What happen when we die?

[Sarevok]

I think that "heaven and hell" is somewhat childish and "death is the end" is very shady... What do you think? Do you REALLY believe that we will go to a "heaven" and live forever (eternal life will make anyone crazy and the heaven will be superpolutated) or you believe in reincarnation (this is very supernatural, and I never saw something supernatural in this world). Anyone have a reasonable idea about it?

 

[Nightfall]

I never thought death or life after as reasonable. It just is. Just as life is. It doesn't explain itself, or care what judgements we put on it. Life, death and possible life after death goes on.

 

[Umbran]

A "reasonable idea" about a thing for which we have no data, making it solely a matter of faith and belief?

*shrug*. It's religion. Not exactly your best bet for a topic on the board that'll live long...

 

[WayneLigon]

I think the normal explanation is that of course it's the soul that goes to heaven, which is a thing apart and separate from the mortal Earthly shell you've been lugging around. Remember that most things we think of as 'of the mind', like emotions, most states of being, all that.. those are things that are created by the body, by chemicals and environmental reactions. The soul, being something of pure mind, is not really a state any living creature (almost by definition) can imagine. So, ideas like 'going crazy for eternity' probably are not valid assumptions.

Reincarnation almost always posits that you don't remember the past lives. So, how would anyone ever know it occurs, supernatural or not. Of course, the mere idea of having a soul and the idea that there is some other place than this that it goes to is a 'supernatural' concept.

To at least try to put this on track for D&D....

I like the distinction they made, that the person has to want to come back for most of the major 'bring back the dead' spells to even work.

Think of how these characters must view their afterlife. Many times, they are not going on 'faith' as we in the RW must, they have direct proof of an afterlife. They have direct proof that gods exists, and souls exist, etc. They may even view the various afterlifes as cool places to visit.

 

[Bonehoard Taffer]

What happens depends on what alignment you are.

 

[Sarevok]

Sorry, I think I'm becoming mad. Forget this topic.

 

[ArcOfCorinth]

I believe in Heaven. I'm Christian.

 

[Deadguy]

Sorry, I think I'm becoming mad. Forget this topic.

Mad? Probably not. Confused? Quite likely.

On the other hand, this isn't something we discuss here, and I'd expect a Moderator to close this thread.

Unless we discuss the D&D application of real world beliefs in the afterlife. That might just scrape in under the bar.

 

[Henry]

First of all, Sarevok, I'm glad to see you posting here! Welcome!

Second of all, I just wanted to drop in and let all concerned know that Off-topic discussion is O.K. - but imflammatory remarks or insulting language is not allowed.

For my own part, I have to say that Umbran has the right of it - without empirical, reproduceable evidence, existance after death comes down to an issue solely expressed in a religious faith. But that said, I am reminded of a quote from the book The Chosen by Chaim Potok. It is a quote that made a profound difference in my life when I was younger:

P. 217, 218: Reuven's father

"You are no longer a child, Reuven, . . .It is almost possible to see the way your mind is growing. And your heart, too. . . .So listen to what I am going to tell you. . . .Human beings do not live forever, Reuven. We live less than the time it takes to blink an eye, if we measure our lives against eternity. So it may be asked what value is there to a human life. There is so much pain in the world. What does it mean to have to suffer so much if our lives are nothing more than the blink of an eye? . . .I learned a long time ago, Reuven, that a blink of an eye in itself is nothing. But the eye that blinks, that is something. A span of life is nothing. But the man who lives the span, he is something. He can fill that tiny span with meaning, so its quality is immeasurable though its quantity may be insignificant. Do you understand what I am saying? A man must fill his life with meaning, meaning is not automatically given to life. It is hard work to fill one's life with meaning. That I do not think you understand yet. A life filled with meaning is worthy of rest. I want to be worthy of rest when I am no longer here. Do you understand what I am saying?"

 

[Henry]

Sarevok, if you wish this topic closed, let me know.