Are you afraid to die?

[sobrique]

A subject that was raised in a training course the other day, was to ask our biggest fear. Several people said that their biggest fear was dying. Now, this struck me as a little strange.
I mean, everyone is going to, sooner or later, so what's the point of being afraid of it? Might even be tomorrow, although I'll admit I hope for a long and healthy life.
So I thought I'd ask. Are you afraid to die? And whether the answer be yes or no, why would you say that is?

I'm not entirely sure if it's a religious/spiritual question or not. Well, obviously your religious beliefs would have a measure of impact, but ... well I wouldn't really put myself in that category. I'm sort of thinking that it's more a question of resolution of yourself. Accepting the premise that you will one day die, and also accepting that you're satisfied with how you've done so far.

I'm interested in your opinion, so please leave it, even if it's only a 'yes' or 'no'.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_gh0st_/]

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for being dealt the immortality card. But if I learn that it isn't to be so then I would have to say that I do not fear dying (as long as I have lived a long life). I might say that would fear it if I was faced with a life threatening situation in the immediate future as there will have been many things that I wanted to do that haven't been able to do yet. I suppose then it is not a fear of death but more a fear of regret.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Hmm. So you're happy enough that you'll die eventually, but might say you're afraid to die young?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_gh0st_/]

Yup that sounds about right

[nicolyrezk.livejournal.com]

No, I am not afraid to die. I'm more afraid of wasting my life, really. I mean, why be afraid of something you have no power over?

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Ah, but you do in a sense - you are going to die, but you can 'postpone the inevitable'.

[nicolyrezk.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but not to any worthwhile degree.

[eithnepdb.livejournal.com]

My reason is deeply rooted in my religious belief - that is no, I'm not afraid to die. I believe I will be going to a better place, in the light and warmth of God's love where I shall be united with all my loved ones that have gone before.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Does the timeframe on that matter? e.g tommorrow vs. after a good long life?

[eithnepdb.livejournal.com]

Well to be truthful - I've always wagered it was better to go early, with less time to have built up sin -

[naranek.livejournal.com]

I've never valued my life. Odd, but true, so obviously `no'.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

That's one angle I hadn't considered. I guess I assume life to be a wonderful thing, and something to take true joy in.
I care a great deal for it, but am satisfied with how it's been, if that makes any sense.

[siryel.livejournal.com]

As said before: 'Why be afraid of something we have no power over'

I just do my best to live a 'good' life, enjoy myself and make sure that the people around me are happy, so I know I've lived well, and I can die without fear, remorse or regrets.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

I think that's really what it comes down to. The emotional maturity to accept what we cannot change, and just make the best of the intervening time.

[amabat.livejournal.com]

Want to die eventually. I want to know what happens next.

Not yet though, I haven't done enough yet.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Do you believe in an afterlife, or is it just a measure of curiousity?

[amabat.livejournal.com]

I believe there could be one, and choose to imagine there is one. It's not likely I'm going to know to be disappointed if there isn't.

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

So you'd go with a pleasant afterlife, or oblivion, either's fine?
How about if 'they got it wrong' and the afterlife is eternal misery? I mean, most 'religious' definitions of what comes after, tend to have a heaven and hell concept, where the latter is kinda assumed to be misery and torment.

[amabat.livejournal.com]

Neither heaven or hell really make sense.

One afterlife that is outside of the physical world would make more sense. I've thought about it almost as moving to a world with an extra dimension, so our world doesn't make sense anymore. That way we would be the same people, but would also start again.

but tbh I don't know what's there, that's why I want to find out. Eternal misery wouldn't be pleasant, but it seems unlikely.

[elrohana.livejournal.com]

I am not afraid of death. I would prefer the manner of my dying to be as swift as possible, I should hate a long drawn out suffering, but death itself doesn't worry me, as I expect to continue in some form.

[mrbear.livejournal.com]

I'm not afraid of death as such. I have a belief as to what comes after. I will admit that I am occasionally afraid of the process though, as it can be rather painful, and I'm not a big fan of pain. :)

[mister-jack.livejournal.com]

I'm not afraid of being dead; it's the whole dying bit itself that sounds unpleasant. I have no desire to be immortal (by any method; including notions of an afterlife) but I also don't like the idea of a slow decline, or a painful death. A quick death at about 50-60ish would suit me fine.

[elrohana.livejournal.com]

50-60? Crikey, I'm 40 now, that'd be a short time left to do stuff in! I'm hoping to be hale and hearty till mid-80's/early 90's then drop dead suddenly and unexpectedly of total heart failure. It runs in the family, thank gods

[mister-jack.livejournal.com]

Hale and hearty is the key, isn't it? I'm quite happy to keep on going for as long as everything keeps functioning, but I want to die before I loose my mind or body.

I watched my once intelligent and capable Gran's slow slide in dementia, near-blindness, near-deafness and immobility and ever so eventual death. It utterly horrified me (although, to be fair, she seemed entirely happy the whole time) and I never, ever want that for myself. Dying earlier increases the chances of that never happening.

I stand a good chance of dying suddenly in my 60s anyway; it runs in the males of my family.

[misstemperance.livejournal.com]

Nope, as you quite rightly point out we are all going to go at some point and I'm reasonably assured of my belief in what comes after this, so no not really scared. I would, of course, like the chance to do a little more with the life I have first but all in all I'm pretty reconciled.

[dr-wez.livejournal.com]

Dying is not the thing I fear most, no. Every so often it does bother me, however.

So that's a definite "maybe". ;)

[queex.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid of death, but only inasmuch that there's stuff I don't want to miss out on. I suspect that when I'm old, things will have a very different perspective. Talking to my grandad gives me a perspective on that approach, although he's still quite content reflecting on life nad having visitors.

I don't believe in an afterlife.

Concensus in fiction is that immortality leads to ennui and unhappiness, but all I'm asking for is a chance to find out for sure.

[shakalooloo.livejournal.com]

It's not generally something that I bother worrying about often. My opinion on the matter won't change the matter itself at all, so I don't waste my time.

I'd just prefer not to 'pass away' in my sleep.

[crashbarrier.livejournal.com]

not to die.... but the method of death yes

[blooddoll3.livejournal.com]

no so much the afraid of dying as the pain and hurt you cause everyone when you go.

[kal-357.livejournal.com]

Not as a rule

Painful death, it's the pain not the death

Pointless death, I'd like my death to be worth something

Dying as a failure, because I'd like my life to be worthwhile on balance

[mrph.livejournal.com]

No. I'd echo some of the things already said here, though - quality of life is a factor, as is how much upset you cause to others.

The scary thing, for me, is breaking things that matter and never managing to fix them again.

After death... well, if there's anything there then I'll have to deal with it on its own terms, won't I? Which might be interesting. If not, then this really is the only chance we get. Best not to waste it, then.

[kalkyrie.livejournal.com]

I'm going to be the odd one out. I am afraid of dying, in a 'heart-pumping, quick panicpanic' way. This fear seems to arise via trumphing fear of snakes, spiders, heights and all that type of thing, since death is what your brain is trying to teach you to avoid. I'd like to be calm and rational like it seems everyone else is, but fear for me is something tangible, which has a major effect on my body and mind, even in situations where I have known the fear to be groundless. So yes, my brain has made sure I'm afraid.
Remember to look both ways before crossing the road now ;) (Fletch's brain)

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid of the act of dying, of pain. I'm apprehensive of stopping existing without tying up loose ends. I'm sad about missing the things that are going to happen after I'm dead, of never being able to meet aliens or see what the world is like fifty years after the oil runs out or seeing the things that happen based on the work I'm doing now. These are the reasons I see death as a bad thing.