Near death experience - did he really mean that?

Curious.  As I read the rest of your post, I did not see anything that might explain the bold above.  I understand his intellectual position but are you suggesting there's an emotional/'spiritual' element to your friend that "hopes" for annihilation?

I also wonder why there is that hope for annihilation so I can't answer your question other than to say that he is not the only one I have asked about this and had that same "hope" expressed.

I'm often struck by the similarities between atheists and religious fundamentalists. They both seem to think that the old testament view is the accepted spiritual concept. So, for the atheist, he may assume that if he is proved wrong about the afterlife then he will be faced with the kind of judgement day envisioned by religious fundamentalists. If so, no wonder he would hope for oblivion.

I also wonder why there is that hope for annihilation so I can't answer your question other than to say that he is not the only one I have asked about this and had that same "hope" expressed.

I'm often struck by the similarities between atheists and religious fundamentalists. They both seem to think that the old testament view is the accepted spiritual concept. So, for the atheist, he may assume that if he is proved wrong about the afterlife then he will be faced with the kind of judgement day envisioned by religious fundamentalists. If so, no wonder he would hope for oblivion.

Perhaps it's possible to over-think this. Sometimes when pressures of life mount up, it's a welcome respite at the end of the day to fall asleep. Do we hope for a sleep filled with dreams, or simply for the tranquillity of shutting off our awareness? Of course such an analogy should not be taken too far. After all, at least some of the time we hope to wake up feeling refreshed, renewed, ready for another day. Though in some cases when we know the day will be difficult, maybe we hoped for a longer, undisturbed sleep. How long a sleep is enough?

After all, at least some of the time we hope to wake up feeling refreshed, renewed, ready for another day.

Some of the time?

Seriously, if its only some of the time I would suspect mental illness to be at work.

I'm often struck by the similarities between atheists and religious fundamentalists. They both seem to think that the old testament view is the accepted spiritual concept. So, for the atheist, he may assume that if he is proved wrong about the afterlife then he will be faced with the kind of judgement day envisioned by religious fundamentalists. If so, no wonder he would hope for oblivion.

Interesting and makes sense.  After all there is an old saying "There are things worse than death".

I'm still not convinced anyone seriolusly hopes for "annihilation". It must be a way to mentally come to terms with the prospect supported by the materialist/panpsyhcist worldview.

Some of the time?

Seriously, if its only some of the time I would suspect mental illness to be at work.

I often quote short excerpts from others' posts, so I don't mind your doing so. However in this case it needs to be read in conjunction with what I wrote next, regarding a possibly 'difficult' next day - to say the least - people's waking lives encompass a whole range from comfort to terror. One may not always wish to wake up at all. Not all suffering and pain is the result of mental illness.

I'm still not convinced anyone seriolusly hopes for "annihilation". It must be a way to mentally come to terms with the prospect supported by the materialist/panpsyhcist worldview.

What would you prefer personally ? Annihilation or some kind of continuity ?

What would you prefer personally ? Annihilation or some kind of continuity ?

Definitely continuity. As I said I don’t believe any non-suicidal person really hopes for annihilation. They might express that view for provocative reasons like in the article in the opening post, but I din’t believe they really mean it.

Definitely continuity. As I said I don’t believe any non-suicidal person really hopes for annihilation. They might express that view for provocative reasons like in the article in the opening post, but I din’t believe they really mean it.

Okay, thanks. Sam Parnia recently said, "Death is not what we thought (it was) and it seems to be the beginning of something else".  Since he is studying this it seems reasonable to at least give it some credence, I would have thought.

Definitely continuity. As I said I don’t believe any non-suicidal person really hopes for annihilation. They might express that view for provocative reasons like in the article in the opening post, but I din’t believe they really mean it.

In discussing these matters with my son in law who is an ardent athiest, he has stated to the effect of: I would love to believe that I would get to live forever with my loved ones and it's ok if people find some solace in such irrational beliefs but I choose to be a true stoic and give up such childish beliefs. I find plenty of awe and wonder in the natural world as it is without having to impose such patently false notions.  He also loves it when children have such wonderful fantaises that make them so happy. I also notice a conspicuous unwillingness for him to even consider any evidence to the contrary and a sense of loss and resignation that seems ot accompany his position.

In discussing these matters with my son in law who is an ardent athiest, he has stated to the effect of: I would love to believe that I would get to live forever with my loved ones and it's ok if people find some solace in such irrational beliefs but I choose to be a true stoic and give up such childish beliefs. I find plenty of awe and wonder in the natural world as it is without having to impose such patently false notions.  He also loves it when children have such wonderful fantaises that make them so happy. I also notice a conspicuous unwillingness for him to even consider any evidence to the contrary and a sense of loss and resignation that seems ot accompany his position.

It amuses me that people have to attach a narrative of courage/stoicism to the idea that they will enter Oblivion upon death. Isn't that such an easy picture, to simply have a finite ending rather than an endless existence?

One can even imagine something like Reincarnation was invented at some level of design simply to keep from going mad...

Admittedly I don't think there is any definitive peace to Survival, only the simple fact of continuity.

...to leave this world, it does not suffice to die. One can die and remain in it forever. One must be living to leave it. Or rather, to be living is just this. 
  - Henry Corbin