Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a fearless attitude towards death, viewing it as a transition to nothingness rather than a judgment or reward.
In this quote, Isaac Asimov conveys his perspective on death, indicating that he does not fear dying, whether it leads to a traditional conception of Hell or the idealized Heaven. Instead, he embraces the idea of death as a state of nothingness, liberating him from the anxieties associated with death. His gratitude towards atheism reflects a belief system that provides comfort in the face of mortality, seeing death not as an end to be feared, but as a natural part of existence that does not involve divine judgment.
In practice
A speaker at a funeral may use this quote to highlight the acceptance of death as a natural part of life.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
To bring about destruction by overcrowding, mass starvation, anarchy, the destruction of our most cherished values, there is no need to do anything. We need only do nothing except what comes naturally, and breed. And how easy it is to do nothing
Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as an enlightened person. There is only enlightened activity.
The improvement of life was only accomplished to the extent to which it was based on a change of consciousness, that is, to the extent to which the law of violence was replaced in men's consciousness by the law of love.
Where there is no style, there is no slave. Martial Arts mean honestly expressing yourself. No style. No slave.
I want a singleness of eye, a purity of intention, a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can.
People who cannot recognize a palpable absurdity are very much in the way of civilization.
What people are really after is, what is my stance on religion or spirituality or God? And I would say, if I find a word that came closest, it would be agnostic.
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