For most people the concept of death is unpleasant and challenging.
The moment you realize that you are going to die, the next question is "So why bother living if we are all going to die in the end anyway?"
Then the other question "What happens next?"
The one salient point that it too terrifying for people to contemplate and accept, is that there is no point!
You simply live as all other organisms live, and you die as all other organisms die. You have no special purpose just as a dolphin or a raccoon has no special purpose (otters may have special purpose, but that's a story for another day)
And when you die - what next?
Nothing. That's it, just.... nothing.
And that is too terrifying for people to conceptualize, so they invent all manner of afterlives to take away the fear they they will be nothing.
When I die, I will go out kicking and screaming, because i like being alive.
but once the race is run and I'm standing there with Death (and Binky) I'll look back on a life that was lived in joy and laughter, and spent helping people where and when I could.
I will be nothing. But the ripples I leave behind in the pond of life will continue.
So thanks @dreemit for prompting those contemplative thoughts ;-)
You're welcome! It's fascinating how many different beliefs there are about what happens when we die. My mother is certain Jesus will take her to heaven. You seem just as certain that you will cease to exist. I disagree with you both, LOL
You can't know until you go, but it's great fun to speculate. Right now I'm speculating that we are inside a VR game and my brother's best friend created it. (Seriously deranged sense of humor on that one, HA!) I feel a story coming on called God's name is Joe ;)
P.S. I have no fear of the unknown, to me the mystery only adds to the adventure. But ceasing to exist is kind of morbid. You may as well at least entertain the notion that there's something else, it's much more fun