Split Thread Signs of the End Times

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Thor 2 said:
Contemplation of death with the assumption that nothing follows death can be difficult to come to terms with. I can't claim to be completely comfortable with the idea but am not terrified of it.

You might find some comfort from the words of Mark Twain:

“I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.”
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Yes, I've heard the sentiment and the quote before, but it gives me no additional comfort. I am here now, I quite enjoy being here, and I would like to continue on from here. Part of my hesitation to eschew religion came from this place of fear. Having recognized that, though, I know it's not a logical reason to maintain belief in something that is so abjectly devoid of relevance and proof.

It doesn't allay my fear, but I'm hoping that science might have something up its collective sleeve. Not a great hope, but it helps a bit.
 
Rincewind said:
D'you think that Paul may have been raptured?
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Nah, he doesn't believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. If such a rapture WERE going to happen, not believing in it would be a sure-fire way to not be included in it.

"Paul Bethke" has not been raptured.
 
RobRoy said:
Yes, I've heard the sentiment and the quote before, but it gives me no additional comfort. I am here now, I quite enjoy being here, and I would like to continue on from here. Part of my hesitation to eschew religion came from this place of fear. Having recognized that, though, I know it's not a logical reason to maintain belief in something that is so abjectly devoid of relevance and proof.

It doesn't allay my fear, but I'm hoping that science might have something up its collective sleeve. Not a great hope, but it helps a bit.
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You're position is interesting and disturbing. I wonder if many other theists find themselves here, in a situation where reason is telling them to let go of faith, but are afraid of losing eternal life.

Interesting that I find the idea of eternal life horrific. Just think about it ...... I mean really wrap you're head around the idea. Living and knowing it will never end, just going on and on and on. Doesn't it drive you nuts?

I find contemplation of infinity the same, although in a milder way.

Here's hoping you find yourself in a more comfortable mental state in the future RobRoy, although this is one thing science may not help you with.
 
halleyscomet said:
Nah, he doesn't believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. If such a rapture WERE going to happen, not believing in it would be a sure-fire way to not be included in it.





"Paul Bethke" has not been raptured.
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Perhaps it happened too quickly for him to realise it was something he didn't believe in. He might have fallen victim to a velocirapture.
 
Jack by the hedge said:
Perhaps it happened too quickly for him to realise it was something he didn't believe in. He might have fallen victim to a velocirapture.
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And here I was about to make a joke about how he might've had an appendix that ruptured. Well played, well played
 
Thor 2 said:
Interesting that I find the idea of eternal life horrific. Just think about it ...... I mean really wrap you're head around the idea. Living and knowing it will never end, just going on and on and on. Doesn't it drive you nuts?
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There is a party, everyone is there.
Everyone will leave at exactly the same time.
Its hard to imagine that nothing at all
could be so exciting, and so much fun.

Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.
 
Thor 2 said:
You're position is interesting and disturbing. I wonder if many other theists find themselves here, in a situation where reason is telling them to let go of faith, but are afraid of losing eternal life.

Interesting that I find the idea of eternal life horrific. Just think about it ...... I mean really wrap you're head around the idea. Living and knowing it will never end, just going on and on and on. Doesn't it drive you nuts?

I find contemplation of infinity the same, although in a milder way.
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Nope, but then perhaps I don't have the ability to really wrap my head around the idea. Immortality sounds pretty good on paper. Read ALL the books. See ALL the movies. Experience ALL the life.

I suspect, this is why most people, who otherwise wouldn't believe in a higher power, do so. Even if they don't buy into the myths about a particular deity, the potential for not ceasing to exist is pretty compelling.

Here's hoping you find yourself in a more comfortable mental state in the future RobRoy, although this is one thing science may not help you with.
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I doubt it. It's not a thing I like to peer at, makes me very uncomfortable. I haven't found a good way to really approach and think on the subject or the implications. Maybe it's just a matter of time, and sense of my own mortality. Perhaps, moving forward, my age and perspective will allow that contemplation to become easier. So far, it makes me anxious complete with sweaty palms.

ETA: I appreciate the effort to discuss this with me. I'm not making trying to make it difficult. This is just a topic that really, legitimately freaks me out.
 
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Crossbow said:
Hey Paul!

So where is this God that you speak?

That god is not any more evident after this brilliant posting as before this brillant posting.
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We've all noticed the strong Authoritarian bias of Paul Bethke's stated views of how society should function. What you may not know is that there is some decent research into the personality traits that might lead a person to authoritarian as well as ideas about how to prevent those traits from arising though education and multicultural exposure.

How World War II scientists invented a data-driven approach to fighting fascism. The F-scale personality test measured authoritarianism in US citizens.
 
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halleyscomet said:
???

That may be the most irrational, nonsensical thing I've read on this forum.
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:confused: Now I'm confused. Parsman said that maybe they're "too much of a Pratchett fan". I'm a big Pratchett fan and don't think anyone could possibly be too much of a fan of his writing. Just an off-topic aside.
 
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