The point?

Oishi wrote:Talking with a friend over Skype who's just lost a family member, so not wanting to come off as overly preachy with the whole "They're in a better place" shin dig, I asked if they still believed in an after life and their more or less instant response was;

"No, what would the point be in having an afterlife? An eternal 'soul' is a pretty ridiculous notion since anything lasting an eternity is impossible. Nothing lasts forever. So no, I do not." (Not a copy and paste just a basic summary of what they said since I'd feel wrong posting things directly from a private conversation)

This friend used to be one of the few who believed in spirits and what not  so that response was really surprising. I get the feeling they're hurting a lot more than they're letting on, so they could just be angry or upset...but I just wanted to see what others thought's on the subject are.

What is the point of an afterlife?

mac wrote:

Oishi wrote:Talking with a friend over Skype who's just lost a family member, so not wanting to come off as overly preachy with the whole "They're in a better place" shin dig, I asked if they still believed in an after life and their more or less instant response was;

"No, what would the point be in having an afterlife? An eternal 'soul' is a pretty ridiculous notion since anything lasting an eternity is impossible. Nothing lasts forever. So no, I do not." (Not a copy and paste just a basic summary of what they said since I'd feel wrong posting things directly from a private conversation)

This friend used to be one of the few who believed in spirits and what not  so that response was really surprising. I get the feeling they're hurting a lot more than they're letting on, so they could just be angry or upset...but I just wanted to see what others thought's on the subject are.

What is the point of an afterlife?

You've actually asked two things. 

Re the first point you ask about: Your friend's loss of confidence is perhaps understandable because of the emotional stress of her loss.  It's sad, though, that the conviction your friend once enjoyed isn't helping her at the very time she especially needs help.  We can only hope that things change and she later sees things differently.

As for what point is there in an afterlife you'd first need to explain what you understand about the very notion of survival.  Asking that simple question without the context of some fundamental understanding may not get you very far.  The answer could be a long one if you don't first have that.

Oishi wrote:

mac wrote:

Oishi wrote:Talking with a friend over Skype who's just lost a family member, so not wanting to come off as overly preachy with the whole "They're in a better place" shin dig, I asked if they still believed in an after life and their more or less instant response was;

"No, what would the point be in having an afterlife? An eternal 'soul' is a pretty ridiculous notion since anything lasting an eternity is impossible. Nothing lasts forever. So no, I do not." (Not a copy and paste just a basic summary of what they said since I'd feel wrong posting things directly from a private conversation)

This friend used to be one of the few who believed in spirits and what not  so that response was really surprising. I get the feeling they're hurting a lot more than they're letting on, so they could just be angry or upset...but I just wanted to see what others thought's on the subject are.

What is the point of an afterlife?

You've actually asked two things. 

Re the first point you ask about: Your friend's loss of confidence is perhaps understandable because of the emotional stress of her loss.  It's sad, though, that the conviction your friend once enjoyed isn't helping her at the very time she especially needs help.  We can only hope that things change and she later sees things differently.

As for what point is there in an afterlife you'd first need to explain what you understand about the very notion of survival.  Asking that simple question without the context of some fundamental understanding may not get you very far.  The answer could be a long one if you don't first have that.

Hopefully, they were such a positive person; it's really upsetting seeing them like this, and I'm in a totally different country so I can't even help or be there for them...all it takes is them deciding to ignore me on skype and I can't do anything...

I don't understand much tbh. Kind of why I was asking others thoughts, I can't help what I don't understand...I will admit I find it hard though, with my nan being diagnosed with Dementia and suffering from depression, I also get periods where I start shaking, get dizzy and for about an hour after my mind goes totally blank. I don't feel like 'me' it's like I lose all concept of feeling/emotion and sense of self; not sure if it's an actual medical problem or anxiety stemming from the depression, but it makes it hard to believe.

Oishi wrote:Talking with a friend over Skype who's just lost a family member, so not wanting to come off as overly preachy with the whole "They're in a better place" shin dig, I asked if they still believed in an after life and their more or less instant response was;

"No, what would the point be in having an afterlife? An eternal 'soul' is a pretty ridiculous notion since anything lasting an eternity is impossible. Nothing lasts forever. So no, I do not." (Not a copy and paste just a basic summary of what they said since I'd feel wrong posting things directly from a private conversation)

This friend used to be one of the few who believed in spirits and what not  so that response was really surprising. I get the feeling they're hurting a lot more than they're letting on, so they could just be angry or upset...but I just wanted to see what others thought's on the subject are.

What is the point of an afterlife?