Conversation Board - Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?

Nanner

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Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Jan 31^st, 2008 at 3:13pm

Good day, good evening, good night,
Why is the majority of persons one talks to - actually affraid of the topic "afterlife"?
Why is it that when some try to speak about the subject, it gets treated as if its an "illegal" subject that shouldnt be talked about.

Whats your take on it?

Hmmm, why is it that way. Have we come a long long way, that we gather here on this board?
Huh

In deep thought,
Nanner

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Jammy1987

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Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Reply #1 - Jan 31^st, 2008 at 3:58pm

Lol that pic made me laugh!

I think it is largely to do with materielistic views. The fact that there are so many frauds out there who literally mock the concept of the afterlife (Derek Acorah comes to mind....) does not help.

Mostly people are truelly terrified of dying and brush the topic under the carpet and never discuss it.

I think it boils down to people not understanding or comprehending the idea of an afterlife and the fact they do not know for sure what they will be like. Some people if you brought back the materielized spirit of their dead dog Rover they would still not believe.

I for one have amazing philosophical discussions with family members, friends and work mates on the subject.

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SnickeringSnow

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Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Reply #2 - Jan 31^st, 2008 at 4:03pm

Hi Nanner-

Well, I think that most people who are highly interested in the afterlife are probably motivated mostly by fear. Fear of death, fear of the unknown, fear of losing their identity, etc etc. Sure, there are some exceptions, but if you dig deep, you'll probably find that fear is the motivating factor in most cases.

In some ways having a preoccupation with the afterlife comes at a cost. The cost is that people can spend so much time and energy speculating about the afterlife that they may lose out on the joys, opportunities and challenges that an earthly life offers.

After all, we are here for a purpose. At least I hope there's a higher purpose for this earth life. And if there is, don't you think we could be losing out on that purpose if we spend most of our time and mental energy speculating about the afterlife?

Anyway, here is an interesting question: Suppose that the existence of the afterlife is proven beyond all doubt. Suppose that an afterlife communication device is finally perfected, and we all can know once and for all that we survive death.

Question- how would that knowledge affect how you would live the rest of your earthly life?

This is a question that really should be thought about because I think the answers will tell us quite a bit about ourselves.

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Rob_Roy

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Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Reply #3 - Jan 31^st, 2008 at 4:09pm

Three reasons:

1) Fear of Death

2) The term is not often used by the major religions. Heaven, Hell, Nirvana, ect, are ok, if you believe in those places as described. People accept that there are those with religious beliefs. The religious terms are familiar and comfortable, even for loose usage. But the Afterlife? I think most people see that as a weird and spooky term used by those on the "fringe" both theologically and mentally. It's also a word that conjures up images of ghosts, evil spirits, and things that go "boo!" in the night. Otherwise these entities would be in heaven or the equivalent, right? Right!

3) Since you're not referring to Heaven or some other specific place described by accepted religion, then there's no credible knowledge of it. With no knowledge, what's there to talk about? Why even discuss something spooky anyway? Unless two people ("nut cases" on the fringe) happen to have the same views.

Three answers in one: fear-based thinking.

Love,
Rob, a fear-less nutcase.

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Jammy1987

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Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Reply #4 - Jan 31^st, 2008 at 4:15pm

SnickeringSnow wrote on Jan 31^st, 2008 at 4:03pm:

Question- how would that knowledge affect how you would live the rest of your earthly life?

This is a question that really should be thought about because I think the answers will tell us quite a bit about ourselves.

I personally think if life after death was 100% certain and this was proven to everybody there would be nobody who would want to live. Suicide rates would be through the roof and it would make this earthly life a mere time waster when one can go on to the afterlife where anythings possible.

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Nanner

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Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Reply #5 - Jan 31^st, 2008 at 4:17pm

Jammy1987 wrote on Jan 31^st, 2008 at 3:58pm:

Lol that pic made me laugh! I think it is largely to do with materielistic views. The fact that there are so many frauds out there who literally mock the concept of the afterlife (Derek Acorah comes to mind....) does not help. Mostly people are truelly terrified of dying and brush the topic under the carpet and never discuss it. I think it boils down to people not understanding or comprehending the idea of an afterlife and the fact they do not know for sure what they will be like. Some people if you brought back the materielized spirit of their dead dog Rover they would still not believe. I for one have amazing philosophical discussions with family members, friends and work mates on the subject.

Hi Jammy - I am so glad for you that you can have discussions about the subject, as my sister disowned for mentioning the subject altogether and that makes me feel so sad. ~Nanner~

Hmmm snickeringsnow, good point there. Yet I disagree on the fear of losing their identity part, at least it doesnt fit to my resumè. I guess I`d be exactly the oppisite, I`m trying to find mine that way.
However to your very good question: Quote:

how would that knowledge affect how I would live the rest of my earthly life?

let me think a sec. Undecided

I feel that if I knew for 100% without a shadow of a doubt, then I would spend more time with "myself pampering me", then I wouldn`t go throw life so extra careful like walking on eggshells and I`d finially "spend all my friggin money at once, knowing that if I starve to death because I spent all of my doh, that its simply ok to do so!"..

I would suppose my primary quest is to find out if my dad, grandma, grandpa, cousin, friends, great granddad, my super puppy Suzi, aunts and uncles are "okay". I believe thats the drive behind my quest.

~Nanner~

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recoverer Super Member Offline Afterlife Knowledge Member Posts: 5027 Gender:	Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"? Reply #6 - Jan 31^st, 2008 at 4:43pm Everytime I see the name of this forum I break out in a cold sweat. "Afterlife Knowledge." Augh!! "Mommy, these really scarry people are talking about the afterlife!"
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Nanner Super Member Offline Theres only AGAPE Posts: 764 Hamburg, Germany Gender:	Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"? Reply #7 - Jan 31^st, 2008 at 4:54pm Boo! now come collect yourself a hug.
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blink

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Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Reply #8 - Jan 31^st, 2008 at 6:04pm

People scared of the word afterlife?

Well, once someone's invested all their time in producing all kinds of material goods and forming useful connections with others here on this earth it must be a little deflating to even contemplate how he or she will be leaving all their toys here.

How much more if a person believes, deep down, that all their sources of happiness must be here on earth...somewhere.....

Somewhat instinctive, I imagine.

love, blink

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vajra

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Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Reply #9 - Jan 31^st, 2008 at 8:40pm

I doubt it's too much to do with how people view it but I guess it's a rather unfortunate choice of term. It actually denies the very proposition it refers to. i.e. 'after life' I guess suggests 'after death'.

Yet the very proposition this sort of site is about is the idea that death is a transition, that life continues.

I'm sure there's a word for that sort of thing...

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Alan McDougall Super Member Offline Posts: 2104 South Africa Gender:	Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"? Reply #10 - Feb 1^st, 2008 at 7:24am Because Nanna Dearest to get to the afterlife we have to die alan
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Nanner Super Member Offline Theres only AGAPE Posts: 764 Hamburg, Germany Gender:	Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"? Reply #11 - Feb 1^st, 2008 at 9:47am I humbly disagree with you Alan. To get to the Afterlife we must "live"! Think about it before you respond. ~Nanner~
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SnickeringSnow

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Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Reply #12 - Feb 1^st, 2008 at 11:08am

All of this worrying/wondering about whether the afterlife exists reminds me of the fisherman who paddles out to the center of the lake and then, after he drops his line, worries the whole time whether the fish will bite.

Heck, the fisherman should just relax and enjoy the day. If he gets a bite, so much the better. If not, at least he is doing something worthwhile with his time.

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Nanner

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Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"?
Reply #13 - Feb 1^st, 2008 at 11:24am

SnickeringSnow wrote on Feb 1^st, 2008 at 11:08am:

All of this worrying/wondering about whether the afterlife exists reminds me of the fisherman who paddles out to the center of the lake and then, after he drops his line, worries the whole time whether the fish will bite.

Heck, the fisherman should just relax and enjoy the day. If he gets a bite, so much the better. If not, at least he is doing something worthwhile with his time.

Hmmm Snickeringsnow , maybe thats why I posted http://www.afterlife-knowledge.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1201872682 . By the way, everytime I read your alias I get cravings for a Snickers... Just wanted you to know that..
Hugs,
Nanner

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Alan McDougall Super Member Offline Posts: 2104 South Africa Gender:	Re: Why are most scared of the term "afterlife"? Reply #14 - Feb 1^st, 2008 at 11:24am Nanna, Physical death is a fearful thing and the bane of mortal humanity,, alan
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