It would make more sense to present this obvious information to undoctrinated minds in elementary school science classes.
Clearly, none of you gain any sense of joy at the thought of being a part (if even a small part) of a beautiful and consistent universe. Ah well -- your loss.
People don't even like to be considered a number... you think that they like to think of their dearly-departed loved ones as particles and photons? I don't think that many people would take solace in that, personally. It's too abstract and random and inhuman. Ed O.
Google suggests otherwise. http://www.parentingbeyondbelief.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=58 http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/o0o01/you_want_a_physicist_to_speak_at_your_funeral/ https://plus.google.com/u/0/104956293623550863730/posts/HmnoMivZ3fB Obviously this isn't something anyone in their right mind would say about a religious individual, but some of the rest of us (yourself and MARIS excluded, of course) find it moving and meaningful.
What are your links supposed to be proof of? I don't get it. Look, most people don't like the idea that they are a teeny, tiny, microscopic, barely there spec of nothingness in the vast universe. They generally prefer to cling to spiritual and religious ideas that give them something to latch onto that gives them the hope of more after death or being remembered when they are gone. Tell them they are dust in the wind blowing all over here there and everywhere (in silly, flowery geek-speak) in order to convince them they are a "part of it all" and you will not have many takers, I can assure you.
The links are from Google's top ten hits, and show comments from a lot of people who really like that piece, many of whom express a desire to have it read at their funeral. In other words, they show a lot of "takers".
#1: Why do you keep trying to tell me what I think and believe? You're looking a bit silly by doing so, because I can tell you you're wrong every time. Either speak more generally or talk about what I'm posting, not what you think I think. #2: What percentage of the population would be considered a "religious individual"? And what percentage of the people at the funeral would be that? I think that it would depress the shit out of a lot of people, and if one thinks that it would be inappropriate for a religious individual, then one would seem to agree with me. Ed O.
Ok. Let's look at what you have posted: And here's what I said: I'm using your words, Ed. Your words. Please, PLEASE tell me how I am misreading them. Why is it silly to conclude that you DID NOT find the piece "moving and meaningful" based on your quotes above? I said that it would be inappropriate to say something like ABOUT a religious individual, just as it would be inappropriate to quote Genesis at the memorial of an atheist, no matter how many Christians were in attendance. And that's great that you think it would depress a lot of people. I don't. Are we done here?
You forgot this statement that you made, too: Clearly, none of you gain any sense of joy at the thought of being a part (if even a small part) of a beautiful and consistent universe. Ah well -- your loss. Because I have given no opinion on what I think. I am giving my opinion on how OTHERS would perceive it. I am not typical and I know that. I try not to project my beliefs on what others may believe. I don't think that's true. I am agnostic with atheist leanings and if it gave comfort to my loved ones, they can quote Genesis or the Qran for all I care. I'm gone. I dunno. Are you through telling me what I think? Or you wanna take some more guesses? Ed O.
That line was 95% joke, Ed. I know it's the internet and hard to convey tone and all, but I thought the overstatement there would be obvious. And again, where was I misreading your opinions in post #31? You may not have intended to give your own opinion, but can you at least reread what you posted and see how I might have reasonably concluded otherwise? That's great, but what about all of your friends who knew you and knew your beliefs? Do you have any atheist friends? If you were planning a memorial service for one of them (heaven/universe forbid), would you ask a priest to quote scripture and tell stories about an afterlife that the deceased didn't even believe in? To me, that would be somewhat awkward and inappropriate for everyone who actually knew the individual. And again, if it was done right (and at the right funeral service) I don't think ANYONE would object to a physicist who loved the departed standing up and describing the physical ways in which that person was still "present", in a manner of speaking. Yes, it may be trite, but so is the vast majority of stuff said at funerals, when taken out of context. Yes, it may be geek-speak, but guess what? There be a lot of geeks in this world. They deserve some speak every now and then. Seriously man -- I thought I had already stopped!
What are you talking about? I'm just saying it's pretty basic stuff that I learned at the library when I was in elementary school, and most kids don't go to the library nowadays to supplement their schooling and it should be taught before they swallow all that afterlife in heaven nonsense.
