tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post1543060316529063688..comments2024-03-29T11:51:21.473+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: Why must hope be located after this mortal life?Bruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-66420629608973169352020-05-15T15:05:51.945+01:002020-05-15T15:05:51.945+01:00@G - We need to make a metaphysical decision about...@G - We need to make a metaphysical decision about whether time is really real, or not. My feeling is that for Christians time is real - (minimally) since Jesus Christ was located in history. If time is real; then lasting forever is possible, but forever present is not. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-91730637393741415112020-05-15T14:43:15.782+01:002020-05-15T14:43:15.782+01:00There are things wonderful and beautiful in this w...There are things wonderful and beautiful in this world, and it is possible to live and do things much greater than we think.<br /><br />But they don't last.<br /><br />So we can hope for better things in the life to come.<br /><br />Or we can have a hope that nothing is really lost. Every moment and every goodness lasts forever and is ever present. The defeats are only apparent.<br /><br />Or we can hope for both.G.http://www.jrganymede.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-65075971943657208682020-05-05T20:40:41.131+01:002020-05-05T20:40:41.131+01:00I was a materialist Christian(though I would have ...I was a materialist Christian(though I would have denied it) until somewhat recently when I began actively imagining heaven and practicing Christian meditation. Before that my hope existed primarily in this world, and building a "good life", so my anxiety was a demon I could never quite escape. I'm not about to declare victory, but this was as profound a change for me as I've ever experienced and I have to thank you Dr. Charlton for the inspiration. <br /><br />Hope in this world always leads to a dead end.<br /><br />I can relate to what Mathew is saying (I'm not too concerned with dying), but to Jakes point, I desperately want to live for my family, and selfishly I want to see my kids grow up.Sean G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03107563428752354740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-40352253933853729902020-05-04T21:24:17.135+01:002020-05-04T21:24:17.135+01:00Could it also be possible that some people enjoy l...Could it also be possible that some people enjoy learning, have a lot to learn, and even a lot to teach others (loved ones) on this earth? I have a strong inner feeling that some longs lives are blessings, and others curses. It's up to the individual.<br /><br />There's an older joke, related by William James:<br />Question: "Is life worth living?"<br />Answer: "It depends on the liver."<br /><br />Yes, there is a double-entendre there, as people used to (rightly?) believe that the organ called the liver had a lot to do with one's mental/spiritual state.<br />Jacob Gitteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10559764359800682222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-46675045636186930402020-05-04T20:31:57.063+01:002020-05-04T20:31:57.063+01:00@MT - I think that some people live until they lea...@MT - I think that some people live until they learn what is necessary, and then are 'allowed' to die. This, perhaps especially, among those who die in the womb, or around birth. Others refuse to learn something they need, and hang around for years, being given further chances. Thus a long life may be worse than a short one. <br /><br />But in reality, each mortal situation is tailored for each individual, and we can seldom know 'why' for other people than ourselves. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-17318950555044085932020-05-04T19:55:42.309+01:002020-05-04T19:55:42.309+01:00This might sounds a bit morbid, or depressing, or ...This might sounds a bit morbid, or depressing, or worrying, and I don't mean it to come off that way, because I am really doing quite well.<br /><br />But it's just to say that the older I get, the more I understand why plenty of old people really don't give a fig about dying. You mean I can get to go someplace better than this current dystopia where no one ever learns and things are "going to the bad" throughout every age - yes please!Matthew Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10705518098650594541noreply@blogger.com