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Scott Weiland 's son is posting some worrying messages to Instagram ... claiming he'd rather be dead than live his life as his father did.

Noah Weiland posted to his Instagram story Thursday afternoon ... sharing a text post written on a blurry gray background which begins, "I'd rather be DEAD" -- a pretty drastic statement, though he tries to qualify it by explaining he'd rather be dead than live as his dad did.

He goes on, "Regardless of all this, it's been a long journey. Can't wait to see him again & thank you for all your support along the way. Won't ever forget this."

The post is eerie ... reading like the beginnings of a suicide note -- though we don't know for sure what Noah means by any of it. Getty

As you may know ... Scott was found dead on a tour

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