R.I.P. - a good thing?

[Newt]

Vagabond's recent "R.I.P." post got me wondering why we wish the "Rest In Peace" condition on folks when they die.

 

If we are talking about an eternal condition, that sounds awfully boring.

 

Maybe "Fish or Golf or Race or Whatever You Enjoy, for as long as it is fun." might be a kinder thing to wish.

[Ken L]

They say "Rest In Peace" because it helps them to pretend that everything of the person that they are talking about, other than their decaying corpse, was annihilated at the moment of their death - their personality, their consciousness, their memories, everything.

And more importantly, it helps to bolster the ramparts of self delusion and enables the person saying it to somehow go on believing that something of them will survive the inevitable death of their own physical body.

 

As for visions of an afterlife, both of the options pedalled by the Jesus cult are equally horrific. The hell option is obviously unpleasant but both are eternal and an eternity of anything is the stuff of nightmares.

[corydoras]

They say "Rest In Peace" because it helps them to pretend that everything of the person that they are talking about, other than their decaying corpse, was annihilated at the moment of their death - their personality, their consciousness, their memories, everything.

And more importantly, it helps to bolster the ramparts of self delusion and enables the person saying it to somehow go on believing that something of them will survive the inevitable death of their own physical body.

 

As for visions of an afterlife, both of the options pedalled by the Jesus cult are equally horrific. The hell option is obviously unpleasant but both are eternal and an eternity of anything is the stuff of nightmares.

Normally I'd be with you 100%. Where I come from if someone has RIP on their headstone it's a really good bet that the deceased was a Roman Catholic. I have s sneaky suspicion that Vagabond is not a deist though.

Edited April 10, 2015 by corydoras

[Steve Walker]

A moderator on another forum felt the need to change my topic title from "Terry Pratchett is dead" to "Terry Pratchett RIP".

[Ken L]

My atheistic/rationalist response aside, saying "rest in peace" is a cultural norm expressing a very vague idea that has little or nothing to do with wishes for the still surviving consciousness of the deceased.

Similarly:

"Touch wood" as is commonly used has nothing to do with seeking a relic of the true cross to ensure good fortune.

"Figures crossed" as is commonly used has nothing to do with making the sign of the cross to garner a little luck from the supernatural.

"God help us" as is commonly used has nothing to do with imploring a magic sky wizard for assistance - despite what those claiming that "there are no atheists in foxholes" might have you believe.

Oh and

"Merry Christmas" as is commonly used has nothing to do with wishing someone happiness while celebrating the communion of the son of said magical sky wizard.

Edited April 10, 2015 by Ken L

[chesters1]

They say "Rest In Peace" because it helps them to pretend that everything of the person that they are talking about, other than their decaying corpse, was annihilated at the moment of their death - their personality, their consciousness, their memories, everything.

And more importantly, it helps to bolster the ramparts of self delusion and enables the person saying it to somehow go on believing that something of them will survive the inevitable death of their own physical body.

 

As for visions of an afterlife, both of the options pedalled by the Jesus cult are equally horrific. The hell option is obviously unpleasant but both are eternal and an eternity of anything is the stuff of nightmares.

Probably it really meant for the body not to be exhumed by body snatchers or in the future archaeoogists so their remains are not put in some cupboard for eternity.

[gozzer]

Probably it really meant for the body not to be exhumed by body snatchers or in the future archaeoogists so their remains are not put in some cupboard for eternity.

 

If that's the case wouldn't 'Rot in Peace' be more appropriate?

 

John.

[barry luxton]

A moderator on another forum felt the need to change my topic title from "Terry Pratchett is dead" to "Terry Pratchett RIP".

ohhh dear, for the dead and also for the mod's block from reality and from fact.

[ayjay]

I wouldn't want to wish one eternal activity on a friend.

 

I'm 99.99% certain that when I'm gone that's it, finito, but if not I'd rather rest at or in peace than in turmoil.

 

 

[barry luxton]

I wouldn't want to wish one eternal activity on a friend.

So our Muslim brothers have it correct when they are surrounded by so many celestial virgins.