I know many people NEED to believe in an afterlife and that these debates on the possibility of an afterlife make them depressed, angry and resentful. If I see this, I pull back from the debate cos I don't like to hurt people and I don't want to be pulled into a 'tit-for-tat'. I had a vision of my own death (whilst being chased by some unknowns in a car, with knives for me) which save my life. This didn't make me believe in a God or clairvoyancy - I had been down this street before and it may have just been thought projection - but it did change me from an Atheist to an Agnostic cos I felt that, as a human, I could never be certain of anything otherworldly. The only certainty is uncertainty. Again, no offense. I may leave this debate now before people start attacking me, which would just make me angry - and u wouldn't like me when I'm angry, lol. But I wish u the very best and hope u find your truth.
Another interesting story. I might seem like I'm being trite, but when someone kills a fly, they can easily accept that that's it for the fly - all over, black nothingness. Why do flies not go to Heaven? Why do flies not have a soul? Why are there no fly-ghosts? It is because they are animals and not humans. Humans have a very high image of themselves - we were made in God's image etc, we are the center of our galaxy and the universe (before science proved otherwise). Maybe this self-centered attitude allows us to treat the rest of earth's inhabitants in whatever way we like. Only now are scientists discovering that dolphins seem to have a real language. Maybe that's what St Peter warns us about at the gates of Heaven, 'Listen mate, you aren't 'All It' & u better get ready to accept that. The last short story in 'A history of the world in 10 and a half chapters' is great on this debate of an afterlife.
So true, Dadude62. I sometimes find that the people who believe that 'everything happens for a reason' are irresponsible people who do cruel things to other people with a free rein. Humans make mistakes, not God (supposedly). It is everyone's responsibility to be aware of mistakes they make and try to avoid repeating them, and to be willing to forgive the mistakes of others.
I don't - I try my best in life and for life, but we're talking about the core of existence here and I'm just giving my honest opinion. In fact, if u knew me u would know that it's very difficult for me to give up on people, or life.
That is very touching and sad but it could have also been the mind of a child, with no concept of time and an active imagination, who really missed a loved one. My brother passed away a few years ago and his daughter has been obsessed with ghosts ever since. The need for something beyond this reality and ourselves is a human need, but an understandable one. I would definitely want these things to be true because they would add real meaning to life - rather than making money, getting laid/pissed and then dying. I hope your grand-daughter comes to terms with her brother's death.
Monetary control is a human construct and as an Agnostic I think that religion is also a human construct, but I'm not a hater of religious people - each to their own but just keep me out of it. No offence
You are right, Dadude62 - that time will come and I do worry too much about what others think. I've read all your posts on this thread and they are all very insightful and honest to me.
I think I'll eventually end up as a hermit, but that sounds okay to me. As Jean Paul Sartre said, 'Hell is other people'. You may ask 'What are you doing on here, then?'
I'd have to say that I honestly don't know - maybe searching for meaning?
Thanks for initiating this thread, Pedro. It takes bravery to raise such an issue because you must prepare yourself for ridicule. Fair play to you.
This is a great song that may be relevant to the thread. Yes, it IS dark – but it is also true and strangley beautiful. Also, this may introduce some people to Skinny Puppy, which can only bbe a good thing. Read the brilliant, yet simple lyrics below while listening, for full effect. I hope u enjoy this -
When I have looked for meaning in life I am usually disappointed. This is a world of lies, greed & random chaos.
Everything doesn't 'happen for a reason' - things happen randomly or through the will of people or animals. There is no guiding force. Many things that happen are detrimental or simply pointless. You may say 'I’m only at this place because this thing happened', but the last time u will say this will be on your death-bed.
Unfortunately, there are no angels, demons, gods, devils, ghosts, aliens etc. We create these to give life meaning & give events purpose. Religious people only try to convert u to their religion to give themselves a better chance of getting into Heaven. All religions have 3 core beliefs:
1. Our God is the one true God, all other Gods are false 2. If you believe in our God u will get all the things in Heaven that you can't have here - eternal life, absolute happiness, wings (angels), 30 virgins etc. 3. If you don't believe in our God u will go to Hell & experience all the worst parts of life - fire, fear, violence, hate, gnashing of teeth - but u will experience this for eternity (thanks for that). I hate threats.
For me, only love can give the world meaning, but even love is dubious & random. We love our family because they love us, but we would just as easily love another family if we were born into it. Families use many ploys to control each other - guilt, threats, pity etc. Many relationships begin at work, through friends, in a club etc - all random. There is no 'One'; there are many 'One-s'.
True love is empathy for an unknown person, but we only empathize because we can imagine experiencing the suffering we see. For eg, one time a little girl on the streets of Dublin asked me for some money - she was about 10years old, Pakistani, & looked like some lost kid who had just ‘come off the boat'. I gave her all my change. Immediately, about 5 rougher kids (6-9years old, Irish) surrounded her & asked her for some of the money. I was amazed when she began to distribute the money until she had none left for herself; but I knew that she had only done this through fear, rather than generosity & that she would continue to be abused until she 'toughened up'.
This is just my HONEST opinion but I'll probably be derided for it. People will say I'm too negative or that I 'take life too seriously'. They’ll say this because one can't be honest on social networking sites - everyone has to be shiny, happy people. In fact, 'irony' is all that’s allowed in this Postmodern world - everything is a joke & the biggest joke of all is emotion. James Joyce, the legendary Irish writer, said 'The greatest taboo of the 20th century will be emotion'- he was right then & right today.
I have had mystical experiences but they left me with more questions than answers. However, I'm still looking, waiting & hoping to find some meaning in this life & will continue until the very end. DMT is a mystical drug, so I’ll try it.
Funny, it's a bit like the 30 years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland- it was only when it was all over & life became 'normal' that I realized that I’d been living in a crazy place. Maybe we'll only realize what life was when it’s all over & we have something to compare it to– such as death, the afterlife or transcendence.
The concept of life fascinates me, but people will think I'm a weirdo for this. Ah well...
I'm a whinge-knob? Sorry i have to keep spelling this out, but is this post not about whinging about wot bugs guys bout women? did i miss something?
i've never,EVER claimed to be a gent - I'm just a male human being and they are just female human beings. proving ur a lady or a gent means actually meeting, in the real world - it's not just true cos u tap it into your keyboard.
anyway, this is getting boring. i've said my bit, you've said yours, and the 'ladies' have said theirs - let's end it at that. tho i'm sure the REAL insults will continue
maybe 2 u, but then, as i note from your constant posts, ur nice 2 all the 'ladies' - i'm not that desperate.
i wasn't the 1 who started making the big deal - i dont c any reprimand a few posts back 4 the lady who just called me a 'whinge knob' - real lady-like behaviour!
gr8 ulster man.Even tho Derry beat us,& unfairly some times (punching guys in kidneys & the back of the head, which isn't strictly legal, only in ulster it seems & when pat mcEnaney is ref), I'd still b behind them if they got further than us. just like i was 4 the tyr connail men when they brought it back.
never listening to a word i said sticking her nose in where it wasn't wanted constantly craving attention not taking no 4 an answer not being able to take a joke, even if she said, like ALL girls here, that she wanted a guy with a sense of humour...
GIRLS - this is a guys only thread (see above for reference)
do u not give the wee county a chance. where's your loyalty? if armagh or any of the other 6 were in final, i'd deffo we 4 them - us nordies have 2 stick together. we're on r own, usu...
just remember, it's 'i'm alright jack down here, til everyone's on the dole complaining and coming to newry', to which i now reply, having learnt it down here 4 past 10 years - ' get over it'.
folk here don't care 4 their neighbour, never mind their ancestors. u tried tho, most just sneer. 2 easy.
rumpytumpy Forum Posts (32)
RE: What makes a relationship successful?
Divorce