Existance filled with adversity, or no existance?

[GAHD]

then lose the serious and delve into the philosophy.

[Chacmool]

An existence filled with adversity, or no existence at all?

Well, I suppose the easy answer is 'no existence', because then you automatically exclude any possibility of suffering. However, is it worth sacrificing all potential happiness too? I have had to deal with this problem in real life, and then it's even more difficult than the hypothetical question.

The only good that comes from adversity is that it creates greater appreciation for positive experiences and happiness - live and learn. However, if the scales tip too far in the favour of adversity, the possible pleasure that may still be achieved is simply not enough of a motivating factor anymore.

[rahuldandekar]

Exactly, potential happiness. Being an atheist, I belive there is no existence after death, and that leads me to enjoy life to it's fullest. Even if there is adversity, there is potential happiness. I would sacrifice that happiness too if I chose not to exist. So, I will chose to exist and live through adversity, to the green plains beyond.

[Fishteacher73]

While I do seem to truly despise existence, I try to make the best of it. I truly never wanted to have kids (Not that I would get rid of them, but I feel it is a disservice to put someone else through life). This being said, I am an atheist and all that non-existence is is nothing. No harps, no halos, no brimstone. Just as Rosencrantz said, "Its like not being on a boat." As much as it sucks, its all there is, whiule I'm here might as well realize that my body might as well be a cartnival ride.

[bumab]

Man, that's depressing Fish.

"all suffering comes from desire..."

[Turtle]

___I voted for the first choice as I wouldn't be here to vote otherwise. (Just noticed how old this thread was; nice revival new members of some old memebers muttered mutual musings). Also, a revelation to me that Ghad & Killean are personal aquaintences.

[infamous]

Who has ever lived in this world without some adversity? To live, one will without question face some adversity. Maybe this poll should ask the question, "Who wants to live???".

[niviene]

Killean, great post, great thoughts. It seems like all of my really deep thinking occurred at our 3am visits to Perkins as well. I spent a lot of nights wondering about things like this over the years, and after reading your (and GAHD's) ideas, I wonder if our time right now, each passing instant is a shared point between an infinite number of parallel times/universes.... I sort of imagine it as a point of origin on a graph with three planes (as an example) where everything can spin around and be relative to that one point, which is constantly changing. I wish I could explain myself more eloquently.... Anyway, back to the point, I would certainly choose to live with adversity - any experience, good or bad, would be worth the brief moment of life I would get to experience, in my opinion.

[C1ay]

For me it is the challenges in life, adversity to some, that spice things up and make life fun. Bring it on...

[zadojla]

I chose "live with adversity", but I'm thinking normal adversity, i.e. death, accident, illness, unemploymeny, etc. I have no interest in experiencing truly horrific adversity, liking having to watch your children be tortured to death or everyone you know is killed in atrocities by an invading army. That, I can do without.