Are you afraid of death?
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I am 74 and have see several loved ones die. Both my parents and my husband seemed to welcome death since they were unable to live the way they wanted to live. I feel no fear of dying since I truly think that when you die that is the end an you cannot be aware of it. After all, what we think and feel is a function of our brains and when it stops functioning so will we. Of course I fear pain and suffering and being a burden on my loved ones. My one wish however is that when I die, I will be fully aware of it. I want to know when my heart stops beating that my brain will very soon go and I will be no more than a memory for others. It is a one time experience and I really would hate to miss it.
@Kagey Re: "It is a one time experience and I really would hate to miss it."
Wow... Now THAT'S pretty cool. Haven't heard it put quite that way before. May have to steal that one from you. *grin*
Do I fear death? Absolutely not!
Do I fear dying (the actual process of traveling down the path between life and death)? Absolutely yes!
In the last year I was near death twice while suffering unimaginable pain. This is the process is known as dying. Unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that your personal process of dying will be quick and painless; you damn well better be afraid of dying ... NOT DEATH.
Atheists have no reason at all to fear death.
To be honest I'm terrified of death. It's the end. I don't want to give this life up. There's too much happiness and pleasure in it for me. I'm motivated to keep living. This is why I'm fascinated by the idea of life extension. I recommend looking up Aubrey de Grey. He's working on biological immortality.
@Zena Re: "To be honest I'm terrified of death."
Hey there, Zena. Welcome to the AR. Thanks for joining us.
Like you, I am not exactly in any hurry to leave this mortal realm. I absolutely enjoy my life, and I would like to continue to do so as long as possible. Which is why I try to make every moment count. In the end, however, nobody gets out alive. Simply part of the rules of the game. And when I am gone, I will not know anything one way or the other. Therefore, no need for me to be scared of death. Granted, there may be a bit of apprehension concerning the actual method by which I die. but there really is nothing I can do about that, so why waste precious time worrying about it? Simply live. Enjoy the time while you have it. After all, this is the only shot we get. See you around.
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