Do we remember?

[Sane Man]

Given there is some kind of afterlife, do you believe we remember our memories from this life once/if we get there?

This has been on my mind lately and in the past. I once met a psychic that(when referring to suicides specifically), she insisted that we retain all the memories we had from this life when we die. I think at the time, she was also using this as a 'scare' tactic for me that if I were to commit suicide, I would remember that forever and feel guilty. While I don't believe her and it's not what I think, it brings up the thought. I mean, some memories sure I'd like to have I think. You know, good memories. But would I want to remember the bad? No. Would an abused person like to remember their rapist for the end of time. I doubt it.

Well this is my thought; Since I've had much more bad memories on this planet than good, I would not like to remember even if it meant losing all the good memories too(Has anybody ever seen, 'The Never Ending Story II? This is sort of the plot. Also, Jonathan Landis, sad he did die from suicide. Good actor, RIP). I have people, things from my life, that I never wish to revisit ever once I die. Who would? No, I think you'd have to whip out that memory eraser from Men In Black and clear my mind, thank you. Besides, If I did make it to some 'heavenly' existence I would have eternity to make all new, better memories with people that I want to be around, so who the hell wants to remember Earth? Yet strangely, at the same time I want there to be a documentation of some sort of the things I did do on Earth, bad or good, because otherwise our lives on this planet are completely meaningless. And even stranger, I would want everyone to know everything about me and me know everything about them, so there's no secrets anymore. No one would be able to hide anymore behind masks, all would appear as it is(Cough, The doors of perception). There would be no reason to hide, feel sadness or guilt. And for the people who have much reason to feel guilt... There would be nowhere for you to hide. Everyone would know what you've done.

 

[1964dodge]

i would hope we can carry all memories. but i wouldn't anybody to see everything i did on earth...mike...

 

[WildCherry]

I don't believe in any memories after we're gone. But I also don't believe in an afterlife.

 

[Gonz]

I'd say I probably don't actually believe in an afterlife.

But, as a kid, I was heavily indoctrinated into a religion that is obsessed with the soul and the afterlife, and I can't deny how strongly that has affected how I think about death.

To anyone who says they don't believe in an afterlife because there is no empirical reason to believe in one, I get it. I acknowledge that you are almost certainly right. If you asked me to bet money on it, one way or the other, I would side with you.

But I still can't quite let go of the idea of it.

I can't help but to operate under the assumption that there is one.

And especially in recent years that idea is a comfort. The idea that a living breathing human can suddenly become nothing but memories is so overwhelming, so terrible, I literally don't know how society doesn't come to a screeching halt as we all suddenly become unable to cope with that knowledge.

And then the idea that, as the people who carry those memories die themselves, then even the memory itself disappears and soon enough it is as though all these living, vital, thinking, feeling, loving, important people never existed at all.

But if, somehow, the memory could persist...

 

[Kiwi2016]

I read your post and it stroke a chord with me as I am discovering the good & bad about my father after his recent death as I am working through his affairs with his friends and acquaintances who have shared their stories and memories so his secrets so to speak are being revealed and it is bittersweet as much of life is...so though not sure about if we remember these about ourselves those whose lives we touch do...so that in a sense they live on if that makes any sense.

 

[Sane Man]

I'd say I probably don't actually believe in an afterlife.

But, as a kid, I was heavily indoctrinated into a religion that is obsessed with the soul and the afterlife, and I can't deny how strongly that has affected how I think about death.

To anyone who says they don't believe in an afterlife because there is no empirical reason to believe in one, I get it. I acknowledge that you are almost certainly right. If you asked me to bet money on it, one way or the other, I would side with you.

But I still can't quite let go of the idea of it.

I can't help but to operate under the assumption that there is one.

And especially in recent years that idea is a comfort. The idea that a living breathing human can suddenly become nothing but memories is so overwhelming, so terrible, I literally don't know how society doesn't come to a screeching halt as we all suddenly become unable to cope with that knowledge.

And then the idea that, as the people who carry those memories die themselves, then even the memory itself disappears and soon enough it is as though all these living, vital, thinking, feeling, loving, important people never existed at all.

But if, somehow, the memory could persist...

Thanks for your well thought response. I too was handed the religious oke doke as a boy, and I would say I certainly don't believe in their version of an afterlife at all. But wouldn't you agree that if we have nothing after this life, then the whole thing is meaningless? Maybe that's the case, I don't know, but I just think it would be extremely sloppy or stupid for a whole galaxy or universe just to have no meaning at all.

Hmm, maybe we are a dream in Rob Lowe's mind...