Big Think

Kris Kimmel commented on Re: How can we balance being happy with so much suffering in the world? on January 19, 2008, 11:44 PM

without the sadness, how can we appreciate happiness? I understand how you could be suggesting that the two are way out of balance, but that is relative to each person. I can say however that those who face suffering and overcome it are stronger people because of it.

Kris Kimmel commented on is suicide a final act of bravery or cowardice? on January 19, 2008, 9:22 PM

I suppose whether or not its a brave thing to do depends on your idea of whats waiting for you after you die. If your Christian, then I would have to assume its more stupid then brave or cowardly. Its a sin right? doesn't that mean you go to hell? and If your Atheist, it would mean you wasted your one and only chance at life. If you believe you will be reincarnated, then I guess it just means you want a do over... I don't really think it has anything to do with Bravery or Cowardice, but how your feeling about life at the time. people who commit suicide are those who have hit rock bottom and then dug down a little deeper. Maybe it is cowardice to not even wanna try to pick yourself up, to 'cut your losses' so to speak, but I don't think its something anyone can imagine until we are at that point.

Kris Kimmel commented on What do you think happens to you when you die? on January 19, 2008, 9:03 PM

I'm an Atheist, so officially I don't believe in an after life, but I definitely feel its allure. Its hard to think that when something dies, all that made it what it was moments earlier are simply gone. And its almost impossible to imagine absolute nothing. If there was proof of any religion, that would be terrific, but as it stands, I lack whatever it takes to believe in something based on nothing but what everyone told you to believe when your young, I'm just cynical and skeptical that way. From the moment of birth, death is your one and only absolute certainty, and its the one thing that all living things have in common. So I'm not really scared of it, in fact it kinda excites me to think of finally finding out once and for all what happens.

Kris Kimmel commented on god or no god? does it matter? on January 19, 2008, 8:36 PM

why not just live and let live? if you believe in god then hold on to that belief, the disbelief of others shouldn't worry you if your beliefs are stronger then that. And if you don't then you shouldn't have anymore to do with the matter let those who believe in God believe in him, it doesn't make them stupid and not believing in him dose not make you smarter, but it does make you kinda look kinda like a dick.for the record, I'm and Atheist, and I think that Atheists who think they're better then everyone who believes in god are giving Atheists a bad name.and just cause someone mis-types the word 'point' is no reason to disregard what he is saying, it seems to me that people who latch onto such ridiculous reasons are trying to find a way to validate their point without knowing anything about it. maybe I'm wrong, but I think you can and should do better then that when arguing Faith vs. Science. it makes you look bad, even if you have perfect spelling.

Kris Kimmel commented on What is happiness without sadness? on January 19, 2008, 8:04 PM

Happiness without sadness is boredom. Sadness may suck, but at least it makes life a bit more interesting. Not just sadness I guess, but any negative emotion. A movie without that trait would be terrible, just a guy walking around having a super day. So it would seem that life is made up of boring happiness and interesting sadness.But I don't think thats quite the answer you were expecting. Relatively speaking, Happiness can't exist without sadness because without sadness how would you be able to appreciate your happiness? You don't know what you have till you lose it. We need the sadness to make the Happiness all the better. Also, overcoming the sadness makes us stronger individuals, its like pumping emotional iron... or something...