I am afraid of the after-life (or the lack of for that matter). What can I do to beat this fear?
364756
Read the book of I John.  Then read the gospels.\n\nJesus overcame death so that there does not need to be fear of death.\n\nIt's not about how good you are.  It's about how good He is.\n\nI'm sorry that this has you up nights.  I hope you make peace with God and with yourself soon.
706921
I am assuming that you believe this is beyond the normal level of fear that a person has in this regards.  With that assumption, there are a lot of things you can do.  Get a therapist, get a self-help book on phobias or face your fears and go skydiving (just kidding).  A lot of people get over phobias by facing their fears but your case isnt appropriate for that for obvious reasons.  \n\nA therapist will teach you about irrational thinking and educate you on what choices you have in regards to what you believe, think or feel.  They will show you methods of writing down all your thoughts about it and then go through them one by one and determine if they are real or irrational - it works really well when you tackle those thoughts one by one. \n\nOr you could look up statistics and figure the real odds of something like that happening to you.  I am an "odds" person and that got me over the fear of flying.  If you are a logical person like me, that may be all you need to know to get over it.
304130
first don't listen to "witness" second don't worry about it there is nothing wrong with you and it is just a fact that when ever feelings are involved we will get hurt but don't be scared of it, because if you live in the fear you will never find anyone that will make you happy!
837372
People fear nonexistence.\nCan you possibly imagine living, doing your thing, and then suddenly nothing?\nI suppose we'd never know. People have a never-ceasing stream of consciousnes that just blends ideas together one after another. It's what makes you who you are. It's hard to believe, I guess, that that stops.\nSo then, since the loss of a stream of consiousness seems so hard to swallow, man couldn't come to terms with his own end, so he invented God, and gave himself an afterlife to believe in.\nIt is instinct to think that you are, have been, and always will be.\n\nAt least that's how the story goes according to Dennett.
587194
I'm sorry to hear about your friend, as well as the others who have died. That's rough.\n\n(We had an incident here a month ago where an 8th grade girl was killed crossing the street at night walking home from a dance. Some of the kids witnessed it, and the community was shaken by the whole thing. It was just so unexpected, and seemingly unfair.)\n\nAs you can see from the earlier answers here, people disagree tremendously on whether an afterlife exists, and what it might be like if it does.\n\nDeath is a hard reality that we all must come to grips with eventually. The fact is simply that, like it or not, we all have to die, and we don't quite know (in any sort of way that can be "proven") what waits for us on the other side until after the fact. \n\nOh, we can firmly believe certain things about life after death, but it's still a matter of faith for everyone concerned.\n\nYour belief about an afterlife really is going to hinge on what you choose to believe about this world, who God is (if you decide he exists), what sort of relationship you could have with him, and how that relationship could come into being. \n\n[Based on my life experience and what I see to make the most sense, I do believe in an afterlife, God, and human souls who will be close to each other after death. Heaven's not a trophy or an amusement park reward like it is often portrayed ("Believe the right thing, and win the big prize!"), it's being close to all the people who have learned how to truly love others and God ahead of themselves... a place where you can be completely open because you know you are safe and accepted.] \n\nI wish I could give you a clear answer. What I can give you instead is a bit of direction: If you're worried about death and whether your loved ones will still be around for you afterwards, I would start with the search for God. The answer to that riddle for you will greatly determine what you believe about death.\n\nDon't be scared to search and explore, and enjoy life as you go in the meanwhile. Death is a hard thing to deal with, true; but when we accept it as simply a reality, we can live life in the moment without worrying about it.
593773
Honestly, I'm petrified of God. I don't know exactly why because He sent His Son to SAVE me, but I'm absolutely terrified that I'm not really saved and I'm not going to go to Heaven... I know that probably doesn't help you to feel any better, but at least you know you're not alone.
1079209
thanatophobia- fear of dying
1098096
Do not care about what happens to you -- the little crazy-making ego-you:\n\nLive fearlessly and defenselessly, because who you really are can never be harmed or degraded in any way, by anyone...even yourself.  You are wholly love, Now.\n\nSo much of our lives are driven (and held back) by fear, and this distraction severely impairs us from knowing how powerful we truly are as a god-made Spirit Being.  So many of our behaviours centre around checking to see if we're OK, rather than recognising that we already are..."made in the image of god". Really!\n\nI don't mean to go all religious here, (and I'm not) because I don't see this as a matter of conforming or even believing, rather as a frame of Mind that steps into recognising and claiming our spiritual (True Nature) birthright.  So it's not about seeing yourself as more than you are or less than you are...but accepting everything that you are.  Observe yourself with curiosity.\n\nUntie yourself from the drama that so causes miserable self-doubt and discouragement, and moment by moment you'll learn to Live in acceptance, and release the fear -- regret, worry, projection, judgment -- by living with 99% of your focus in the Now. \n\nRemember who You truly are, and step into Being your Higher-Self here and now!\n\nMy words don't do this re-framing work justice, but I swear it has changed and liberated my life.  I really hope this helps you.\nLove & Light!
324650
Be at peace with God and yourself.  This is the only peace you have any power to attain.\n\nThere may or may not be any other peace in this lifetime, but if you have peace with God and yourself, you can life amidst unrest and not be anxious.
170722
One of the things I would try to do is prepare my mind for it.  To see it the instant death comes and to not be afraid, to see it as is.  Its a rare oppertunity to possibly see the answer to something nobody has the answer to.  Maybe for a few moments there is a bridge between two planes of existence?
595266
The only way to get rid of fear is to face it. Make up your mind to face them.BE BRAVE!!!!
20025
Yes I do fear death, even though I believe in Heaven, I still am afraid of leaving Earth. (I like it here!)
415207
I think that everybody has a fear of the unknown and obviously death is a huge unknown! The thought of death frightens me to an extent but I also have hope of an after life with God so in a way it is kind of like having something to look forward too! Hey plus we all get to reunite with old loved ones dogs, Grandpas you name it!
256255
Think well, live long, try to start your life again and don't be afraid of starting.  There is always a new way and a new start.  The past is gone, the present is here and the future... you never now.  So live each day as it is the last one of your life.  Live 100% and laugh until you cry. Good luck and God Bless!
1133453
im not afraid of death itself, im just afraid of not having enough time on earth.  i just dont want to die early, before i get a chance to actully live.
524764
What else could I do? If I'm wrong, I see 3 possibilities and I'll have no choice but to accept them:\n\n1) No Heaven & no hell - no afterlife. In this case my life meant nothing and my legacy is to be worm food. \n\n2) There is a Heaven & I'm not invited - unfortunate, but doubtful. \n\n3) I'll be sent back to hell in the form of earth school to get it right the next time.
121127
Quit being neurotic. Relax, life's too short to waste it being worried about what people will think. Just know that your place in this universe can't be taken up by anything or anyone. Once you realize that, other people's opinions will seem useless.