Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Reggie on November 24, 2009 at 1:00pm

Why a landfill? Why not a Tibeten Sky Burial?

I'll settle for cremation and disposal. Throw my remains in the trash and let them go to the landfill. I'd prefer my loved ones didn't dwell and dote over my corpse. That is just too morbid.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Catt on November 24, 2009 at 9:30pm

Why a landfill? Why not a Tibeten Sky Burial?
There must be 50 ways to leave your lover.

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Permalink Reply by Cara Coleen on November 29, 2009 at 2:53am

I'd prefer my loved ones didn't dwell and dote over my corpse. That is just too morbid.

Ha... I'd never thought of it like that. It is pretty gross and disturbing that people "dote" over their dead loved one's corpses. EW!

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Permalink Reply by Reggie on November 29, 2009 at 10:52am

We even have our loved ones embalmed to preserve the body for a longer doting session. Creepy.

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Permalink Reply by Reggie on November 29, 2009 at 11:32am

Ha! I meant the first definition....but maybe I subconsciously meant the second, also?

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Permalink Reply by Reggie on November 29, 2009 at 2:36pm

Odd, but completely natural for people of empathy. Diseases like Alzheimer's are heart wrenching and I wish no one would have to experience the ravages of it or conditions similar to it through a loved one.

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Permalink Reply by Johnny on November 24, 2009 at 1:46pm

Most have said it, but in short: organ donor, then science donor, cremate anything left. My wife and I both have talked about where we'd like to have our ashes 'distributed' - and specified we don't want them kept around in some urn.

Immortality as most envision it is the fantasy of fantasies; real immortality is living on in the memories of your family and through the few differences you make in the world.

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Permalink Reply by Colleen Quinn on November 24, 2009 at 3:37pm

Yes it is true that I think we are just worm food. I am an organ donor, have specified in will to donate body to science although I need to follow up with that, and then specified I'd like to be cremated and thrown in the trash. What the heck do I care? I'm dead. My only concern is that this would cause pain for my parents, or my children. My husband is fine with it and does not share all of my beliefs. I'm glad I have it in my will.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Hurst on November 24, 2009 at 3:59pm

Hey Jam..... any thoughts on the responses so far?

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Permalink Reply by jam on January 24, 2010 at 10:06am

hi everyone.. never got log in after a couple of months... what a number of responses... i didn't expect this. it was just a curios question, nothing so important. Thank you so much for the responses though many thought it as a useless question, thnx 4 d reply though.
hmmmm.... as theists, we respect human bodies and we bury them properly, for family's sake and in accordance with the religious traditions..
its nice to know that many atheists are trying to live a good life, i thot atheists tend to be 'evil' as they are not afraid of any God, or any eternal punishments...
Theists also try to live life as 'good' as possible, for we are also aware of its finity...

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Permalink Reply by zoolady on January 24, 2010 at 11:53am

jam...I'm a very good person....I'm kind, honest, good to children and the elderly. I try to do an act of charity every chance I can. I don't need to be "afraid of any God or any eternal punishments" to be the kind of person I choose to be.

I think this makes me a REAL person, living by my own standards, rather than those imposed on me by some priest, rabbi, imam, etc.

You said "theists also try to live life as 'good' as possible." Believe me, I could spend the rest of this day writing examples of "theists" who were genuinely "EVIL."

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Permalink Reply by Joyce on November 24, 2009 at 4:14pm

"food for the worms" is a bit harsh to describe what I think will happen when I die. I prefer to think of the atoms in my body changing into something different.
As for what three of the people who've responded say about theists wasting their lives as a "dress rehearsal" for the afterlife, or theists viewing life as a "useless preamble to an eternity elsewhere" or theists who have a mindset that "life is worthless" and only a "mystical 'second life' is worthwhile." WHERE are y'all getting that from??

I think religion was created in an effort to make people work harder to help others and "behave." I try not to judge other people's religions, but I highly doubt that most religious people think their lives are useless, worthless or a waste of time! Some people who are in pain and are unable to help others may pine for dying and existing in some blissful eternity, but a lot of those same people also suspect that their hell will continue after they die, which is unfortunate. Suffering sucks, no matter how you look at it. For some people, the physician's creed, "Do No Harm" is as good as it gets. Although I like to judge people who harm, kill or maim others as worthy of being killed or dying, it's just not up to me to be their judge.

I, too, think it's interesting that many atheists seem to also be environmentalists and organ donors. Good for us! :)
And please, Wendy: write yourself a living will and give it to your family!! Your last wishes are just as important as those of your parents. You shouldn't have to wait until they die to let your family know what you want.

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