From: Be@Here.Now   
      
   On Wed, 14 Sep 2005 00:55:38 GMT, Alistair@nothere.com wrote:   
      
   >On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 04:05:13 GMT, Atman  wrote:   
   >   
   >   
   >>Of course, our "real" self, consciousness or awareness itself, never   
   >>dies.   
   >   
   >Sure it does! Why would you think that our consciousness, awareness,   
   >or any part of our non-physical selves survives after the physical   
   >death of our bodies?   
   >   
      
   Because I've been there and done that!  So do nearly 1,000,000 people   
   a year, just in the US.   
      
      
   >Simple concept - if awareness and consciousness survived after our   
   >brain died, then people with brain damage (say, to the part of the   
   >brain that allows us to see or hear) would still be able to see or   
   >hear (e.g., that part of the brain is dead, but sensory awareness   
   >continues). Doesn't happen.   
   >   
      
   There is much evidence that it does happen.  Many people declared   
   brain dead can report the exact events that occurred while they were   
   "dead".  People come out of commas in which they had little or no   
   brain waves and report all the events that occurred while they were   
   comatose.  Blind people have NDE's and report sight.   
      
      
   >There is no afterlife. All you've got is what you have. So dammit,   
   >live every day that you have!! Each moment is precious. Every day is   
   >a holiday. Every meal a banquet. Tomorrow is promised to no one.   
   >   
   >Alistair   
   >   
   >   
      
   To say, "There is no afterlife" is like a man with his eyes tightly   
   closed and claiming, "there is no light".  Just because you do not   
   perceive it does not in any way invalidate it.  It is just a matter   
   limited perception.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)