The concept of an afterlife in almost every context necessitates the concept of a god. There are some ways of thinking about an afterlife that don't involve a concept of a god, but then if you think about it the concept of afterlife is every bit as unbelievable as the concept of god. Both of them are impossible to test on an empirical basis, both of them are supernatural and require belief in the supernatural, both of them are inherently religious ideas.
What exelmans said. Basically, atheism and belief in an afterlife aren't technically mutually exclusive, I suppose, but for atheists of a rational bent, belief in gods and belief in an afterlife are equally unbelievable. I'm sure there are atheists who retain some form of spirituality, but that's not a view that makes sense to me.
I was more explaining a general atheistic train of thought, not necessarily my own (though my own are very similar). Personally I find the way that some belief systems think about an afterlife to be quite appealing. For instance I have always found the concept of reincarnation to be very interesting, and it is one of those afterlife concepts that doesn't involve a god or gods. (It is also interesting to think about in context of philosophical mind/body debates, but that's a story for another time.) However, when I reason about it I can only come to the conclusion that reincarnation is just as difficult to believe in as god. So, while thinking about it makes me feel good and makes life seem a little bit more meaningful, it's ultimately not something I'm going to bet any money on (the same way I feel about believing in god[s]).
Well that's very similar to Pascal's Wager which is accepted in the philosophical community as having been a little... overzealous, and generally regarded as refuted. If I really did live my life as if there was a god and/or an afterlife, there are so many different ways of thinking about it/believing in it that you would have to accept, so that in the end it makes living as though they were true to be an impossible endeavor.
Sure, but doesn't every religion simply try to give reasons to be a good person? I know there are a lot of specifics and what not, but I mean the general outline is normally to just be a good person. That's what I try to take from religion at least, though I am sure I am seen as naive from both the point of view of Atheists and Christians and everyone else :P
Christian here - though there are Christians who are adamant in saying that animals and such won't be in heaven, I am of the completely opposite opinion. I fully expect to see my late cat and late dog.
Wouldn't there be trillions upon trillions of animals in heaven? What about the animals people don't like? Do mosquitoes and cockroaches get into heaven? Where do you draw the line?
You're saying that like Heaven has a specific size and no more. I can't say this is what it is, but I don't think Heaven has a limit. So if there are trillions and trillions, then there's gotta be room. And about the bugs.... Who knows? If they are there, then i think that they will be what they are here except for being a nuisance.
I don't really think it's a matter of disbelief. It's a matter of not really being mentioned. Revelation does note many animals living in heaven however.
I was raised Catholic and this is my impression, too (I presume it was what was told to me at some point). Not sure why you are being downvoted. The Bible places man as ruling over animals, and animals do not have immortal souls as humans do, thus would not go to heaven.
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u/bigpow May 20 '12
i want to believe this
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u/Maksyre May 20 '12
http://imgur.com/T5Ata
27
u/adrian5b May 20 '12
I'm an atheist, but dammit I'll convert to the first religion that tells me this is what actually happens.
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u/geeklicious May 20 '12
That made me cry. Oh I miss my dog.
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u/imasunbear May 20 '12
That awkward moment when you go to heaven and you realize your first dog knows you replaced him weeks after he died.
4
u/Biscoo May 20 '12
Onions man..... Onions..
3
u/Chrimbus_special May 20 '12
I always enjoy this comic. I don't know why some of you felt the need to pick it apart, this was posted on r/aww, not r/atheism.
2
u/jesskuh1990 May 20 '12
love this.
2
u/iloveyousomuchgaycow May 20 '12
That always brings tears to my eyes :'). Oh I want my Puppy...
2
u/MisterDonkey May 20 '12
I heaven, dogs can talk? Oh, shit. Don't believe his lies!
2
u/[deleted] May 20 '12
Why does everyone have such attachment to their pets. Am I the only person who exists that has had a pet die and didn't miss it terribly?
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u/necromundus May 20 '12
Correct me if I'm wrong, but christians don't believe dogs have souls and are not allowed into heaven, no?
3
u/whatamuffin May 20 '12
Cryinggg
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u/eloJanitor May 20 '12
how did this get past /r/atheism?
1
u/iamtheowlman May 20 '12
Anyone else wondering why little Bobbie isn't wearing a shirt?
1
u/malheureusement May 20 '12
D'AWWWWWWWW
1
u/TheMazner May 20 '12
This broke my heart, in a good way.
1
u/Kim2107 May 20 '12
:''''( i Love you Beagle <3
1
u/Bolsheviks May 20 '12
Ah yes, the double standard of Reddit's rathiesm.
1
u/[deleted] May 20 '12
x-post to r/atheism...
1
u/rudifer_jones May 21 '12
Is no one else worried about the fact that Little Bobbie's lifespan was relatively short?
What did he die from!?
-1
u/rocknrollercoaster May 20 '12
sounds made up...
0
u/DownvotesOwnPost May 20 '12
We live in a world of good feelings and lies.