Atheists & Agnostics

nil desperandum

(654 posts)

13. After Life

Mon Apr 28, 2014, 09:46 AM

Apr 2014

I am not certain about states of non-existence or existence.

I assume that energy at the atomic level moves us all. What form that energy took before my birth is unknown to me, and what form it will take after my death is also unknown to me. I can only assume that since that energy was not intelligent prior to my birth it will no longer be intelligent after my death which would indicate to me that I will no longer be myself as I know myself to be at this time. Which means I will no longer be cognizant of what I am, and without self awareness we are non-existent.

So for me that assumes no afterlife. I will confess there is some comfort in that, as I have not always been a stellar human being and the idea that I would see a replay of all the things I have done during my life would be as strong a version of hell as I could imagine.

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I have a question. A friend told me that some Atheists believe in an after life even though [View all] nirvana555 Apr 2014 OP

Start with Buddhism. TreasonousBastard Apr 2014 #1

Interesting the OP is from defacto7 Apr 2014 #2

It was also a band that somebody born in 55 would probably like. Warpy Apr 2014 #5

This message was self-deleted by its author defacto7 Apr 2014 #30

I guess technically you don't have to believe in gods to believe in the afterlife... uriel1972 Apr 2014 #3

Buddhists are largely atheist Warpy Apr 2014 #4

I agree with who the Hell knows. I'm not an Athesist but completely support any and nirvana555 Apr 2014 #6

I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Warren DeMontague Apr 2014 #8

I don't think we were particularly offended Warpy Apr 2014 #9

Oh my dear! JNelson6563 Apr 2014 #12

Wow... Ron Obvious Apr 2014 #20

... progressoid Apr 2014 #38

"I guess when you loose your only child you hope/wish that you'll see them again" AlbertCat Apr 2014 #40

If you believe you didn't exist before you were born, you moved from a state of non-existence Warren DeMontague Apr 2014 #7

Long ago I came across the website of an atheist who believed in an afterlife LostOne4Ever Apr 2014 #10

Atheist with a Buddhist leaning here... N_E_1 for Tennis Apr 2014 #11

me too. As a way to live a good life, buddhism works for me, I just skip the reincarnation woo. Warren Stupidity Apr 2014 #14

..and I think that the energy changing form is where the reincarnation thing comes in.. truebrit71 Apr 2014 #17

All we are is a pattern of matter and energy... uriel1972 Apr 2014 #36

After Life nil desperandum Apr 2014 #13

I've also heard non-believers talk about "the preservation of energy" Arugula Latte Apr 2014 #15

Non believer... N_E_1 for Tennis Apr 2014 #22

Non-believer in religion. Arugula Latte Apr 2014 #23

Sorry N_E_1 for Tennis Apr 2014 #27

No worries...maybe there's a better term. Arugula Latte Apr 2014 #28

Agnostic? uriel1972 Apr 2014 #37

Agnostic is a word Christians bug you about. Neoma Apr 2014 #43

If I believed in an afterlife Rob H. Apr 2014 #16

I believe in an afterlife. Iggo Apr 2014 #18

I'm agnostic about time, I don't even believe in before or after. (let alone an afterlife) Exultant Democracy Apr 2014 #19

But do you believe in coyotes? ;) Arugula Latte Apr 2014 #24

Atheism is a lack of belief in God or gods... Act_of_Reparation Apr 2014 #21

Wrong! N_E_1 for Tennis Apr 2014 #26

I am not an atheist? Act_of_Reparation Apr 2014 #29

I did apologize to you if I was wrong. N_E_1 for Tennis Apr 2014 #31

I firmly reject that apology... Act_of_Reparation Apr 2014 #34

I would like to believe there is an afterlife. RebelOne Apr 2014 #25

I believe in an after life ChairmanAgnostic Apr 2014 #32

Spiritualists PumpkinAle Apr 2014 #33

What are "spiritual laws"? AlbertCat Apr 2014 #41

Why should I waste my time explaining, when you PumpkinAle Apr 2014 #42

Why should I waste my time explaining AlbertCat May 2014 #46

some might, most won't RussBLib Apr 2014 #35

I reject the idea of an afterlife. Curmudgeoness Apr 2014 #39

You guys have been so great! Thank you for the dialogue I was truly hoping for. nirvana555 Apr 2014 #44

LOL. Curmudgeoness Apr 2014 #45

I was hoping to have my consciousness uploaded to the cloud. stone space May 2014 #47