The hour of our death

[K T Ong]

To Neb;

What I've read is that various discoveries in physics have prompted scientists to take seriously the possibility that consciousness might be a fundamental aspect of matter rather than a mere epiphenomenon. I can try and dig out some of the literature regarding that and post it here if it should merit your interest.

To Conan:

Yes, I know about Dunhuang. And I am also aware of the presence of Nestorian Christians in Tang China. But I remain skeptical of this 'Jesus Sutras' thing (call me a pedant [img]smile.gif[/img] ). Perhaps what I'll do is print out your above post and show it to one of the professors of Chinese thought at the Singapore National University, and ask what they think. As I've said, I keep an open mind.

[Yorick]

quote:

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Originally posted by MagiK:
What a silly thing to ask...there is no answer because no one (with one or two possible exceptions) has ever really died and come back thus no one will ever know. I discount the popularly related "near death" fantasies as close but no ceegar in the death catagory. Stay dead a week then come back and tel me...then I will believe ya.

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I don't think you would even then Magik. There are many who don't believe Christ came back from the dead, despite around 500 eyewitnesses seeing him ascend.


[ 03-02-2002: Message edited by: Yorick ]

[Yorick]

quote:

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Originally posted by Neb:
My personal belief is that something happens, the only thing which I refuse to believe that that might be is:

"you just cease to exist -- zero, blank-out, nothing, nada, the end"

As that would make our lives pointless.

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I agree that would indeed be a bleak eventuation.

It would make a mockery of the fact that our whole lives are spent learning. I love hearing 90 year olds talk about how much more of life they are yet to learn.

For what do we spend all this learning for if all is black at the end?
In any case, if I am wrong, Azure and I are in the same boat. However if I am right, does Azure have the assurance he will be where I am?

I think there may be some who cease to exist. Those who desire Nirvana for starters. I also believe that the 'Hell' the bible speaks of is the cessation of existance. Nada.

For those that take Christs offer of eternal life, I believe
it shall so be. Instantaneous at death.

For those desiring eternity with God, yet following a path divergent from Christ, I believe that's between them and God, and I have no opinion on what happens to them. All I know is where I believe I am going.

That Azure, positively affects me IN THIS LIFE. (An aspect you have already said you value) It gives me hope, joy, peace and makes me a more loving person than I would otherwise be, in the HERE AND NOW.

Thus for me, it's win-win. Gives me confidence now, and could mean an eternity of awareness with the God I've been hanging out with for 23 years.

[Yorick]

quote:

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Originally posted by MagiK:
SOme people in this thread posited that maybe religion developed due to mans fear of death....I can't say how anyone else feels, but death itself is not a very scarey thing for me. Ive even had a few days where It would have been a welcome if permanent diversion. In reality I don't fear death, I do fear pain..prolonged intense pain..I hate pain, I also fear leaving my kids in a situation where they need me.....and I fear letting others down, but death...isnt all that scarey for me, so if religion develops from a fear of death...I don't think I would have any faith....but I do so I don't think that is the case.

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I too don't fear death. I've looked it in the face before now.
I would have regrets for things not yet done, but not fear.