Your thoughts on the afterlife?

Rick Hunter

Celestial
Hey friends. These days, I spend most of my free brain capacity thinking about what happens to us when we physically die. I am a fairly devout Christian, however our Bible isn't really detailed about this topic. Pretty much, if you believe in Jesus you go to a better place. If you don't, you go to a worse place. I have been reading alot of books and articles on the topic. From what I can tell, there are likely to be levels of Heaven and Hell. Reincarnation is possible but not guaranteed, and we may be reincarnated somewhere other than Planet Earth. Our beliefs and behavior in this life (or others we have lived) determines which Heaven or Hell we go to. It seems quite possible that we can graduate from one level to another, or go backwards to a worse level. Also, some spirits of deceased people can stay here for various reasons.

This is what I have come up with so far. My Christian faith doesn't demand that I proclaim one particular explanation of the afterlife as 100% true and all others are false. So, I am willing to learn and revise my expectations. What does everyone here think about the afterlife? How did you arrive at your beliefs? Any books/articles/lectures or other resources that you found particularly enlightening?
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
Hey friends. These days, I spend most of my free brain capacity thinking about what happens to us when we physically die. I am a fairly devout Christian, however our Bible isn't really detailed about this topic. Pretty much, if you believe in Jesus you go to a better place. If you don't, you go to a worse place. I have been reading alot of books and articles on the topic. From what I can tell, there are likely to be levels of Heaven and Hell. Reincarnation is possible but not guaranteed, and we may be reincarnated somewhere other than Planet Earth. Our beliefs and behavior in this life (or others we have lived) determines which Heaven or Hell we go to. It seems quite possible that we can graduate from one level to another, or go backwards to a worse level. Also, some spirits of deceased people can stay here for various reasons.

This is what I have come up with so far. My Christian faith doesn't demand that I proclaim one particular explanation of the afterlife as 100% true and all others are false. So, I am willing to learn and revise my expectations. What does everyone here think about the afterlife? How did you arrive at your beliefs? Any books/articles/lectures or other resources that you found particularly enlightening?

There is a lot to consider about The Christian View of the afterlife, A lot of people don't know this, But Jehovas witnesses believe that There is no afterlife at all, That Death is the absolute end and Ressurection is simply people being remembered and brought back from nothingness. I don't subscribe to that, While I am a Christian, There is a lot of hope in the idea of an afterlife just within known science. Consider, Time is a subject we speak much of in the science forums, But, Time isn't a linear thing. We experience time in a linear fashion, But How we perceive time, Isn't how time hashes out to be through experimentation, With concepts like Time dilation, That proven experiment that time being relative can be manipulated predictably in opposition to acceleration, Time dilation has to be accounted for with GPS in satellites so data can be sent accurately, Error analysis for the Global Positioning System - Wikipedia So in a way, To ever exist, In all of time, Is to exist forever, Because Time Exists as a whole, Past present and future, you see.

The short and sweet fact is, Time exists all at once, Past present future, It's all there, All the time, It's just our limited perceptions in how we experience time that prevents us from experiencing the past and future right now, In fact, in some cases, of paranormal or extrasensory preceptions, PEople do in fact experience future events, This can be seen in everything from Past Stories of ancient profits, too Modern-day clairvoyants. The thing is, Reality isn't what we think it is, Death isn't what we think it is. Consider, Our bodies used and burn energy, But to boot this, Everything is energy, Every particle every atom, Energy is equal to mass times the speed of light in the vacuum of space. Mass is energy. The law of energy conservation states,

Conservation of energy - Wikipedia

Energy can not be created freely nor destroyed completely, It can only be converted from one form of energy to another. You are energy, your thoughts are energy, your consciousness is energy, And I prove this by saying, If all energy was completely deprived of your brain, You would indeed perish. So, the law of energy conservation, Tells me, That our consciousness, What we are, IS energy, So, Death can not destroy consciousness. The consciousness must be converted into another form of energy, An after existence. Because look it, The Fact remains, That If you concede that Our lives and our consciousness are energy, And they are, Then that energy can not just stop existing. It must convert to another form. There are so many scientific reasons, To believe that this Life, is simply a beginning for us. A stage of development.
 
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pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable
Great topic! A lot to unpack there; existence after physical death, reincarnation, near death experiences, communication with the deceased. Related but not necessarily connected.

I think that as humans we are wired with some form of a belief in the supernatural as it relates to death. Maybe there’s some evolutionary imperative that requires it, allows us to cooperate in social groups. Dunno. But if we have it it’s there for a reason. How do you think it would be if we all absolutely knew for certain one way or the other? Probably not good. Maybe we're not supposed to know - not dictated from the ethereal plane but from our own human programming.

Historically speaking organized religion has played a similar role in allowing social groups to function also, but that’s a different conversation. My experiences with the Roman Catholic Church – and no, not those kinds – have soured me in that regard. My brother is devout and I respect that, but I do have a hard time understanding a lot of it.

I have always believed that there is more to our existence than just our physical bodies and that once in a great while we get just enough of a peek, a taste, to reinforce that belief. When my Mom died there was a freaky sense at one point that her father was in the room. That could’ve just been the heightened emotions, but she was talking to my grandfather as if he was looking over my shoulder and believe me, it made an impression on me. She went through a life review too, for quite some time. Weird. I can see where stories these things come from. Felt pretty real to me at the time, like if I turned around fast enough I'd catch a glimpse of something. Don't know what.

I have an overwhelming sense that whatever it is it isn’t impossibly distant, it’s unbelievably close. Kind of like pressing your hand against the wall of a tunnel and somehow sensing the movement of water on the other side.

I’m wary of anyone who claims to have a clear set of rules as to what happens and when. Punishment in an afterlife sounds a bit odd to be – like yelling at your dog two days after he ate your socks. I tend to think of our life here as a learning experience. You don’t get it right or you miss something, back you go.

I’ve always been fascinated with near death experiences, children who remember previous lives and communication with the dead. Like ufology, there are so many bullshit artists out there it’s hard to keep it all straight. Veridical NDEs are interesting but just like a lot of things there are many stories but not a whole lot solid evidence. This was a fair take on it:
The Science of Near-Death Experiences

Rather than woo-woo I try to look for more ‘scholarly’ references. The University of Virginia Division of Perceptual Studies has a lot of cool stuff.

Books by Division of Perceptual Studies Faculty | Division of Perceptual Studies

This is a good one. Children who remember past lives:

https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual...ucker-James-LeiningerPIIS1550830716000331.pdf
 

Rick Hunter

Celestial
I have an overwhelming sense that whatever it is it isn’t impossibly distant, it’s unbelievably close. Kind of like pressing your hand against the wall of a tunnel and somehow sensing the movement of water on the other side.

I’m wary of anyone who claims to have a clear set of rules as to what happens and when. Punishment in an afterlife sounds a bit odd to be – like yelling at your dog two days after he ate your socks. I tend to think of our life here as a learning experience. You don’t get it right or you miss something, back you go.

Yes, exactly! I feel like other planes of existence, which include the afterlife, are much closer to us than anyone realizes. I would absolutely love to have some sort of interaction with loved ones and pets who have crossed over, even if just on a small scale. I want to say to them, "I love you so much and miss you. I'll join you someday, but I'm still stuck here. Until that changes, please give me encouragement and support!"
 

nivek

As Above So Below
It seems to me what lives on after physical death is not the true persona of they individual in human form, we may see characteristics of the soul, spirit, or whatever you want to call that which lives on, but the personality of our human friends and family something that does not carry on...IMO

...
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
It seems to me what lives on after physical death is not the true persona of they individual in human form, we may see characteristics of the soul, spirit, or whatever you want to call that which lives on, but the personality of our human friends and family something that does not carry on...IMO

...
I think what you are describing is a different state of being, I consider that, If there is a continuation, Some sort of profound realization about the nature of being manifests. Perhaps it's a higher state of consciousness. But consider, At the point of Death, The things a person is Cut off from, Any plans or activities, those were another lifetime, Any worries or bills or debts? That was all from a place you no longer inhabit. I think, To expand on this idea, Death is more than just a passing of life into something else, It's a symbolic end, to what was, So, Then, Such a profound change, probably would create changes of some nature, Some belief systems call it a higher state of consciousness. Either way, If everything that makes you you, Suddenly stops and you are manifested in some other place, There would be A Need, Or even urgency to let go of those past concerns as they would be inaccessible to you. Perhaps this Act of the very nature of reality changing for someone, At the transition, Would bring about psychological changes? I don't feel it's lost, I feel, An Incredible profound realization occurs and A possible growth into a higher level of understanding.
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
Like shock therapy, We can't understand death because we have never died, But, once there, In a possible afterlife, They would have no choice but to accept their new reality, No matter what that reality is, If there has ever been visitation, or a loved one speaking from the beyond, That Was from their different reality, Their Advanced knowledge of what it's like on that other side, to some extent, there would have to be a psychological difference between the living and the dead, Id think.

the_living_and_the_dead_5.jpg
 

Rick Hunter

Celestial
If the soul has reincarnated several times, which version of that person might we encounter? Would we encounter simply their bare soul, and not the person we knew on Earth? Or, could the soul recall their life on Earth so they could interact with us "in character", so to speak?
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
If the soul has reincarnated several times, which version of that person might we encounter? Would we encounter simply their bare soul, and not the person we knew on Earth? Or, could the soul recall their life on Earth so they could interact with us "in character", so to speak?

I don't subscribe to reincarnation, However, I'm open to it, WIth that Said, I'd Assume if reincarnation were occurring, It would be like a Growth thing, Where the individual kept progressing, So, The ultimate version would be the Version with the Most Growth and experience. I consider, If reincarnation was occurring, Its purpose must be to allow growth, To allow that individual to further his or her progression, Weather positive or negative.
 

pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable
Shock therapy. At one point I found myself hooked up to an electric gadget with a soaked brine pad on my back and on my right hand. I was given a box with a dial and I could literally turn it up until I couldn't take it anymore. This was called 'physical therapy'. Torquemada would've used a different term and I wouldn't have had to pay for his services.
 

pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable
I think we're all saying something similar. Who the hell knows, but it gives me comfort to think that everything we were is not lost after we die. Our lives and personalities may be just one facet of a larger existence. The alternative is that we're living in a big ant colony and nothing we do matters much, which I find depressing.

I just try to operate with a light touch.
 

Kchoo

At Peace.
My thoughts can be taken with a grain of salt, but....

Conciousness and balance: the idea that we think, therefore, we are: is very real, but tapping its potential is more than thought, it is a sharing with all of nature... it is existing with all things as a caretaker.
The more time one spends with nature; a forest, or working in a garden, or spending time with community to improve lives of even the strangers we do not know... the more balance one can achieve.

Afterlife: is only what we leave behind... how much of you is in the forest, and the garden, and who's lives did you touch and help to bring a balance? The way we are remembered by it, the residuals that are shared by others because of the seeds we planted... the impact we left behind is the self that remains.

Heaven or Hell: To much time is spent on wondering what an afterlife will be. Transfer the thought energy away from that, and apply this energy to doing your part to find balance in the living world today.

Good deeds: Ask yourself before you eat your dinner, "What good deed have I done today?"
 
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nivek

As Above So Below
I have an overwhelming sense that whatever it is it isn’t impossibly distant, it’s unbelievably close. Kind of like pressing your hand against the wall of a tunnel and somehow sensing the movement of water on the other side.

Yes and that's a good analogy, in this case to me its more of frequencies, vibrational existences, one just out of tune of another to keep a slight but also significant separation and distinction...

...
 
Do Christians have a zombie laced theology?
The Christian concept of resurrection of the dead is downright bizarre.

What about Hell?
Would a loving God really send someone to hell to suffer for all eternity for stealing a jacket or money?
 

Shadowprophet

Truthiness
Do Christians have a zombie laced theology?
The Christian concept of resurrection of the dead is downright bizarre.

What about Hell?
Would a loving God really send someone to hell to suffer for all eternity for stealing a jacket or money?

The thing is, It's Not That God is directly sentencing people to hell. It's more like, Hey, You can choose this option or that option, It was always multiple choice.

Like you could rush into a building that's on fire and Say, hey I'm here to help, but you can't force people to accept that help. Some would panic, Some wouldn't trust you, some would be looking for their other loved ones and not be concerned with you. It's not something that's forced, It's a choice, an option. People look at it like God Is torturing people and sentencing them to hell, But if people Deny God and Choose not to accept his hand, Then It's not God sentencing people to hell. It's people choosing that other option. But, No, The whole Zombie Christ Idea, That's A Joke that originated with Futurama back in the day. The Idea was, Is that Death is not permanent, That that was an afterlife, In that belief system.
 
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Rick Hunter

Celestial
Do Christians have a zombie laced theology?
The Christian concept of resurrection of the dead is downright bizarre.

Some people take resurrection literally, as in your corpse comes back to life. Some Primitivist Christians and Orthodox Jews believe this. I take it to mean, physical death is where your soul leaves the dead body and enters a new body in another dimension of existence. If God chooses to create that body out of the material of the old one, then I guess he can do that. Its not something I worry about.
 

Ron67

Ignorance isn’t bliss!
The thing is, It's Not That God is directly sentencing people to hell. It's more like, Hey, You can choose this option or that option, It was always multiple choice.

Like you could rush into a building that's on fire and Say, hey I'm here to help, but you can't force people to accept that help. Some would panic, Some wouldn't trust you, some would be looking for their other loved ones and not be concerned with you. It's not something that's forced, It's a choice, an option. People look at it like God Is torturing people and sentencing them to hell, But if people Deny God and Choose not to accept his hand, Then It's not God sentencing people to hell. It's people choosing that other option. But, No, The whole Zombie Christ Idea, That's A Joke that originated with Futurama back in the day. The Idea was, Is that Death is not permanent, That that was an afterlife, In that belief system.
I get what you're saying but I'm hard wired to accept things with evidence.So if there is a God I'm condemned to hell because God made me impervious to believing by faith alone!.So I don't have a choice.
 
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