BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Spirituality Christian Heaven and Pagans

sounds like an afterlife suprise! Will you pick door number one?
or maybe one of those grab bag deals life this life get this afterlife for free!



lol sorry I could not help myself! I think this topic has ran the gauntlet and everyone has agreed to disagree...all thats left is the bad humor...oh wait that would be me! lol

Spirit and all, I have read so much about the race of humans finally evolving; some call it ascension and there are other names that escape my un-coffee'd brain at the moment. I think that the Hopi story, along with all of the others which extend hope for our future, keep me from despairing when I hear the daily news. I can look forward with the expectation that, yes, we will finally release our deepest fears, angers, and separatism and would finally mature to the point that we can, indeed, recognize the Divinity in each other and all things to the point that we can not only accept, embrace, and cherish this physical realm, but we can also reach out together for the spiritual realm, allowing it to be whatever it may be to each individual.

My personal view of spirituality is that this physical realm with its incredible beauty and experiences is just as important to our growth and personal spiritual evolution as spending hours/days in seeking "higher realms", and I certainly spend my share of time in pursuit of that higher spirituality. But, as a Pagan and one who embraces and practices the Craft (I do not claim any religion as my own, not even Wicca; I only follow that which my "heretical heart" shows me to be True for me <g>), I find as many awe-inspiring experiences here on Earth as I do in OtherWorld explorations. I do not deny, by the way, the pain and ugliness that is present here, I only share this message to say that Heaven, Summerland, Valhalla, or whatever name is given to the life after death, should not overshadow what we are given to experience, learn, love, and share right here in this physical realm.

Even Robert Monroe, an individual who writes that he has travelled far beyond the limiting belief structures of mankind into the spiritual realms (i.e. afterlife "destinations" which are, in his estimation, limited by religious and other programming of culture) is guilty of seemingly writing off the intrinsic importance and deeply spiritual experiences of what we are offered right here in the Earth life realm. So much of mainstream religion seems to write off this Life as being only a prelude to be endured before we reach our Great Reward (or Punishment, whichever fits the bill of the Life lived, depending on the applied religious belief). So many people, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, even Pagan, ... whatever ... seem to lose sight of one of the most loving gifts of our Creator (fill-in-your-preferred-name-here) which seems to me to be Earth and the simple gifts She offers us if we will only accept them .... Personally, yes, I look forward with great excitement and aniticipation to passing into the next phase of existence, but I cherish this life experience, too.

Okay, sorry, I probably got far too preachy myself, didn't I? Please take that with the necessary grain of salt, and write it off to a touch of grogginess and a rarely expressed passion about this topic ... gets kinda bottled-up, I guess. I said all of that to say this: there are far too many religions in the world for any one to be the One True Faith, regardless of what any man-written texts anyone can offer as proof. I join those who hold high hopes for the future of human-kind right here in the physical realm even while anticipating my own view of Life After Death. What a truly Divine Blessing it would be to finally have all of our human race able to accept each other as truly brother and sister is this Life. Sometimes I do join others in a craving to move on to the next Life ... out of sheer pain and/or a momentary sense of hopelessness, but ... On Earth, as it is in Heaven, As above, So below ... however one expresses it, it is a worthy dream to pursue, is it not?

I always find it interesting that Christians BELIEVE that non-Christians would want to go to a Christian heaven. If you don't believe in God or you don't see Jesus as salvation, then the Christian rules simply don't apply.

It is really pretty simple actually. You go to your afterlife.. I'll go to mine..Which bus we catch and where our destination will be is entirely up to each and every one of us.. just like it is in "real" life.

Love and Light..

Well said!

<I'll take notes on your talent with short and succinct expression> *grins*>.

Thank you for summarizing a rational view of spirituality, even for those who don't believe in an afterlife. Even for me, who does not believe there is something "afterwards", I do agree with you.

Since I see this one life that I am living now as the one and only life I have, I want it to be as enjoyable for myself, as well as for others who I interact with, around me. I find discussions like this to be of interest every now and then, just because there are differing POVs. Do or say anything else to excess, and anything can get annoying to the point of irritation.

Let's agree that you don't rub your view of an afterlife in my face, and I won't rub my views of my lack of an afterlife in your face, and we'll all get along a heck of a lot better in the here and now. That sounds like a very reasonable meeting ground for everyone involved.

Peace, and enjoy your weekend, however you wish!

Duane

I like the idea of all everyone goes to whatever they think heaven is or call it...as long as there is like a "all are welcome party room" so I can see all my friends and family that dont believe like me!

The whole bit of having to believe because of faith, not evidence is beyond me. I wasn't raised Christian, and I am incapable of just taking it all on faith -- based on a book that was written by people, translated, retranslated (and mistranslated) by people over thousands of years... and if God made us all, he/she/it made me unable to take that on faith. Therefore, my lack of belief would actually be by God's design... see the problem?

But I am unsure if there is a diety or dieties at all -- or if there are beings that are as far above us evolutionarily as we are above insects, that people have interpreted as dieties, or something else. Perhaps all religions have SOME of the picture, but not the whole thing. Problem is, they are like the blind men and the elephant. They are all sure they know exactly what an elephant looks like, but none of them can see it all.

I am curious, Linda...if you believe you have a soul, where does that soul go after this life? Does it just wander around trying to find something else to grasp? Or maybe, if you believe in Karma, which a lot of people who belive they have a soul do, that your soul will come back as a Christian so you will be able to see another side other than your own. Just wondering.