Question for materialists/atheists?

Question

Please be aware than I practice agnosticism, and this question is not meant to affiliate with Abrahamic doctrine whatsoever.

Do you ever think that it may be possible that some sort of "all-loving, surpreme force of love" exists, as well as an afterlife in its presence? I don't want to use the term "god" because of its negative connotations, and I'm definitely not talking about the evil Christian-Judeo god.

People who have Near-death experiences report this "all-loving god", and generally agree that he's not judgemental, doesn't care about your religion, etcetera.

Would it surprise you at all if you continued to be conscious after physical death? I mean, are you totally convinced that this 3D existence is all there is for us?

Answer 1

I think there is an aspect of life that continues after the death of the physical body. There's been enough credible testimony to reasonably accept that fact. But a deity? Or some kind of "surpreme force of love"? no. I don't buy that. That sounds too much like anthropomorphizing the natural process of transitioning from one phase of life to another. People always want to fill gaps in human understanding with gods, spirits, demons, and such.

Answer 2

No, I don't.

People who have near-death experiences see what they already believe. This could be an all-loving deity or an evil devil-like entity, it's all in their heads.

I'd be incredibly surprised if I was conscious after death.  

Answer 3

> Do you ever think that it may be possible that some sort of "all-loving, surpreme force of love" exists

I think that the very idea is ridiculous. All-loving sounds like a common religious myth. Based on your comment to Blue Rizla, I am confident that you are not part of such a force.

Answer 4

Yes.

It is called energy or Qi and it is everywhere.

It does not however manifest itself in the form of some character or being.

The reason people report 'near death' experiences is probably because of the transition death represents. Death must involve a large transfer of energy.

Answer 5

People who shoot heroin report the same sensations as people who have had near death experiences. This is due to both being endorphin based.

And, no. It's not possible. The god you're describing cannot possibly exist.

Edit: The best part about this question was when the asker went batshit crazy and started swearing at everyone who disagreed with him.

Answer 6

I've actually had a Near Death Experience.  Fenris was apparently quite pleased to see me, but there was no meeting of ancestors, no bright shiney lights, just me, Fenris, and the Cave.

I'm still an atheist though, so...

Answer 7

No, not anymore because life is random. I think if there was a God or being that believed in love that there would not be nearly so much suffering in the world. It's completely random. There are people that believe they are the chosen ones and use that to make others suffer. Do you think God would allow that if he existed? Heaven and h**l exist on Earth. We can see it. Devils and Gods are inside of us. It's who we choose to be. It requires us being honest with ourselves and each other. We either see each other as partners or adversaries.  

Answer 8

I suggest reading the book "Many lives, many masters".

This will start you on a path of research that may lead towards past lives and the interim period as well as NDE's.

Answer 9

Would it surprise me?  Yes.  Death is the end of life.  Consciousness is an effect of life.  Consciousness ends at death.

Qualification:  If science sees light at the end of the tunnel (so to speak) and brings evidence to the table, I am open to possibility that I am also wrong.  (That is, I am relying upon science to tell me what is true/real.  If science changes its mind, I will be open enough to change mine as well)

Yes, I am totally convinced that this life is all there is.  I mean, seriously, I have no "consciousness" of the 10 seconds before I was born let alone the 10 thousand to 10 billion years before that most important event (in MY life), why should I expect that it should be any different in the 10 seconds or 10 thousand or 10 billion years after I die?  Without scientific evidence to the contrary, it's just logical that it should be that way.

More importantly, to you, perhaps, I am okay with that being all she wrote.  (Death is the end. Period.  That's it)  

Maybe I should note that I have lost several close family members recently -- my mother last month.  I am not seeing ghosts or having dreams with them telling me everything is okay, etc...but other family members and friends are.  I think, simply, that they need it and believe such things so it "happens" to them.  I do not need it or believe it, so it doesn't happen to me...or, if the same physical events are happening to me I see them in purely normal physical terms.

Answer 10

I certainly haven't encountered any reason to believe that there will be an afterlife in the presence of a supreme force of love.  

Who you are, your perception, consciousness, thoughts, memories, personality, all of that stuff exists physically in your brain.  When your brain stops functioning, that's it.  It might be nice to have an afterlife, but there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that it just isn't going to happen.  And what people experience when their oxygen-starved brains start to shut down is not reliable testimony.

Answer 11

I've had a near-death experience .....  I accepted a lift off your mother!

Ting!  Next, please.