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Question 65

As an atheist, what are your thoughts on death, dying and the idea of non-existence?

• As an atheist, well, I'd have to say the following: Death is something that will happen eventually. It is a saddening event in that it takes you or someone else away from life and from loved ones, and that absence is one that cannot be alleviated by appealing to some fictional higher power (e.g. "Don't be sad 'cause daddy's really up in heaven.") Grief is a natural part of such a process. It is something to be avoided within reason, then; by within reason I mean that I will not compromise my principles merely to prolong my own life. On the other hand, I will also take steps to safeguard my life; these steps include such things as looking both ways before crossing a street. If another about whom I care has died, then obviously I feel grief. This grief is not for that person per se; that person is beyond feeling, is incapable of pain. I am sorry that that person cannot any longer experience the wonder of life (except in cases where non-existence must surely come as a relief). I am also sorry to be deprived of the presence of a valued companion. Assuming said person has led a fulfilling life, then, some amount of grief is justified, but not an overwhelming amount.

  Morally, death is just a period on the end of the sentence. Without the prospect of being arbitrarily judged, death kind of loses its terror. The only part of death to fear is the loss of loved ones. Without that final judgement hanging over one's head, it becomes easier to forgive oneself mistakes and easier to enjoy things that bring one pleasure.

  Dying is a tougher question. Depending on *how* you die, dying may well be a terrifying, painful process, or an easy, peaceful one. At the end of it, however, I think it will just be going to sleep.

  The idea of non-existence is something of a comfort. I don't long for eternal existence. Admittedly, I will die having left things undone no matter *how* long I live, but I cannot help but think that I am not psychologically fit for millennia of existence, let alone an infinite one. (Eric Means)

• Death: it's the end of my existance as an entity in the world. I hope that someone, somewhere remembers me for a while, but once I'm dead, I won't care.

  Dying: Ugghhh. I hope that when I die, it will be peacefully in my sleep (not screaming in terror like my passengers... sorry, I had to do that ;-) Really, this is the part that worries me a little, when I think about it, which I don't very much.

  Non-existance: No thoughts. I didn't have an opinion before I was born, so why should I worry about it after I'm dead? (Fred Stone #1369)

• I'm again' it! :-)

  Seriously, there are things that happen. I wish that we had more control over when they happened, but, pending andvances in medical science, there's only so much that we can do to forestall their arival. As such, the only thing that I can do is to deal with it. (Andrew Lias)

• Whether or not we like it, we will all die. So I don't worry too much about being dead, rather it's the when and how that are more worrisome. I hope that my death will be a long, long time from now, and that I will die quickly and painlessly after a healthy, fulfilling life.

  Non-existence does not faze me; before my birth I was nonexistent, and I hardly even noticed it! :) (Chris Nelson #135)

• i'm not afraid of death. i'd like to avoid it while life is still fun, but the idea that i will eventually die does not frighten me. i'm probably more concerned about other people dying -- if i die, i won't know or care, but if loved ones die, i'll miss them. and of course, i don't believe i'll ever meet up with them again.

  dying is a different story. i only hope that my dying process is not drawn out and painful. i'd like to die quickly and painlessly. and i wish it for my loved ones, too.

  the idea of non-existance doesn't bother me. after all, it's not something i can experience, so it's really just a concept. (Mange Grrrl #435)

• Death: can't be avoided, so why worry about it. It happens to us all eventually.

  Dying: This bit is the hard part. I really hope I manage to have a painless one. A painful death is all that I fear. I also hope I am aware to the end. I do not fancy being in a vegitive state before the end either.

  Non-existence: Again hard to avoid, its all part of the death process. Anyway I have looked on it as a natural biological function. Your body collapses, brain follows, end. (Xalan #1211)

• Death is just death. There is nothing after it for the individual, but life will continue on. I have no fear of death, but I do fear dying slowly and painfully; I watched my mother die a slow painful death, and I never want to be like that. We were non-existant before we were conceived, and we shall we non-existant after we die. (Chani #1118)

• I am certainly troubled about the eternity I will spend after I die just about as much as I am troubled about where I spent eternity before I was born - that is to say, not really troubled at all. (Wayne Delia #61)

• I'm against it too. It's messy, expensive, potentially painful and it will cause my family great sorrow.

  However, being non-existence will be a unique experience. Just like being a god. ;-)

  One more thing. I want a funny death. Like slipping on a banana peel. It will get great laughs until someone says, "He's not breathing." Now "that's" entertainment! (Steve Knight #855)

• As an atheist, what are your thoughts on death,

  To be avoided if possible.

  > dying

  See "death".

  > and the idea of non-existence?

  Now, here's where it gets interesting for me. To me, this is not a difficult concept to wrap my brain around, but many for many people it is unimaginable.

  I suspect that when I die, I'll see some nice visions as the oxygen stops flowing to my brain, followed by the longest dreamless nap I'll ever take. That's it.

  There's no need, and no evidence, of heaven, hell, valhalla, or any other fairy tale location to explain the cessation of life functions. It just is. And I can't understand why so many people need to invent magic sky daddies to pretend that it won't happen. (Douglas Crews #1351)