• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!
  • Welcome to our archives. No new posts are allowed here.

If Heaven Existed, Wouldn't You Be Bored?

Risky Thicket said:
I don't have a dog in the heaven fight. I'll admit up front that that was one of the reasons I parted ways with Christianity. Few people down here want to live like what they think heaven will be! A lot of white people are hoping everyone in heaven will be white or will act white. A lot of black people are hoping everyone in heaven will be black or will act black. Then there are those who say it won't matter, but in this world they don't act like it doesn't' matter. In heaven money won't matter, but here everybody has to have the biggest church, prime time prayer, best selling preacher books and the most prayer buses. Religious competition is huge. So many people here have to go out and convert people and sell their brand of Jesus, but in heaven they believe everyone will be the same.

Who is going to heaven and who isn't? There is no prioritized sin list that I am aware of in the Christian faith. You have the 10C, though you'd be hard pressed to make the point that it was a prioritized sin list. A sin is a sin is a sin but I don't see a whole lot of work being devoted to gluttony. Studies have proven that evangelicals, Baptists and Pentecostals are the fattest of America's faithful. But in America if you are a lardass for the lord just make sure you got that way eating twinkles and fried chicken and not by drinking beer. Apparently in heaven, where apparently gluttony concerning food will be overlooked, you'll be able to have all the grits, fat back and potato salad you want while beer and other spirits will not be served.

In truth heaven has as many definitions as there are believers. Only a few want heaven to be like church because very few sit around wishing that one day could spend forever in church. "Ma, next week can we go to early Mass and then stay for Spanish Mass and then stay for regular Mass? Church is sooooooo much fun. I just love it." :rolleyes:





"Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die." ~ Peter Tosh
Click to expand...
Heaven is what you want it to be, not some else IMO.
 
Risky Thicket said:
I don't have a dog in the heaven fight. I'll admit up front that that was one of the reasons I parted ways with Christianity. Few people down here want to live like what they think heaven will be! A lot of white people are hoping everyone in heaven will be white or will act white. A lot of black people are hoping everyone in heaven will be black or will act black. Then there are those who say it won't matter, but in this world they don't act like it doesn't' matter. In heaven money won't matter, but here everybody has to have the biggest church, prime time prayer, best selling preacher books and the most prayer buses. Religious competition is huge. So many people here have to go out and convert people and sell their brand of Jesus, but in heaven they believe everyone will be the same.

Who is going to heaven and who isn't? There is no prioritized sin list that I am aware of in the Christian faith. You have the 10C, though you'd be hard pressed to make the point that it was a prioritized sin list. A sin is a sin is a sin but I don't see a whole lot of work being devoted to gluttony. Studies have proven that evangelicals, Baptists and Pentecostals are the fattest of America's faithful. But in America if you are a lardass for the lord just make sure you got that way eating twinkles and fried chicken and not by drinking beer. Apparently in heaven, where apparently gluttony concerning food will be overlooked, you'll be able to have all the grits, fat back and potato salad you want while beer and other spirits will not be served.

In truth heaven has as many definitions as there are believers. Only a few want heaven to be like church because very few sit around wishing that one day could spend forever in church. "Ma, next week can we go to early Mass and then stay for Spanish Mass and then stay for regular Mass? Church is sooooooo much fun. I just love it." :rolleyes:





"Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die." ~ Peter Tosh
Click to expand...


Moderator's Warning:
This post doesn't quite cross the line... but I'd like to remind everyone that this is the Religion Forum, and its purpose is to discuss theology and religious concepts, not a forum for criticising religion or questioning "is there a God/a Heaven". Please bear this in mind when posting.
 
Last edited:
Goshin said:
Moderator's Warning:
This post doesn't quite cross the line... but I'd like to remind everyone that this is the Relgious Forum, and its purpose is to discuss theology and religious concepts, not a forum for criticising religion or questioning "is there a God/a Heaven". Please bear this in mind when posting.
Click to expand...

I think questioning the existence of God or Heaven is exactly one of the reasons for this particular forum. That just strikes me a bit like saying the "Breaking News" forums aren't for discussing whether or not Obama is doing a good job.
 
rocket88 said:
I think questioning the existence of God or Heaven is exactly one of the reasons for this particular forum. That just strikes me a bit like saying the "Breaking News" forums aren't for discussing whether or not Obama is doing a good job.
Click to expand...

Moderator's Warning:
No, that is NOT the purpose of this forum. http://www.debatepolitics.com/religious-discussions/105486-religious-discussions-forum.html

Also, any issues with moderation must be submitted via PM and not posted publicly... consequences for not doing so can be pretty significant.
 
Pinkie said:
I realize it sounds disrespectful, but it's a question I've always had about christianity. I myself was raised Catholic, and the Heaven portrayed for us was one where regimented rows of beings of various degrees of holiness sang incessantly.

This did not appeal.

May I ask, what's your vision of Heaven, and why would you want to go?
Click to expand...

One of my all time favourite jokes is about the man who dies and goes to heaven. He is greeted by Saint Peter and he says to the Saint "What am I doing here - I was an atheist all of my life!!"

Saint Peter replies "yes my son but you have led an exemplary life - gave a lot of your time to good works, supported community charities and generally helped everyone you could so it was decided you were worthy of coming to heaven"

The man replies "Well in that case what am I supposed to do all day?"

St Peter replies "Well, whatever you like! If you want to sing hymns that is alright but if you want a little honey and fun pop over to the Muslim paradise for the day or you can take a little trip up to the Taoist afterlife - whatever you want!"

The man goes off and has a great time, even visits the Viking Valhalla for a while and after a time he bumps into St Peter again and he asks "Tell me St P - what is this wall I see down the middle of heaven"

St Peter replies "Why the Catholics (or insert name of least favourite religion) are over the other side"

The man frowns and says "Do they have it better than here?"

"Oh! No! But it is just that they like to think they are the only ones up here!"
 
Lokiate said:
I'd prefer non-existence if those were my only two options.
Click to expand...


Most of my co-religionists don't believe you get more than two options, though there are a few who believe that Hell is actually a metaphor referring to destruction of the soul, followed by oblivion... I guess those of you who are uninterested in Heaven hope that the latter notion is correct. Personally I'd find it a bit depressing if my best hope for Eternity was that it was oblivion instead of something far worse.
 
Goshin said:
Most of my co-religionists don't believe you get more than two options, though there are a few who believe that Hell is actually a metaphor referring to destruction of the soul, followed by oblivion... I guess those of you who are uninterested in Heaven hope that the latter notion is correct. Personally I'd find it a bit depressing if my best hope for Eternity was that it was oblivion instead of something far worse.
Click to expand...
Some also say living in the material world is hell, and heaven is leaving the material world where ever it may take your soul.
 
Goshin said:
Most of my co-religionists don't believe you get more than two options, though there are a few who believe that Hell is actually a metaphor referring to destruction of the soul, followed by oblivion... I guess those of you who are uninterested in Heaven hope that the latter notion is correct. Personally I'd find it a bit depressing if my best hope for Eternity was that it was oblivion instead of something far worse.
Click to expand...

I disagree, it's the ceasing of existence. No pain, no suffering, just gone. It's eternal sleep without the dreams. I don't know what heaven is, but if it's anything like what's in the Bible, no thanks. I'd rather not be a childlike, brainless animal roaming a garden with no threat of danger or death, giving eternal servitude and praise to a cruel master.

I rather like the Buddhist rendition, no afterlife, just a continuation of life. It almost makes sense.
 
Goshin said:
Most of my co-religionists don't believe you get more than two options, though there are a few who believe that Hell is actually a metaphor referring to destruction of the soul, followed by oblivion... I guess those of you who are uninterested in Heaven hope that the latter notion is correct. Personally I'd find it a bit depressing if my best hope for Eternity was that it was oblivion instead of something far worse.
Click to expand...

In the context of your belief I understand how you might reach that conclusion. Indeed it would be a bit depressing. In the context of my belief it doesn't quite work out that way.
 
Risky Thicket said:
In the context of your belief I understand how you might reach that conclusion. Indeed it would be a bit depressing. In the context of my belief it doesn't quite work out that way.
Click to expand...


:shrug: I don't try to persuade anyone to convert who is overtly disinterested, it is usually a waste of time.

In case anyone reading IS interested...there are many benefits to living a life of faith, not just the whole afterlife thing. Believe, repent (refers to a change of heart, a redirecting of one's priorities and motives) and recieve the free gift of grace, then try to live it out as best you can... the basics are pretty simple. In return you get a relationship with God, a hotline to his ear, a place in His heart, an aid and comfort in times of trouble and sorrow, and the VIP/Preferred Customer Afterlife. :)

And no, I don't think Heaven will be boring... we just lack the minds to concieve it and the words to describe it.
 
bowerbird said:
One of my all time favourite jokes is about the man who dies and goes to heaven. He is greeted by Saint Peter and he says to the Saint "What am I doing here - I was an atheist all of my life!!"

Saint Peter replies "yes my son but you have led an exemplary life - gave a lot of your time to good works, supported community charities and generally helped everyone you could so it was decided you were worthy of coming to heaven"

The man replies "Well in that case what am I supposed to do all day?"

St Peter replies "Well, whatever you like! If you want to sing hymns that is alright but if you want a little honey and fun pop over to the Muslim paradise for the day or you can take a little trip up to the Taoist afterlife - whatever you want!"

The man goes off and has a great time, even visits the Viking Valhalla for a while and after a time he bumps into St Peter again and he asks "Tell me St P - what is this wall I see down the middle of heaven"

St Peter replies "Why the Catholics (or insert name of least favourite religion) are over the other side"

The man frowns and says "Do they have it better than here?"

"Oh! No! But it is just that they like to think they are the only ones up here!"
Click to expand...

Yeah I've heard that one, it's funny.

My personal favorite joke of the type is this one:

A preacher and a Chicago cab driver both died and arrived at the Pearly Gates at the same time. Saint Peter found them both in the Book, so they were ushered in and he took them to their Heavenly Mansions.

First Saint Peter showed the cab driver his new home. It was a grand place, all gold and silver and marble, with two stories and stone columns and every amenity imaginable. The cab driver was delighted and rushed inside with a big smile.

"Oh boy," thought the preacher, "if that CAB DRIVER got a place like THIS, what wonderous home will they have for a preacher of the Gospel like me??"

Saint Peter lead the preacher down a side street and to a medium-size row-house. It was nice enough, nicer than the preacher's Earthly house, but nothing compared to the cab driver's mansion.

The preacher stopped and turned to Saint Peter. "I don't mean to complain," he said, "and I'm thrilled to finally be in Heaven... but I just don't understand why the cab driver got a golden mansion and I, a Minister of the Gospel, got a smaller and plainer home!"

Saint Peter said, with a smile, "The answer is simple. When you preached, people mostly slept. When that cab driver drove, people prayed!"

:lol:
 
Last edited:
So, will the roads in Heaven be paved in gold??

Just wonderin...not that I'd be able to do anything with it or anything :(
 
spud_meister said:
Can I get a ventricle?
Click to expand...


Sorry, the ventricle is already overbooked. I can get you a good offer on a place in the outskirts of the Superior Vena Cava though...
 
As a Taoist I have no problem with how others believe in regarding how they view the After-life.I do have a problem when people try to impose their beliefs on others.Just saying.
 
Verthaine said:
As a Taoist I have no problem with how others believe in regarding how they view the After-life.I do have a problem when people try to impose their beliefs on others.Just saying.
Click to expand...

Interesting word, impose. It often seems to mean different things to different people. In one context, "to impose _____ upon people" means to force someone to conform by threat of force. Sometimes, though, people say "impose" in reference to far lesser impositions.

If you wish to, it might be helpful for you to elaborate on how you meant "impose" in this context.
 
Goshin said:
:shrug: I don't try to persuade anyone to convert who is overtly disinterested, it is usually a waste of time.

In case anyone reading IS interested...there are many benefits to living a life of faith, not just the whole afterlife thing. Believe, repent (refers to a change of heart, a redirecting of one's priorities and motives) and recieve the free gift of grace, then try to live it out as best you can... the basics are pretty simple. In return you get a relationship with God, a hotline to his ear, a place in His heart, an aid and comfort in times of trouble and sorrow, and the VIP/Preferred Customer Afterlife. :)

And no, I don't think Heaven will be boring... we just lack the minds to concieve it and the words to describe it.
Click to expand...

Don't you think an atheist can live a life as you described? They might not call it "grace" (though they might) but fairly clearly, morality and religiousity are not inextricable.
 
AriesAngel said:
So, will the roads in Heaven be paved in gold??
Click to expand...

and as we wind on down the road
our shadows taller than our soul
there walks a lady we all know
who shines white light and wants to show
how everything still turns to gold
and if you listen very hard
the truth will come to you at last
when all are one and one is all
to be a rock and not to roll
 
Pinkie said:
Don't you think an atheist can live a life as you described? They might not call it "grace" (though they might) but fairly clearly, morality and religiousity are not inextricable.
Click to expand...


In Christianity, it is an article of the faith that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." More specifically, that the best moral behavior a human being is capable of is still tainted with selfishness and malice at times; that God is perfection and cannot have fellowship with imperfection; that the life, willing self-sacrifice and ascension of Jesus was the "bridge" between perfect God and fallen humanity; that only by the grace (unearned favor) of Jesus are we imputed with rightousness (made clean and pure in the sight of God), and that this is received not be merit, but by repentence (a change of heart towards God) and faith (a belief strong enough to cause one change one's life). Salvation is not earned through works, but is a gift of grace. No human being can be morally perfect all their days; only Jesus, who was of divine origin, therefore a suitable vessel to repair the breach between God and humanity.

This is basic Christian theology, though certain denominations differ on certain details.

In Christian beliefs, it is commonly said that no sin is unforgiveable except the lifelong rejection of God and the sacrifice and freely-offered grace of Jesus.

Therefore most Christians would say that the atheist cannot be in a state of grace, no matter how good a person he is otherwise, because he has rejected God's appointed Way and tried to make his own.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom