Quote:
Originally posted by boowinstheday:
Sorry to trouble everyone... the only reason why I'm asking this question is that it's been plaguing me for as long as nineteen years, and I think it's about time I tried to find some answers.
Anyway, to get to the point: Christianity speaks of how one will go to Heaven/Hell depending on how one lives presently, while Hinduism and Buddhism touch on karma and how it will affect one's next life. So is it a given that there is definitely life after death? (I know of some people who absolutely disbelieve this and are quite happy to just "vanish into nothingness" when their time is up.)
I'm pretty troubled by two issues, really:
1) If there is life after death, whether it will be eternal (ie, round after round of reincarnation or an endless life in Heaven/Hell/Purgatory)? If not, this just leads to a slightly longer period before point 2).
2) If there isn't life after death, I'm not sure if I can accept just disappearing into thin air after a short spell here 
Some of you may want to tick me off for not finding a religion which may answer my question. The truth is, I daren't. Because my parents are happy being free thinkers and I don't want to end up at a different place from where they will be after they've gone (that's assuming there is indeed life after death). This is especially true of Christianity, I believe - they claim that non-believers will go to Hell/Purgatory.
From what I've seen at this forum, the people here are very helpful and well-informed. I do hope that you will be indulgent just this once and share with me what you know of this subject.
Thanks!
|
Boo, Jesus spoke of paradise on the cross. "Heaven" a state of eternal life with God, without death and imperfection, without sickness and the limitations of the human body is a Christian concept.
The Islamics believe in a paradise as well, that differs from the Christian heaven, in that it is more akin to a reward for good deeds, rather than a situation of greater relationship with the creator.
The ancient Jews had a limited picture of the afterlife. "Sheol" was either the grave, or a blurry unknown place.
Buddha spoke of Nirvana - the obliteration of the soul after the last reincarnation of an individual. Only a monk can achieve Nirvana. Other Buddhists melded ideas of paradisial places, but these mainly centred around the idea that Buddha put off achieving Nirvana to assist others in finding obliteration.
I personally believe the christian hell is a state of obliteration. My "hell" is Buddhas "heaven".
Hinduism speaks of many things, as, like New Age religion it is an amalgam of many different ancient religions under the ubrella of what we call Pantheism. A central idea to it's pantheistic core, is that we are all part of a great spirit that divided at the dawn of time into the many fragments of reality that have existed. Part of these fragments are we humans. It is believed that through a process of life, death and rebirth again and again, one achieves a purity and ends up attaining reunion with the great spirit where the experiences one had through life are incorperated and "learnt" by the great spirit.
Through what I have seen and experienced, those I have spoken with and the many mental pathways I have traversed I have rejected the theory of the Hindu great spirit.
I do though believe that Buddhas method works, and that Nirvana can be achieved by one who desires it.
Obliteration is not what I desire however.
I have chosen to accept the bibles concept of heaven as a reality. The christian worldview makes sense to me. Provides order to chaos, constant companionship, self esteem, greater creativity and a love for my fellow humans and the planet, that I otherwise would not have.
I believe when I move on from this world, I will be with the creator I have spent this life getting to know through experiencing his artwork and aspects of his love, forgiveness and providence.
Nothing anyone can say, nor do - even if they kill me - will take this from me.
------------------
I am the walrus!.... er, no hang on....
A fair dinkum laughing Hyena!
[This message has been edited by Yorick (edited 10-08-2001).]