Fear Of Death

[HK]

I couldn't sleep one night last week because I was lying in bed, freaking out about the idea of dying one day.

Am I the only person who ever gets serious dread? I find it very difficult to reconcile with the idea that I could not exist, so the concept of death is terrifying.

Do people really get to a point where they're at peace with it? It seems like once you get very very old you're supposedly glad of the idea of some peace but I can't imagine being so bad off that not existing was a better option. But then, I've had a very uneventful life (and was the world's least suicidal teenager obviously haha).

 

[Niamh]

sometimes, depending on my mood, sometimes It doesn't bother me cos I won't know the difference if I'm dead anyway

 

[Pumpkin]

I'm exactly the same, I tend not to think about it because I can get very stressed/upset at the thought of, as you said not existing!

I hope my thoughts change as I grow older!

 

[skyblue]

I couldn't sleep one night last week because I was lying in bed, freaking out about the idea of dying one day.

Am I the only person who ever gets serious dread? I find it very difficult to reconcile with the idea that I could not exist, so the concept of death is terrifying.

Do people really get to a point where they're at peace with it? It seems like once you get very very old you're supposedly glad of the idea of some peace but I can't imagine being so bad off that not existing was a better option. But then, I've had a very uneventful life (and was the world's least suicidal teenager obviously haha).

I'm exactly the same, I tend not to think about it because I can get very stressed/upset at the thought of, as you said not existing!

I hope my thoughts change as I grow older!

you should try hitting my age:24:

 

[Springsteen]

I don't fear it, because I really can't prevent it happening, I can only try and enjoy the life I have now. The only thing I do fear is what happens afterwards, like just fading away into nothingness, I mean I would there to be an afterlife of course but if there isn't, then it's just a case of completely dying away.

 

[purpledove]

I've had those kinds of strong fears b4. I still dread a bit actually till this day how it's gonna be when I am gone and my son is left with no one but relatives/friends. I cant fathom it. However, I am ready when it's my time it's my time. I have prepared him for it. I know I can't go against death no matter how I'll fight it. I have reached a point where I am at peace

I think it's a matter of what one believes in too for the after life....

 

[KLD1019]

now that i have a kid, i do.

 

[Tim]

Nope, never... and I mean never.

I truly believe there is nothing after death, yet it doesn't scare me. I mean why should it. It's something I have zero control over so I won't be losing any sleep over it

 

[skyblue]

Nope, never... and I mean never.

I truly believe there is nothing after death, yet it doesn't scare me. I mean why should it. It's something I have zero control over so I won't be losing any sleep over it

exactly:thumbup

 

[HK]

I'm a semi-control freak, so the idea of not being able to control that area of my life in any way at all, is a problem

I'm not so bad about a lot of things, but my own existence is a tricky one to relax about.

 

[purpledove]

 

[Diggin Deep]

I use to really struggle with the thought of dying. Over the years, I've found myself more at peace with the idea. I still worry sometimes about my children. Not if they will be ok, but the parts of their life that I'll miss out on. The one thing that has slowly helped me get over my fear is by trying to live my life with no regrets and making the best out of every day...always remembering to laugh, spending as much time with my family and friends as I can and never forgetting to say I love you and I'm sorry (when it calls for it ). Some days are harder than others. Since tomorrow isn't promised to me, living for today helps keep the fear of dying far from my mind.

 

[Peter Parka]

I honestly believe fear of death is the reason so many people believe in something as unprovable and unrealistic as god and religion. People just cant hack the idea of one day being dead so comfort and console themself with a fairstory so much that they actually believe it.
Personally death holds no fear for me, most likely when you're dead you feel nothing. I just hope I dont suffer too much while I'm actually dying. Massive heart attack in my sleep or something would probably be the best way to go.

 

[HK]

I honestly believe fear of death is the reason so many people believe in something as unprovable and unrealistic as god and religion. People just cant hack the idea of one day being dead so comfort and console themself with a fairstory so much that they actually believe it.
Personally death holds no fear for me, most likely when you're dead you feel nothing. I just hope I dont suffer too much while I'm actually dying. Massive heart attack in my sleep or something would probably be the best way to go.

I have to agree, I think part of the reason I find it so scary is that I find it impossible to convince myself to believe in an afterlife just because I'm afraid. I don't think it's true for everyone but some people seem to cling to belief as a crutch.

I don't want to know if I'm dying. That'd really suck.

 

[purpledove]

It doesn't mean that when one has belief/faith that one uses it as a crutch. That's NOT necessarily the case. There are various reasons one develops faith through their life experiences etc and are able to keep it through their lifetime.

IF one doesn't have faith doesn't mean it gives them the right to judge others who do. That's a fact of life. People are diverse in many ways and it's acceptance that make us all unite and have peace and not judge others NOR create a division/wall.

It doesn't also mean that bcoz one is afraid of dying hence they use the after life to have peace in themselves. Some don't have faith or belief in afterlife and yet able to have peace re: death bcoz they're ready and accept that death is inevitable.

 

[HK]

That's why I said 'I don't think it's true for everyone'

Most of the religious people I know are quite the opposite, but a good example was a girl I went to school with. Her faith was very subject to change depending on her circumstances, and she leant on her religion consistently when things were tough - which sounds acceptable but she would avoid doing anything to help herself or change because she'd rather pray and hope that God would sort it out.

 

[purpledove]

Yup, I saw that!!

..........I juz gotta make that point across as most people are quick to judge which I think is not fair for people who have faith

Hence too I don't believe in religion. It's just an element to create more divisions due to different practices etc.

I guess that girl is lost then eh? That's when your expertise of guiding her and being a good listener as you are would come in.....:thumbup

 

[hart]

I don't fear death. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a vampire though I fear being trapped in a body that doesn't work but a mind that does. That, I would hate. Shoot me if I am paralyzed please.

 

[Zorak]

I don't think I've ever given it any thought.

 

[ATKU2]

Hmm, well HK. I don't exactly fear death, I just fear the idea of it.
What creeps me out of this... since I'm agnostic and all, I don't have any definate beliefs... but what creeps me out is...
When I die, where do I go? Do I go to heaven (If it is real), do I go to hell (if it is real), or does everything just black out and end?
If I were to die, I would want to die peacefully... and not painfully.
So I understand dying can be creepy, but it happens... there's nothing we can do to stop is completely, but we can make our lifespan longer by being more and more careful with each day.

Anyways, I don't sleep often anymore... my dreams... and always nightmares these days... so really, bad things could happen... but it's free will that allows us to fight it.