What's so bad about Death?

from JoeUser Forums
With all the recent Right to Life campaigns going on here in Oz as well as elsewhere in the world, it got me thinking about Death.

What's so bad about death?

Why is it that in our culture we seem to proclaim that in the afterlife what awaits us is something glorious and spiritual and yet we seem to try our hardest to avoid death by all means.

This might sound weird coming from someone who is living with a potentially terminal disease, but Im wondering what is so bad about death?
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6,044 views 27 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
It has been my observation that those that are all hot and bothered about the next life aren't living this one. I'm from the "bird in the hand" school on this one...
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
There's no doubt in my mind that what comes next will be better than what's going on in this life, but that doesn't mean I'm done with all I'd like to do here.

To me, it's kind of like the thought of retiring from the military. I knew that someday it would happen; I even knew that whatever I did after my career would be something I'd enjoy as much (if not more) than being an NCO. However, that didn't mean I wanted to jump at the next chance to retire.

There have been many times in my life when I've had to look over what was, knowing that everything I was ever going to do in that "was", I have now done. When my life in general gets to that point, I will probably look back at it with the same sense of "ending" I have done in the other situations. I also figure I'll look forward to what comes next with the same sense of adventure.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
It has been my observation that those that are all hot and bothered about the next life aren't living this one


Yeah I guess your right on that Shovel... I tend to see life at the moment as one big adventure... im wondering though why it is such a taboo in our society to die.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
However, that didn't mean I wanted to jump at the next chance to retire.


I agree we shouldnt jump into death, and enjoy life while we have it. I guess Im wondering still why we seem to not want to look at it or when it is happening seem to real with it in horror.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
BTW...I find myself reading more and more of your stuff. High time you go on my fav list.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

If you believe in a God, then you know he/she has a purpose for you in this life, and they aren't talking, so you have to try to satisfy your destiny (Usually to spread good and be good).  So Life is your test for the after life.

If you dont beleive in god, then this is all you have, and once you die, you cease to exist, body and soul, so you cling to this life with a grim determination not to cease to exist.

In all cases, it will come.  The key is what you did in the dash.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
BTW...I find myself reading more and more of your stuff. High time you go on my fav list.


Wow! thanks Shovel!
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
In all cases, it will come. The key is what you did in the dash.


That is my firm belief as well... it's gonna come.. whether we like it or not, we dont know when we think we may have an inkling but really it could all end right now.

To me it's not an ending, it is more of another adventure like Para said earlier.. maybe it has something to do with my sense of self and who I think I am.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Death is a natural part of life. It's just a different plane of existence, that's all.

My soul will go on, and what's left of me will go back into the earth, decay, and be reborn as a tree.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I can think of many things far worse than death. My only problems with death are fear of pain for myself physically and for my loved ones emotionally, and the fact that I love living my life so much that I am apprehensive of turning it in for whatever lies behind curtain #2.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Death is a natural part of life. It's just a different plane of existence, that's all.


True..

So Im wondering why we seem to worry about it so much??

My only problems with death are fear of pain for myself physically and for my loved ones emotionally, and the fact that I love living my life so much that I am apprehensive of turning it in for whatever lies behind curtain #2.


Thanks Jill...

SO it's the fear of pain, and the what we are leaving behind.. DO you think we will worry about this once it happens??
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
SO it's the fear of pain, and the what we are leaving behind.. DO you think we will worry about this once it happens??


I think that is all a matter of how death comes for you. Having had a friend who new she only had a matter of weeks, was in pain for months and got to see the pain on her family members' faces day in and day out, yes, she did. I suppose if you drop dead from a massive coronary or go to bed and never wake up, no, you probably wouldn't have the opportunity.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
To me it's not an ending, it is more of another adventure like Para said earlier.. maybe it has something to do with my sense of self and who I think I am.


And your belief in an afterlife? I sometimes pity Atheist. They have nothing to look forward to. You do, and you have the right attitude. And you do write some great philosophical blogs!

Keep it up! I am with Shovel on this.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Death is a natural part of life. It's just a different plane of existence, that's all.

My soul will go on, and what's left of me will go back into the earth, decay, and be reborn as a tree.


But you are a Buddhist! We know you will go on! What about the poor Atheists?

Seriously, in that regard, you are close to enlightenment. Be Careful Daniel Jackson, you may transcend!
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
I can think of many things far worse than death. My only problems with death are fear of pain for myself physically and for my loved ones emotionally, and the fact that I love living my life so much that I am apprehensive of turning it in for whatever lies behind curtain #2.


Jill, you should blog this. It is called a crises of Faith, and almost all mortals have it at one time or another. it is a fascinating subject and different for every person.

By Blogging it, you may face it and realize the way. No one can show you, it is self taught for each individual.

Good luck. You will find out what is behing door number 2 one day, far, far in the future.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
But you are a Buddhist! We know you will go on! What about the poor Atheists?


They can come back as trees too! Seriously...when you get put inthe gorund after you're dead, you decay. Your physical remains provide sustenance for plants and worms....so you can literally can come back as a tree or a flower.

Enlightenment....hmm. I don't think so, but thank you.....I'll go meditate on that for a little while this evening.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
I will admit I am afraid of death. I think Lovecraft pins it to the "fear of the unknown". That makes perfect sense to me.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
I will admit I am afraid of death. I think Lovecraft pins it to the "fear of the unknown". That makes perfect sense to me.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
And your belief in an afterlife?


My belief is that when we die we have a look at what we did when we were alive in this lifetime, what we felt how we made others feel and how we made an impact. I also believe that we get to have a rest and indulge a little with people we knew in our lifetime that went before us. Then I think we make more contracts with people and get to live another life where we get to learn more about ourselves and each other.

Ultimately I think we get to choose what happens in our lives and where we are etc.. and for me anyhow Im coming to the revelation that it is in servitude for those around us that we get the most out of life... as those around us are us.. therefore we are helping ourselves in the long run.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
They can come back as trees too! Seriously...when you get put inthe gorund after you're dead, you decay. Your physical remains provide sustenance for plants and worms....so you can literally can come back as a tree or a flower.


What part of you becomes the tree? Are you your physical body?
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
"fear of the unknown".


Thanks Alison
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
Why is death a taboo? Because, we should want to avoid it and think our lives are valuable.
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
Because, we should want to avoid it and think our lives are valuable.


But who is saying that when death comes it isnt a way of saying that? Sure our lives are vlauable, but part of life is death, and we seem to shun it as our worst nightmare, but it's gonna come whether we dont think about it or not.. best to be prepared for it I think.. and in the preparedness we might learn more about life.
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
By Blogging it, you may face it and realize the way. No one can show you, it is self taught for each individual.Good luck. You will find out what is behing door number 2 one day, far, far in the future.


Good one Dr Guy.. and I hold the same thoughts for you Jill.
Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
Been there done that guys. I have apparently been around here longer than either or you realize. I prefer merely discussing life and death with anyone who is willing to discuss it. Death has been a major subject of discussion as of late since I lost a dear friend to Cancer last month.

I respectfully submit that anyone who believes they "know" what is behind door #2 is fooling themselves. YOu may "know" in your heart the vague things like you will always have God's love but you can't know any specifics. There is only one way to truly know and I can wait for that unveiling. I appreciate you guys also hoping I find out far, far in the future.