Why is death such a bad thing?

[Dawgs]

Terri can no longer live as a thinking, feeling human being. Why don't those that support her wish her to be with their God. If anyone believes in the after life, isn't it better for her to go there.

She is not an unconscious little girl that just bumped her head and is now in a coma. Terri Shiavo will no longer be able to think, feel, or live consciously. Her mind and spirit are essentialy gone.

[crispini]

1. It's not.

Death is normal, natural, and part of life. To me, this whole case shows most revealingly how the fundies fear death. Which speaks volumes of their state of spiritual development IMO.

[progressiveBadger]

12. Exactly!

They hide behind thier speeches of righteousness and heaven. How they are so sure they will spend eternitiy at the feet of God. But all but a very few have that little bit of doubt that twists and turns every time they think of death. It's sad really, and unfortunately it's that doubt that has caused so much war and pain throughout human history.

[slackmaster]

2. Death is neither good nor bad, it's simply the end of life

The probability of death is 1.

[Karenina]

21. Death is swallowed up by life.

"Where have I gone? Only into the next room." Ramakrishna

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. They fear hell.

Guilty consciences at work here.

[coloradodem2005]

4. People fear that which they don't know.

They think they know what comes after death, but do not. They don't really know what heaven is like and it scares them.

[crispini]

14. Exactly.

It takes an ENORMOUS amount of confidence to be able to look at death, say "I don't know," and face it. And the first step is to say, "Well, I don't know."

The fundies insist that they KNOW. But they don't, 100%. Nobody does. So of course it's frightening.

Well, of course, there's Kubler-Ross's work, but they wouldn't be familiar with that because it talks about non-Christians and all sorts of people who have near-death experiences, and they have this need to feel that they are the only ones who are right.

The fact is, we're all probably wrong to some extent. The people I think who are closest to getting it right are the Buddhists. They were right about Global Consciousness, 2000 years ago, and it looks like science is about to prove that.

[killbotfactory]

5. If it's an iraqi's or our soldiers it's not

But if it's a fetus, or a vegetable, it's a tragedy of epic proportions.

[aintitfunny]

10. Or a convicted person

on Death Row, even if you were convicted on shoddy evidence, even if you may be innocent, its still ok if you die.

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. Here is what I said on the matter this morning.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3338904&mesg_id=3338987

I'll add this thought. Quite a paradox isn't it? Ultimate rewards are assumed to be gained after death yet death is something to be avoided at all costs.

[oneighty]

7. Anon said

"I do not mind dying it is just that you stay dead so long."

But being an older citizen I do not wish to talk about death.

Hee hee hee!

180

[TahitiNut]

8. Limited profit opportunities.

:evilgrin:

[loudestchick]

9. Their entire belief system is fear-based. They (sub-consciously) realize

that there are contradictions in their "holy books" and the uncertainty that they deny increases their fear. To them, god is like an alchoholic parent...you never know what you'll be punished for. Sad, really.

[Deep13]

11. Cult of Death

Death is part of life and a necessary part. It is the engine of natural selection, without which complex life and, therefore, self awareness would not be possible.

People who think the plug should never be pulled, either on religious grounds or because they cannot admit it really is over, are not preserving life, they are prolonging death.

[Bouncy Ball]

13. I don't get it, either.

For people who seem to be so SURE they are going to a wonderful place after death, they sure do seem to fear death a lot.

I'm not saying they should be INTO dying, but damn. I'm not afraid of death one bit. It just takes some....I don't know....realization that it's ok, everyone dies, if it's your time, it's your time.

I'm more concerned with doing right while I'm here than what happens after.

[Enraged_Ape]

19. I'm not frightened of dying

Any time will do. I don't mind.

Why should I be frightened of dying? Ain't no reason for it; ya gotta go sometime.

[nonconformist]

15. According to the parent's attorney, she will burn in eternal damnation

if she dies this way.

Where they got that from I do not know, but apparently not only is heaven rejecting liberals, it's also rejecting vegetative patients.

Life, in the eyes of the hypocritical right, is only valuable if it can be used for political gain. Otherwise, they really don't care. They would not care if your elderly mother starved to death because her food stamps were cut. They would not care about your fate if you could not pay your hospital bill. They would not care if two young kids went to bed hungry every night in desperate poverty because their parent passed away and Social Security Survivor's Benefits weren't available to them.

Their brand of morality doesn't see the big picture. They're selectively infuriated over things that are made into big theatrical productions. Never mind the facts.

What Would Jesus Do? I suspect he'd try to feed the hungry, comfort the poor and let God take you when you're ready.

[dmkinsey]

16. Well, ya can't vote

except for certain precincts in northern Illinois

[HEyHEY]

17. Cause they put you in a box, cover it with dirt....

And don't even let you out on weekends.

[PhuLoi]

18. It is not a bad thing, only a fearful unknown for many.

Fear drives the fundies. The are cowardly by nature, seeking solace and imagined protection in their Abrahamic dogma. They even acknowledge and celebrate their fear of their god while claiming to joyously await joining him. An apparent dichotomy. Poor Terri would have passed on years ago had it not been for the intervention of secular science. It would seem from the standpoint of the fundies that God's will has been frustrated by Man, yet they are the ones demanding a continuation of this interference. Odd.
More to your original question though, death is a graduation excercise not entirely unlike that of a high school or university, just more flowers. Not wanting to belabor the simile, some trepidation of what will follow is understandable, but pure craven fear is hardly reasonable or intelligent.

[lectrobyte]

20. It's about control, not about "culture of life" or whatever they spew

these days... and for the soundtrack, mix this one in:

All our time has come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain
(We can be like they are)

Come on baby
(Don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand
(Don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly
(Don't fear the reaper)
Baby I'm your man

All our time has gone
Here but now it's gone

Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity
(Romeo and Juliet)
Forty thousand men and women everyday
(Like Romeo and Juliet)
Forty thousand men and women everyday
(Redefine happiness)
Another forty thousand coming everyday
(We can be like they are)

Come on baby
(Don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand
(Don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly
(Don't fear the reaper)
Baby, I'm your man