Category: philosophy/religion topics
Is there an afterlife? I don’t think anybody can know for sure. I mean, can anybody know how many ideas about an afterlife there have been since the beginning of time, or since the earliest recorded history of human earthly existence? Lol Probably not. And if it was possible to know all such ideas, which method would be the most reliable in distinguishing the true idea of an afterlife? The scientific method? Lol I’ve only heard of reincarnation, heaven and hell; I’m not sure if nirvana is another idea about an afterlife. And I’m pretty sure there are many more that have been thought up.
Yes, I’ve often thought about this subject. I think it’s a good thing that nobody can know for sure whether or not an afterlife truly awaits us. And I’m actually glad that the accounts of Dante and of the Bible are doubtable. I wonder how people in those days could believe in such places. And people believe in such places nowadays too! It’s amazing. If there is an afterlife, then I hope it remains unknown to everyone who will ever think upon this subject. Let them find out for themselves if there is such a thing. As a matter of fact, I can say right here right now that I’m ready and willing to reject any account about an afterlife or about heaven or paradise. It’s the wisest thing I can do if you think about it. I just don’t want to be tormented by an idea that another human such as myself fabricated.
Dante, the Bible, and other tales about the underworld or the hereafter did do much to help improve the conduct of human beings, but these are all manmade ideas and they aren’t very desirable or attractive. If only there is a place to which souls can transmigrate, if only a place to which souls are welcomed unconditionally; just a place to which people can go without having to do something to get there.
It’s more comforting for me to think that nobody can know for sure. This way, the searching for or the discovery of an afterlife is made personal, meaningful; it becomes more like a mission than just an exchanged idea.
The first time I ever really thought about this subject was when I read what the Apostle paul had to say about it. And to be honest, his words are the only reason why I even entertain the idea of an afterlife. How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. I’ve asked myself: Why would a person who claims to have seen paradise refrain from describing it? And what exactly do his words here mean? I don’t want to say things out of context so I’ll just leave it at that. The Apostle Paul claims to have seen paradise, and I’m very sure so many other people have made the same claim, but why would he not give an account of what he saw? What if he was the only one who ever really saw paradise? Why the heck would he cheat us out of such a mystery, or hidden truth? I’m sure he had his reasons. Maybe it never crossed his mind that there were and would be people who’d doubt the existence of paradise, and so he just stated that he was caught up to the third heaven. Why, why the hell must it be such a mystery? Lol I need to know if it’s true or not! Lol Maybe he didn’t say anything about it fearing that his account would be corrupted by human language. But who knows?
Another thing that makes me think is what the Apostle John describes in his visions. The book of Revelation describes so many terrifying things, war, death, suffering, mass confusion, natural chaos, that it makes me wonder why there must be fear when speaking of this world finally entering paradise. Is it right for me to reject the validity of this book simply because so much in it is negative? Or is it true because the author did not spare our minds from the gruesome details?
But let’s just briefly entertain what the author has to say in this book. Let’s just say that is words are based upon something he truly experienced. Let’s just say that he really did see god, and his throne, and the garden of eden, and so on and so forth. I know that everything written in this book is based on a vision, and a vision or visions is not the same as seeing things as one normally sees things, that is, with his/her sense of sight and while being wide-awake. But let’s just entertain his words for a moment.
Think about this for a moment: I have never seen Rome. Can you think of a place that you’ve never physically seen but that you’d like to visit? Maybe that place is Egypt, or Africa. Whichever place it might be, just remember that you’ve never physically seen, touched, smelled, heard, tasted anything that exists there. You’ve never walked upon its streets, you’ve never inhaled its air, etc etc. Everything you have come to know about it is second-hand; it is knowledge you attained from the various channels of media. Have you ever doubted the existence of such a place? I’ve never doubted the existence of Rome. Why? Because different magazines with their photos and descriptions apparently tell me about it? I don’t think anybody living today doubts the existence of Rome, or of Egypt, or even of Africa. But not all have experienced any of these places personally or physically. What do you think? Do I have reason to doubt that Rome exists? I’ll admit that I’m not as willing to doubt its existence as I’m willing to doubt the existence of paradise. Why is it easier for us to doubt the existence of paradise and not as easy for us to doubt the existence of Rome? Do we need Hollywood to create heaven and hell for us so that we may believe in their existence?
An astronaut drifts into outer space, discovers a new planet, names it after himself, returns to earth and announces his discovery. We believe in him without a doubt! So what gets in the way of our minds that we force ourselves to not accept that heaven exists? Just think about the moon, the stars, and everything else that is said to be in our universe; when have we ever actually physically experienced any of these things? How do we not know that these things exist only in television, in magazines and other such things? Maybe the sky is just a big television screen. Lol
Why are we so willing to accept that such a place as Rome exists, but we are so unwilling to believe in an afterlife, or in paradise or heaven or hell? We’ve learned of these places in much the same way: through eyewitnesses or second-hand sources.
Yes, Rome is distant to me, yet I believe in Rome, but in heaven, no, I could never believe in that place! lol
I guess the only significant difference here is that the Apostle John received this knowledge through a vision, and not as the average person receives knowledge; through his/her senses. But what about the Apostle Paul, what about what he has to say? Could he have really seen and heard things that are unlawful to utter? Hmm. It sure does make me think. Maybe if descriptions about heaven and hell were cunningly disseminated into our magazines, books, and TV shows we’d have no problem accepting their existence. Lol
So maybe if we think about all our sources as we do about the Apostles Paul and John, or about any other account about the existence of anything, then perhaps we’d be taking a wise path. Let’s say today, someone comes along, enters your life and tells you he or she is from such and such a place. You’ve never heard of this place, but because this person says he’s from there, you don’t find any reason to doubt in its existence. Will you ever experience this person’s homeland physically? Probably not. Maybe if we approach the Apostles words, or any other second-hand source, with the same attitude, then just maybe we can muster up enough faith to believe in an afterlife, or in paradise. Who knows, maybe when we take our last breath, maybe when we open our eyes again, we’ll come to find that the Apostles' words were trustworthy and valid sources afterall. We shall see. It’s all still within the realm of expectancy. lol
I choose to believe in Rome because of the overwhelming evidence of the people of the time who wrote about it.
On the other hand, the apostles are like insurance salesmen who want you to believe their product is best, no matter what.
Actually, though, it doesn't matter. We will all find out some day--or we won't--and that will be the answer. Until then, I don't think anyone knows.
Good subject, no answers.
Bob
Well, I believe in Heaven because of what Jesus said. I believe in Heaven because I've stood by the bedsides of Christians who have died. And I believe in Heaven because of the fact that I'm not here strictly by random chance. So many people in my life have passed away, and the only hope I have is through Christ's righteousness, and his resurection. He is the one who dictates life and death. I've never been there, but I know it's a beautiful place. Without Christ, I wouldn't be here today.
most want to believe in something after an Earthly existance due to the fear of death. it is an interesting topic. If someone believes in something, then that's great for them as long as they don't hurt anyone else due to those beliefs. Spirituality is cool but religion in general is very flawed. Also, the amount of death and theft and destruction and other negative acts that have taken place du to people's religions is depressing.
Dude, you said already you will reject all prove, so I don't really want to waist my time, but if you will try and listen to explanations, I'll be so gladly willing to do it. Just ask...