Why do people fear death?

a reply to: Kentuckymama

My mother died of cancer and it was horrible. I still can't get her last few days out of my mind. I actually wish I hadn't gone to see her on the day she died. You can't unsee that stuff.

I can't believe no one has mentioned the Heaven or Hell aspect.

Was no one on this forum raised in a fire and brimstone Christian home?

One of my greatest fears, growing up, was that when I died I would go to hell. To be BURNING and thirsty FOREVER AND EVER. How terrifying is that?? The thought terrorized me on a very regular basis.

Then I went to college and started to (openly) question some of what I'd been taught about God. I came to the conclusion that if God really is love, as it says in the bible, there is no way He would condemn his children to be tortured for eternity. This new belief became even stronger after I had my son. I could never, EVER, desire pain for him, no matter what he may do. So if God loves us even more than we love our children, no way could this Hell business be true.

My beliefs have changed back and again many times over my adult life. Now, I'm not sure exactly what I believe, except that there is a greater power and it's not me. I have found myself, this past year, returning more and more to my Christian roots.

So, the idea of Hell scares me. Like everyone, I don't want to go through trauma and pain when I die, but far scarier to me is the thought of being in some eternal tortured or scary place.

Anyone who says they do not fear death must feel they do not have a life worth living...
I could understand this perspective from a very old person who has long list friends and family members no longer works see the same is always tired etc... or those with tremendous disabilities...
But surprisingly many individuals who can lay claim to all those things still relish life...
The possibilities which could cause your death to be a long painful ordeal... I suppose thats something to fear yet you wont experience that pain when dead...So that's not really accurate...
Then of course those with faith may fear being damned to hell... But then do they really have faith?
I'm sure aside from not wanting to be separated from their existence especially the people and things they love... That most people fear death simply because they have not died yet...
The fear of the unknown...

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: Bigburgh

What does this look like?

A koala with a suit on.

a reply to: Bigburgh


Is there something specific about your work as a paramedic that has made you develop a fear of crossing over? Is it one thing you've seen specifically, or is it just the experiences in general over the years?

I have end stage heart failure. I hsve dies twice and now going through heart transplant.

I no longer fear death....because having died twice i know there is nothing there. People ask me ehat its like... and its just ....nothing... i cant eveb say its darkness. Its just.....the only way i can describe it is like this.

If you have ever been under general anesthetic the time in between them knocking you out and waking up...is death. Its just a lack of exsistsnce wirhout knowing it

originally posted by: Brogue
a reply to: neoholographic

I dont know what happens when we die, but the idea that one day i wont exist is terrifying. Not only the part of my body ending, but that the 'me' inside my head will cease to be.

You don't have to fear. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will have everlasting life. Saved by grace, upheld by faith.

It's that simple. And beautiful.

originally posted by: Ghostsinthefog
I have end stage heart failure. I hsve dies twice and now going through heart transplant.

I no longer fear death....because having died twice i know there is nothing there. People ask me ehat its like... and its just ....nothing... i cant eveb say its darkness. Its just.....the only way i can describe it is like this.

If you have ever been under general anesthetic the time in between them knocking you out and waking up...is death. Its just a lack of exsistsnce wirhout knowing it

That's scarier to me than continuing somehow...

Sooner or later, we all die.....

a reply to: randyvs

How about the unknown? If you really think death is only positives-why hang around here? Be real.

I don't fear death. I fear suffering before I die though. I kind of hate pain and I sure do not want to take any more medicines that destroy my ability to think right.

originally posted by: silo13

originally posted by: Brogue
a reply to: neoholographic

I dont know what happens when we die, but the idea that one day i wont exist is terrifying. Not only the part of my body ending, but that the 'me' inside my head will cease to be.

You don't have to fear. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will have everlasting life. Saved by grace, upheld by faith.

It's that simple. And beautiful.

The best part is...you can believe a cupcake will give you everlasting life. And when yoy die you wont even know if you were right or wrong.

So many people told me god saved my life..... no he didnt.... the anazing cardiovascular surgeons who had over a decade of schooling did..if it wasnt for them id be dead...... those 3 times being in rhe OR chest ripped open and months in a coma in cvicu tjere was no god around...just an incredible amazing surgeons, doctors and specialists. They are worthy of god title...

originally posted by: Ghostsinthefog
I have end stage heart failure. I hsve dies twice and now going through heart transplant.

I no longer fear death....because having died twice i know there is nothing there. People ask me ehat its like... and its just ....nothing... i cant eveb say its darkness. Its just.....the only way i can describe it is like this.

If you have ever been under general anesthetic the time in between them knocking you out and waking up...is death. Its just a lack of exsistsnce wirhout knowing it

Agreed about the big nothing. Just nothing.

Have been wondering if it's not only the ego, whom fears it's own death?

We are all praying for you through this heart transplant situation.

I know I have no fear of death,but I don't think anyone wants to die from some serious injury or contagine,I'm sure everyone would want to go to sleep never wake up,if indeed we see others from our past,doesn't sound too bad,and no one knows for sure,all you can do is hope

a reply to: Bigburgh

The process of death scares me. After 20+ years as a paramedic. I've developed a fear of crossing over. That photo of the Nun serves some comfort.

Interesting that your experience as a paramedic increased your fear of death. Usually closeness to death lessens it. Don't be afraid. The dead are all around us all the time, our soul (the real us) is on the same plane, just 'fixed' here in this husk, for now.

The experiences you could share about those 20 yeas. If you haven't already, you should do a thread. Talking about it gets it out there, relieves the tension.

originally posted by: angeldoll
a reply to: intrptr

That is so creepy. *pulls covers up over head*

I know. Supposedly this building was haunted, burned to the ground, the image is a screen capture from news crew footage. There is an ATS thread somewhere...

a reply to: KansasGirl

A Koala Bear? The 'suit' effect is provided by the bush or tree branches in the foreground. I see the figure, crowned with a white skull, two eyes, nose and big mullet of dark hair on top.

Portrait in flame.

Look into some of Allan Watts' lectures on death, really fascinating stuff. There are plenty of free videos on youtube worth listening to.

a reply to: neoholographic

Because it's assuredly in the post for everyone, also because we fear the unknown.

The only thing we Humans understand is that we exist so the prospect of nonexistence is somewhat hard to get ones head around.

Then there are people who also fear what is to come dependant on whether they have been naughty or nice.

originally posted by: Noinden
a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

That is certainly my fear. Leaving behind those I care for. I also fear outliving them (hey double the goodness)

I remember after my mum died I told my other half that I hoped she died before me.

At first she was a bit taken aback but then I explained to her that after seeing the pain my dad endured after my mum died I felt that was worse than the cancer my mum went through and I would hate for her to suffer like that if I died before her. I remember I was the one (through a series of unfortunate events) that told my dad that my mum was going to die and I literally saw the mans world cave in on itself, I do not want my future wife to go through that so I hope that she dies before me.

Its a bit messed up, I know, but its true.