# There IS an afterlife. How do you live your life differently? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 24, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041 "2018-04-24T13:06:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/1 "2018-04-24T13:06:15Z")
Follow-up to [this previous thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=853381) (“Give up everything to know for certain what happens after death”). There was only one taker over there (tough room!), but let’s say it was you, and you have been given the truth that there IS, in fact, an afterlife. However the magical being was short on details, he had a hair appointment he was running late for, and all he could tell you before disappearing was “YES, there is _absolutely_ life after death.” And as both a gift for your trust in him and an apology for having to run off, he lets you keep your stuff. So now you know there’s existence in the great beyond, but the vagueness of the answer provided means there’s still quite a bit of mystery to it. **How do you live your life differently now, if at all?** No poll this time, too many possible responses. Freestyle! ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/2 "2018-04-24T13:11:16Z")
I wouldn’t change anything. Short of instructions from The Being on the requirements to attend, I’d have no way to know what they expect. For all I know, I could live like a monk and die, only to show up for heaven and be told that I’d botched it because the being required quarterly puppy sacrifices. Now, if one of the godly being that are currently familiar to us appeared then at least I’d have some reference for what they might expect. And I’d immediately convert to that religion and be as orthodox as possible. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/3 "2018-04-24T13:14:11Z")
Is there still Judgement? I’d do okay, unless it was strict orthodox or something, so I wouldn’t change. I believe I am a good person in every way that counts, and my flaws are largely to my own detriment rather than affecting others. The scales would weight in my favour. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/4 "2018-04-24T13:16:12Z")
Finally, a chance to die gloriously while dedicating the deaths to Odin! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/5 "2018-04-24T13:17:03Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Now, if one of the godly being that are currently familiar to us appeared then at least I’d have some reference for what they might expect. And I’d immediately convert to that religion and be as orthodox as possible. Ugh, I don’t know if I could. I would definitely start taking more of an interest in my hair, since the Magical Being places such importance on it. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/6 "2018-04-24T13:30:23Z")
I do believe there is an afterlife, but l don’t believe reward or punishment figures in. I don’t have enough imagination to live my life differently. \ ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/7 "2018-04-24T13:49:53Z")
I change nothing and proceed through life as my conscience and nature indicates. If I fail to “qualify” for some great reward, then the blame rests with the creator who flawed me, and I’ll make sure that is well understood by all in attendance. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/8 "2018-04-24T14:18:55Z")
Like I said in that other thread I am pretty comfortable with me/myself. The only difference is that knowing for sure I would maybe ponder my Final Judgement a little more but I don’t think I would do anything different. Right down to flipping off that moron who cut me off on the West End Bridge. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/9 "2018-04-24T14:33:19Z")
Which afterlife from which religious sect? That’s like saying, “Something is definitely going to happen tomorrow-What are your plans?” ---
**Author:** ![Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/10 "2018-04-24T15:05:06Z")
I’d enslave you all to build me the greatest pyramid ever made as my tomb. Once that’s done, you can make grave goods for me to take to the afterlife or take part in the human sacrifices on top of the pyramid. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/11 "2018-04-24T16:26:01Z")
I’ve wondered whether there is a heaven, and only atheists got in. I wouldn’t change a thing. At my age, why bother? ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/12 "2018-04-24T18:05:34Z")
I it was just “yes”, I wouldn’t change a thing. If it specified what you needed to go to “the good place” or “the bad place” (assuming there was a difference), I’d probably follow “the good place” rules pretty well. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/13 "2018-04-24T19:59:52Z")
I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m already doing the best that I can and my conscience is clean. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/14 "2018-04-24T20:22:52Z")
This is pretty much a retelling of Pascal’s Wager, assuming the false dichotomy of “no afterlife” / “Christian afterlife.” Knowing that _some_ form of afterlife exists but not knowing the rules for getting there or the conditions there gives you no guidance whatsoever on how to modify your life accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/15 "2018-04-24T20:28:54Z")
I would have actually gone thru with my suicide at age 15 to directly address why God felt it necessary to thoroughly shit on my family for the previous 7 years. I am not Job, I am not patient and by that point I was no longer trusting. I was scared and frustrated that everything I had been taught wasn’t working. I was furious at God. If I could have known I would have seen Him upon death? I’d have lined up the knives so I could actually go kick the shit out of His sanctimonious ineffective ass. The only reason I did not at the time was that I was starting to have glimmers of a suspicion that the entire belief system was a crock and there was no point in just being dead. Now? I’d figure it was an alien or a schizophrenic break and just go on with my bad self. Without details, what’s the point of worrying about it? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/16 "2018-04-24T20:44:31Z")
Knowledge is overrated when it comes to some human behavior. I know that Old Bay cheese puffs/home improvement shows/hot showers/cozy mystery novels are not ideal for my health and well-being, but I indulge because I want to. I think even if you said “There really is an afterlife, and this is exactly how to get there,” if it didn’t align with stuff I’m already doing, I probably wouldn’t do it. I think it would be a good idea, mind you, I just don’t think I’d likely be able to comply. So Old Bay cheese puffs/home improvement shows/hot showers/cozy mysteries/impious behavior/straight to Hell would likely be the result. Make it more vague than that? Yeah, there’s nothing to be done. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/17 "2018-04-24T20:45:58Z")
Without details, the data is worse than useless. To paraphrase a famous author, what if the truth of the afterlife is only one of these two scenarios: 1. The afterlife is always and only “heaven”, but it gets better the longer you live before you die 2. The afterlife is always and only “hell”, and it is worse the longer you live before you die One can see the problem with having only limited information. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/18 "2018-04-24T20:48:32Z")
I don’t see how knowing changes anything for me. If there is an afterlife, I’ll see what it is when I get there. If there’s not, it won’t matter, will it? Something tells me the nuns from my elementary school wouldn’t like that answer. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/19 "2018-04-24T21:01:00Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I it was just “yes”, I wouldn’t change a thing. > > If it specified what you needed to go to “the good place” or “the bad place” (assuming there was a difference), I’d probably follow “the good place” rules pretty well. Without knowing what rules send you where, I would follow the rules that people that I like are following. We may end up in the “bad place”, but at least it’ll be good company. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2018, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041/20 "2018-04-24T21:02:54Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > …I think even if you said “There really is an afterlife, and this is exactly how to get there,” if it didn’t align with stuff I’m already doing, I probably wouldn’t do it… I get that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-an-afterlife-how-do-you-live-your-life-differently/813041.md?page=2)