How do Atheists and Agnostics deal with death?

[Ghumanto]

What do you mean by 'deal with death'? Death comes to everyone. No question of 'dealing with it', except for accepting it as inevitable. That's all.

I was terribly sick and almost dead . During those days , sometimes I could feel that I was floating around and about to give up. I remember , I was thinking whether it was the death !
But somehow I wasn't feeling any fear / loss ..
Am I a hard nut ? Or just a stupid for not feeling the chill of death ?

[RickSp]

The interesting thing, at least to me, about death is that unlike religion and the entire issue of god or gods, there is considerable evidence for the existence of an after life. I am not prepared to say that I am convinced there is an afterlife, but there is at least reason to believe that there might be. I am far less convinced of the existence of any particular god.

[Son of Belial]

Sergeant, I'm reminded of a movie somewhere in which the pagan co-hero asks the Christian co-hero, "How can you possibly live with just one God?"

If I recall, that was "The 13th Warrior," and it was a Muslim. But the idea remains the same.

[Sonart]

But what if you are wrong Son and you miss possibly seeing your parents again in heaven. Are you sure you have touched all the bases and checked out all the score cards? Are you sure there is not something you have missed? Have you looked at the promises of God through the glasses of the world instead the lenses of your mind and heart guided by the Holy Spirit? Try again, you have nothing to lose, all to gain.

Ahhh, Pascal's Wager, cover my bets, eh? You're saying I should lie to God... *wink, wink* Ok, I believe, just in case. *wink, wink*

Obviously this is incomprehensible to you, Zealot, being a zealot and all, but as a young man I tried to believe in God. Got together with a Christian group, prayed and asked Jesus to come into my life. RStudied the Bible. Lasted about a month, until it finally came crashing in that I just didn't... couldn't... buy it.

Let me ask you, zealot. Do you believe in Santa Claus? Zeus? The Great Bear Spirit? I could no more believe in a God then those. Can't do it. My mind simply doesn't work that way. As Spock would say, "It's illogical".

Death happens, even to those closest to us. I'm in the same boat as Sonart. I've accepted the fact that death is the end. That doesn't mean I want it to happen (to anybody) any time soon. The athiest outlook has given me an incredible respect for life and for death.

There it is.

f I recall, that was "The 13th Warrior," and it was a Muslim. But the idea remains the same.

One of my favorite movies. "You may need only one god, Arab, but we are in need of many. Do not be offended!" I thought of that, but nope, that's not the movie I was thinking of. It was driving my crazy trying to remember.

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[Resolute]

I don't know how other atheists/agnostics go about it, but I lean heavily to the agnostic side, so I still believe there is some overall meaning to life, the universe, and such, so I have no huge problem with ceasing to exist sometime in the distant future, so long as there is a point to it. If I was full blown atheist the concept of death would disgust me; I'd be one of those mad scientists in bad sci-fi movies trying to conquer death at all costs (or Voldemort, for the younger readers). I also do not discount the possibility of an afterlife/reincarnation, although in a way far skewed from any biblical sense.

This brings up another interesting thought that's been on my mind recently. With all the medical advances going on right now, its not inconcievable that in our lifetimes, some sort of immortality treatment will become available. This generation could be the first to live forever. Freaky.

[Milton Bradley]

I’m really curious how you deal with death......it would be so hard if I lost a child and had to think I would never look upon their face again. Therefore, it must be a very difficult situation far more worse than a Christian’s experience. :(

I am an agnostic/atheist, but I am also Realist, therefore I recognize death as the inevitable end of life as we define life.


Not too much more to convey, it is just a natural process that people have yet to figure out how to beat.


On an emotional level, I just deal with it as its dealt. No point crying about things we cannot change.

[Sonart]

Life must continue, does anybody else think this.

I've theoriezed that the soul may exist as a form of energy... a life force if you will... and that this may relate to the concept of reincarnation... the ronin life force taking up residence in new life. But for the most part, no... I believe the soul requires a living body as a vehicle. The body dies, so does the soul.

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[belverron]

It's the atheists who have it easy. I'd take nothingness over the unknown, any day.

[LetThereBe]

It's the atheists who have it easy. I'd take nothingness over the unknown, any day.

Heh. Not sure if I agree there... in some way oblivion seems to hold just as much terror as eternal torment.

[sergeant]

This brings up another interesting thought that's been on my mind recently. With all the medical advances going on right now, its not inconcievable that in our lifetimes, some sort of immortality treatment will become available. This generation could be the first to live forever. Freaky.[/QUOTE]

I see it now Wars upon Wars if this break through occurs.....it wouldn't be as simple as you suggest....this generation would destory itself over such an advancement.

[LetThereBe]

This brings up another interesting thought that's been on my mind recently. With all the medical advances going on right now, its not inconcievable that in our lifetimes, some sort of immortality treatment will become available. This generation could be the first to live forever. Freaky.

I see it now Wars upon Wars if this break through occurs.....it wouldn't be as simple as you suggest....this generation would destory itself over such an advancement.[/QUOTE]

Lets not forget that food would run out. Either that or would we have to prevent any reproduction.

[sergeant]

I enjoyed all of your answers, really! Only one or two post spoke of dealing with a child’s death though.....your parents.....yes it is heartbreaking ....but when your child is born...we make a promise to love and protect....and if we are unable to keep that promise it has to be awful.....I have a 8 and 2 year old and not a day goes by that I don’t think about the what ifs and listen to the news and cry myself to sleep at times.....and if the death is untimely and brutal...Please God be there to hold my baby if I cannot while his life comes to an end.