You're in heaven....now what?

[Vansdad]

The 'error of our ways'! Which is, what?

We are only human. We make mistakes. None of us are perfect. We make mistakes we don't even know are mistakes because we often feel justified in what we are doing. I think we will see things without the human part (flesh) getting in the way of our Being (soul) part. So that's what I mean by saying "we will learn the error of our ways"

 

[Madhuri]

I can see your point, but the OP seems to relate more to the Judeo-Christian version of heaven than to any other version. The idea of basking eternally in god's love and doing not much else is a common theme in that tradition (plus the OP mentioned jesus specifically).

It was that view of heaven that I made my initial comment about.

I see what you mean, although I do often get the sense that there are many misunderstandings of Christian doctrine. Some of those ideas that seem rather silly are often just misunderstood.
Btw, it was not your initial comment that lead me to make this argument.

 

[Noaidi]

btw, it was not your initial comment that lead me to make this argument.

Maybe I'm just paranoid!

 

[cottage]

We are only human. We make mistakes. None of us are perfect. We make mistakes we don't even know are mistakes because we often feel justified in what we are doing. I think we will see things without the human part (flesh) getting in the way of our Being (soul) part. So that's what I mean by saying "we will learn the error of our ways"

The point is of course, if we are in error it is as you say because we are finite, imperfect, contingent creatures. But if God is the creator then we exist as we are because we were made that way. Thus God created evil and imperfection.

 

[cottage]

Where to start?
Concepts like...the soul, Spirit, the nature of the spiritual vs material existence, comments like: "vivid imaginations of a place no one has ever come back from", which show a lack of knowledge about religious beliefs/philosophy, or the 'location' of heaven, or how different religions view the nature of the cosmos. Grasping an understanding of these concepts would help one to relate to the heaven idea.

Instead I usually see very basic and sarcastic comments that take a concept out of context and give it an entirely different meaning (sometimes). Just a general lack of understanding, from my observation.

Yes I agree there is no excuse for sarcasm and moronic remarks. However I think most people have a broad understanding of religious beliefs and doctrines, and that is not to say that religious concepts must be treated as if they correspond with truth.

 

[Katzpur]

So now you've made it. You're with your god and family and friends.

Sounds good to me, but then I kind of like my family and friends.

Since you're a soul you don't need to eat or drink, and there aren't any material things in heaven (since jesus didn't think it was necessary)

Jesus said there were no material things in Heaven? Where's He say that?

and all the "bad" people are not around.

That's going to be kind of nice for a change. They do kind of get on my nerves.

Now what?

I begin working towards meeting my full potential.

Do you just praise god and kneel and say prayers all day for the rest of eternity?

Nope. No halos, harps or pretty wings either.

Get kinda boring wouldn't ya think?

Absolutely! Thank God it's not going to be like that!

 

[PolyHedral]

Jesus said there were no material things in Heaven? Where's He say that?

That's not what the OP said. He said that no material things are necessary, which is entirely different.

 

[Katzpur]

That's not what the OP said. He said that no material things are necessary, which is entirely different.

Whatever. Jesus never said that either.

 

[WanderingSoul]

So now you've made it. You're with your god and family and friends. Since you're a soul you don't need to eat or drink, and there aren't any material things in heaven (since jesus didn't think it was necessary) and all the "bad" people are not around. Now what? Do you just praise god and kneel and say prayers all day for the rest of eternity? Get kinda boring wouldn't ya think?

If you are one who considers NDE's as any indication, then I don't think we would have any problem with boredom. I have listened to about 200 NDE testimonies that describe God and eternity with superlatives that are always qualified as hopelessly inadequate to describe the joy, love, and knowledge they derived from the encounter. Sadly, the opposite seems to be true for the hellish NDE's. This world we now live in is merely a dream compared to the hyper-reality of the spiritual realm, from what I can gather. The physical realm passes, but our souls are eternal, apparently.

If true, I know where I want to go when I die: That big stripclub in the sky...no I'm kidding. God of course.

 

[Vansdad]

The point is of course, if we are in error it is as you say because we are finite, imperfect, contingent creatures. But if God is the creator then we exist as we are because we were made that way. Thus God created evil and imperfection.

So I guess if we go and kill someone it's God's fault. Afterall that's the way He made us. I find this silly. I guess evil and imperfection are human traits. But we are responsible for our actions and of course have free choice. This is a basic part of being human.

 

[no-body]

If there is a slim chance of an after life any God who would allow your petty illusory ego to survive in a materialistic opiate orgasm induced satisfied haze (without the dizziness of being drugged, whatever) with superpowers would be a very limited unimaginative God.

 

[Katzpur]

If there is a slim chance of an after life any God who would allow your petty illusory ego to survive in a materialistic opiate orgasm induced satisfied haze (without the dizziness of being drugged, whatever) with superpowers would be a very limited unimaginative God.

Wow! Lots of big words there, no-body. I'm impressed.

 

[ninerbuff]

If you are one who considers NDE's as any indication, then I don't think we would have any problem with boredom. I have listened to about 200 NDE testimonies that describe God and eternity with superlatives that are always qualified as hopelessly inadequate to describe the joy, love, and knowledge they derived from the encounter. Sadly, the opposite seems to be true for the hellish NDE's. This world we now live in is merely a dream compared to the hyper-reality of the spiritual realm, from what I can gather. The physical realm passes, but our souls are eternal, apparently.

If true, I know where I want to go when I die: That big stripclub in the sky...no I'm kidding. God of course.

Dreams seem real too and are mostly from memories and experiences that we've learned or encountered. Most people won't have a dream about something they have no knowledge of. Like have you ever dreamed about playing a tuete?

 

[ninerbuff]

So I guess if we go and kill someone it's God's fault. Afterall that's the way He made us. I find this silly. I guess evil and imperfection are human traits. But we are responsible for our actions and of course have free choice. This is a basic part of being human.

Lol, of course you can't blame god. Even when babies are born with illness or no arms or legs to christians who are fully faithful and obeying. It had to be the fault of the parents.
People killed by murderers, drunk drivers and criminals didn't have free choice to live or die.

 

[Vansdad]

Lol, of course you can't blame god. Even when babies are born with illness or no arms or legs to christians who are fully faithful and obeying. It had to be the fault of the parents.
People killed by murderers, drunk drivers and criminals didn't have free choice to live or die.

Unfortunately people can do evil things. At least when God does something you can be sure there's a purpose.

 

[ninerbuff]

Unfortunately people can do evil things. At least when God does something you can be sure there's a purpose.

So let's say the husband is so distraught over the loss of wife and child, he just can't cope and even loses his job over it. It has happened.

"I am 50 now. My wife is gone. My daughter is gone and my job is gone, and my enjoyment of life is gone," Mr Paterson said.
Distraught father can't face empty life after stolen car killed wife, child | The Daily Telegraph



If the purpose here is to have this man "give himself to the lord" and that's what it took to get him to do it.............it's a crappy way to do it.

 

[Vansdad]

So let's say the husband is so distraught over the loss of wife and child, he just can't cope and even loses his job over it. It has happened.

"I am 50 now. My wife is gone. My daughter is gone and my job is gone, and my enjoyment of life is gone," Mr Paterson said.
Distraught father can't face empty life after stolen car killed wife, child | The Daily Telegraph



If the purpose here is to have this man "give himself to the lord" and that's what it took to get him to do it.............it's a crappy way to do it.

I didn't mean to imply, and don't think I did, that the purpose is to "give yourself to the Lord". I only said there is a purpose for this happening in life.

 

[diosangpastol]

most of us here thinking what are we gonna do in heaven... but can i ask anybody here are sure that they will be there ? me..im not sure...but i have hope..how bout you ?

 

[ninerbuff]

I didn't mean to imply, and don't think I did, that the purpose is to "give yourself to the Lord". I only said there is a purpose for this happening in life.

Wouldn't you say EVERYTHING has purpose whether significant or not? I don't get why some only say there's purpose when it's good or tragedy. If I wiped my table free of fingerprints, the purpose is so it looks cleaner. But it's not very significant in life.

 

[ninerbuff]

most of us here thinking what are we gonna do in heaven... but can i ask anybody here are sure that they will be there ? me..im not sure...but i have hope..how bout you ?

I can guarantee I won't be there for sure. Lol, one way or the other.