[Volundr]

> Truly, faith is a choice

I know this is something people say, but I've never found it to be true. I could pretend to believe but deep down that wouldn't make me a believer. If I could simply choose to believe there was something after death I would, it would be a great comfort, but I simply cannot.

[zw123456]

Maybe, a little piece of someone lives on in our hearts, memories, things like that. Not magic, just memories of love for someone.

Look. My Ma was sick, and hurting, I held her hand, we pinky swore over something silly, we knew that, it made her smile amongst a lot of pain. I light a candle, and think about all the times she was there for me.

The rest of it? Who cares.

[dTal]

I don't think anyone here wants to diminish your touching story. HN tends to use comments more or less as writing prompts, especially when the discussion veers philosophical.

[Volundr]

100%. If my comment was taken as any kind of detraction from the GP's story I truly apologize that was not how it was intended. I think it and the many stories here are meaningful and serve as an important reminder to connect to your loved ones while they are here. My grandparents all died when I was a teenager/early 20s, and I deeply regret that I didn't do more to connect to them while they were here. It's something I still think about, and the only positive is that it's prompted me to reconnect/better connect with my parents who I had kind of drifted away from at the same time.

[devd00d]

Totally agree. To some extent I'm even jealous of believers. It must be nice having that comfort. Not worrying. When I first realized religion was likely complete BS, it took me years to truly accept it and what it means for my life on earth. Which is that, this is it. This is all I got. And that's tough when you thought you had eternity to do whatever you couldn't get around doing on earth.

[pmarreck]

Right. The vast majority of people I've ever met "choose" the same religion they were born into (what a coincidence!). Most people don't question. Most people DIE never having questioned. Also, WTF is wrong with people?

[rabidonrails]

Your answer here is reinforcing OP's point. It's a choice. You can choose to have "faith" in something or not.

Because you "simply cannot" you've made a choice.

[whacko_quacko]

You can choose, and because you cannot, you've made your choice ...

That's a good one!

[eashman]

“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” - Neil Peart, Rush, “Freewill” 1980.

Sorry.. as a fan I couldn’t resist.

[rabidonrails]

I was going to use this! RIP Neil.