[code4life]

Another perspective, adopted by millions is simpler, and more joyful to explain. This life is temporary, but a life with Christ in heaven is eternal. Our christian funerals are often celebrations about a journey on earth well fought.

[dang]

We detached this subthread from https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11548172 and marked it off-topic.

[PieterH]

Forgive me for this, but it's my life and my death, and of all the bullshit I've had to tolerate in my life, the insane preachings of long dead desert shamans are the worst.

Take it somewhere else, thank you.

[nashashmi]

You know, I feel sorry for you that you never found your way. In a way, you are right about "insane preachings". There has been so much twist and turmoil to messages long gone. And a stranger is left with the bits and pieces if he wishes to put it all together. And if he tries, he hardly ever comes up with the absolute truth unfailing in every situation. That is what absolute truth is, unfailing, and such truth is always ONLY a result of the divine.

Regardless, your "protocol" is hardly a protocol for the majority of people. It only holds true for the emotionally numb and autistic minds. In fact, every sentence you expressed only comes from an autistic person. I am in the same boat now as you were when you enjoyed talking to strangers. I too love philosophical debate. We could have shared a lot had I the chance to know you. Thank you for sharing your personality. I relate to it. And I am glad to know I am not weird for being that way.

In return, I wish to share with you just one request and message: Please look into Islam and the Quran before you close your book forever! The message is simple: One god/creator/lord-of-all-things/ONE, His Last messenger, the last messenger's miracle (Quran) in a time transcending form. Please shun away every textbook reasoning you may have against religion, against God, just for a moment. Please lose your belief in the superiority of the self. Please lose your complacency that you have it all figured out. Please look into Islam like a person just born with so much to learn. Sorry if this offends you, but I beg you, please!

[fsloth]

I would offer an inverse to Pascal's wager as a counterpoint.

If there is any chance that our life on earth is the only chance gets on existence, then one should spend it contemplating good life here on earth and not concentrating on a plausibly false hope.

[minionslave]

It sounds beautiful. I guess part of us wants to continue to exist, even after our death. I must point out, as much as I agree with the sentiment, many people give up a happy life on earth (forbidden food, no premarital sex, tithes etc..) for the sake of religion.

[nihonde]

Here in Japan, we put my mother in law to rest this week under the principles of a religion that believes that the body is lent to the mind, that the mind is eternal, and that the mind is reborn with a new name.

I find Christianity one of the most offensive belief systems in the world, but who am I to argue with millions of people who are "more joyful" and know better than me? On the other hand, there's a better-than-decent chance that the real teachings of Christ are more like my Japanese priest's beliefs than whatever you're talking about.