On the socialization of children

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

there are parts of Me which exist independently of my nervous system, they are contained within every system that I've affected.

even though Sagan's material form has passed from this world, we can imagine to some degree what sagan would say if presented with some new data. So if you ask me, there is still some life in that pattern. We've absorbed a little bit of sagan's soul, immortalized him by incorporating him into ourselves.


While I agree that the consciousness which emerges from cells and tissues will go away, (just as sagan's unique point of view has gone away) there are clearly parts of our lives (shrapnel) that live on independent of that material existence.

I realize that this answer seems to be pointing in a different direction than the original question -- which seemed to be asking, "What is the experience of death like?", or perhaps "Is there an afterlife?"

So maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree, but I just want to put my two cents on the table here.. I don't see my life as being neatly contained by my physical form. You might as well try to figure out what happens to a swamp after it dies.

This.

When scientists claim to know anything that is still relatively uncharted with absolute certainty, they have diverged from science and ventured into religion. Science rarely claims to know anything, even things that are well-tested, with absolute certainty.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

One of the hallmarks of religion is people speaking in absolutes and becoming angry with any challenges, even if the challenges are in the form of "I don't believe you can claim certainty on that."

[Kai]

Hey, Gabbaland is my Pure Land, don't knock it!

[Cramulus]

You are comparing the position that we aren't capable of understanding death with belief in total cartoon bullshit.

thanks.

I'm saying that if we state that we truly can't know, than literally anything is possible; therefore, all stances share equal value.

I disagree

there are lots of things that we can't know, that doesn't mean all possible explanations are equal.

for example - I don't know if there's really a God, I don't think I can know, but I'm relatively certain God isn't the MS-Word Paperclip 

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

You are comparing the position that we aren't capable of understanding death with belief in total cartoon bullshit.

thanks.

I'm saying that if we state that we truly can't know, than literally anything is possible; therefore, all stances share equal value.

I disagree

there are lots of things that we can't know, that doesn't mean all possible explanations are equal.

for example - I don't know if there's really a God, I don't think I can know, but I'm relatively certain God isn't the MS-Word Paperclip 

You better watch out or HE will smite you with helpful hints.

[Adios]

One of the hallmarks of religion is people speaking in absolutes and becoming angry with any challenges, even if the challenges are in the form of "I don't believe you can claim certainty on that."

Yep.

[LMNO]

So, what process did you use to decide that God is most likely not the MS paperclip?

[Adios]

So, what process did you use to decide that God is most likely not the MS paperclip?

MS paperclip was invented long after god was made up.

[P3nT4gR4m]

Maybe he just did it that way as a test of faith, tho?

[Kai]

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

[LMNO]

[AFK]

On the one hand, it is a fascinating topic for conversation.  On the other hand, it really doesn't matter.  Even if some form of consciousness or personality exists after death, there seems to be no mechanism for that existence to commune with mortal existence.  So it would seem to be inconsequential for the mortal plane. 

[MMIX]

and to return to the OP . . . after death there is peace with no sadness and no pain . . .

MMIX firmly in the no body = no consciousness camp

[ñͤͣ̄ͦ̌̑͗͊͛͂͗ ̸̨̨̣̺̼̣̜͙͈͕̮̊̈́̈͂͛̽͊ͭ̓͆ͅé ̰̓̓́ͯ́́͞]

On the one hand, it is a fascinating topic for conversation.  On the other hand, it really doesn't matter.  Even if some form of consciousness or personality exists after death, there seems to be no mechanism for that existence to commune with mortal existence.  So it would seem to be inconsequential for the mortal plane. 

Yeah, I'm digging the passionate discussion.

Would you feel comfortable talking about what you told or will tell your little ones?