The afterlife and is there a "meaning of life"?

I subscribe to the idea that life serves the same purpose as a roller coaster. It's there to be experienced and enjoyed.

I also believe in reincarnation.

 

I have similar beliefs regarding death. As for life, well, despite being an Atheist with and interest in Paganism, I have on many occasions, been mistaken for a Christian, purely because I try to live as a kind individual.
I disagree with you view on human nature though. I believe we are inherently good, however due to the multitude of blinding religions, and that modern life is very much a rat race, a large percentage of the populace have "lost their way" (which is what originally made me interested in Paganism, as a lot of these people have been the happiest, and kindest people I have met).

 

Well, I'm Jewish, so I believe that one day the Messiah will come and Earth will essentially become a paradise, with no death or war or evil, all the Jews and Righteous Gentiles will be resurrected to live with us again and it'll be pretty awesome. As for the meaning of life, I think it's just (outside of Judaism) being a good person and helping your fellow man, and while the world might be a cruel place nowadays, that doesn't change the fact that we should be nice people.

 

I was gonna say the same thing. :lol:

 

I wish there were an afterlife. I really do. But I don't think it's possible, and on this subject, there's really one absolute answer: We don't know for sure. And the only way to find out is to die, and so I'm really not ready to find out.

 

I subscribe ultimately to Absurdism, but I truly do believe deep within me there is something metaphysical about existence: I believe I exist.

 

I'm sorry about you being cornered by a horde of Christians.

Also I'm still trying to reform my believes and ideology since I kind of stepped out of Christianity teaching recently.

 

I'm an agnostic theist, so I think there might be a god(s), but I know it's probably not likely.

My beliefs on the afterlife are weird. I think there might be different planes of existence (spiritual realms) that people go to when they die. And I think reincarnation might exist in some form, but beyond that there's really no way we can know for sure. So the afterlife for me is pretty much a huge unknown. Since that explanation takes time, I usually just say "agnostic".

I really like reading about religions and discussing other people's beliefs with them. I think there can be something learned from every one, even if that religion might not be the absolute truth it claims to be. I can thank 14 years of Catholic/Jesuit school for that.

 

My Mom grew up in a Reformed household and my Dad is fairly secular, so I grew up mainly just celebrating the high holidays like Hanukkah and Pesach(Passover). As I've grown up I've actually gotten more religious. I realize logically that it doesn't make much sense, but I still think it's true. A lot of people (myself included) believe that people are at their core, good and that they just become cynical and spiteful as they grow up in an indifferent world. I think that with the right words anyone can once again become good and be true to that fundamental trait. So I believe that the Messiah will know exactly how to get everyone to put aside their differences. Obviously not everyone will be able to do this and people will still have to be punished for past wrongs even if they did repent, although the punishment is purely corrective and only lasts a max of one year although they can still be denied resurrection, so it's just that most people will be able to live in harmony with each other.

 

Whether or not an afterlife exists doesn't change the fact that we only get one chance at *this* life, though, so why not make the most of it? Dying with regrets must be one of the worst scenarios for someone who took their life for granted.

 

The meaning of life is whatever you wish to claim it is. Until proven otherwise there is no literal truth behind it.

Barring some sort of fuzzy line of thinking (which I'm perfectly fine with, personally), death is likely as it was before having gained consciousness.

No, just, no. I had a rant all typed up but it's too much. It's a pet peeve of mine.... Put quickly: this claim is a never-ending cycle. Youth today will be claiming the exact same thing about the next generation, decades from now - just as has been claimed for every set of generations previous to this set.


Human nature/behavior as a collective doesn't change much (Attitudes do, behavior doesn't). People are just as mean and self-centered as they ever have been, and ever will be.

 

Ah, sorry, I skipped past it.


It seems to contradict your original post though. I agree with your second one (obviously).

 

No.

You are free.

Enjoy it while you can.