A requested topic for Falkus.

Let's start with a more controversial subject, shall we? Digital immortality, beating death by uploading your mind to a computer. Scientifically, it's possible, though the technology isn't there yet. The starting point is there though, basic mind machine interfaces are now a proven technology. I'm interested in seeing how this fits in with various religious beliefs.

One concept that I think this fits in with is people really want to live forever. We do seem to be programmed to desire this. As creations of God, our minds are designed for eternity, but our bodies are designed for a brief stay. When we die, and go to God, we will be given resurrection bodies which will be forever.

This "technology" is already available, and planned for.

As creations of God, our minds are designed for eternity, but our bodies are designed for a brief stay.

And the point of transhumanism is to transcend this. There's no reason why we can't eventually make our bodies immortal. Replace failing flesh with machine, upload our minds into computers. Recognize what needs to be improved, repaired or replaced and fix it through technology.

Intersting. You think the plan for humanity should be immortality, essentially? I don't necessarily see how metal constucts should be our fate, however. Can we not simply perfect the human body enough to make it self-rejuvinating, maybe periodic injections or nanomachines dedicated towards the preservation of youth?

TitL, do you think it could be possible for one to keep their mind here on Earth beyond bodily limits? If we could digitize the mind, for example. Or master the aging process? If we could do it, and the technology is available, maybe God meant for there to be a way?

     Why does it have to be metal bodies? Why not just inhabit cloned/genetically-engineered bodies? And for me, the idea of immortality with God (or in Hell, whichever) isn't so much a reward as it is a punishment. Consciousness equals pain; why would I seek to prolong it?

   Also, can someone (simply and easily) explain "transhumanism" to me? Like, what does it mean, exactly?

Wikipedia has a good definition.

Transhumanism is an international, intellectual and cultural movement supporting the use of science and technology to enhance human mental and physical abilities and aptitudes, and overcome what it regards as undesirable and unnecessary aspects of the human condition, such as disability, suffering, disease, aging, and involuntary death. Transhumanist thinkers study the possibilities and consequences of developing and using human enhancement techniques and other emerging technologies for these purposes. Possible dangers, as well as benefits, of powerful new technologies that might radically change the conditions of human life are also of concern to the transhumanist movement.

A bit off topic, but I would suggest it's healthier to accept a finite lifespan, and become comfortable with the idea.  That's not to say there's necessarily anything wrong with attempting to increase natural lifespans, nor with trying to improve our situation while we live.  But realizing that the only certainty is death, and that the time at which it will come is uncertain, can make one apprecaiate ones life more, and better use the time you have.  Also, once one accepts that death will come at some point, no matter what, it actually becomes much less frightening.