RELIGION AND THE AFTER-LIFE

you go to Pittsburgh.

i believe that is what Hobbes prophesied to Calvin.

I'm a Christian, but I'm far from a perfect one. Although, I tend to try and find my own reasoning along with faith. Articles such as This are what I prefer to read because it makes sense. (Although, one could argue what particular God(s) created it, but to each his own.)

I've said this in another topic and I'll say it here. I have found no flaws in Christianity, just flaws in those who represent it. It's often misinterpreted to be a message of judgement, but Christianity is SUPPOSED to be a message of love for everyone. It's very difficult to uphold that alone.

I occasionally believe in Nangijala. Or some other place of high-adventure. I also occasionally believe that you "go where you believe you will go" and I'd like to go to a place of high-adventure. Maybe a place where I can travel between other places and generally have a sweet time.

Of course what I believe and what I know is most likely to happen are two very different things. There isn't really any afterlife.

I've never understood the concept of reincarnation. I don't remember any of my past lives, which means I won't remember this one. The person I am now will cease to exist when I die, and my soul will become someone else. That's the same thing as simply blinking into nonexistence. So what's the point?

Also, heaven as a concept sounds really boring. Limitless paradise for all time would get old after a while.

Edit: I don't really believe in anything supernatural. Nothing has ever happened to me to convince me such things exist, and I'm not the sort to expend belief in something needlessly.

I am a Christian - I believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead. Out of the acceptance of the sacrifice God made, and nothing else I do, I am ascending to Heaven.

I also believe that nobody lives without a god or gods of some kind, even atheists. That isn't to say that people believe in god(s) as I and my fellow Christians or other faith communities see it, or even worship the idea as the faith community at large does in their own way, but it simply means they have an overriding dominant idea within their life, the one thing they would throw everything else out to follow.

Computers have arguably brought more trouble into my life than they have convenience or enjoyment. It really bothers me how dependent we are as a society on computers.

Speaking of afterlife, if you read the Bible closely, the Jewish word for hell, "geyena", actually just refers to "death" rather than any sort of infernal dungeon where non-believers burn eternally. If God is a God of love, then he wouldn't want people to suffer eternally, it just wouldn't make sense anyhow. The only mention of hell in Catholic understanding is one of Jesus's parables, and the parable wasn't really about hell anyways.

I don't know about you guys, I like the idea of heaven. As a not-so optimistic person, the idea of eternal peace with all the people you love seems just great. Think of all the books in the library just waiting to be read, and who knows what else is in store? The human mind obviously can't comprehend the divine. If anything, I'll finally have enough time to work on and finish my RPGMaker game.

Edit: To answer your question, I think religion is necessary to move onto a higher plane. Why? Because, frankly, humans suck. There needs to be some sort of transformation (probably by a higher power) for them to do so. Even if you aren't Christian, that concept seems simple and logical enough.

Only other people die :)

I always thought religious and political topics were taboo on most forums, but I guess everyone is lax on this one.

As mentioned in the 05/21 'rapture' thread, I am a Christian - as such, I'd have to say that Studio Zytharros has pretty much summed up my own base views on the issue at hand.

@Ubermax:
May I ask why you consider the concept of heaven to be boring?

@Kindredz:
Yes, atheists have done many remarkable things in the development of technology. However, I would submit that the very underlying worldview of modern science stems from the Judeo-Christian outlook: A world, which was created by a single deity instead of the playground of multiple spirits, and therefore inherently consistent, and knowable because of this.

@Saya:
Would you please provide a reference for your point regarding the term 'geyena'? I'll admit I'm no expert on the Hebrew language, but I was under the impression that the term for death - as a concept, rather than a point-in-time action - was 'Sheol'. Everything I've heard about 'Gehenna', which would seem to be what you are referring to, indicates it was another name for the valley of Hinnom outside of Jerusalem - a site noted variously as: the site of pagan sacrifices by, among others, some of the Jewish kings; a burial place which may have included the Potter's Field bought with Judas' blood money; the Jerusalem trash heap/incinerator.

@Cho:
Working off of what's probably a slightly different definition here, but would it surprise you to know that there are Christians who hold the same belief as your last sentance? The ultimate focus of the Christian faith isn't about a religion, but about a relationship, that between God the Father and those he has called to himself - the term 'sons of God' is used several times in the New Testament to describe Christians.

@rcholbert:
I recognize I've put in a lot of text, most of it in response to other people's comments. I do not believe I have put in anything others might find offensive, but if you do, or if others call it such, I request that you strip my post from the thread rather than allowing the thread to be closed. Thank you.