"Darwin was the first to use data from nature to convince people that evolution is true, and his idea of natural selection was truly novel. It testifies to his genius that the concept of natural theology, accepted by most educated Westerners before 1859, was vanquished within only a few years by a single five-hundred-page book. On the Origin of Species turned the mysteries of life's diversity from mythology into genuine science." -- Jerry Coyne
I was just thinking of this very subject, heaven and hell. When I was a Christian, toward the end before I stopped believing, I came to embrace the doctrine of predestination (Calvin, Augustine). When I did, I came to realize that if my children were not "chosen" and one of them died while I was still alive, I would probably have a nervous breakdown and end up locked away. This is just absolute torment for a parent. What a head trip!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to know that when we die, we go back to the state we were in before: NONEXISTENCE. That is hard to deal with, I have to admit but I'm coming to terms with it more and more. At least I don't have to be morbidly tormented by the thought of my children in endless suffering while I walk the earth, and my "god" is watching it all and just good with that, if something were to happen to them.
The thought of an afterlife is something I'm really glad to be free from. Now, on to facing and embracing my mortality/finality. Getting there.
Thanks for your comment TreeC. I'm not too concerned about my future nonexistence. I figure since I'm going to live until at least 110 I have nothing to complain about.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, not existing after death is the exact same thing as not existing before birth. It's called reality and I think reality is a wonderful thing.
If I believed in a life after death (the most ridiculous fantasy ever invented) I would be very concerned about it. I would not call eternal boredom a heaven.
A real heaven is right here where I live in south Florida. The ocean, the sunrise, the palm trees, the tropical birds like the white egret, and I can swim outside in one of our two swimming pools in the winter. A god fairy's heaven couldn't compete with that.
a veritable heaven or garden of Eden is A Resource Based Economy rather than a monetary-based society. Something that benefits all people, rather than just a single person or "a chosen few".
DeleteIf you are not familiar, just google, the Venus Project, and I think you will agree.
Lauren, thanks very much for the information. I found a 48 minute video about the Venus Project at Paradise or Oblivion. It was very interesting but I prefer capitalism.
DeleteI hear you. Where I live, it's nothing like what you described in So. FL, but making the most of every moment and enjoying life is really all we have.
ReplyDeleteToday for me was a miserable, hot, muggy, cranky day. I had so much to do that I couldn't take the kids anywhere. We were stuck here sweltering. I finished what needed to be done and I was exhausted. Around seven o'clock I said to myself, 'to hell with this!' and I got the kids in the car and got them ice cream and drove to the beach.
Again, not as you described where you live, but for us it was heaven on earth! The breeze was amazing! The moon was full and RED! My kids were squealing as they have never experienced the beach at night. (my daughter told me she was going to dig up clams. I said she wouldn't find anything as it was night and she couldn't see well. She informed me she would use her toes. I laughed. Well sure enough, she ran to me with about twenty tiny ones cupped in her hands, which I had to persuade her to put back before we left, lol) I came back home a few hours ago different than before I left. Now there's a miracle, haha.
So, I'm learning to find my heaven right now, each day. It will take time to retrain a brainwashed mind but I'm gonna get there and tonight was one of many sessions in my self-deprogramming.
Ah! To live to 110.....if only!
I am enjoying reading your blog. Looking forward to reading the new posts.
Great story, thanks. One nice thing about not having the magical heaven disease is it helps a person make the most of the one life they have.
ReplyDeleteI have this idea that people can live as long as they want. All they got to do is say they can do it.