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http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1062673329756&call_pageid=968867505381&col=969048872038
Conversations with people in the hereafter is so very now — in movies, on television, in best-selling books and in personal appearances before live audiences across the continent.
The widespread urge to get in touch with the dearly departed is making the afterlife mainstream
Originally posted by FZ+
I dunno, but wasn't the afterlife always mainstream? A stint in paradise was always one of the the primary reward mechanisms of any religion.
At least we are noticing nowadays, and can think somewhat clearly about it.
Yep. It pays more this way...Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
It just migrated from churches to TV?
Originally posted by FZ+
Yep. It pays more this way...
I think the idea of the afterlife began when man encountered death for the first time, and refused to accept it.
Originally posted by Zero
No sentient creature can truly comprehend its own end. This is why we believe in an afterlife, ultimately.
You know it intellectually...the same way you know intellectually that the sun may go nova. That doesn't mean that you can embrace the idea emotionally.Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
Why do you think so? I have known many people who believe they will not exist after death. For a time I also believed this. I don't really find nothingness such a hard concept...heavenly compared hell you might say.
Originally posted by Zero
You know it intellectually...the same way you know intellectually that the sun may go nova. That doesn't mean that you can embrace the idea emotionally.
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
Please note the late edit to my last post.
How do we account for atheists who commit suicide? This seems show that at least some people can completely embrace the notion.
Are you afraid to die?
Originally posted by Zero
Suicide is a rather abnormal psychological position, isn't it? Not to divert the topic too far, but I think suicide is less a desire for death than a need for an ending...spliting hairs, maybe, but I think suicidal people don't want to die, they just want their pain to end.
And, of course, I have no fear of death. I'm lucky that way, in that I have almost completely conquered fear, by learning to let go of things I can't control. I'd prefer to live, but mostly out of the need to own this:
http://store6.yimg.com/I/guitarshopnet_1756_16571830
I would say that the position is supported by people's actions, not their words. Just think about teh amount of money spent on medicine...or better yet, think of terminally ill people who spend millions on quack remedies.Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
If kills me to think that the first Les Paul was made out of a railroad tie.
As far as suicide, I wonder what the rate of suicide is for atheists compared to believers. Also, I have at least heard it said that most people consider suicide at some point in their life. The thing that gets me about your position is that many who espouse this belief claim no fear of death. It seems that you are a living antithesis to your argument. Most people seem to accept nothingness pretty easily. I don’t the see the evidence for your position.
Originally posted by Zero
I would say that the position is supported by people's actions, not their words. Just think about teh amount of money spent on medicine...or better yet, think of terminally ill people who spend millions on quack remedies.
Originally posted by FZ+
Ivan: yep. There's statistical evidence for a dip in death rate during national holidays, and a rise afterwards, suggesting some sort of psychological effect in play.
Far beyond that, its one of the most fundamental questions in all of human existence. Far beyond "mainstream," its been a dominant force in human culture since humans diverged from apes.Originally posted by FZ+
I dunno, but wasn't the afterlife always mainstream? A stint in paradise was always one of the the primary reward mechanisms of any religion.
When someone says "they all want to see dead people", it is typically meant as a metaphor for people's fascination with death and the afterlife. It suggests that many individuals are curious about death and are eager to understand what happens after we die.
There is no scientific evidence to support the idea of seeing dead people in the sense of ghosts or spirits. However, some people may have experiences that they interpret as seeing dead loved ones or encountering supernatural beings. These experiences can often be explained by other psychological or environmental factors.
The fascination with seeing dead people can be attributed to a variety of factors. For some, it may be a way to cope with grief and the loss of a loved one. Others may be drawn to the mystery and unknown surrounding death and the afterlife. It can also be influenced by cultural and religious beliefs.
Yes, hallucinations or mental illness can sometimes be mistaken for seeing dead people. These experiences can be caused by various factors such as sleep deprivation, drug use, or certain mental health conditions. It is important to seek professional help if these experiences are causing distress or interfering with daily life.
To better understand the concept of seeing dead people, it is important to approach it from a scientific perspective. This may involve studying psychological and neurological processes, cultural and societal influences, and the impact of personal beliefs and experiences. It is also important to respect and acknowledge individual experiences, even if they may not align with scientific explanations.