How do Atheists and Agnostics deal with death?

[sergeant]

It is as simple as this put your problem in God's hands. In your thoughts rise above the problem so that you look down upon it, not up at it. test it according to God's will. That is, do not try to get success from something that is wrong. Be sure it is right morally, spiritually, and ethically. You can never get a right result from an error. if your thinking is wrong, it is wrong and not right and can never be right so long as it is wrong. If it is wrong in the essence it is bound to wrong in the result. Therefore be sure it is right then hold it up to God's name and visualise a great result.

I was questioning my intelligence on CheckMate's post because I couldn't understand them completely...however, am I wrong that it isn't uncommon for all of you to have trouble as well?
Sorry CheckMate but is this a second language for you? I mean...if it is... wow because I cannot read and write in another language so that is great. I can barely read and write English! LOL

[LetThereBe]

I remain facinated by the picutre of death presented in Norse mythology: it was supernatural, but without hope! They believed the few who died heroically in battle would go to feasting in Valhalla. And then they (along with all the gods) would die AGAIN in battle at Ragnorok. Incredible.
I've heard in sometimes it is told as Baldir returning to life with two humans, but if I remember right, Ygdrasil, the tree that all existence hinges on, is doomed to die itself anyways.

I kind of like this view of death... there is a type of self-sacrificing heroism in it. It just seems so noble.

[Son of Belial]

I remain facinated by the picutre of death presented in Norse mythology: it was supernatural, but without hope! They believed the few who died heroically in battle would go to feasting in Valhalla. And then they (along with all the gods) would die AGAIN in battle at Ragnorok. Incredible.
I've heard in sometimes it is told as Baldir returning to life with two humans, but if I remember right, Ygdrasil, the tree that all existence hinges on, is doomed to die itself anyways.

I kind of like this view of death... there is a type of self-sacrificing heroism in it. It just seems so noble.

I heard that some of the "Baldir returning with two humans" was something that came about more as Christianity began to mix with Norse religion. At one time, both religions were popular to the point where craftsmen were creating molds to sell an amulet that worn one way would be a Thor's hammer, and worn another would be a cross. That way they could sell to either side.

One of the stories, though, was that it was Odin's two sons who would survive. I believe that was Vili and Ve. I should know this considering I've studied Odinism, but it's not my primary belief system so I don't remember all the details.

[sergeant]

God is with me, God is helping me, God is guiding me. Do not talk to anyone. do not write, do not read. Think as little as possable. throw your mind into neutral.
As i write these words, i recall waking up contact with God establises within us a flow of the same type of energy that recreates the world and that renews spring time every year.
When in spiritual contact with God through our thought processes. Dear God you are the source of all energy.You are the source of the energy in the sun,in the atom, in all flesh, in the blood of the stream, in the mind. I hearby draw energy from you as from an illimitable source. God works through my fingers as i seek to relax your physical body, which is the temple of your soul. If you have not experienced this power perhaps you need to learn it is important to realise the most tremendous power in the universe. The way to keep free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much, fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine. forget self, think of others, do as you would be done by. As you read these words you may say there is nothing new that. Indeed, there is something new in it if you have never tried it.

With all due respect, sometimes a simple answer is most appropreiate if truely trying to explain yourself...come back to consciousness and try again! :eek:

[sergeant]

This is true regardless of who is reading these statements. When you actually learn to release yourself you will discover that your mind contains idea's of such creative value that you need not lack anything. by the full and proper use of your power stimulated by God , you can make your life easier. Then again we could all make it look like life is wrong and it ends in nothing.

Okay....English is not a second language I gather....what is your faith...your refer to God...but there are many to consider. I have this crazy picture in my mind of what you look like typing at your computer...and I don’t mean superficial aspect! Cannot say that you don't make it interesting.

[Starboy]

I've known Christians who do a lot more good and a lot more living than anyone else I've seen.... and yes, they are the supernatural type too.

So what? We've already established that you don't get out much.

Starboy

[sergeant]

Lets start from the beginning, yes i have faith, i believe in one god, i beleive messangers come all the time some get noticed by one person and some are noticed by millions. I dont beleive that the human race started its life on earth. I beleive in evolution on planet earth, i beleive the body dies and the soul lives. I beleive were all here to answer questions and we all leave with an answer, some come with a message, and some can't remember, some come with the right message, some come with the wrong message, but all these questions must be answered.so life can live in harmony. Isay universe is a very big place and earth is a needle in a hay stack . Then agian we are still finding new life on earth every day and life that died along time ago. Maybe the truth is out there.LETS SEE.

Getting better

[LetThereBe]

So what? We've already established that you don't get out much.

Starboy

Would you care to explain what that is even supposed to mean? And how you've supposedly "established" that? You were trying to insinuate that Christians were cowards who could not face death and didn't bother truly living...... I merely said in my experience I have encountered the opposite.

[Starboy]

Would you care to explain what that is even supposed to mean? And how you've supposedly "established" that? You were trying to insinuate that Christians were cowards who could not face death and didn't bother truly living...... I merely said in my experience I have encountered the opposite.

I never said there were not Christians that manage for the most part to ignore what their religion teaches them. But for the vast majority of Christians, it is all about fear. They are convinced by fear. They are kept in line by fear and they die in fear. Fear, fear, fear. Not a very good way to live one's life.

Starboy

[LetThereBe]

I never said there were not Christians that manage for the most part to ignore what their religion teaches them. But for the vast majority of Christians, it is all about fear. They are convinced by fear. They are kept in line by fear and they die in fear. Fear, fear, fear. Not a very good way to live one's life.

Starboy

Of everything you have ever said on this forum, this has been the most insulting. And that is quite a statement. I do not disagree with you that most Christians (like most people) are guided and driven by fear (myself often included). HOWEVER: that is NOT what the Christian religion teaches. Such people are living CONTRARY to the teachings of Jesus Christ and should be exposed as the hypocrites that they are. I myself have fully achknowledged my repeated failure to live by the principles and teachings of Jesus Christ, but I have not stopped seeking improvement. At least I understand my own failure.... but I have met those who have not. Who have lived by the principles and teachings. And they are not cowards. They live better than any.

[Scribbler1]

Getting people to pay you for their willingness to believe is how cons are done. Cons work because people are willing to believe. There will always be people willing to believe just about anything and there will always be people that will exploit that belief. It is stupid to not understand this and see supernatural religion for the con that it is. Now I want to be explicit and make the distinction “supernatural” religion. I am not of the opinion that religion in and of it self is harmful.

Agreed, this is the stuff con men use, but for the vast majority of religious people, faith alone is fine with them so they are NOT "conned". They KNOW they aren't going to see some vaporous man in a robe who will give them the news.
In any event, a "con" would be to promise something and not deliver, but this is generally applied to things in your LIFETIME, like driveway sealing or big bucks by stuffing envelopes. Any promises of an afterlife are made by people who, as yourself, haven't died, which implies the con men believe the same "con" you believe in.. You KNOW these things and still believe. I don't see a "con" in that case.

[Sonart]

Somewhat harsh...I think................so stop with the idiot sound bite prosthelization, ok SONNY? However, I don't know the history between you two. What Zealot is saying is what Christians everywhere say...so you can take it to heart or just move on....but around Christians you are going to hear that exact phrase.

It was harsh, sergeant, but first off, I'm not zealot's son... I don't care if he thinks it's short for Sonart, it comes out that way and bugs the hell outta me. Secondly, if I say I don't believe in God, then I don't believe in God and he's simply going to have to take my word for it. What will absolutely guarantee getting my hackles up is if he ignores what I say and continues to think that if he just throws enough Christian missionary sound bites at me that I'm going to stop believing what I believe. Stop it! I am not telling anyone here what they should or should not believe, simply sharing what I believe, thank you all very much. Zealot can accept it or not but he's absolutely not going to change my mind.

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