Religion

rug

(82,333 posts)

37. For all that it is true, it is no less grim.

Sun Oct 27, 2013, 08:54 AM

Oct 2013

Have you read any of Marcus Aurelius?

"Mark how fleeting and paltry is the estate of man - yesterday in embryo, tomorrow a mummy or ashes. So for the hairsbreadth of time assigned to thee, live rationally, and part with life cheerfully, as drops the ripe olive, extolling the season that bore it and the tree that matured it." Meditations, Book I, 48.

One of my favorite philosophers, yet he vacillated between acceptance, joy and sadness.

"As for life, it is a battle and a sojourning in a strange land; but the fame that comes after is oblivion." Meditations, Book II, 17.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

55 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Why are so many fearful to question Christianity? [View all] Dash87 Oct 2013 OP

A more precise question is why are so many people fearful of death. rug Oct 2013 #1

Fear of death, imo, is a biological defense mechanism. Dash87 Oct 2013 #3

The desire to stay alive is a biological impulse. rug Oct 2013 #5

If you're worried how it'll effect others, sure. Dash87 Oct 2013 #9

One is as significant, or insignificant, as the other. rug Oct 2013 #12

On death, anything relating to how you experience the world stops mattering. Dash87 Oct 2013 #14

Following that, if nothing matters after death, what happens to those who remain also means nothing. rug Oct 2013 #15

Incorrect Promethean Oct 2013 #16

You should have spent more time. rug Oct 2013 #27

Post removed Post removed Oct 2013 #42

Maybe in the long run, but in the short term who you interact with has an effect on the world. Dash87 Oct 2013 #21

That seems to be the existential response. rug Oct 2013 #26

I disagree that one has to believe in a personal afterlife for things to 'matter' after death LeftishBrit Oct 2013 #43

It is a fine line. rug Oct 2013 #44

That fear is a self-preservation insinct. cleanhippie Oct 2013 #8

I think the question ultimately has nothing to do with religion. rug Oct 2013 #13

An interesting assertion. AtheistCrusader Oct 2013 #23

No, it says what I think of responses to death. rug Oct 2013 #25

I fully rationalize the expectation of my own death someday. AtheistCrusader Oct 2013 #36

For all that it is true, it is no less grim. rug Oct 2013 #37

It's not somethign I dwell on or worry about. AtheistCrusader Oct 2013 #41

It has to be all true for some of them on the far right. JoePhilly Oct 2013 #2

All of the above. Plus disobedience is the greatest sin. Manifestor_of_Light Oct 2013 #4

If you need to restrict input so that you can believe, it is a sin. PDJane Oct 2013 #6

They are afraid to confront contradictions. Manifestor_of_Light Oct 2013 #7

All religions are irrational Warpy Oct 2013 #10

I question Christianity every day Angry Dragon Oct 2013 #11

Good response el_bryanto Oct 2013 #45

Why don't you ask your question okasha Oct 2013 #17

Well I am a Christian because I believe in it, not because I am afraid to die. hrmjustin Oct 2013 #18

If you were told for the very first time today that 2000 years ago a chap died, went to heaven, and dimbear Oct 2013 #19

I knew a guy once if you rrneck Oct 2013 #20

yep, you got it. goldent Oct 2013 #22

A nearly data-free conclusion. Igel Oct 2013 #24

Many are fearful of having their positions questioned, including believers, cbayer Oct 2013 #28

Not really, for all all I know, there could be a heaven and it could all be true. Dash87 Oct 2013 #29

It sounds like nonsense to you, but that doesn't mean it is nonsense. cbayer Oct 2013 #30

I never implied Christians are damaged or that I'm superior. Dash87 Oct 2013 #31

And my point was that people get angry when their positions are questioned for cbayer Oct 2013 #32

Sure, but it's silly to get upset over. Dash87 Oct 2013 #33

I would hazard a guess that you have some positions or beliefs that mean a great deal to you. cbayer Oct 2013 #34

Response Dash87 Oct 2013 #35

In closing, I will say this - cbayer Oct 2013 #39

I defy you to show us an "atheist fundamentalist" skepticscott Oct 2013 #40

There's no such thing Bradical79 Oct 2013 #46

Sure there are. There are atheists who take hard, dogmatic stands and insist on literal cbayer Oct 2013 #48

LOL trotsky Oct 2013 #49

No, he said that the majority of atheists are not what he terms "fundamentalist atheists" Fortinbras Armstrong Oct 2013 #50

I think you need to re-analyze what you just tried to respond to. trotsky Oct 2013 #52

I did Fortinbras Armstrong Oct 2013 #53

Okey dokey then. trotsky Oct 2013 #55

No, but you've dared to question her beliefs skepticscott Oct 2013 #38

I've been afraid Bradical79 Oct 2013 #47

Why? Because it brings down the wrath of irrational people. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #51

because... Locrian Oct 2013 #54