Lol. Boffins have a plethora of philosophical speculation of how the the wonders of the universe came to be and their use of this speculative/ conjecture applies for the wonders of the earth and life on it.
How do people deal with their inevitable death?
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If sexual reproduction in plants, animals, and humans is a result of evolutionary sequences, an unbelievable series of chance events must have occurred at each stage.
a. The amazingly complex, radically different, yet complementary reproductive systems of the male and female must have completely and independently evolved at each stage at about the same time and place. Just a slight incompleteness in only one of the two would make both reproductive systems useless, and the organism would become extinct.
b. The physical, chemical, and emotional systems of the male and female would also need to be compatible.
c. The millions of complex products of a male reproductive system (pollen or sperm) must have an affinity for and a mechanical, chemical, and electricalc compatibility with the eggs of the female reproductive system.
d. The many intricate processes occurring at the molecular level inside the fertilized egg would have to work with fantastic precision—processes that scientists can describe only in a general sense.
e. The environment of this fertilized egg, from conception through adulthood and until it also reproduced with another sexually capable adult (who also “accidentally” evolved), would have to be tightly controlled.
f. This remarkable string of “accidents” must have been repeated for millions of species.
Either this series of incredible and complementary events happened by random, evolutionary processes, or sexual reproduction was designed by intelligence.
Furthermore, if sexual reproduction evolved even once, the steps by which an embryo becomes either a male or female should be similar for all
animals. Actually, these steps vary among animals.
Evolution theory predicts nature would select asexual rather than sexual reproduction.f But if asexual reproduction (splitting an organism into two identical organisms) evolved before sexual reproduction, how did complex sexual diversity arise—or survive?
If life evolved, why would any form of life live long beyond its reproductive age, when beneficial changes cannot be passed on? All the energy expended, supposedly over millions of years, to allow organisms to live beyond reproductive age would be a waste. In other words, why haven’t all organisms evolved reproductive systems that last a lifetime?
Finally, to produce the first life form would be one miracle. But for natural processes to produce life that could reproduce itself would be a miracle on top of a miracle.
Good on ya Walt Brown
Only kedge could turn a thread about peoples' attitude to their mortality into a creationist debate. 
As you said, your belief is no different to mine. It's just that - a belief. You may not accept the evidence accumulated thus far (inside and outside of mainstream science), but that's not to say it doesn't exist.
As you said, your belief is no different to mine. It's just that - a belief. You may not accept the evidence accumulated thus far (inside and outside of mainstream science), but that's not to say it doesn't exist.
I have already replied to this thread stating that I don't really think about it beyond being around to see by daughter grow up.
Then events made me lose a nights sleep because all I could think about was how quick it can happen.
Turns out one of my oldest friends from Canada was driving with her son from Alberta where she lives to Port Coquitlam in BC which is where we grew up.
She was on her way to visit old friends and take in a car show
Somewhere along the highway a moose jump out in front of her.
Both her and her son were killed. Leaving behind a husband and daughter.
So all I can say now is you never know just live your life the best you can and make sure that the people you care about know how you feel.
And when the time comes pray it is quick and painless
Then events made me lose a nights sleep because all I could think about was how quick it can happen.
Turns out one of my oldest friends from Canada was driving with her son from Alberta where she lives to Port Coquitlam in BC which is where we grew up.
She was on her way to visit old friends and take in a car show
Somewhere along the highway a moose jump out in front of her.
Both her and her son were killed. Leaving behind a husband and daughter.
So all I can say now is you never know just live your life the best you can and make sure that the people you care about know how you feel.
And when the time comes pray it is quick and painless
Death messes with my head, its odd to think that on a long enough time scale (say 120 years) the survival rate is 0%.
Or to quote the Flaming Lips
"Do you realise? That everyone you know, someday, will die. But instead of saying all of your goodbyes, let them know you realise that life goes fast, it's hard to make the good things last, you realise the sun don't go down, it's just an illusion, caused, by the world, spinning round."
Or to quote the Flaming Lips
"Do you realise? That everyone you know, someday, will die. But instead of saying all of your goodbyes, let them know you realise that life goes fast, it's hard to make the good things last, you realise the sun don't go down, it's just an illusion, caused, by the world, spinning round."
Only kedge could turn a thread about peoples' attitude to their mortality into a creationist debate.
.
And then miss all the parts about evolution and use tiered old debates that hold no grounds.
Soldato
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Agree, but it's far easier to except something without putting the work in to find out for yourself - story of our society.
On the OP's question - it's only a concern if you don't know where your going when you die. I have to say I'd be terrified if I didn't.
Larkspeed's story is probably similar to others we have heard. It's always tragic when someone dies but when it strikes suddenly that's undoubtedly the most painful for those left behind.
I've thankfully never lost an immediate family member suddenly but a relation in Scotland lost his wife of 2 years in a car accident, she was the nicest person you could have ever met. Sadly it was just her time.
I guess at the very least we should live with no regrets and no unsettled issues with friends/family and make the most of the time we have as it is precious.
I have found peace in my faith in Christ and am glad I know where I'm going when I die, even though I don't deserve it and it's through nothing I've done.
In a way, I envy religion.
Faith is a kind of security blanket that gives people some hope to hold onto.
But sadly, I just cant believe it.
You may like to read a book called 'In God We Doubt' by John Humphrys. It's about this very issue (he's agnostic) and made a very nice diversion for me this weekend. It's nothing earth shattering, but it is quite nicely balanced and easy to read.
Soldato
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That's why it's called faith. I always think of that bit in the Indiana Jones movie where he has to step out onto that bridge he couldn't see......
I found that any religion that causes you to have to work for or strive towards perfection/attaining assurance of heaven, isn't really faith but focuses purely on what "I" can do. That's where Christ is very different, the "I" is taken out of the equation.
For anyone to make an assertion about what happens after death is foolishness. Nobody has ever come back to tell us what was there, we can't visit it for a while, so nobody knows. That is the only answer. Not this self-comforting faith idea, or this idea of a non-existence where you become nothing.
We don't know. People need to accept that.
We don't know. People need to accept that.
There's a massive body of people who claim that they've done just that, many of them with corroborative medical evidence. I'm sure you've heard of so-called Near Death Experiences (NDEs). Just because you refuse to accept that evidence doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
It's the only answer you've accepted, but many have assessed the same issue and come to an entirely different conclusion. It doesn't mean they're somehow denser or more gullible than you.
On the whole "near death experience" and "seeing the light"
When your dying, or very close to death, does your brain not release DMT which gives you a euphoric feeling making it easier to come to terms with? That could be to explain for these types of experiences.
When your dying, or very close to death, does your brain not release DMT which gives you a euphoric feeling making it easier to come to terms with? That could be to explain for these types of experiences.
Man of Honour
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A little bit late on the conversation/thread... but my take on it is this:
I don't fear it, but I don't particularly want to experience it. I find it harder to accept other people's mortality (i.e. parents/loved ones) than my own. I cannot do anything about dying, I just hope and wish that it doesn't happen too soon and that I get to live a decent life (I want to raise a family and be around long enough to appreciate them and vice versa).
However, as a result of my experiences in life I have learned to make the best out of things as much as I can as one never knows what life has in store. I'm not saying there is a "fate" but the undeniable truth is that death is inevitable - which doesn't bother me in the slightest, I just don't want to waste my life and be able to experience enough to feel I haven't been a fleeting existence on earth.
Obviously like most I'd wish for a quiet and peaceful death whislt asleep after a good long life. However, if I'm honest I really don't think about it - I'm too busy enjoying life.
I don't fear it, but I don't particularly want to experience it. I find it harder to accept other people's mortality (i.e. parents/loved ones) than my own. I cannot do anything about dying, I just hope and wish that it doesn't happen too soon and that I get to live a decent life (I want to raise a family and be around long enough to appreciate them and vice versa).
However, as a result of my experiences in life I have learned to make the best out of things as much as I can as one never knows what life has in store. I'm not saying there is a "fate" but the undeniable truth is that death is inevitable - which doesn't bother me in the slightest, I just don't want to waste my life and be able to experience enough to feel I haven't been a fleeting existence on earth.
Obviously like most I'd wish for a quiet and peaceful death whislt asleep after a good long life. However, if I'm honest I really don't think about it - I'm too busy enjoying life.
Even when the patient is under full general anaesthetic, has had their head drained of all blood in preparation for brain surgery, has been clinically dead and super-cooled for about an hour at the time, and has no heartbeat or ECG/EKG readouts and brainstem tests are flatline?...
I've covered this before, but suffice to say the accredited evidence out there (doctors, surgeons, neurologists) is much harder to explain away than 'dying fantasy' or 'drugs'.
e: FF, I haven't forgotten to mail you back, I just haven't had the time a decent response warrants as yet.
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Anyone who holds the opinion that people only turn to 'religion' because of a fear of dying are very mis-informed and lack enough knowledge to debate the subject fully ... I'm a Christian now but had no fear of dying before being so, in fact I was so fully comfortable and happy with the annihalation concept that I lived my life merrily doing whatever pleased me believing that when my run was over, it was over, period!
Yes, death is a natural process but I now believe it is not only just that but part of a much bigger cycle, a release of the spirit / soul from it's fleshly physical host into a different realm ... does this belief require faith?, yes of course it does because we're talking about something that most of us have 'no first-hand knowledge' about anyways.
Regarding topics like life and death I prefer to base my understanding and knowledge on more than just the academic sciences as these are topics that transcend normal observation or 'test, rinse and repeat' experimentation so limits are inevitable.
Great topic chaps ... spelling .. derp!
Yes, death is a natural process but I now believe it is not only just that but part of a much bigger cycle, a release of the spirit / soul from it's fleshly physical host into a different realm ... does this belief require faith?, yes of course it does because we're talking about something that most of us have 'no first-hand knowledge' about anyways.
Regarding topics like life and death I prefer to base my understanding and knowledge on more than just the academic sciences as these are topics that transcend normal observation or 'test, rinse and repeat' experimentation so limits are inevitable.
Great topic chaps
... spelling .. derp!
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You will too soon. Be it old age, accidental, ill.. whatever.
Live your life without regret and youll not fear death
If youre worried about dying, chances are its for reasons that you still have something to do on this earth.
</deep>
Live your life without regret and youll not fear death
If youre worried about dying, chances are its for reasons that you still have something to do on this earth.</deep>
Man of Honour
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Not much you can do about it tbh. Sometimes get some old customers who are really miserable, grumpy, snappy, rude, forgetful (though just that on it's own isn't really their fault), basicly just around to make younger people feel bad (This isn't as general description of old people btw, I love my Grandad to bits) and I just think "I hope I don't live long enough to be like that!" 