Meleagar wrote:Once again, science has demonstrated the existence of an afterlife for 150 years.

Is that so, now?
I suppose you speak of NDE, and the only think they prove is that your brain keep on functionning for minutes after being declared dead.
You're confusing, "being medically declared dead" and being actually dead.

One need not have an explanation for a thing to prove scientifically that it exists

That's a new concept... But even some scientists (physicists and all users of probabilities and statistics in place of actual causes) support this stance now... So, I guess I understand why you jump on such claim and make them your truth.
You're right why bother trying to find the causes of phenomena?..
The only problem is that it's not science anymore.

such as gravity

Gravity is anything but proved, you're right and that's why we can assert it's not a scientific "theory", it's not even a scientific hypothesis since we still didn't find any trace/evidence for the existence of gravitons...

or the fact that washing one's hands reduces the incidence of disease when performing surgery.

This is proved and easy to understand.
By washing your hands you get rid of the bacteria/microbes/viruses on it... So, there are less likely to transfer on the body of the patient.
Don't know that?

Whether or not it has been "proven" depends on the individual who is assessing the evidence available.

Subjective reality, huh? Nothing is objectively true nor false, right nor wrong...
So, you're defending subjective moral/ethics now?
All choices/beliefs are dependent on the individual who is acting upon them?

@Demystified:

I agree completely.
Their delusion or desire of immortatility has no impact on 'reality'.
I don't know if there is a soul or not.
But I don't want to indulge myself in such fantasy by believing it.
I'll see the truth if there is something to be seen.
But I won't base my life on, or introduce in what I consider "the knowledge I possess", such delusion based on fear of non-existence and the narcissistic idea that we can live on for ever. That our life cannot end.

That's another characteristic of "free-will": We are free to be completely delusional and believe whatever we desire.
Yet, reality doesn't care...

Meleagar wrote:

Yahadreas wrote:If I were to make the positive claim that "unicorns(/dragons/fairies) do not exist", how am I supposed to prove this to be the case? All I can do is point to the lack of evidence which supports the claims that they exist. How can I prove that the American Government are not really alien lizards in disguise?. All I can do is point to the lack of evidence which supports the claims that they are.

The obvious answer is to not make claims you cannot support.

I really like this one Meleagar. I didn't catch it at first, but I like it.
I'm not being ironic.

You know, I think you you have an effective and efficient mind... Too bad you desire to believe in God... You would make a very good Agnostic.
No, I'm not condescending.

Demystified wrote:Believing in a afterlife is humans vain attempt at making themselves seperate and different from other animals or other living things making themselves believe that the universe has a special place in reserve for them while giving themselves a false sense of self privilege.

That right there is the basis of all religion.

It's the ultimate form of vanity as it is the ultimate form of self worship.

Vanity or narcissism are not the cause for this belief.
Fear of ceasing to exist is. Vanity or narcissism are just psychological compensatory desires... of one's fear.

THIS is the basis for all religions.

This being said, it doesn't mean that the "soul"/spirit doesn't exist. That counsciousness is not eternal.
But it is be very impropabable that reality coincides with such a profound fear/desire.

I prefer: "When something's too good to be true... Well, it's because it is not true.". (Skepticism)

Rather than: "What I desire to be true is." (Relativism leaning towards psychosis)