I have recently talked to a pastor who spends some of his time in the Hospital talking to people who are close to death. He assembled a few Christians to go to Hospitals and do the same. In a conversation I had with these people they mentioned that, quite often people will ask Jesus for forgiveness.

I know this may sound like an impossible question to answer, but at the very least I figured it would make for an interesting thread.

What do you think you would do on your deathbed given the chance to repent your sins and ask Jesus Christ to save you.

I would have put the question a little more mildly, given we have some gun ho non-Christians here. But I thought the most honest way of saying it would be best.

Obviously it's difficult to say what one would do knowing one is about to die. Ideally I would have the dignity to consider those I love and reflect on the life I have lived; not throw away those last precious moments on a vague egocentric denial of the fact that I'm about to stop existing.

Sorry to put it bluntly but as you say it's not a question for beating around the bush.

I'll die. just like everyone else.

i'd like to go quietly in my sleep like my grandfather...not screaming like his passengers.

i'd like to go quietly in my sleep like my grandfather...not screaming like his passengers.
:yes:

who am i trying to kid-..i can never die..

http://photo.sing365.com/music/picture.nsf/Rob-Zombie-photo/48256C71003578A2482568B6003256AC/$file/ATTSH4YZ.jpg

I'm going to ask God to forgive me before I die. Since I'm not a Christian I don't think I'll ask Jesus, unless I convert at some point. I'm actually considering converting, probably to Catholicism.

i'd like to go quietly in my sleep like my grandfather...not screaming like his passengers.


Are you talking about that 747 that ran into a Detroit highway in 84?

Obviously it's difficult to say what one would do knowing one is about to die. Ideally I would have the dignity to consider those I love and reflect on the life I have lived; not throw away those last precious moments on a vague egocentric denial of the fact that I'm about to stop existing.

Sorry to put it bluntly but as you say it's not a question for beating around the bush.


I hope I dont sound rude here. I'm not trying to, but I would like to bring up something that happened to me recently.

Three months ago my uncle passed away from cancer. My brother, my sister and myself are the only Christians in the family. He said the same thing you did.
Only he added he didnt want to look like a hypocrite at the last moment and do something he would have never done before.
However, my cousin told me he was specifically asking for me, on the night the doctor said he was most likely to die.
When I got to the Hospital, my uncle ask me to pray for him. My cousin looked at me with tears in his eyes. So, I ask my uncle if he would like to pray with me. He did and repented his sins.
I'm not sure if he just wanted to give his son peace of mind or if he was really worried.
I can say, my cousin is still an Atheist.

I guess maybe there are to many factors to know the answer to this question right now.

Sorry to hear that Inviolable. Glad you got to spend some time with him in the last few moments.

I'm thinking it'd be easy for me to just shrug and kindly turn down the offer, because I've always been generally atheistic growing up (unlike most people, who deconvert themselves at some point) and have no special emotional attachment to any religion. Whereas the atheists who have been religious before might have dormant emotional attachment to whatever they believed in before, especially while young, and perhaps these feeling crawl back and effect them on their deathbed.

Sorry to hear that Inviolable. Glad you got to spend some time with him in the last few moments.


Thanks Blob.

What do you think you would do on your deathbed given the chance to repent your sins and ask Jesus Christ to save you.

Three years ago, when I had my heart attack, the Dr. told my wife and I that I might not make it until morning.
During the night, and the 3 and a half hours of my stint procedure, I never had any thoughts of man's religions. I merely enjoyed the closeness and attentiveness of my loved ones that were present.

Thoughts of loved ones, living and dead, and memories of good times, have carried me through some tough or life threatening times.

Another, may need religious thoughts to carry them through tough times.
I believe that whatever gives the thinking mind peace and strength is the best thing to do for the individual.

See, here's what I don't understand about your question Inviolable...

It assumes that non Christians are not sorry for their misdeeds and that is incorrect.

I have done the Christian march... Catholic which can be fairly relaxed although most Protestants would have zero knowledge of that...right through to born again, slain in the spirit, Christian... speaking in tongue the whole bit.

When I die if there is a priest around well yay, he can do the extreme unction thing no problem. Studies in fact show that those receiving this particular sacrament often times recover. Why. Well a died in the wool Catholic and probably even a born again would say God healed them. I just think the energy exchange likely gave the necessary strength for the body to heal and regenerate.

I don't think God gives a crap about sin. It is a man made invention.

Is there sin. Most definitely. It displays itself well. A lack of compassion. Judgement of another. Willfulness. Stubborness... gluttony, pride. But basically almost every sin comes down to an absence of ...."love". Not for others but for self. When one loves "self", one is not cruel or violent or arrogant or even insensitive. For once one loves self...one can love another, but not until then.

That is our mission here. To grow and learn and love. It doesn't matter what you believe after that.

;) That's what everything is about for me and I believe for God too.

Examine your conscience every day because until you can be honest with yourself and see your own transgressions you will never be happy or free. It is not about death bed confessions, it is about not wasting life.

my dad said 2 live my life so when i die god will say thank u

I know this may sound like an impossible question to answer, but at the very least I figured it would make for an interesting thread.

What do you think you would do on your deathbed given the chance to repent your sins and ask Jesus Christ to save you.

Tell him that his "holy" father --IF such a bizarre and nonsensical entity were to actually exist-- would be one of the most terrifying and despicable monsters that the human imagination is capable of conjuring up.

Are you talking about that 747 that ran into a Detroit highway in 84?

I don't think such a thing happened.

I intend to take some people with me. It's a long road to hell, and I'm gonna have company dammit. No way I'm playin solitaire the whole ride. *evil*

I don't think such a thing happened.

I was wrong, it was in 87.


http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001449.html

http://www.airdisaster.com/features/top100/top100.shtml #52

http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-notable-accidents-and-incidents-on-commercial-aircraft

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0001449.html

See, here's what I don't understand about your question Inviolable...

It assumes that non Christians are not sorry for their misdeeds and that is incorrect.

I have done the Christian march... Catholic which can be fairly relaxed although most Protestants would have zero knowledge of that...right through to born again, slain in the spirit, Christian... speaking in tongue the whole bit.

When I die if there is a priest around well yay, he can do the extreme unction thing no problem. Studies in fact show that those receiving this particular sacrament often times recover. Why. Well a died in the wool Catholic and probably even a born again would say God healed them. I just think the energy exchange likely gave the necessary strength for the body to heal and regenerate.

I don't think God gives a crap about sin. It is a man made invention.

Is there sin. Most definitely. It displays itself well. A lack of compassion. Judgement of another. Willfulness. Stubborness... gluttony, pride. But basically almost every sin comes down to an absence of ...."love". Not for others but for self. When one loves "self", one is not cruel or violent or arrogant or even insensitive. For once one loves self...one can love another, but not until then.

That is our mission here. To grow and learn and love. It doesn't matter what you believe after that.

;) That's what everything is about for me and I believe for God too.

Examine your conscience every day because until you can be honest with yourself and see your own transgressions you will never be happy or free. It is not about death bed confessions, it is about not wasting life.

Nice post Sal.

I think almost the same way.
But to me, God is love.

Tell him that his "holy" father --IF such a bizarre and nonsensical entity were to actually exist-- would be one of the most terrifying and despicable monsters that the human imagination is capable of conjuring up.

As per usual fer a Liberal A$$klown,you got it all A$$backward.
If GoD,who is the literal Personification of GOOD,brings such
squemish and mystifyingly curdling images to mind,I wonder what
happens when you watch a really ugly Horror Flick.
I bet yer popcorn,has to go to the bathroom,after every scene.

I was wrong, it was in 87.

I thought maybe you meant that one, but an MD-82 and a 747 are pretty different. Not that the details are that important - I'm just anal that way.

I thought maybe you meant that one, but an MD-82 and a 747 are pretty different. Not that the details are that important - I'm just anal that way.


Well, I did remember the crash, but I wasnt thinking of that petitcular crash until you said something. Mainly because it was meant to be a joke.

i believe in an afterlife. i don't need christianity or anyone elses ways. i have my own. they are based on nature.

to emphasis my point. i drank too heavily once. was drinking for far too long and was well on my way to being an alcoholic. i had to throw up once and on the grass in front of me was mucus, pus, and blood. i was convinced i was going to die. i knew i was dead. 100 feet away from me is a church , behind my house, and 500 feet up the road is another. i'm in between them. and if i didn't have a belief, i am sure i would have walked up to one of those churches and demanded to be baptised.

you see, i believe, just not YOUR way. it is highly arrogant for christians to go around trying to save the world. it would do the world a whole lot of good if christians and muslims would fucking mind their own godddamn business.

but i wouldn't mind if all of you go to the middle east and someone uses a nuclear bomb on you and give the world a break from you all.

Nice post Sal.

I think almost the same way.
But to me, God is love.
That's nice too Inviolable! :thumbs:

Hmm on my deathbed. Well I have been on my deathbed before and I still do not pray this "Christian god or christ." before I got my medicine for my PTSD I drank to self medicate. I had a bottle and half of wine and then downed a whole bottle of NyQuile the big bottle. I shouldn't have waken up in the morning but I did.
I am not afriad of death or not existing. Existing in this world with the humans and thier savage and hypicritical way is much more torture and scary than death any day.
When I am on my death bed for the second and maybe last time I will be having Metalica or Rammstien playing in the background, drinking plenty of booze and maybe watching some Marlyn manson video. Maybe some cotton candy from Clown possey or Eminem 'superman" or "Shake that ass"

I definitly wont be whining for god to save my soul... LOL

Drinking bottles of Nyquill wont kill you, I do that crap all the time.

I am not afriad of death or not existing. Existing in this world with the humans and thier savage and hypicritical way is much more torture and scary than death any day.Does anyone else find this part to be a cause for concern?

Does anyone else find this part to be a cause for concern?

Possibly. I would say something really mean, about that statement, but I think I'll use my better judgment. Even though it might be kinda funny.

Anyways. If I were to be on my deathbed tomorrow, I would want nothing more than to have those I love by my side when I die. I had the death apifany (sp?) when I was in basic training. I finally realized that I was going to die one day, and it kind of scared me a little. But death is a part of life, and I think I'm just going to continue to do what I'm doing, and be the best person that I can be. If that isn't good enough for God, if there is one, then oh well.

you got it all A$$backward.
If GoD,who is the literal Personification of GOOD,brings such
squemish and mystifyingly curdling images to mind,I wonder what
happens when you watch a really ugly Horror Flick.

I despise 'horror' flicks of all genres, and refuse to watch any of them.

If I were to ever have the urge for unimaginably ugly images of people being mercilessly stabbed to death, of people ingesting feces, of women being mutilated and raped, of infants being slaughtered, of animals being hacked into pieces with swords, or of people being tortured with fire, I'd simply pick up a copy of your precious 'Holy Bible' and read all about the supposedly "good" (:rolleyes:) supernatural entity -Yahweh- who orders all those things.

Oh my god I love horror movies. Maybe that's why I'm considering converting...

Mmm, blood and gore.

Oh my god I love horror movies. Maybe that's why I'm considering converting...

Mmm, blood and gore.


The Exorcist is the one you want.

Does anyone else find this part to be a cause for concern?I noted it as it is an unusual thing to say. However some people do suffer enough, either mentally, emotionally or physically that they long for death or at least find it preferable to the suffering they endure daily.

When my dad was in chronic long term care before he died the patient in the bed beside him would pray every night that he was going to die in his sleep. When he would wake up he would cry because he was still alive.

Not every one embraces the day. Not every one feels the joy of life. It's all about brain chemistry.

Drinking bottles of Nyquill wont kill you, I do that crap all the time.

Wrong
Active Ingredients (in each 15 ml tablespoon) (Purpose)
Acetaminophen 500 mg (Pain reliever/fever reducer)
Dextromethorphan HBr 15 mg (Cough suppressant)
Doxylamine succinate 6.25 mg (Antihistamine)

Acetaminophen in large doses can give you liver damage especially when taken with alcohol and remember I had a bottle and half of wine.

Alcohol warning: If you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take acetaminophen or other pain relievers/fevereducers. Acetaminophen may cause liver damage.

one dose is 500 mg of acetaminophen. One is not suppose to take more than

Never take more acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) than is directed. The maximum amounts for adults are 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could damage your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day. Symptoms of an acetaminophen overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sweating, seizures, confusion, and an irregular heartbeat. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol taken during therapy with acetaminophen can be very damaging to your liver. Be aware of the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products. Any acetaminophen found in these products counts toward your total daily dose.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking acetaminophen and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); blood problems (easy or unusual bleeding or bruising). These side effects are very rare and are not likely to occur during proper treatment with acetaminophen. Side effects other than those listed here may occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

http://www.fmaware.org/patient/beaware/beaware_toomuch_acetaminophen.htm

I took the whole bottle which is way more than enough to kill you along with continued alchohol abuse.

:rolleyes:
amataur!!

Does anyone else find this part to be a cause for concern?

So I am anti-social.. should you be concerned ?...well I am a non violent anti-social personality so no one is in danger.

If you are meaning I am somehow suicidal that is not true either. I have enough fight in me to stick around just to annoy people like you.
:)

When I am on my death bed for the second and maybe last time I will be having Metalica or Rammstien playing in the background, drinking plenty of booze and maybe watching some Marlyn manson video. Maybe some cotton candy from Clown possey or Eminem 'superman" or "Shake that ass"

I definitly wont be whining for god to save my soul... LOL


isn't it amazing how many people live "shit" lives , mean, stoopit, arrogant, and wasteful, and when on their death bed, they "find" god. or start gasping for forgiveness. it is the whole "hell" aspect. churchers go into hospitals looking for victims to torture with god, love, the devil, hell, and guilt to "save" them as if they get points for it in "heaven".

me? i want to be in the woods. even if i have to crawl off into it on my own. and enjoy the natural world as i die. and hopefully they won't find me until my body has been consumed and scattered. if they do, i want no embalment, i am to be cremated and put on muddy creek mountain and an oak tree planted over me with a small plaque saying who is there. nothing more.

That is beautiful Ivan. The woods sounds nice and quiet.

yes church goers are very sly. It is funny when VT shootings happend first ones on the scenes were christian preachers.."soothing the victims" and showing them the "way" but when the scientologist came to do the same thing.. all the christians freaked out and claimed that the scientologist where using the surviors fragile state of mind to convert them.
Even CNN did a segment on it.
WOW... I mean christians have been playing this game all along bu the if someone else tries to "confort" the grieving they have hidden agendas to convert..
"rolls eyes"

I despise 'horror' flicks of all genres, and refuse to watch any of them.

If I were to ever have the urge for unimaginably ugly images of people being mercilessly stabbed to death, of people ingesting feces, of women being mutilated and raped, of infants being slaughtered, of animals being hacked into pieces with swords, or of people being tortured with fire, I'd simply pick up a copy of your precious 'Holy Bible' and read all about the supposedly "good" (:rolleyes:) supernatural entity -Yahweh- who orders all those things.

Candyman...Candyman...Candyman !!!
((((((((((((( C******* )))))))))))) ?

I noted it as it is an unusual thing to say. However some people do suffer enough, either mentally, emotionally or physically that they long for death or at least find it preferable to the suffering they endure daily.

When my dad was in chronic long term care before he died the patient in the bed beside him would pray every night that he was going to die in his sleep. When he would wake up he would cry because he was still alive.

Not every one embraces the day. Not every one feels the joy of life. It's all about brain chemistry.

When I was in Middle School the thing to do was to tell yo momma jokes.
All in good fun of course.
On one occasion a girl was crying because her boyfriend left her and because it was middle school we began to make fun of her. Has cruel has that sounds.
The teacher heard us and spoke up.
He said, I'd rather have a broken nose then a broken heart. The nose will heal alot faster.

First words of wisdom I learned from.

That is beautiful Ivan. The woods sounds nice and quiet.

yes church goers are very sly. It is funny when VT shootings happend first ones on the scenes were christian preachers.."soothing the victims" and showing them the "way" but when the scientologist came to do the same thing.. all the christians freaked out and claimed that the scientologist where using the surviors fragile state of mind to convert them.
Even CNN did a segment on it.
WOW... I mean christians have been playing this game all along bu the if someone else tries to "confort" the grieving they have hidden agendas to convert..
"rolls eyes"

From what I remember, some of the students that the shooters looked for were Christians, so naturally a Church leader is going to be there for support.
Thats in the first school shooting.

To be honest, I dont think its the Hell card being over played. The simple fact that someone is dieing and has a chance to go on would be enough to convince someone to ask for forgiveness.

Not everyone is concerned with eternity being has it is in life, here on Earth.
Some people enjoy life enough to not want it to end and even consider the after life to be much better.
Even if they'er not Christians on their deathbed. If you enjoyed life, theres no reason to not be afraid of death.

So I am anti-social.. should you be concerned ?...well I am a non violent anti-social personality so no one is in danger.

If you are meaning I am somehow suicidal that is not true either. I have enough fight in me to stick around just to annoy people like you.
:)
Well ok then. It's just we get a lot of briefings about suicide prevention in the Army, and something like that (as well as something else you posted today in another thread) is the kind of thing that would raise a flag.

I intend to take some people with me. It's a long road to hell, and I'm gonna have company dammit. No way I'm playin solitaire the whole ride. *evil*
that's a good plan, since your rank in Hell is determined by the honor guard that accompanies you there.

Well ok then. It's just we get a lot of briefings about suicide prevention in the Army, and something like that (as well as something else you posted today in another thread) is the kind of thing that would raise a flag.

yes I understand you are concerned and anyone actually talking about suicide is to be taken very seriously. It is a cry for help. I have felt suicidal in the past but I have always called crisis clinic or other resources for help. The only time that I was actually considerding it I was on an anti-depressant called Wellbutrin. I called 911 and had myself put in lock down. They took me off that med and I have not had trouble since.

no I am alive and kicking not loving it really but I understand that I am important to my kids and my husband and hurting them isn't worth ending my suffering for.

isn't it amazing how many people live "shit" lives , mean, stoopit, arrogant, and wasteful, and when on their death bed, they "find" god. or start gasping for forgiveness. it is the whole "hell" aspect. churchers go into hospitals looking for victims to torture with god, love, the devil, hell, and guilt to "save" them as if they get points for it in "heaven".That has some partial truth but it's not the whole story.

When my father almost died recently (full recovery - he's fit and well again now) I noticed in the ICU waiting room a poster by the chaplaincy. It offered bedside company to people "of any faith or none". It was the only such poster offering this kind of service. If I am ever unfortunate enough to find myself dying in a hospital with no friends or relatives to visit would I rather have the company of a stranger willing to give me his time and sympathy or be totally alone?

I think I'd prefer a chaplain to nobody. I'd explain from the start I was not looking to discuss theology and I'll bet the chances are he'd agree to that without problem.

That has some partial truth but it's not the whole story.

When my father almost died recently (full recovery - he's fit and well again now) I noticed in the ICU waiting room a poster by the chaplaincy. It offered bedside company to people "of any faith or none". It was the only such poster offering this kind of service. If I am ever unfortunate enough to find myself dying in a hospital with no friends or relatives to visit would I rather have the company of a stranger willing to give me his time and sympathy or be totally alone?

I think I'd prefer a chaplain to nobody. I'd explain from the start I was not looking to discuss theology and I'll bet the chances are he'd agree to that without problem.
Good point Blob.

I think I'd prefer a chaplain to nobody. I'd explain from the start I was not looking to discuss theology and I'll bet the chances are he'd agree to that without problem.

Hm, possibly right that we would want some kind of human contact as we exit our bodies. Comfort from what we know as we go forward into what we do not know.

The Exorcist is the one you want.
the 1st 2 Hellraiser movies!

I am what most would consider an atheist. Although I contest that there may be a creator, but if there is, he/it/they sure as shit can't be found in a bible. So no, I would never in my life consider becoming religious, asking for 'forgiveness', or anything of the sort.

My grandpa was supposed to die a couple of years ago but didn't. Anyhow, my dad and aunt, (his children), gave him a book called something like "Accepting Jesus Before You Die." Not the actual title, but might as well be. My grandpa told them no thanks.

But then didn't die... So I guess it wasn't his death bed. :)

Anyway, the reason why anyone would go from non-religious to religious the last few minutes of their life, other than fear of hell, is why the hell not. Might as well cover your basis. What is there to lose? Other than your dignity as someone who took their time to make a genuine decision about this whole 'god' thing.

What? You saw a bunch of typos in this post. Well, fuck off.

He said, I'd rather have a broken nose then a broken heart. The nose will heal alot faster.

First words of wisdom I learned from.

Ain't that the truth!

Hm, possibly right that we would want some kind of human contact as we exit our bodies. Comfort from what we know as we go forward into what we do not know.They say your life plays through your mind at such times. Just having someone, anyone, to listen would be nice.

My grandpa was supposed to die a couple of years ago but didn't. Anyhow, my dad and aunt, (his children), gave him a book called something like "Accepting Jesus Before You Die." Not the actual title, but might as well be. My grandpa told them no thanks.

But then didn't die...An atheist miracle! ;)

An atheist miracle! ;)

Never looked at it that way.

:) That's funny.

I have recently talked to a pastor who spends some of his time in the Hospital talking to people who are close to death. He assembled a few Christians to go to Hospitals and do the same. In a conversation I had with these people they mentioned that, quite often people will ask Jesus for forgiveness.

I know this may sound like an impossible question to answer, but at the very least I figured it would make for an interesting thread.

What do you think you would do on your deathbed given the chance to repent your sins and ask Jesus Christ to save you.

I would have put the question a little more mildly, given we have some gun ho non-Christians here. But I thought the most honest way of saying it would be best. If someone does not believe in god or jesus why do you think they would suddenly change their mind? The myth of the atheist death-bed conversion is just that!

I plan to die, blockhead, the exact same thing you'll do on YOUR deathbed!

I respect anyone who chooses not to believe

However, Egoism and arrogance are responsible for two major occurances:

1. Believers who lash out at those who don't believe.
2. Non-believers who outright reject, ridicule, and deny the existence of God... like they actually KNOW...

When you talk religion, check your ego at the door. I listen to a few people who often post how God doesn't exist, and how horrid he is... it all just sounds like self-worship to me - the inability to accept that there are things bigger than yourself. If you are simply a non-believer, there is no reason to rip into christianity, for example, other than foolish pride. And the sad thing is, if you are to find out you are right, you're dead, lights out. I say quit trying to be right, believers and non-believers... If you believe - do that. Represent your faith. Don't hate others who aren't like you. Love, respect, accept. If someone is gay, love them. If someone gets an abortion, pray for them. Whether it's a sin or not, we don't know.. but those issues seem to turn so-called christians into rather poor representatives of their faith.

With all that being said, There is nothing wrong with praying.. or finally talking to God on your deathbed. What would be stopping you? Your own pride and the fact that you happen to be inflexibly stubborn. With the wonders of our world, any person has to at least ENTERTAIN the thought that THE God, or A God, exists. And while you might not enjoy conforming, and becoming a servant rather than "master of your domain"... It's ultimately God and God alone who can get you into heaven, or a higher place, if it exists.

I fear death, personally. It's something I've never done. Such a feeling would probably incite skeptics to say the fear, not the faith, is why I believe in God. That could be correct, we don't know. A comforting thought is that while dying is such a big probable downer at the end of your existence... EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has ever lived has died. George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr... they all did it.

Finally... on my death bed.. I am a chrsitian, so I will cry, and pray... and wait for my soul to leave my body. I always wonder what the sensation will feel like. I swear that sometimes during panic attacks(yes, i get them frequently).. I start drifting upward... and it FREAKS me out... I always wonder if I just "let go".. and I don't yank back to reality.. If I could die, or leave my body, willingly... I don't think I'd ever have the balls to try, you only get one life, and even if the afterlife is better than this one, you might as well hang around here as long as you can because unfortunately there is no guarantee that we are going anywhere.... I guess that's why they call it "faith".

Good post, Decka. I totally agree.

:)
SMW

Unlike Dylan Thomas I hope to, "...go gently into that good night." An ideal death would be to be surrounded by family and loved ones with time enough to pray for forgiveness not only from God but from those who I have hurt during my lifetime.

Non-Believers, what will you do on your deathbed?
Lots of food, sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Then I will go out with a bang by attacking the hospital staff with a mop.

If someone does not believe in god or jesus why do you think they would suddenly change their mind? The myth of the atheist death-bed conversion is just that!


Why? Why must it be a myth? Because you say it is?
You drop a sentence in like, its a myth and thats all you say, as if thats good enough to convince people that its just a myth.

Are you waiting for crowds to gather and back you up? Cheer you on?
YAY! It's a myth! You go afinetouch! We love you!

Why I have no authority to speak for other freethinkers in this or any other community, most freethinkers (atheists, agnostics, humanists et. al) do indeed recognize something higher than themselves. This is likely to be Nature (which is the Higher Power to myself), Society, Family, Science and Philosophy (the quest for truth whatever that may be) and Art. Freethinkers, not being steeped in ancient superstitions formed long ago in a savage ignorant age, have no need of having ghosts, goblins, fairies, angels, gods, titans, boogeymen, or any such nonsense as a "higher power".

At any rate, Nature is the ultimate Higher Power. The force of the Shoemaker-Levy Comet collision with Jupiter released more energy than all the nukes on Earth combined could create. Nature has more than enough power to obliterate this planet and our species. Nature is fickle however--quite the Lady--and her creative powers are matched by her destructive powers. Always something new afoot when Natura is doing Her thing!

I respect anyone who chooses not to believe

However, Egoism and arrogance are responsible for two major occurances:

1. Believers who lash out at those who don't believe.
2. Non-believers who outright reject, ridicule, and deny the existence of God... like they actually KNOW...

When you talk religion, check your ego at the door. I listen to a few people who often post how God doesn't exist, and how horrid he is... it all just sounds like self-worship to me - the inability to accept that there are things bigger than yourself. If you are simply a non-believer, there is no reason to rip into christianity, for example, other than foolish pride. And the sad thing is, if you are to find out you are right, you're dead, lights out. I say quit trying to be right, believers and non-believers... If you believe - do that. Represent your faith. Don't hate others who aren't like you. Love, respect, accept. If someone is gay, love them. If someone gets an abortion, pray for them. Whether it's a sin or not, we don't know.. but those issues seem to turn so-called christians into rather poor representatives of their faith.

With all that being said, There is nothing wrong with praying.. or finally talking to God on your deathbed. What would be stopping you? Your own pride and the fact that you happen to be inflexibly stubborn. With the wonders of our world, any person has to at least ENTERTAIN the thought that THE God, or A God, exists. And while you might not enjoy conforming, and becoming a servant rather than "master of your domain"... It's ultimately God and God alone who can get you into heaven, or a higher place, if it exists.

I fear death, personally. It's something I've never done. Such a feeling would probably incite skeptics to say the fear, not the faith, is why I believe in God. That could be correct, we don't know. A comforting thought is that while dying is such a big probable downer at the end of your existence... EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has ever lived has died. George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr... they all did it.

Finally... on my death bed.. I am a chrsitian, so I will cry, and pray... and wait for my soul to leave my body. I always wonder what the sensation will feel like. I swear that sometimes during panic attacks(yes, i get them frequently).. I start drifting upward... and it FREAKS me out... I always wonder if I just "let go".. and I don't yank back to reality.. If I could die, or leave my body, willingly... I don't think I'd ever have the balls to try, you only get one life, and even if the afterlife is better than this one, you might as well hang around here as long as you can because unfortunately there is no guarantee that we are going anywhere.... I guess that's why they call it "faith". And I believe it was Mark Twain who said "nothing fails like prayer" and "faith is believing in what you know ain's so":thumbs:

And I believe it was Mark Twain who said "nothing fails like prayer" and "faith is believing in what you know ain's so":thumbs:

How would Mark Twain know for certain if God exists?

How would Mark Twain know for certain if God exists?
How do we know for certain Mark Twain existed??

I never met him personally. Did you?

Kurt Vonnegut Wrote:

"If I were a younger man, I would write a history of human stupidity; and I would climb to the top of Mount McCabe and lie down on my back with my history for a pillow; and I would take from the ground some of the blue-white poison that makes statues of men; and I would make a statue of myself, lying on my back, grinning horribly, and thumbing my nose at You Know Who."

'Tis a pity that God hasn't lived his life that when we die we'd have a reason to thank him! But for now, thanks for nothing!

Why? Why must it be a myth? Because you say it is?
You drop a sentence in like, its a myth and thats all you say, as if thats good enough to convince people that its just a myth.

Are you waiting for crowds to gather and back you up? Cheer you on?
YAY! It's a myth! You go afinetouch! We love you! Well that is my opinon. And I would hope that anyone would not be convinced from a person just saying something. That would be totally absurd now wouldn't it? But this is coming from the person that says he is not a christian apologist but quotes probably the best known apologist in his posts!
"When a man ceases to believe in god, he does not believe in nothing. He believes in everything" G.K.Chesterson

Well that is my opinon. And I would hope that anyone would not be convinced from a person just saying something. That would be totally absurd now wouldn't it? But this is coming from the person that says he is not a christian apologist but quotes probably the best known apologist in his posts!
"When a man ceases to believe in god, he does not believe in nothing. He believes in everything" G.K.Chesterson
"When a man ceases to believe in god" is a representation of the ignorance people can have with religion.
Knowledge is the key to understanding anything, if people fall under the assumption that ignorance is the key to understanding God then they are wrong.
C.S. Lewis wasnt exactly an apologist either. His views on Christianity weren't to in touch with the bible. If thats what you mean?
Sometimes people are more outspoken when they are constantly misunderstood.
That could be why Lewis was seen as an apologist.
In your case, in this post, that could very well hold true and I apologise.

"When a man ceases to believe in god" is a representation of the ignorance people can have with religion.
Knowledge is the key to understanding anything, if people fall under the assumption that ignorance is the key to understanding God then they are wrong.
C.S. Lewis wasnt exactly an apologist either. His views on Christianity weren't to in touch with the bible. If thats what you mean?
Sometimes people are more outspoken when they are constantly misunderstood.
That could be why Lewis was seen as an apologist.
In your case, in this post, that could very well hold true and I apologise.:@@: Well Lewis probably did not think faith was of importance but he was certainly considered an apologist! www.merelewis.org So you think that Lewis was constantly misunderstood? Why do you think that?

:@@: Well Lewis probably did not think faith was of importance but he was certainly considered an apologist! www.merelewis.org So you think that Lewis was constantly misunderstood? Why do you think that?

"A committed Anglican, Lewis upheld a largely orthodox Anglican theology, though in his apologetic writings, he made an effort to avoid espousing any one denomination. In his later writings, some believe he proposed ideas such as purification of venial sins after death in purgatory (The Great Divorce) and mortal sin (The Screwtape Letters), which are generally considered to be Catholic teachings. Regardless, Lewis considered himself an entirely orthodox Anglican to the end of his life, reflecting that he had initially attended church only to receive communion and had been repelled by the hymns and the poor quality of the sermons."

Well considering that I'm neither an Atheist or fully practice any religions (I was born Muslim but rarely due any of the practices or even think about it for that matter), I don't know what I'd say. I actually rarely think about forgiveness from any deity, be it God itself or prophets, but if I was indeed in my death bed and was not in a coma or code before dying (not trying to be smug), I would probably just be their with my family. I believe that the only reason that I fear death is because I worry that I didn't leave enough for my family, unlike some who may fear God's wrath. I obviously don't know if any of this would be true if I were really on the death bed, but then again, nothing we say about a pre-conceived situation is certain.

I never met Mark Twain either LOL