# Do you fear death? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 6, 2010, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102 "2010-04-06T02:06:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/41 "2010-04-07T02:36:56Z")
> [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > I don’t fear death. At all. > > But I greatly fear dying. Perfect. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/42 "2010-04-07T02:42:31Z")
I’m not wild about pain. I could do without that part. But I’ve always been quite curious about what it’s like to die. I’m not particularly afraid of it (except the possible pain part), I think it will be interesting. I can remember when I was a kid and felt the same way. I do believe in an afterlife, so I plan to be learning a lot and having an interesting time. But even if there wasn’t one, then I just wouldn’t be around anymore to miss it. Of course when it actually shows up I might feel quite different, right? I don’t plan on it anytime soon, I have stuff to do. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/43 "2010-04-07T02:56:37Z")
Yeh, I fear death. When I really, REALLY think about the idea of my absolute annihilation, it sickens me. I think a large part of it is regret that I’ve squandered most of my life, having been grossly dysfunctional since an early age. I wrote a post about this titled “Age, Sickness and Death: A morbid descent into angst”. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/44 "2010-04-07T03:09:55Z")
I’m absolutely terrified of the thought of those last few weeks or hours or seconds will be. After that I’m not going to know anything anymore. Thinking about makes me start panicking so I try so very hard not to think about it. I’m an atheist. I don’t believe anything will happen to my soul or essence or whatever else they call it. I won’t be Rushgeekgirl anymore. I’ll be meat. And thinking about that also makes me feel panicky so I’ll just stop. Zoloft only carries me so far, know what I mean? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/45 "2010-04-07T04:07:05Z")
> [@dangermom](#): > > I’m not wild about pain. I could do without that part. But I’ve always been quite curious about what it’s like to die. I’m not particularly afraid of it (except the possible pain part), I think it will be interesting. I can remember when I was a kid and felt the same way. > > I do believe in an afterlife, so I plan to be learning a lot and having an interesting time. But even if there wasn’t one, then I just wouldn’t be around anymore to miss it. > > Of course when it actually shows up I might feel quite different, right? I don’t plan on it anytime soon, I have stuff to do. Well, if there IS an afterlife, find a way to let us know, okay, **dangermom**? Remember, you’re a Doper, and we can do ANYTHING! 🙂 Don’t know how true this is and I think it is attributable to Julian Lennon, but apparently John once told his son if he (Julian) ever saw a feather floating before him _horizontally_, “that will be me”. I’m not sure how take that, because I was always under the impression that John was an agnostic or even atheist, even there at the end. So am I wrong and he had actually embraced religion at the time of his death? Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/46 "2010-04-07T04:17:38Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > One thing that helped me was a hospice pamphlet on death and dying I read as part of my orientation to my job at a nursing/rehab facility. It said, ‘‘You’ll probably handle your own death the same way you handle any stressful event.’’ > > And I find that comforting, because I know who I am and how I deal with things, and I’m usually pretty strong about the big, scary stuff. So realizing that I’ll have myself to guide me through the process takes the edge off a little. I like this, a lot. Thanks for sharing it. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/47 "2010-04-07T04:36:56Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Well, if there IS an afterlife, find a way to let us know, okay, **dangermom**? > > Remember, you’re a Doper, and we can do ANYTHING! 🙂 I’ll see what I can do, but if Houdini couldn’t manage it… ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/48 "2010-04-07T05:45:04Z")
> [@dangermom](#): > > I’ll see what I can do, but if Houdini couldn’t manage it… Oh, you’ll be in much pain since you’ll be burning in hell and all. :p:D ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/49 "2010-04-07T08:08:06Z")
Death itself, no. Just another meat machine worn out and shutting down. The dying part scares me to death. (ha!) ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/50 "2010-04-07T09:19:15Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Hence the phrase, ‘Now I’ve seen everything!’ I never know when this guy’s being serious or yanking my chain, and I believe that were he and I face to face, he’d deliver the line above with a deadpan expression, sending me to the nearest Bartlett’s!🙂 Back when I was working, I was such a clown that when I said something my cow-orkers might not have known which might have been… doubtful, they’d look at me expectantly, as if they were waiting for a punchline. My pal **Johnny** and I have never met (just like I’ve never met y’all) except to keep in touch via e-mail, but over the years, reading his threads and posts, I think I may have him “nailed”. Do I **John**? Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![BaconAndEggs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@BaconAndEggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaconAndEggs)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/51 "2010-04-07T09:47:24Z")
I fear death a lot. I’m a fairly young person (26). I just hope I make my life worth living while I’m here. I’m an extremely depressed person, so that makes it worse. My cat died yesterday, and I just wonder how it was for him to die. Was it painful? Did he actually cross into another place, like cat heaven? I’m agnostic so I think he went into an eternal sleep. I miss my little cat. Sometimes I wonder why life is so unforgiving. Why do we lose the ones we love? Why are we only here for a limited amount of time? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/52 "2010-04-07T10:05:10Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I am afraid of dying while Celtling still needs me. Mortally terrified of not being there for her. > > But I’ve never been afraid of dying per se. In fact there have been long stretches when I would gladly have chosen it. My life is satisfying, and I’m confident that I’ve done a lot of good, but I’ve seldom been what would one would call completely happy. There is just always some horror waiting 'round the corner in my life; I seem to be a magnet for them. > > I will lie down to rest gladly when the time comes. Pretty much my view. Before the daughter was born I was just killing time until time killed me. Now I’m trying to keep going so that I can watch over her until she grows up and can stand on her own. It’s a powerful incentive to stay alive. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/53 "2010-04-07T11:32:57Z")
> [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > I don’t fear death. At all. > > But I greatly fear dying. This is pretty much what I would say. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/54 "2010-04-07T13:38:59Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > I never know when this guy’s being serious or yanking my chain, and I believe that were he and I face to face, he’d deliver the line above with a deadpan expression, sending me to the nearest Bartlett’s!🙂 [Seen It All Suicide](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SeenItAllSuicide). But yeah, I often deadpan outrageous claims or jokes. ---
**Author:** ![koufax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7ea924/32.png) [@koufax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koufax)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/55 "2010-04-07T14:58:05Z")
I remember reading once that many people who have survived commercial plane crashes said that at first they panicked, then a VERY calm pleasant feeling came over them when they gave up and knew they were going to die and accepted it. I have always feared death and thought about it way too much, but reading that helped me a lot. ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/56 "2010-04-07T16:55:23Z")
I’m not afraid of dying, I’m afraid of lingering. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/57 "2010-04-07T18:35:59Z")
[And When I Die](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C5WncqIv98) (video). ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/58 "2010-04-07T19:42:36Z")
> [@BaconAndEggs](#): > > My cat died yesterday ☹ I’m sorry. If I were you, I’d be a wreck. ---
**Author:** ![HenryGale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b782af/32.png) [@HenryGale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HenryGale)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/59 "2010-04-07T21:18:23Z")
Put me down in the “terrified of dying” column. I’m a young guy, 30, and in reasonably good health despite obesity. I don’t expect to die any time soon. But, as an atheist, I don’t believe in anything but oblivion after death. Every once in a while (not a lot, mind you, not an unhealthy amount, I don’t think), when my sciatica is acting up and I’m wide awake at 3am, I lie in bed and it just suddenly hits me: _some day, I’m going to die._ One day, I will be here, a living, breathing organism, going about a life that I’m probably not treating as preciously as I should considering the shortness of it all… One day I will be here, and the next day, I won’t. I don’t believe I’ll go to heaven or hell, I don’t believe I’ll be reincarnated, I don’t believe anything will happen to me at all. My conciousness will simply end, and whatever happens to the meat that used to be me is besides the point. And I just can’t wrap my brain around that. I. Just. Can’t. How terrifying to simply cease to be! To disappear into, well, not silence, not blackness… just… nothing? It doesn’t seem right. it doesn’t seem like it could possibly _be_ right, but I just can’t bring the rationally-thinking part of my mind to believe in anything else. That’s not to mention the deep sadness of it all… Imagine all the stuff I’ll miss! All the new technology and all the great books and movies, all the huge world-changing events. The world will keep on turning, and all this fascinating stuff will keep happening… and I’m going to miss it. Yeah. I know I have a whole life of awesome stuff ahead of me, and it’s exciting. I can’t wait to see what happens, you know, between now and then. But every once and a while… oblivion keeps me awake. Well, that and the sciatica. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102/60 "2010-04-07T21:24:30Z")
_It’s hard to remember We’re alive for the first time It’s hard to remember We’re alive for the last time_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-fear-death/535102.md?page=4)