Comments on: One Atheist’s View of Death and Dying http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/ Words unRead Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:46:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jennifer http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-24655 Jennifer Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:13:51 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-24655 I am an atheist.. At one point in my life, I had a belief in something bigger than all of us, but like many of you, I have begun to realize that we just have the life we are in.. nothing more. I have been ill over the past 8 months, and I know on some level that this is pancreatic cancer. It is going to kill me, and I know I don't have long. I wish I had someone who understands why I no longer have faith.. and someone I could talk to about the reality of dying without it. Thank you for your blog. Sincerely, Jenny I am an atheist..

At one point in my life, I had a belief in something bigger than all of us, but like many of you, I have begun to realize that we just have the life we are in.. nothing more.

I have been ill over the past 8 months, and I know on some level that this is pancreatic cancer. It is going to kill me, and I know I don’t have long.
I wish I had someone who understands why I no longer have faith.. and someone I could talk to about the reality of dying without it.
Thank you for your blog.

Sincerely,
Jenny

]]> By: Christa http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-18159 Christa Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:57:51 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-18159 I know exactly what you mean. I've got a dear old friend dying in RSD (it's a chronic neuropathic pain disorder) and the main difference between us is that I don't share his faith in God and the other side. He was crushed when he realized that because of that we would never meet in the "afterlife". I wish I could "believe", but you can't snap your fingers. I've lost touch with him since about 7 weeks back now since he's in the ICU and I hope that he will find some peace in his version of "the other side". However, as you pointed out, I do not not believe in God or something greater than ourselves the same way I "know" there's no Santa. That's different :) <em>Christa's last blog post..<a href='http://lightvue.co.uk/awfulsouls/?p=195' rel="nofollow">Crescent Mechanical Moon</a></em> I know exactly what you mean.
I’ve got a dear old friend dying in RSD (it’s a chronic neuropathic pain disorder) and the main difference between us is that I don’t share his faith in God and the other side.
He was crushed when he realized that because of that we would never meet in the “afterlife”. I wish I could “believe”, but you can’t snap your fingers.

I’ve lost touch with him since about 7 weeks back now since he’s in the ICU and I hope that he will find some peace in his version of “the other side”.
However, as you pointed out, I do not not believe in God or something greater than ourselves the same way I “know” there’s no Santa.
That’s different :)

Christa’s last blog post..Crescent Mechanical Moon

]]> By: RvB http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-17969 RvB Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:51:10 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-17969 Nope, there is no god. Too bad, because if there was, we could sort him out--as they say in England--for what he does. Taking him out of the equation doesn't diminish us as humans, as you've seen. I'm really sorry about what you're going through; good luck to you and your family. Nope, there is no god. Too bad, because if there was, we could sort him out–as they say in England–for what he does. Taking him out of the equation doesn’t diminish us as humans, as you’ve seen. I’m really sorry about what you’re going through; good luck to you and your family.

]]> By: kenjebz http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-17864 kenjebz Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:07:02 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-17864 your good father is being immortalized by the kind of son you are now. sometimes it requires a small leap of faith to have a miracle. Even death could be a miracle, because it could be the beginning of a new thing... my thoughts are with you Dan and your loving father and the rest of your family. your good father is being immortalized by the kind of son you are now.

sometimes it requires a small leap of faith to have a miracle. Even death could be a miracle, because it could be the beginning of a new thing…

my thoughts are with you Dan and your loving father and the rest of your family.

]]> By: Mrs. Thoughtskoto http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-17863 Mrs. Thoughtskoto Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:48:53 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-17863 I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I don't know what to say as both of us have contradicting beliefs. And I don't want to convert you into anything or be preachy here. But somehow it isn't really that bad to hope for something after this life. After all it wouldn't cost you anything. If the memories can lessen the pain, hold on to it and make the most of the time left. I’m sorry to hear about your dad.
I don’t know what to say as both of us have contradicting beliefs. And I don’t want to convert you into anything or be preachy here. But somehow it isn’t really that bad to hope for something after this life. After all it wouldn’t cost you anything. If the memories can lessen the pain, hold on to it and make the most of the time left.

]]> By: Dan Leone http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-17828 Dan Leone Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:52:37 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-17828 Hello Everyone! Thank you so much for all your words. Just regrouping and want to reply personally to many of you. Stay tuned. Thank you all! <em>Dan Leone's last blog post..<a href='http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/25/the-difference-a-few-ounces-make/' rel="nofollow">The difference a few ounces make</a></em> Hello Everyone!

Thank you so much for all your words. Just regrouping and want to reply personally to many of you. Stay tuned.

Thank you all!

Dan Leone’s last blog post..The difference a few ounces make

]]> By: Maggie's Mind http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-17719 Maggie's Mind Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:13:28 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-17719 I just tumbled over here. My beautiful, funny, warm, wonderful mother died of ALS in March 1995 just before my college graduation and the day after her 55th birthday. I believed in God back then. Now I don't. I want to, but I can't. I do believe in the love of the people who gathered round us for years cooking for us to ease the burden in some way, and I do believe that my mother's laughter and smile lives on in the lives of those whose lives she touched (there were many) and even in certain lines in my face or thoughts in my head, but nothing makes it OK that she suffered in ways that I don't need to explain to you, and, sadly, the worst is ahead. I've found my own kind of peace year by year, and more now, finally, thankfully, I remember the woman my beloved mother was *before* ALS instead of as she was so broken and so trapped by such a cruel disease. Everyone experiences this kind of thing differently, and I do hope that you will find some peace, someday, somehow with all of it. My peace isn't perfect, but it's enough that I can wake up every day and move forward even if I'll always feel robbed. You don't know me from Adam's house cat, but don't hesitate to email me if you ever feel like you want to. I understand if you don't. Whatever. My heart goes out to you and to your family, and I'm so sorry that this fucking disease even exists and that it struck your family. <em>Maggie's Mind's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MaggiesMind/~3/338656526/haiku-friday-71808.html' rel="nofollow">Haiku Friday 7/18/08</a></em> I just tumbled over here. My beautiful, funny, warm, wonderful mother died of ALS in March 1995 just before my college graduation and the day after her 55th birthday. I believed in God back then. Now I don’t. I want to, but I can’t. I do believe in the love of the people who gathered round us for years cooking for us to ease the burden in some way, and I do believe that my mother’s laughter and smile lives on in the lives of those whose lives she touched (there were many) and even in certain lines in my face or thoughts in my head, but nothing makes it OK that she suffered in ways that I don’t need to explain to you, and, sadly, the worst is ahead.

I’ve found my own kind of peace year by year, and more now, finally, thankfully, I remember the woman my beloved mother was *before* ALS instead of as she was so broken and so trapped by such a cruel disease. Everyone experiences this kind of thing differently, and I do hope that you will find some peace, someday, somehow with all of it. My peace isn’t perfect, but it’s enough that I can wake up every day and move forward even if I’ll always feel robbed.

You don’t know me from Adam’s house cat, but don’t hesitate to email me if you ever feel like you want to. I understand if you don’t. Whatever. My heart goes out to you and to your family, and I’m so sorry that this fucking disease even exists and that it struck your family.

Maggie’s Mind’s last blog post..Haiku Friday 7/18/08

]]> By: Brenda Bryant http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-17687 Brenda Bryant Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:50:09 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-17687 I found your entry one of the most moving pieces of writing I've ever read. I was attracted to it because I've been hunting for atheists like myself. So many Bloggers sound like great people but I can't empathise with them because I am such a staunch unbeliever.However, the search took second place when I became immersed in your terrible struggle. You are going through one of life's most difficult experiences.I have faced my parents' deaths (no not lingering) and my own cancer (cured) without swerving from my non-belief.I find that by inserting the word LIFE wherever GOD is mentioned, one gets the same feeling of awe and gratitude.As for an after-life, apart from the idea being ridiculous, would any of us want it? Your father included? Is he a religious man himself? I write nonsense on my Blog but I touch on my beliefs in two of my daily poems 'Buttercups and Daisies' and 'Froth'.I'd be happy if you shared. By the way, I am an Australian Grandmother. Rinkly Rimes http://rinklyrimes.blogspot,com/ I found your entry one of the most moving pieces of writing I’ve ever read. I was attracted to it because I’ve been hunting for atheists like myself. So many Bloggers sound like great people but I can’t empathise with them because I am such a staunch unbeliever.However, the search took second place when I became immersed in your terrible struggle. You are going through one of life’s most difficult experiences.I have faced my parents’ deaths (no not lingering) and my own cancer (cured) without swerving from my non-belief.I find that by inserting the word LIFE wherever GOD is mentioned, one gets the same feeling of awe and gratitude.As for an after-life, apart from the idea being ridiculous, would any of us want it? Your father included? Is he a religious man himself? I write nonsense on my Blog but I touch on my beliefs in two of my daily poems ‘Buttercups and Daisies’ and ‘Froth’.I’d be happy if you shared.

By the way, I am an Australian Grandmother.

Rinkly Rimes

http://rinklyrimes.blogspot,com/

]]> By: meleah rebeccah http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-17659 meleah rebeccah Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:18:49 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-17659 I dont even know what to say. Except that you are allowed to have and voice your opinions. And I am glad that you did. I hope THAT made you feel a teeny tiny better <em>meleah rebeccah's last blog post..<a href='http://mommamiameaculpa.com/?p=1282' rel="nofollow">Bad News</a></em> I dont even know what to say. Except that you are allowed to have and voice your opinions. And I am glad that you did.

I hope THAT made you feel a teeny tiny better

meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Bad News

]]> By: Brenda Starr http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/comment-page-1/#comment-17628 Brenda Starr Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:18:56 +0000 http://www.cafeleone.net/2008/07/05/one-atheists-view-of-death-and-dying/#comment-17628 Take comfort during this horrible time with what you can. For someone so caring and loving as you, it's very difficult to watch those around you suffer. However, keep those pieces of paper he writes on, join him in his bouts of laughter and embrace him when he cries; let him lean on you when he needs stability. He hasn't lost his dignity, Dan, no thing can take that away from this great man. There is tremendous honor in serving and great dignity in letting one help. Take care. I really feel for you and your family. Good wishes your way... Take comfort during this horrible time with what you can. For someone so caring and loving as you, it’s very difficult to watch those around you suffer.
However, keep those pieces of paper he writes on, join him in his bouts of laughter and embrace him when he cries; let him lean on you when he needs stability.
He hasn’t lost his dignity, Dan, no thing can take that away from this great man. There is tremendous honor in serving and great dignity in letting one help.
Take care. I really feel for you and your family. Good wishes your way…

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