My grandmother just died yesterday and thankfully, unlike when my grandfather died, the whole family was able to be in the room with her. I had to stand there listening to everyone talk about how she's going to be better and she can be with my grandfather now and they can both see and hear and run together now. She was the sweetest little old lady you could ever meet and an incredibly strong Christian, same with my grandfather. And I just couldn't help feeling bad for her knowing that she had spent her entire life believing that when she died she would go to heaven and this entire past year after my grandfather died believing that they would be reunited and me knowing that that's just not going to happen. I couldn't help feeling bad for my mom, aunt, uncles and most of the cousins for believing the same thing. And while I'm sad that two of the nicest people in the world are gone and that I'll never see them again, I really do feel horrible for everyone else spending their whole lives getting their hopes up for seeing these people again one day.

@PocketSizedOwlHikari

9 жыл бұрын

JamesO19991 I'm fine, bro. I had my grieving period and now I'm done and am living my life well. The fact that I don't believe that we have a consciousness after death doesn't mean I am eternally depressed after losing someone. I realize that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but our "consciousness" is not energy. When we die, the energy from our physical bodies is gradually broken up and moves on to be part of the energy of other physical things. It's quite beautiful, actually. When you think about it, if our "conscious energy" maintained the form it is in now forever, eventually there would be nothing but the consciousness of dead people because there wouldn't be any energy flowing back into the universe to be used over. It would take a very long time, but that's what would happen.

@juliebennion8856

7 жыл бұрын

Hello Owl, Have you read about, or watched any NDE videos? There are also many channelled writings from people who live in realms beyond/outside of the earth plane. Here's the link to one of these, titled Life In The World Unseen, in case you feel curious to hear from people who lived on earth & are now in their spirit-body form, about what-all is going on 'out there' ~ training.cuna.org/download/CF1MA10_brch.pdf

@dr.jones.3832

Жыл бұрын

the price you pay for being an atheist!!🤔

Shutting your mouth and just being there. Perfectly said. Thanks Thinking atheist. #liveveryday

It's all a matter of perspective. When I hear the words "You're in my prayers" I'm moved to tears - to think that someone would take the time to pray to God for me... doesn't at all feel empty to me.

His voice is really relaxing.

Wow... how can anyone be so cruel? The man is grieving for his mother and you tell him that "he will be judged". Way to go, loving person.

I'm watching this yet again as my uncle recently died of cancer. I still don't know how to deal with some my relatives disgusting behavior. They decided to use an occasion that was supposed to be celebrating my uncle's life to give me a lecture on how I needed to repent and turn to god before I die. I'm still pissed about it. I could have dealt with it in any other setting but that one.

@nanknowsbestinit

8 жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear that (Also. Love the name by the way) My mum also passed before Christmas from cancer. I'm sure they say these things because they care, but it's not fair for them to lecture you. Do what you can to feel good and surround yourself with people that uplift you. It just sucks when we can't find that in family.

@happyascheese

8 жыл бұрын

Yes, it does suck! I can't even imagine the kind of pain that comes with losing a parent. I'm sorry for your loss. (I came up with the name after several failed attempts to find something that wasn't taken by someone. I type this in and it's like wait a minute you accepted that?)

@nanknowsbestinit

8 жыл бұрын

happyascheese Like i said, surrounding yourself with awesome people is the best policy and focusing on each day as it comes. (Hahah, that's hilarious! I just searched the meanings of my actual names and used them XD)

@birichinaxox9937

8 жыл бұрын

belated hugs I hope you are coping

@happyascheese

8 жыл бұрын

I'm doing better. Thank you.

grieve in the way that makes you happy. remember the life.

Seth, i REALLY look forward to these podcasts. Thank you so much for doing them, many of us enjoy them!

I'm working my way through the podcasts from #1. This one here is the best so far.

When my Dad died when i was 18, my family (who are catholic) kept saying "he's gone to a better place". It was incredibily frustrating at the time.

My god Seth! I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes almost the entire podcast. You have said and aired so many things that I have often thought about as well as struggled with regarding the insincerity of the emptiness of religious solace, despite not really yet been too badly affected by the death of those close to me. This are things that I have thought about since I was 11 and my first experience with a loss in the family, thank you for making this brilliant podcast, I salute you man!

Thank you , Seth. This is something we all have to face in our lives and hearing these stories was very touching.

The last e-mail was beautifully narrated. The stories were so saddening. What beautiful, strong people.

This episode is an old favorite of mine. Came back to listen and it’s still just as comforting and touching as I remembered. :)

Best podcast to date Seth. Thanks for the gift.

Thanks for this episode, Seth. I love your podcasts and I can honestly say that this one was probably your best one yet. Please keep making these great series and I hope you will be able to revisit the subject at some late day. I'm sure there are still lots of stories that need to be heard.

Seth, this was one of the best podcasts you have done. It was really moving. Thank you so much for it. One of the things this podcast proves is how admirable many atheists are, in that they don't need a fictitious emotional crutch in order to cope with tragedy. Religion tends monopolize the grieving process, so highlighting examples of strong humanistic resolve in the face of tragedy helps illustrate the resilience of those who are freethinkers.

thank you for this Seth, it was beautiful.

That last email was so beautiful and touching that it brought me to tears.

Great show. Great topic. nuff said! Keep up the great work TTA!!

You're a great man Seth. What you're doing matters.

In 1990,I went to a 30 day alcohol rehab to start a relationship with my 15yr.old son..My ex left him with his grandma so she could drink. (I had not seen him since he was 3yrs old).On the 30th day of rehab,my son fell off a roof and died.I'm still sober and became an ICU RN.I met my wife in nsg.school(she is also a nurse).She has breast CA.I have cancer and Hep C+.I have brought hundreds back from MI'S and respiratory failure.People,quit thanking god.My wife and I brought grandma back

Thank you for that. All of the stories were amazing. I am so struck by the greater strength of Atheist grieving. One caller put it so well, that WE really grieve. We deal with the reality. Watching my religious in-laws suffering for 20 years over a death, I realize that while I still hurt for my Mum, and I will miss her always, I have dealt with the pain. It was tough, hard pain, but I dealt with it without fairy tales, or hopes of "meeting again". You need to deal with reality to get through.

Brilliant, compassionate, caring. Please keep going.

I really love your podcasts. Thank you so much for all that you do. I know it takes a lot of time and effort and it's appreciated.

I love what you're doing and this episode was especially moving. Thank you.

Lovely podcast Seth. You should be very proud of this one.

I'm a Pratchett fan. In one or two of his books, he puts forward a view or belief that is held in one of the areas of the Discworld that says that a persons life is only the core of their existance. Their corporeal time from the first breath to their last is simply the core of their existance, and that they're not truly gone until the end of the last effect they have upon the world. One of the examples was "She's not truly gone until the last beer she brewed is drank." I believe it's a better view than the simple "She lives on in our hearts", because it helps to emphasise the real effect had on the physical world, as well as on the people. I've found this thought to be far more comforting than any concept of heaven. It requires no supernatural intervention, no set of rules, no overlord in the sky, none of that. All it takes is looking around and seeing things that were influenced by a person. I've a breadknife my grandfather sharpened so many times that two thirds of the blade is gone, and half the handle has been worn away by use. That is very real. The effect people have on the world is real, even if heaven may not be.

I am so glad I have never been religious what a horrible way to live!

Best podcast ever! Incredible!

@TheThinkingAtheist the ending email ws just amazing it really touched me im really glad that you decided to read it at the end of the podcast thank you

I am having to face losing my wife to cancer..maybe soon. its easy to say that I will face this without being suffocated and drowned by incense and holy water. it is so hard to live that. and still, no matter how much its going to hurt, I would not want to plug back into the delusion. (atomic sigh). your born and you die, the part in the middle is called life and thats where you have to dance. thanx seth.

This was a beautiful podcast. Seth you are a role model for us all, atheist and theists alike.

I recently lost a love one; this video is a real comfort. Thank you Seth.

Amazing podcast, simply amazing.

What the hell, I wasn't ready to cry!! The last e-mail was beautiful...

As with the previous couple posters, I have to agree in regards to that last email. I teared up -- and I'm not one to get emotional easily. That was beautiful.

Seth, this episode was amazing.

I'm 19 right now and I have no intention of having children anytime soon. I barely understand the desire to have children... but the first woman's story had me in tears - not one or two glistening drops on my cheek, but full on crying... This whole podcast was wonderful. This is the first one I've heard, but I'll definitely be listening to more. I wish I could show this to my religious friends, but I think they'd take one look at the title and close the window.

this...is so inspiring. thank you.

Thanks for this. It was needed today.

Very touching, very nice. I really liked this one.

Thank you Seth!! 🤗

Dang it, I was fine til the end. Those are great words of hope. Seth this was amazing and much needed. Thank you for putting this out there. *hugs*

This was a great podcast, it really made me reflect on how precious life is since its the only one we've got. Thanks, Seth!

This was great.

This podcast was incredible. I want to thank you so much for posting it. I'm currently caring for my dying Mum. She has Stage IV cancer . . . the kind you don't recover from. I tried searching for good internet sources on dealing with death from an atheist standpoint and was unlucky in my findings. I'm subscribed to you because of your other videos so I was ecstatic when I saw the topic of this podcast. I will refer to this later to help with writing my Mum's eulogy. Thankyou.

Excellent video. Productive discussion.

simply incredible

Wonderful podcast!

This was a very touching podcast. Love it!

i teared up with the last letter :*) great episode

Very nice. This is beautiful podcast.

Grief with a cultural belief or not; We all feel it. This is a great call.

Listening to this was very insightful and worth every minute.

I come back from time to time to listen to the letter at the end. It breaks my heart, and it opens up forgotten pain. I guess remembering has some value to me.

Ty so much for doing wat you do

best episode so far

This podcast really helped me, thank you.

always love listening to the podcast :)

When my father died, I got over it pretty quickly with a single thought: I had an awesome dad for 25 years. A lot of people don't get that long, and a lot of people don't get an awesome dad. So, I'm happy for the 25 years of awesome dad I can relive whenever. It doesn't help for bottom-of-the-barrel situations - I don't know how I'd deal with loss of a newborn - but I think concentrating on what remains and is positive is the best way to do it.

Good show Seth!

i was there watching it this morning unfortunatly i had to get off but thank you for posting this. this is a very interesting subject

The ending of this particular podcast was incredible

amazing, as someone who works in the palliative field I have seen death in all forms and I have seen how many religions, cultures, and beliefs affect how death is viewed. You have fully caught the essence of death for those of us who do not believe, and I thank you for that.

i love this guys voice.

hi Seth. I just realised how sensitively you dealt with Robert the 'drive by prosthestelyser'. I think that moment really defined why you got so popular. What a mental gear change!

Thank you Seth 😎

My father died last summer and I found the familial gathering tedious and exausting. People got on my nerves real fast, especially those who excessively praised my dad like he was a saint (he obviously wasn't) or talk about 'a better place'. I felt stiff, disconnected, confused. I was constantly trying to distance myself, seeking solitude and, mostly, silence. I fully accepted myself as an atheist soon after. It helped a lot with the confusion and the anger and things felt more... real. Genuine

@TheThinkingAtheist I think you did a wonderful job and even allowed him to repeat himself. The whole time he was talking I was thinking "I can't believe this guy. Just stop. Just freaking stop. Respect the theme of the show and the people trying to call in". Today was the first time I was able to listen live and it was great. At the very end I had to stop because my wife came home from her church...

Damn, I missed this one. I really wanted to attend this. But thanks for these uploads.

What angers me is when people say "Well, god must have had something to teach you in this tragedy". As if he's causing the suffering of others just to teach you a life lesson. How demented.

Wow, well that was a touching show....

Great podcast!! I think I got something in my eye :)

It's only at funerals that I realise most people don't TRULY believe in God. I could understand people being upset when a loved one 'goes to heaven', especially if those left behind are young and will have to wait many years to see the person again, but what you actually see in people is the unmistakable, unconcealable, utterly devastating grief of someone who knows that they will never, EVER, see that person again.

This was a great podacst. Excellent topic. I'm going to use my own cliche: It really makes you think.

Very moving, I'm glad I found your show, Seth. Im a cynical bastard sometimes but this gave me (if you'll excuse the irony) a little more faith in other people.

Your voice is extremely calming...

My brother suffered from leukaemia when he was young, and the radiation therapy gradually atrophied his body over the subsequent decade, until he was pretty much an invalid. One day he mistakenly got locked out on a cold day and lay on the hard stone outside waiting for someone to come home to let him in. During that time he claimed he had a visit from God, and became very religious for the last weeks of his life. I genuinely think it helped him. Our family don't go to church any more though.

@JayJayAbels I think reminding people to remember those they've lost by their memories and by the impact they had on this world, this life and those around them... really is the best way to approach the delicate subject of death, loss and grief. I miss my Mom dearly but cancer made her life miserable near the end. I really want to believe that she wasn't in any pain and didn't suffer but I know that she did. And no religion or god has any say about it whatsoever. Great video!

thanks for that, really helpt...

In 1990,I went to a 30 day alcohol rehab to start a relationship with my 15yr.old son..My ex left him with his grandma so she could drink. (I had not seen him since he was 3yrs old).On the 30th day of rehab,my son fell off a roof and died.I still sober and became an ICU RN.I met my wife in nsg.school(she is also a nurse).She has breast CA.I have cancer and Hep C+.I have brought hundreds back from MI and respiratory failure.People,quit thanking god.My wife and I brought granma back

@ImAnotherZang that is the most beautiful and poetic thing i have ever heard

This helped today.

Very moving. I found myself choked up at Lee's (Li?) story.

- really need in times of loss. A way to look through the pain and the tragedy, just for a moment, to remember back to the reason why we loved that person in the first place. That gives us the stability to try and approach the future. I think that transcends faith or lack thereof and is a purely human truth. Jame's story helped because it was from the sameplace inside and that it filled a little of that hole inside that the woman when she needed it.

My younger sister died at an age of hours, and that's what shook my parents' faith, and that passed on to me because I was still young. I'm glad that it shook their faith, but I'd much rather be Christian with another sister.

@prophetchannel "postponing your decisions will simply bring you a step closer to death without having accomplished anything of significance." THAT was both sad and brilliant, but most importantly SO true! I think I will print that out and stick it on my fridge! You really are a prophet! ;)

Holy crap. This one started off on a poignant note and stayed that way all the way through. I especially like the ending note. That’s something that has never occurred to me. One can in fact derive comfort from knowing that someone is just gone and not worrying, and that his or her trials are over.

Excellent 9:5,10 They are conscious of nothing at all... But there will be a resurrection, to life on earth.

love the utro :)

This is quite likely the most powerful show you have done. A very hard subject but such hope and revelation. Yes, death is really really horrible. There is no fear in death however. We do not fear the the billions of years of our pre-existance. Why fear what is coming? Just live your life to the full. My philosophy is to spread the ideas of compassion, reason and science. Make the world a better place while you are here. That is all.

perhaps saying "You are her legacy" IS a cliche, but it is a much more truthful and compassionate thing to say to someone who has lost a loved one.it is not just honest, but an inspirational life line also.

I'm so glad I decided to listen to this, normally I'm turned off by the hour long KZread video.

Very beautiful, moving episode. Just goes to show that someone can still find meaning in life--and death--while being a nonbeliever.

Since my wife left me the road of greif has been hard. As an ex-catholic atheist I don't believe in false consolation, but somehow I keep having to resist the old childhood habit of praying and crying to a nonexistent deity. Swearing however helps - and makes more sense. Crying to gods is nonsense because - if our loss is caused by our own weakness, or by the mistrust and indifference of another person - getting angry with ourselves is much more constructive than shifting the blame.

Dear, that is such a strong, amazing podcast topic. So sorry I couldn't participate with you, since I got the horrible flu you suffered last week... I've lost friends before, family, its never easy. And without a belief in the afterlife, it doesn't make it easier. However, logically thinking I always know death awaits and not believing in the afterlife makes the closure come faster at least for me. I have moved on after mourning, and held my head high faster than I would if I were to believe.

@TheThinkingAtheist I think you did a pretty good job on that one.

@TheDeni993 He most definitely is in a special place. He is at peace. Death doesnt mean heaven, it means rest after life. He is your memories, he is you, he has had an impact on this world that will resonate forever.

what a beautiful ending...