or flowers or places or words that remind people of you. You'll pop into people's minds when they least expect it. You existed and that's what matters.

[anne666]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

I don't believe we are 'gone' I believe we have several incarnations and several life tests,how we behave in this life I think reflects on our next one ,it's hard to explain but I think at least a couple of people will understand what I mean,even if I haven't worded it right.

I understand fully.

[Vicky.]

I dont feel anything about it to be honest..but its what I believe happens.

[Z]

I once read a really cool story online about death/reincarnation, I remember speaking about it on here before and linking it to Karl... I'll put it in spoilers.

Spoiler:

The Egg

By: Andy Weir



You were on your way home when you died.

It was a car accident. Nothing particularly remarkable, but fatal nonetheless. You left behind a wife and two children. It was a painless death. The EMTs tried their best to save you, but to no avail. Your body was so utterly shattered you were better off, trust me.

And that’s when you met me.

“What… what happened?” You asked. “Where am I?”

“You died,” I said, matter-of-factly. No point in mincing words.

“There was a… a truck and it was skidding…”

“Yup,” I said.

“I… I died?”

“Yup. But don’t feel bad about it. Everyone dies,” I said.

You looked around. There was nothingness. Just you and me. “What is this place?” You asked. “Is this the afterlife?”

“More or less,” I said.

“Are you god?” You asked.

“Yup,” I replied. “I’m God.”

“My kids… my wife,” you said.

“What about them?”

“Will they be all right?”

“That’s what I like to see,” I said. “You just died and your main concern is for your family. That’s good stuff right there.”

You looked at me with fascination. To you, I didn’t look like God. I just looked like some man. Or possibly a woman. Some vague authority figure, maybe. More of a grammar school teacher than the almighty.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “They’ll be fine. Your kids will remember you as perfect in every way. They didn’t have time to grow contempt for you. Your wife will cry on the outside, but will be secretly relieved. To be fair, your marriage was falling apart. If it’s any consolation, she’ll feel very guilty for feeling relieved.”

“Oh,” you said. “So what happens now? Do I go to heaven or hell or something?”

“Neither,” I said. “You’ll be reincarnated.”

“Ah,” you said. “So the Hindus were right,”

“All religions are right in their own way,” I said. “Walk with me.”

You followed along as we strode through the void. “Where are we going?”

“Nowhere in particular,” I said. “It’s just nice to walk while we talk.”

“So what’s the point, then?” You asked. “When I get reborn, I’ll just be a blank slate, right? A baby. So all my experiences and everything I did in this life won’t matter.”

“Not so!” I said. “You have within you all the knowledge and experiences of all your past lives. You just don’t remember them right now.”

I stopped walking and took you by the shoulders. “Your soul is more magnificent, beautiful, and gigantic than you can possibly imagine. A human mind can only contain a tiny fraction of what you are. It’s like sticking your finger in a glass of water to see if it’s hot or cold. You put a tiny part of yourself into the vessel, and when you bring it back out, you’ve gained all the experiences it had.

“You’ve been in a human for the last 48 years, so you haven’t stretched out yet and felt the rest of your immense consciousness. If we hung out here for long enough, you’d start remembering everything. But there’s no point to doing that between each life.”

“How many times have I been reincarnated, then?”

“Oh lots. Lots and lots. An in to lots of different lives.” I said. “This time around, you’ll be a Chinese peasant girl in 540 AD.”

“Wait, what?” You stammered. “You’re sending me back in time?”

“Well, I guess technically. Time, as you know it, only exists in your universe. Things are different where I come from.”

“Where you come from?” You said.

“Oh sure,” I explained “I come from somewhere. Somewhere else. And there are others like me. I know you’ll want to know what it’s like there, but honestly you wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh,” you said, a little let down. “But wait. If I get reincarnated to other places in time, I could have interacted with myself at some point.”

“Sure. Happens all the time. And with both lives only aware of their own lifespan you don’t even know it’s happening.”

“So what’s the point of it all?”

“Seriously?” I asked. “Seriously? You’re asking me for the meaning of life? Isn’t that a little stereotypical?”

“Well it’s a reasonable question,” you persisted.

I looked you in the eye. “The meaning of life, the reason I made this whole universe, is for you to mature.”

“You mean mankind? You want us to mature?”

“No, just you. I made this whole universe for you. With each new life you grow and mature and become a larger and greater intellect.”

“Just me? What about everyone else?”

“There is no one else,” I said. “In this universe, there’s just you and me.”

You stared blankly at me. “But all the people on earth…”

“All you. Different incarnations of you.”

“Wait. I’m everyone!?”

“Now you’re getting it,” I said, with a congratulatory slap on the back.

“I’m every human being who ever lived?”

“Or who will ever live, yes.”

“I’m Abraham Lincoln?”

“And you’re John Wilkes Booth, too,” I added.

“I’m Hitler?” You said, appalled.

“And you’re the millions he killed.”

“I’m Jesus?”

“And you’re everyone who followed him.”

You fell silent.

“Every time you victimized someone,” I said, “you were victimizing yourself. Every act of kindness you’ve done, you’ve done to yourself. Every happy and sad moment ever experienced by any human was, or will be, experienced by you.”

You thought for a long time.

“Why?” You asked me. “Why do all this?”

“Because someday, you will become like me. Because that’s what you are. You’re one of my kind. You’re my child.”

“Whoa,” you said, incredulous. “You mean I’m a god?”

“No. Not yet. You’re a fetus. You’re still growing. Once you’ve lived every human life throughout all time, you will have grown enough to be born.”

“So the whole universe,” you said, “it’s just…”

“An egg.” I answered. “Now it’s time for you to move on to your next life.”

And I sent you on your way.

[Josy]

That was a good read Zee, thanks for that.

[Z]

Isn't it great? I think it's such a cleverly written short story.