QC: Well, nobody says that they admire every aspect of anything. Perfection is an impossible goal for everything, everyone. The link I put into my second post for example, I don't care for the christian faith, I simply don't. But, the christian world has done good in that it holds people to a moral standard in a way that isn't forceful. I've held myself to standards as strict has any church and defy the religion completely. A person who holds themselves to the same standard BECAUSE of religion is the type who doesn't have reason or motivation in their life without it. And yes, reincarnation when you tie it to a reason of Karma may or not be folly. But it isn't fair to who the person is right now.

orcishgamer: Just a note, the entire abortion debate, the debate about gay marriage, and a host of other things are all about some Christians (in this country's case) forcing their beliefs on everyone else with the force of law. Of course, any law is going to force something on someone who doesn't agree with it. But it's completely inaccurate to say Christians don't force their shit on anyone else, they're at least as guilty as anyone else (and many would argue more) guilty.

QC: not killing, not stealing, not causing deception.

GoJays2025: My opinion is that the consciousness is simply the result of neuron connections in the brain. Everything we experience and all of our memories are due to electric impulses from our nervous systems and the physical connections of the neurons themselves, kind of like a computer actually. Therefore when we die the system shuts down and we will no longer be conscious and will cease to exist.

It's actually really moving for me when I think that this life is all that you'll ever experience. Everyone alive came in against such great odds to be given a chance on this beautiful planet. Our lives are but a blink of the eye in the grand scheme of things, but to have existed, to have been a part of the universe, and to have had laughs and fun in our short time here, I find myself to be extremely fortunate. What is there to life? What's the purpose of life? Is there a Heaven? Who cares? Nobody can objectively answer these questions. The only thing you can do is enjoy the time we're given. I think by 'knowing' that my existence is so short and that my end is coming closer with each given day gives my life more meaning than any god could ever provide me.

timppu: So if that complex "computer" of countless neuron connections was perfectly replicated by nature billion years from now by a sheer stroke of luck, would "you" experience a new consciousness, or would it still be someone else?

GoJays2025: It's not unreasonable to want to reach out to somebody in times of need. I get why people take comfort in God, it's just that I really do wish people wouldn't force religion (or atheism for that matter) upon others and to keep an open mind to what others may believe.

da187jimmbones: It would absolutely be a brand new "someone else" with no connection at all to the past. What could possibly connect it to the past? The memories would have to be transferred somehow from the old person to the new person. To say it another way, under your hypothetical, both people have the same hardware, but all of the files and memory and bits of data and software that were collected by the old person over the course of a lifetime wouldn't magically transfer to the new person. The new person would start fresh.

Shadyhacker: But memories are also just neural connections in the brain, which can be replicated and I think that by "perfectly replicated" timppu may have meant the memories will also be the same.

timppu: So if that complex "computer" of countless neuron connections was perfectly replicated by nature billion years from now by a sheer stroke of luck, would "you" experience a new consciousness, or would it still be someone else?

I guess philosophers and charismatic people who invent new religions have pondered over these for thousands of years, if not more.

anjohl: Atheism is a trendy way to let people think they are better than others. There is a two ended spectrum, with theism and atheism on each side. Typically, the closer you are to either end,the more.of a douche you are, and the more likely to commit/condone hotrible atrocities.

We are ALL agnostic ultimately, we just don't all accept it.