Why fear death? (not a joke)

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darkenatrocity

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I honestlly need some honest (not stupid) answers. I mean. Why fear something that is inevitable? I dont fear death. I can see fearing the situations we are put into which can lead to death, but not death itself. I dont believe in "heaven" "Hell" "god" or "satan" I believe we control our own fates. I believe that the "bible" is a tool for the people who need a means of support and hope to use. I dont mean any disrespect to any religion. This is just my beliefs and hopefully this thread will not get the attention of the people who thrive on taking a certain topic and post and twist it for their own pleasure. I would just like some honest answers.
 
darkenatrocity said:
I honestlly need some honest (not stupid) answers. I mean. Why fear something that is inevitable? I dont fear death. I can see fearing the situations we are put into which can lead to death, but not death itself. I dont believe in "heaven" "Hell" "god" or "satan" I believe we control our own fates. I believe that the "bible" is a tool for the people who need a means of support and hope to use. I dont mean any disrespect to any religion. This is just my beliefs and hopefully this thread will not get the attention of the people who thrive on taking a certain topic and post and twist it for their own pleasure. I would just like some honest answers.
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Tell that to my sister laying dead in a grave for the last 5 years because of a drunk driver who hit her. Better yet, tell that to her 2 sons and daughter, and the rest of us who still mourn her.
 
Why fear death? Hmm I guess because you don't know what happens afterward. If there actually is Heaven or Hell or something else. Because you're afraid it might come too soon. That you won't fulfill things you want to do in your life.

I fear death now because i'm young and would like to live for a while still. Once i'm 80 and can't see, speak or change my own diaper ( :shock: something my dad says) then I won't fear death. I'll have had a full life. But then again having a full life is something that differs with each person.

I guess there's no real reason to fear it but rather fear that you won't get things done, be with your family enough, live your life before hand.
 
Like I said in my first post. It is MY belief that we are in control of our own fates. Yes, it is a mournful situation that you and your family are in. I never said death is a grand "event." I am just asking why fear an "event" that is evitable? I dont fear death itself, but I will admit I fear the situation my death will occur. Death to me is just another step we must undertake. I just know alot of people who fear death itself. I am not saying that you shouldnt fear this or that. I am just trying to figure out why fear it. I understand fearing the before and after, but why fear death itself? Fearing death is like a dream that slowly progresses till either it jumps straight into the good part or it just slowly rolls into the good part. Death will happen in time or right there instantly. Fearing death to me is kinda pointless. Why fear an "event" that will occur no matter who you are? I am not trying to force MY beliefs onto anyone. I am really just trying to understand the point behind the fear of an unstoppable "event." Yes, I do understand it is a touchy subject. I have experienced death of many family members and friends. I have cried for them all, but I honestly can say that death is not an "event" that puts fear into my heart. One last comment.

I am sorry to whoever takes MY beliefs to the extreme and becomes offended. That is not my intention at all.
 
Um. Because it's an emotion..... 8)

Death is nothing to be afraid of. I've seen too much shit to believe we control our own fate, but we definately influence it.

But don't worry it's ok. I can tank Death if you need me to.
 
Why bring up death? No one needs to be reminded that they're going to die, it's just part of life.

and it's a depressing subject. :(
 
See that is where I am confused. Why make an "event" so depressing? Why take an "event" that can happen at the snap of your fingers or take as long as years and make it bigger than it appears? I just would like some answers that is all. I just dont completely understand. I am not ignorant by any means. It is just I have sat in the dark and light and tried to figure this out for myself, but to no avail. So, I figured I bring it up on here to get some honest opinions on this subject.


*I will also say I am sorry for upsetting anyone because of this topic*
 
I have no emotion torwards death itself.

I was born to die, just like everything else.

You start dying once you're born anyway.

Even stars die. (Those big ball sof hydrogen).

You wern't afraid of dying when you were 1 month - 1 year old simply because you wern't able to.

Only reason some are "afraid" to die is because they can. Stars aren't afraid... no emotion. But being afraid of death is part of our humanity, something we learn to do.

and Kat... I'm sorry ; ;. I had a friend get shot once (dead) for being at the wrong place at the wrong time by a bunch of shitdrunk asshat thugs.
 
darkenatrocity said:
Like I said in my first post. It is MY belief that we are in control of our own fates. Yes, it is a mournful situation that you and your family are in. I never said death is a grand "event." I am just asking why fear an "event" that is evitable? I dont fear death itself, but I will admit I fear the situation my death will occur. Death to me is just another step we must undertake. I just know alot of people who fear death itself. I am not saying that you shouldnt fear this or that. I am just trying to figure out why fear it. I understand fearing the before and after, but why fear death itself? Fearing death is like a dream that slowly progresses till either it jumps straight into the good part or it just slowly rolls into the good part. Death will happen in time or right there instantly. Fearing death to me is kinda pointless. Why fear an "event" that will occur no matter who you are? I am not trying to force MY beliefs onto anyone. I am really just trying to understand the point behind the fear of an unstoppable "event." Yes, I do understand it is a touchy subject. I have experienced death of many family members and friends. I have cried for them all, but I honestly can say that death is not an "event" that puts fear into my heart. One last comment.

I am sorry to whoever takes MY beliefs to the extreme and becomes offended. That is not my intention at all.
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Okay, let me put it to you this way then. IF it was YOUR Mamma who was killed by a drunk driver, would you still feel she controlled her own fate? I understand what you're saying about not fearing death for yourself. When it's my time to go, I feel I'll be ready no matter what the circumstances. But how I "fear" death, is for the loved ones who will survive me.

Btw no offense taken, in my own personal case anyway. You have a question and would like others opinion. There is nothing wrong with that. I do believe though, at this point in time, you haven't been around alot of death. I feel once you are (and I hope you won't be for a very long time), you will feel differently. Just my opinion.
 
I was debating not getting involved in this topic, if only for the fact that it could become heated, but I think I'll throw in my two cents.

I had a 'minor' surgury last year, a surgury that was supposed to take a month or two at the most to heal. I still suffer from the wound created by it, and due to that wound, the doctor told me if it is not healed soon, due to infection and whatnot my life may be at risk. I've never feared death before, and I still don't. I've accepted that I may die someday, or that I may die very soon. It is inevitable at any rate, and I think everyone should accept that someday they may die.

I personally think that the reason why people fear death is because they don't know what's out there. The idea that one day you just won't exist, that nothing else is after death, scares people. It is completely understandable, and perfectly justifiable. Or perhaps they fear death because of how it will happen. It is important however to understand, that death is not so much an affair of your own, as the people around you. When you die, you're dead; But the people around you, your loved ones, your friends, are the one's who will suffer. I think THAT, is the only real reason to fear death; that you know one day you will hurt the ones you love the most, the worst, and there's nothing you can do to change that.
 
We fear death because we fear the emptyness of our lives. If you can really honestly look back on your life and say "Yeah, i made a difference, i validated my own existance" then what do you have to fear of death? the worst death is the death of the unprepared, in the last moments they search their memories for things that validate themselves.
Death is not good or bad, just different whether there be heaven, hell or oblivion it doesn't matter. i prefer to just live my life to my own ideals and if i die and there is a god, if living true to my own standards rules ideals and ethics isn't good enough for him? well, i suppose i'll burn in hell :roll: ...
 
Yeah, I suppose that's correct.

Some of us are afraid of death because we see it as a bad thing. But if the circumstances are right, we might as well look back and say, hmm that was nice :), or something, and not be afraid of it.

Imagine this, if an afterlife was 100% true, just for this theory, and everyone was going to something most of us call heaven, wheather or not we've been good or bad, I don't think anyone would be afraid to die.

Some are afraid to die because,

1. We've been a bad ass, and are afraid of going to hell.

2. See death as a bad thing, because we love life too much. And of course no one wants to lose something they love.

3. Are able to fear.
 
I fear death because its the end.

If we're reincarnated, we lack the memories we had in our former life. And what is life, if not just a jumble of collected memories and thoughts?

If we go to heaven, we are relieved of our earthly forms and thoughts. We are baptised in sweet rivers where our minds are set at ease. And we exist in an afterlife without fear or despair for eternity. But we arent ourselves beyond that.

And if, as I believe, there isnt anything there...then whats the point in trying in life? All it leads up to is an infinity of nothingness. Just..nothing. I believe it would be like when you sleep but you dont dream. No thoughts. No feelings. No ideas. No sights. No sounds. No smells. Nothing.

Thats why I'm afraid of death. Because it means that life meant nothing, no matter how hard I tried.
 
I think some people fear death for the loss of their belongings..imo

I don't think people should be scared of it, but just accept it,

Heres a lil quote from one of my favorite books

"Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live"

er..I thought the quote was a bit different but oh well :P

Oh yeah..Vevious..you said "whats the point of trying when all your going to do is die"

I think I would want to help people throughout my life and die knowing I helped someone live happy instead of sitting there and watch the person suffer.
 
I thank you all who have posted. I have a new understanding on this topic. I still maintain the fact I dont fear death just the situation it will happen. Death is just the next part in the cycle. I dont fear my family or friends dieing just the *how they will die* is what I fear. Yes, it is very depressing losing your family and friends. I never said once I didnt care to lose my family or friends. I never once said I didnt care that you all hurt at the deaths of your family and friends. I do have a heart and I do care that you hurt (even tho I dont personally know any of you). Kat, I understand how you feel towards this topic. I have lost my brother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, 2 cousins, and my 1st niece. :cry: :cry: I have lost 2 of my very close friends to a gang war that was being wage in my neighborhood. They died in a car sitting right in front of my house waiting for me to come because they were thought to be members of the opposing gang. I know what true pain and anger is. I dont know how you are feeling, but like I said earlier I do understand. We all deal with death differently, but I was just trying to understand why do people fear death. I dont know what else to say to you Kat, but......I am sorry. :cry:
 
BlackMage said:
Oh yeah..Vevious..you said "whats the point of trying when all your going to do is die"
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Oh dont get me wrong. I dont believe that there isnt any point in life. I'm just saying thats my fear of death. That no matter what you do in life...Who you help, who you spurn, who you betray, who you save..Any of that, doesnt really matter in the end. It doesnt matter if you help them. Theyre just going to die and fade into nothingness themselves. Thats what I'm afraid of in the end. That doesnt mean I wont try and help people. All i've done my whole life is try to help people. Teach people. Take care of people. I love humanity, and I love living.
 
True, but hopefuly the person you helped will do the same for others too, and it will spread...and make the world a more happy place..even though I don't believe in world peace
 
World peace is an illusion. As the saying goes, you cant please everyone all the time. There will always be strife. But I like your style of thinking. It is true that if we help one another while stranded on this mortal coil, our stay in it will be a better one.
 
I never said world peace was goina happen if thats what you ment :P

But making it somewhat close is good..i guess @_@
 
Short answer: your question sucks.

Long answer:

Humans have this ability to imagine themselves in someone else's shoes. It's arguably one of our most important traits.

Your question seems disingenuous to me. Are you honestly saying you can't possibly imagine why someone might fear death? I don't believe in any sort of an afterlife, and the thought of my own death just gets a "meh" out of me, but I don't think it takes that much work to come up with a couple of situations where you might be afraid of death. For example, you are a religious person, you believe that if you do certain things you will be rewarded after death, and if you do some others you will be punished. You hope your "good" column is longer than your "bad," but there's really no way to tell until you're dead, and by then it might be too late. Or you have some loved ones who depend on you for support, and you are afraid that if you die they will not be able to take care of themselves well. Or you believe you have a certain mission in life and you fear that if you die you won't be able to accomplish it. See? Not that hard.

You don't seem to like some of the answers people have given for why they fear death, which makes me think you're fishing for someone to either change your mind, or to have the poor death-fearing-schlubs be awed by your epiphany that "death is inevitable" and change theirs. Most people are already well-aware that death is inevitable, and in fact, it being something you can't escape probably contributes to, not detracts from, their fear of it. You're asking people to tell you highly subjective and personal reasons, and then arguing with them when their answers aren't good enough--like asking what everyone's favorite color is because you're "just trying to figure out" what colors people like, then telling them they're wrong when their taste doesn't exactly line up with yours.

In your first response to Kat, you start narrowing down the definition of "death" (for this conversation) to a ridiculous point. You say it's ok to fear the "before and after," but you don't understand why fear "death itself." When people speak of death they're not just speaking of the millisecond when they stop breathing (or whatever other measure they're using to gauge life vs. death)--they're speaking of the time and events
leading up to death and what might come after. Again, I find it really hard to believe that this never occurred to you.

You also say "Why make an 'event' so depressing?" Are you kidding me? Humans imbue events with meaning and build emotions around them. It's what we do. We celebrate birthdays, religious holidays, sports, get depressed about stuff that happens to our friends, at work, when our favorite toy breaks, whatever. Death is by no means the only place where we make an "event" depressing/happy/takeyourpick.

If you honestly can't imagine where people are coming from on this and you're an adult, you have issues. Big ones.
 
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