26 May 14
Originally posted by FreakyKBHPeople react to the inevitability of death in different ways. Most religionists react to it by simply subscribing to notions that involve denying death is the end, and then they take comfort from telling others that they are "wasting" their lives by not subscribing to their particular notions and denials.
Death is the 300 pound gorilla/elephant in the room for each of us, regardless of age or physical condition.
Greg was 50, I'm 50 but people die at every age.
It--- death--- sits like a constrained and highly-trained dog with a treat on its nose, anticipating its master's release.
We don't hold it back with our enthusiasm or even our physical vigor; we're at the mercy of the master between first breath and inevitable expiry.
Originally posted by FreakyKBHMy wife and I lost our first child Ramie 13 days past her first birthday.
Death is the 300 pound gorilla/elephant in the room for each of us, regardless of age or physical condition.
Greg was 50, I'm 50 but people die at every age.
It--- death--- sits like a constrained and highly-trained dog with a treat on its nose, anticipating its master's release.
We don't hold it back with our enthusiasm or even our physical vigor; we're at the mercy of the master between first breath and inevitable expiry.
I HATE death, and I'm looking forward to when it gets done away with
forever. Missing her has tempered me with the knowledge that each one
I know is only here a short time, I don't care if its 80 years or 1 year
and 13 days. Life is short and oh so sweet, we should worry less about
the little things and enjoy what we have since it will not be with us long.
Kelly
26 May 14
Originally posted by RJHindsExactly!
If that be the case, then perhaps all our funerals should be more like the New Orleans style with music and dancing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krJW2qMVv4M
New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band funeral procession
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pPn-Nnin2Y
26 May 14
Originally posted by KellyJay"Life is short and oh so sweet..." In the NT Book of James it's likened to "a fleeting vapor trail."
My wife and I lost our first child Ramie 13 days past her first birthday.
I HATE death, and I'm looking forward to when it gets done away with
forever. Missing her has tempered me with the knowledge that each one
I know is only here a short time, I don't care if its 80 years or 1 year
and 13 days. Life is short and oh so sweet, we should worry less about
the little things and enjoy what we have since it will not be with us long.
Kelly
26 May 14
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyThe older you get the more exposed you get to death. I recall standing
"Life is short and oh so sweet..." In the NT Book of James it's likened to "a fleeting vapor trail."
next to my dad as he was dying from a motor cycle accident. You realize
all the stuff that passed between us, what was and was not important.
People allow themselves to get bitter over such little stuff, or things they
have no control over. Shame, we do that we hold grudges over such petty
things and forget how important those around us really are.
Kelly
26 May 14
Originally posted by KellyJayEspecially for an advancing believer in Christ who understands and applies the doctrinal principal of 1 Peter 5:7.
The older you get the more exposed you get to death. I recall standing
next to my dad as he was dying from a motor cycle accident. You realize
all the stuff that passed between us, what was and was not important.
People allow themselves to get bitter over such little stuff, or things they
have no control over. Shame, we do that we hold grudges over such petty
things and forget how important those around us really are.
Kelly
26 May 14
Originally posted by FMFThat wasn't my point.
People react to the inevitability of death in different ways. Most religionists react to it by simply subscribing to notions that involve denying death is the end, and then they take comfort from telling others that they are "wasting" their lives by not subscribing to their particular notions and denials.
I was aiming more at the seeming disconnect of our general nonchalance toward this inevitability which looms over us from our very first breath onward.
Even in our personal grief, there is no incredulity, no insult taken: we have accepted it just as we accept life, taking both for granted.
Even if we appreciate life and its moments, nothing can really explain death.
If a second sun appeared in our sky overnight, even if we couldn't do anything about it, we'd want answers... and work day and night to get them.
Were there never a resolve we would eventually settle into a general acceptance.
Can't do anything about it, can't explain it, it just is.
But why death?
These bodies appear able to last forever with proper care and maintenance, yet they expire as though infected by malware.
Why death?
And why aren't we insulted by it?
26 May 14
Originally posted by FreakyKBHI don't know anyone who is 'nonchalant' with regard to death.
That wasn't my point.
I was aiming more at the seeming disconnect of our general nonchalance toward this inevitability which looms over us from our very first breath onward.
Even in our personal grief, there is no incredulity, no insult taken: we have accepted it just as we accept life, taking both for granted.
Even if we appreciate life and its moments ...[text shortened]... e, yet they expire as though infected by malware.
Why death?
And why aren't we insulted by it?
But it makes no sense to be 'insulted' by it. It's a natural thing.
26 May 14
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemThat may be an overstatement, but I use it in the sense of contrast.
I don't know anyone who is 'nonchalant' with regard to death.
But it makes no sense to be 'insulted' by it. It's a natural thing.
As you said, we see it as natural, but it truly isn't--- at least for humans, it's not.
It's against nature; it's something we fight to the bitter end to stave off.
If one were to believe the atheist, we've even imagined a way to mitigate its sting by viewing it as a portal instead of an end.
To me, it qualifies as the most WTF thing known to man.
Originally posted by FreakyKBHNature is as brutal as it is beautiful. It is easy for us humans to forget - sheltered in our homes, armed with weapons to protect us, grocery stores full of food in walking distance - that "nature" is very harsh for most creatures on the earth. The rule of the day is, struggle to survive.
That may be an overstatement, but I use it in the sense of contrast.
As you said, we see it as natural, but it truly isn't--- at least for humans, it's not.
It's against nature; it's something we fight to the bitter end to stave off.
If one were to believe the atheist, we've even imagined a way to mitigate its sting by viewing it as a portal instead of an end.
To me, it qualifies as the most WTF thing known to man.
It is a human delusion to think that we can survive indefinitely just because we have removed many of the difficulties that once threatened our short-term survival.
I cannot speak for other atheists, but I do not think death is a 'portal' to anything or anywhere other than a coffin buried in the ground.
I lost someone close to me when my grandmother died a few years ago. She was a very caring person. She watched over everyone in the family. She always knew what people were doing in their lives. She had a collection funny or endearing stories or anecdotes about everyone in the family, which she always delighted in telling. She took me in for a year and a half when I needed a place to stay.
We were all very sad when she died. But it was also great to hear everyone at the funeral speak of her. It was more than just the usual, expected 'say a nice thing about the person who died' that happens at a funeral. It was like her very essence was still there in the memories of the many people who spoke that day. It seemed as though a person who had never met her while she lived nevertheless could have done so just by hearing all that was said that day.
26 May 14
2 edits
Originally posted by FreakyKBHThat's right. The point I made was my point. People react to the inevitability of death in different ways. I can't say I have met many people who find death "insulting", as you appear to claim you do. If it brings you comfort or helps you to cope with death to say that "nothing can really explain it" and that you are insulted by it ~ or that it's not "natural" ~ then that is your prerogative. Do these feelings you have result from your religionist dogma is some way?
That wasn't my point.
27 May 14
Originally posted by FreakyKBHI think is no different than water freezes at the top instead of the bottom.
That wasn't my point.
I was aiming more at the seeming disconnect of our general nonchalance toward this inevitability which looms over us from our very first breath onward.
Even in our personal grief, there is no incredulity, no insult taken: we have accepted it just as we accept life, taking both for granted.
Even if we appreciate life and its moments ...[text shortened]... e, yet they expire as though infected by malware.
Why death?
And why aren't we insulted by it?
We are used to it, so we accept it. I like you feel death is wrong, it never
should have been. Scripturally speaking I get it, but I so hate it. Life is the
only thing that really matters, and to see it snuffed out before our eyes
just grades against me. Being as precious as it is, it really does show us
how wacked out people can be when they would put things above life, when
they would put lust above life. It does protect us too, in that we did not find
ourselves in the position that Satan and his angels found themselves in
when they fell, we can be redeemed due to death.
Kelly
28 May 14
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemI feel it, too.
Nature is as brutal as it is beautiful. It is easy for us humans to forget - sheltered in our homes, armed with weapons to protect us, grocery stores full of food in walking distance - that "nature" is very harsh for most creatures on the earth. The rule of the day is, struggle to survive.
It is a human delusion to think that we can survive indefin ...[text shortened]... her while she lived nevertheless could have done so just by hearing all that was said that day.
But I still contend there is seemingly nothing about these bodies which insists on a shelf life.
28 May 14
Originally posted by FMFI didn't realize I had a religionist dogma.
That's right. The point I made was my point. People react to the inevitability of death in different ways. I can't say I have met many people who find death "insulting", as you appear to claim you do. If it brings you comfort or helps you to cope with death to say that "nothing can really explain it" and that you are insulted by it ~ or that it's not "natural" ~ ...[text shortened]... is your prerogative. Do these feelings you have result from your religionist dogma is some way?
What is that, in your view?