As an Atheist, I do not believe in the fabled after-life. I do not think that there is any concious thought after death occurs. And to be quite honest, this terrifies the living hell out of me. Many easily claim to not believe in the after-life, but I don't think that many truly give serious contemplative thought to what that implys. Now, Don't get me wrong, my fear is not one that is about how when we die, we are afraid to leave our family, experiences, memories, ect behind.

My fear of death is the all-consuming thought that death is the absolute end. Not that I won't be able to look back on past experiences, but that I won't be able to have anymore. Not that I won't be able to look back or be comfortable in the fact that I had experiences or memories, but that I won't be able to create anymore memories. Not that I won't be able to look back on spending time with family, or look back on past adventures, but actually not being able to spend any more time with my loved ones or have any more adventures.

My fear of death is that I won't be able to live anymore! However, even though I have this fear of death, I can control it rather well. Rather than preside in fear of death, I put it to better use. With my fear of what lays after death, I garner a much deeper appreciation for life. It is also from what I think happens after death that I believe I gain an understanding of the purpose of life.

The purpose of life is to live. For me, it is to live to the best of your abilitiy and make the most out of your life because you truly only get one chance. It is true, I admit I fear death. But that by no means means i would shy away for even an instant from it. I will willingly risk my life to save another. As much as I would like to think there is something after death, I can not bring myself to believe it because it is exactly what it sounds like, a fairy tale. I would rather prefer the harsh reality than a fairy tale.

Now you know what I think happens after death, but by no means am I saying it is true because inr eality, no one can know for sure untill they die. This is merely what I think and believe happens after death. I believe I've seen a quote somewhere that said "Courage is not being unafraid, Courage is being afraid and going on anyways." Perhaps I have courage? Or... maybe I'm just stupid. I don't know haha. Anyways, i'm interested in what others think about what happens after death, care to share?