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Tophat665 · 11-02-2007, 12:42 PM

OK, let's try part 2 of this.

If perception ends with death, then the time one spends dying is subjectively eternal. If you no longer perceive, then you can't perceive that you do not perceive any longer. The the end cannot be perceived, then the world is without end so far as you know. Further, sensation of all sorts is mediated through the brain, and who can say with any finality what changes are wrought on the perception of sensation by the brain as it ceases to function.

My theory is this, then: at some point in dying, the the perception of sensation becomes muted to nil, either by derangement of the mental processes of sensation as the brain dies, or by the complete cessation of it and the inputs to the brain cease to function. At that point as the brain shuts down it semi randomly fires thoughts and memories, and it is your deepest convictions - the things that you know beyond any doubt - that last longest.

So if you believe that Jesus will save you, with all your heart, your peception, your final, subjectively eternal perception, is that he has. If you believe you are on your way to 72 virgins and the souls of your dead enemies for servants, so will it be. Think there's a lake of boiling blood or a pain of flying obsidian knives in your post mortem future - bet on it. Have you placed yourself beyond desire and sensation in life? You will be blown out like a candle. I would not be surprised if those believing in direct reincarnation view the beginning of their "next life" or even begin to experience a delusion of it.

Devotional Christianity is a <i>bhakti</i> cult, much like Shaivism or Vaishnavism. Like the Tibetan Book of the Dead, it is a bulwark against panic and pain; chaos, confusion, and dismay, in the last moments alive - if you can believe it without doubt.

I surely can't as it stands. Sort of why I am looking for the 1% of not-bullshit in organized religion - not Christianity per se, but any of it.

I am looking for the useful parts of all religions to someone with a fundamentally secular view of the afterlife.

I am convinced that Jesus was a fellow who had some really interesting insights that were too politically dangerous at the time to survive. He was no more, or less, the son of God than anyone reading this.

11-02-2007, 12:42 PM	#24 (permalink)
Tophat665 Minion of the scaléd ones Location: Northeast Jesusland	OK, let's try part 2 of this. If perception ends with death, then the time one spends dying is subjectively eternal. If you no longer perceive, then you can't perceive that you do not perceive any longer. The the end cannot be perceived, then the world is without end so far as you know. Further, sensation of all sorts is mediated through the brain, and who can say with any finality what changes are wrought on the perception of sensation by the brain as it ceases to function. My theory is this, then: at some point in dying, the the perception of sensation becomes muted to nil, either by derangement of the mental processes of sensation as the brain dies, or by the complete cessation of it and the inputs to the brain cease to function. At that point as the brain shuts down it semi randomly fires thoughts and memories, and it is your deepest convictions - the things that you know beyond any doubt - that last longest. So if you believe that Jesus will save you, with all your heart, your peception, your final, subjectively eternal perception, is that he has. If you believe you are on your way to 72 virgins and the souls of your dead enemies for servants, so will it be. Think there's a lake of boiling blood or a pain of flying obsidian knives in your post mortem future - bet on it. Have you placed yourself beyond desire and sensation in life? You will be blown out like a candle. I would not be surprised if those believing in direct reincarnation view the beginning of their "next life" or even begin to experience a delusion of it. Devotional Christianity is a <i>bhakti</i> cult, much like Shaivism or Vaishnavism. Like the Tibetan Book of the Dead, it is a bulwark against panic and pain; chaos, confusion, and dismay, in the last moments alive - if you can believe it without doubt. I surely can't as it stands. Sort of why I am looking for the 1% of not-bullshit in organized religion - not Christianity per se, but any of it. I am looking for the useful parts of all religions to someone with a fundamentally secular view of the afterlife. I am convinced that Jesus was a fellow who had some really interesting insights that were too politically dangerous at the time to survive. He was no more, or less, the son of God than anyone reading this. __________________ Light a man a fire, and he will be warm while it burns. Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life.