People are at different levels spiritually. At the base level, they may need to believe in literalism. Some will eventually progress to metaphor. Others may realize that metaphor and myth are as powerful as literalism. I enjoy your writing.
You wrote: "It took me a few years to really hear what my atheist friends were saying. When they told me they found comfort in believing there was nothing beyond this life, they weren’t being provocative. They were being honest. I kind of get it now. Life is fatiguing. Overwhelming." I'm not (quite) an atheist, but I definitely feel like no life after death would be no big deal. I don't fear death at all, as far as I can tell. Now dying - that is a different matter. That seems very scary. But being dead and nothing happening? I wouldn't exist so I wouldn't care. Reality can certainly get along fine without my consciousness continuing on. And life does get wearying at times. A nice long (eternal) dreamless sleep? Sounds nice enough. Of course, if there is an afterlife and it's glorious and no one has to endure eternal conscious torment, then that will be great too!
Ha, it’s true! If nothing is happening then why would we even care? The distinction between dying and death is an important one, yes, hmmm. Ulimately, personally, I’m unable to let go of the vision of some kinda tree of life bringing healing to all the nations in this life or the next. But, honestly? Who knows what will be happening. All we got is right now. :)
People are at different levels spiritually. At the base level, they may need to believe in literalism. Some will eventually progress to metaphor. Others may realize that metaphor and myth are as powerful as literalism. I enjoy your writing.
Thank you, Connie.
Beautiful!
You wrote: "It took me a few years to really hear what my atheist friends were saying. When they told me they found comfort in believing there was nothing beyond this life, they weren’t being provocative. They were being honest. I kind of get it now. Life is fatiguing. Overwhelming." I'm not (quite) an atheist, but I definitely feel like no life after death would be no big deal. I don't fear death at all, as far as I can tell. Now dying - that is a different matter. That seems very scary. But being dead and nothing happening? I wouldn't exist so I wouldn't care. Reality can certainly get along fine without my consciousness continuing on. And life does get wearying at times. A nice long (eternal) dreamless sleep? Sounds nice enough. Of course, if there is an afterlife and it's glorious and no one has to endure eternal conscious torment, then that will be great too!
Ha, it’s true! If nothing is happening then why would we even care? The distinction between dying and death is an important one, yes, hmmm. Ulimately, personally, I’m unable to let go of the vision of some kinda tree of life bringing healing to all the nations in this life or the next. But, honestly? Who knows what will be happening. All we got is right now. :)