Can Catholics 'opt out' of an afterlife?

[user3856530]

This may seem a strange question.

For the last 15 or 20 years I have not wanted an afterlife. After I die I would like there to be non-existence. The last thing I want is there to be any form of afterlife, regardless of the form it takes.
I am happy enough with the life that God has given me. However, it is enough - I don’t want anything else.
The Catholic faith seems to heavily promote an afterlife. I do not want a Catholic funeral, or any funeral where the emphasis is on life after death. Would it be ‘safer’ just not to be a Catholic, or can I opt out of the afterlife part?

 

[markomalley]

You can try to opt out. You can act as if you can opt out. You can live your life utterly convinced that you can opt out. But if you are wrong, there is no opt out.

You may wish to consider Pascal’s Wager:

INDENT It is possible that the Christian God exists and it is possible that the Christian God does not exist.
(2) If one believes in the Christian God then if he exists then one receives an infinitely great reward and if he does not exist then one loses little or nothing.
(3) If one does not believe in the Christian God then if he exists then one receives an infinitely great punishment and if he does not exist then one gains little or nothing.
(4) It is better to either receive an infinitely great reward or lose little or nothing than it is to either receive an infinitely great punishment or gain little or nothing.
Therefore:
(5) It is better to believe in the Christian God than it is not to believe in the Christian God.
(6) If one course of action is better than another then it is rational to follow that course of action and irrational to follow the other.
Therefore:
(7) It is rational to believe in the Christian God and irrational not to believe in the Christian God.
[/INDENT]
So the question really boils down to this: how much of a gambler are you? Remember, no whining if you bet on the wrong horse.

 

[Newbie2]

This may seem a strange question.

For the last 15 or 20 years I have not wanted an afterlife. After I die I would like there to be non-existence. The last thing I want is there to be any form of afterlife, regardless of the form it takes.
I am happy enough with the life that God has given me. However, it is enough - I don’t want anything else.
The Catholic faith seems to heavily promote an afterlife. I do not want a Catholic funeral, or any funeral where the emphasis is on life after death. Would it be ‘safer’ just not to be a Catholic, or can I opt out of the afterlife part?

Interesting question. I participated in a discussion not long ago about how we have no choice in our existance; we were created without any (name removed by moderator)ut on our part. Truth is…we don’t have a choice. Our souls were created immortal…we will exist forever.

Your profile says “Catholic”. Curious. ARE you Catholic?

What sort of things make you happy? Lump them all together and multiply by, say, a gazillion or so and it doesn’t even come close to touching what eternal life is like.

In all seriousness, could you elaborate on why you would NOT want to have an eternity filled with infinite happiness vs. one of nothingness?

 

[Snerticus]

I too am curious as to why you would opt to become ‘nothingness’. However, if you want a relatively straighforward answer that would address Catholic reasons why you would or would not be able to ‘opt out’, then ask the question in the ‘Ask an Apologist’ section. Please make sure you follow the forum rules before asking the question. They should be at the beginning of the Ask and Apologist section. I for one would be interested in reading their answer.

That said, I don’t believe you can ‘opt out’ of an afterlife. If you don’t want to be with God - who, by the way, will fulfill your every desire when you are with Him after your existence here on earth - then there is only one alternative of where you will go. And it is highly unpleasant.

 

[DexUK]

Notwithstanding the fact that the soul is eternal, it seems to me that there must be a reason why you would not want to live on in the presence of the Lord. Just not desiring that afterlife isn’t enough. You must surely have a reason why you feel this desire?

Is it because you feel you don’t somehow deserve it? Do you perhaps reject certain teachings of redemption? Is it an overabundance of ‘modesty’ - i.e. you feel that you have no right to it and shouldn’t trouble God by hoping for it?

Help us understand what’s at the root of this desire… perhaps you’re labouring under a false impression about something that’s caused this desire unnecessarily? Perhaps someone can fix this and you can then enjoy the hope of salvation?

 

[MarianD]

You can try to opt out. You can act as if you can opt out. You can live your life utterly convinced that you can opt out. But if you are wrong, there is no opt out.

You may wish to consider Pascal’s Wager:

INDENT It is possible that the Christian God exists and it is possible that the Christian God does not exist.
(2) If one believes in the Christian God then if he exists then one receives an infinitely great reward and if he does not exist then one loses little or nothing.
(3) If one does not believe in the Christian God then if he exists then one receives an infinitely great punishment and if he does not exist then one gains little or nothing.
(4) It is better to either receive an infinitely great reward or lose little or nothing than it is to either receive an infinitely great punishment or gain little or nothing.
Therefore:
(5) It is better to believe in the Christian God than it is not to believe in the Christian God.
(6) If one course of action is better than another then it is rational to follow that course of action and irrational to follow the other.
Therefore:
(7) It is rational to believe in the Christian God and irrational not to believe in the Christian God.
[/INDENT]
So the question really boils down to this: how much of a gambler are you? Remember, no whining if you bet on the wrong horse.

I think you misunderstood the question. It’s not that the OP doesn’t love God, and it’s not that he/she no longer believes. It’s just that the prospect of Heaven isn’t appealing to him/her.

Something interesting’s brought up here—the OP still serves and loves God even though he/she doesn’t care for either Heaven or Hell. Such is a great love. The OP serves God not because he/she doesn’t want to burn or wants to be happy for eternity, but simply because he/she loves God. Some good can be extracted from this, and we can all learn from this example.

However, it’s like what St. Paul said: “No mind can conceive what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). You can’t even know how amazing Heaven will be. Continue to love God, and He will reward you. Even if you don’t wish to have an eternal reward, you will once you die and see exactly how great that reward is.

It’s like the child at Christmas who says “I don’t want any presents” but then is given something he never expected or thought of getting and gets extremely excited and happy.

 

[GEddie]

This may seem a strange question.

For the last 15 or 20 years I have not wanted an afterlife. After I die I would like there to be non-existence. The last thing I want is there to be any form of afterlife, regardless of the form it takes.
I am happy enough with the life that God has given me. However, it is enough - I don’t want anything else.
The Catholic faith seems to heavily promote an afterlife. I do not want a Catholic funeral, or any funeral where the emphasis is on life after death.** Would it be ‘safer’ just not to be a Catholic, or can I opt out of the afterlife part?**

Howdy,

The afterlife is not something you are assigned or allocated as a result of being Catholic. You would have one if you became a Muslim (or an atheist). Like movement, sensation, and breathing, life eternal is an attribute of existence as a human being.

There is no need for a Catholic funeral, or any public ceremony at all, provided your dead body is handled within the health codes of the civil state (and of course the family’s wishes). But not having a funeral does not negate your Life Eternal, any more than not having a birthday cake keeps you a year younger. You did not choose to be born; you cannot opt out of Eternity.

I’d be interested to know why you wish to stop being. How did humankind’s greatest fear become desirable for you?

God Bless and ICXC NIKA

 

[Several_Flies]

I’m on the same boat as him, I rather not have an after life.

 

[streetpreacher]

To the OP, people of the world have already opted out of “this” life, they just don’t know it yet, why are you doing the same? One does not go on for eternity in the same state as they do in this life. I see a hint of depression on your post, also a hint of indifference, as in giving up on ones own life and being, and I will tell you, the Lord has NOT given up on you, even though you have. It’s imperitive to trust in our Lord, to lean on him, to embrace him in the here and now, and cling tightly to him. Your dark night will come to an end if you do, and you will start to truly live.

Many call themselves “catholic”, Christian, etc. yet they only know “about and of” it, they don’t truly know it, and knowing about, and knowing are two different things. Time to start knowing, and stop merely knowing about.

 

[markomalley]

I think you misunderstood the question. It’s not that the OP doesn’t love God, and it’s not that he/she no longer believes. It’s just that the prospect of Heaven isn’t appealing to him/her.

Something interesting’s brought up here—the OP still serves and loves God even though he/she doesn’t care for either Heaven or Hell. Such is a great love. The OP serves God not because he/she doesn’t want to burn or wants to be happy for eternity, but simply because he/she loves God. Some good can be extracted from this, and we can all learn from this example.

However, it’s like what St. Paul said: “No mind can conceive what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). You can’t even know how amazing Heaven will be. Continue to love God, and He will reward you. Even if you don’t wish to have an eternal reward, you will once you die and see exactly how great that reward is.

It’s like the child at Christmas who says “I don’t want any presents” but then is given something he never expected or thought of getting and gets extremely excited and happy.

That is a very optimistic response.

Although I would naturally await the response of the OP and don’t want to put words in his/her mouth, the reason for my response is this comment in post #1:

Would it be ‘safer’ just not to be a Catholic, or can I opt out of the afterlife part?

A key component of our Catholic faith is a belief in life everlasting. That is part of all of our creeds (the Symbolum Apostolorum, the Symbolum Nicaenum, and the Quicunque Vult). So it is not an optional part of the faith. Denying an afterlife is essentially denying what God has done for us. While, as you allude, not feeling worthy of an afterlife, wanting to give your inheritance to another, or other expressions of humility could be taken as laudatory, wanting to deny the existence of an afterlife in the first place does not seem to fall into that category. And the possibility of not having the ability to believe in an afterlife could be attributed to invincible ignorance, again, wanting to “opt out” does not appear to fall into that category.

I will leave it to the OP to come back and perhaps clarify why he/she wishes to opt out of an afterlife and won’t post any negative assumptions regarding that. So I’m just on standby until I hear some response from the OP.

 

[1ke]

This may seem a strange question.

Yes, it is a most strange question.

For the last 15 or 20 years I have not wanted an afterlife. After I die I would like there to be non-existence. The last thing I want is there to be any form of afterlife, regardless of the form it takes.

It isn’t your choice.

The nature of the soul is existence. The soul is immortal. Only our bodies are mortal.

I am happy enough with the life that God has given me. However, it is enough - I don’t want anything else.

It seems you don’t understand who you are as a child of God or what you were made for. You were made for union with God, the Beatific Vision.

The Catholic faith seems to heavily promote an afterlife.

You also seem to not understand that the Church doesn’t “heavily promote” the afterlife like an advertising agency “heavily promotes” Pepsi over Coke.

The Church teaches the Truth. There is only one Truth. Our soul is immortal. When you die, your soul will either be joined with God in the Beatific Vision or be eternally separated from God in hell. That’s it, the truth of your destiny.

I do not want a Catholic funeral, or any funeral where the emphasis is on life after death.

I’m sorry you feel that way.

Would it be ‘safer’ just not to be a Catholic, or can I opt out of the afterlife part?

I don’t even know how to answer this question. Are you a Catholic? I’m not really sure how you can be an adult Catholic and know so little about God.

 

[user3856530]

Thanks for all your responses so far. I will clarify my question.

I’m not calling the existence of an afterlife into question. I believe there is an afterlife. (How can one opt out of something that does not exist?). I’m a Catholic and went to a Catholic school, and Mass on Sunday. (‘Promote’ was a wrong choice of word’)

With regards ‘knowing about God’. I admit I know infinitely little about God and the nature of God. What I do know fills me with awe. God’s creation is indeed spectacular and I am grateful for the gift He has given me. Nearly every day I learn something new about God’s creation, and life is full of surprises, good, bad, evil, wonderful. Life is also extremely challenging and rewarding. Often I believe I have it all sussed out, only to get the rug whipped out from under me. I suppose most people know this stuff already.

I sometimes feel depressed, but I write this with a joyful heart. I’ve had an excellent day today, maybe a bit too hedonistic!

So why do I not want an afterlife?

What sort of things make you happy? Lump them all together and multiply by, say, a gazillion or so and it doesn’t even come close to touching what eternal life is like.

No. I would not want that. You can’t appreciate happiness without sadness. You need both.

The idea mentioned in this thread that I feel not worthy, or no right to it certainly is noble, but alas not quite true. If God believes I deserve an afterlife because Jesus guaranteed it for me, well I’m not going to argue with that.

I simply believe that what God has already given me is enough. Why should I want more?
Look at what we’ve already been given! Can people truly appreciate life if at the back of their mind they are waiting for ‘desert’?
I would rather nothingness. If I no longer existed after death I would be non the wiser about an afterlife, whatever form it takes.

So my question is, can I opt out of it? Could the priest not pray for the repose of my soul, or indeed prays for its complete destruction?

 

[1ke]

No. I would not want that. You can’t appreciate happiness without sadness. You need both.

This may be your experience, but it is not true. The Beatific Vision fills us completely, and there is no sadness.

I simply believe that what God has already given me is enough. Why should I want more?

Because God created you for more.

Look at what we’ve already been given! Can people truly appreciate life if at the back of their mind they are waiting for ‘desert’?

Heaven is not “dessert”. It is direct union with God, for which we are made. We are not complete until then.

So my question is, can I opt out of it?

No.

Could the priest not pray for the repose of my soul, or indeed prays for its complete destruction?

Um, no.

You need some serious spiritual counseling.

 

[slywakka250]

Not a strange question at all.

I feel the same way. I feel “forced” into an afterlife, an after life that is an all or nothing proposition (heaven vs hell); I just can’t stand it. I understand your feelings here. Sadly, you can’t opt out, I wish I could not be a Catholic to avoid the Catholic afterlife as well. But No, if you do that, (provided the Catholic Church teaches truth about the afterlife), you will find yourself in heaven or hell just the same. and I bet you increase your odds of hell by not being Catholic.

 

[GEddie]

No. I would not want that. You can’t appreciate happiness without sadness. You need both.

Actually, no you don’t. “Happiness” and “sadness” are not things in themselves, but emotional states, and one does not require the other.

Could the priest not pray for the repose of my soul, or indeed prays for its complete destruction?

Just a clarification: Repose of soul does not imply nothingness, or unconsciousness, or “sleeping in death.” It refers to Heavenly well-being. I’ll ask my spiritual advisor for a better explanation of it; but no, praying for your “repose of soul” isn’t what you now want it to be.

And souls are not, in the will of God, completely destroyed. To pray for this would be like seeking hot ice, or dark light, or comfortable pain. It isn’t on our options menu.

God Bless and ICXC NIKA!

 

[Several_Flies]

Yes, it is a most strange question.

No not really, you just are unaware of others it seems.

I don’t even know how to answer this question. Are you a Catholic? I’m not really sure how you can be an adult Catholic and know so little about God.

If you don’t know how to answer a question, then don’t bother trying if putting down someone comes in the attempt of answering it, comprendre?

I think God might consider you to know very little about Him too, especially with that kind of self-righteous attitude.

Anymore philosophical blunders to come this way?

 

[user3856530]

Maybe I require sadness and horror.

The bad stuff has shaped me as a human maybe even more than the good.
I would not, for example, want all the bad stuff I’ve suffered to be stripped from my life. I have some terrible stuff on the horizon too, but I’m just going to have to live through it, and maybe learn from it.

I notice that I’m not alone in my feelings which gives me a strange comfort.

 

[user3856530]

If you don’t know how to answer a question, then don’t bother trying if putting down someone comes in the attempt of answering it, comprendre?

I think God might consider you to know very little about Him too, especially with that kind of self-righteous attitude.

Anymore philosophical blunders to come this way?

Did I offend you? If I did, It wasn’t my intention.
I’m not looking to put anyone down.

 

[markomalley]

Thanks for all your responses so far. I will clarify my question.

I’m not calling the existence of an afterlife into question. I believe there is an afterlife. (How can one opt out of something that does not exist?). I’m a Catholic and went to a Catholic school, and Mass on Sunday. (‘Promote’ was a wrong choice of word’)

With regards ‘knowing about God’. I admit I know infinitely little about God and the nature of God. What I do know fills me with awe. God’s creation is indeed spectacular and I am grateful for the gift He has given me. Nearly every day I learn something new about God’s creation, and life is full of surprises, good, bad, evil, wonderful. Life is also extremely challenging and rewarding. Often I believe I have it all sussed out, only to get the rug whipped out from under me. I suppose most people know this stuff already.

I sometimes feel depressed, but I write this with a joyful heart. I’ve had an excellent day today, maybe a bit too hedonistic!

So why do I not want an afterlife?

No. I would not want that. You can’t appreciate happiness without sadness. You need both.

The idea mentioned in this thread that I feel not worthy, or no right to it certainly is noble, but alas not quite true. If God believes I deserve an afterlife because Jesus guaranteed it for me, well I’m not going to argue with that.

I simply believe that what God has already given me is enough. Why should I want more?
Look at what we’ve already been given! Can people truly appreciate life if at the back of their mind they are waiting for ‘desert’?
I would rather nothingness. If I no longer existed after death I would be non the wiser about an afterlife, whatever form it takes.

So my question is, can I opt out of it? Could the priest not pray for the repose of my soul, or indeed prays for its complete destruction?

Frankly, you may not want it, but you will have it one way or the other. That is the way that God formed you. St Paul said that we will all be changed. And he meant literally “we all.”

So you are faced with a choice: either the beatific vision or eternal fire. No other alternatives. (Granted, with the former, it may be with a brief interlude for purgation, but relatively speaking, that will be brief) Opting out is not one of the choices.

 

[jmcrae]

Maybe I want or need sadness and horror.

Trust me, you don’t. Enough suffering to “teach you” whatever it is that suffering is supposed to teach, will come anyway - for the love of all that is holy, do not seek it out, or do anything to harm yourself on purpose.

The bad stuff has shaped me as a human maybe even more than the good.
I would not, for example, want all the bad stuff I’ve suffered to be stripped from my life. I have some terrible stuff on the horizon too, but I’m just going to have to live through it, and maybe learn from it.

If you can avoid it, please do.