Why do you want to go to heaven?

Even as a longtime Christian I find myself continuing to question what will happen in the afterlife. I hope there is an existence (or place, I guess) of some kind. I'd really like to be able to start over again, do things differently, connect with people with whom I've had limited contact with, see what happens.

 

Ha. I'm doing that now. Here on Earth.

 

I know. Not that I'm regretting my life or anything.

 

Now God is NOT to blame for these circumstances? Interesting reversal there. Are they not his creation? Should not a human be born with foreknowledge of Jesus AND THEN be given to right to exercize their freewill? Does lack of foreknowledge AND lack of cultural indoctrination for a single human seem fair to you, when that is their only opportunity?

BTW, the whole "freewill" discussion is great one philosophically. Maybe I'll make another thread about it later.

Yet they are still doomed by lacking this knowledge, yes?

Who wrote that? Paul? Was God whispering in his ear at that moment?

If all that is true, then it qualifies good people from any religion. So why then the need for Jesus-as-SupernaturalCreature in the first place? Jesus-as-man is a more inspiring story in my mind. The sacrifice is greater if he is merely human. I am a moral person, good father, caring neighbor, kind partner, dependable friend, and competent worker...will I burn?

If yes, should I then be afraid enough to go through the motions of belief? I already live a moral life. I abide by both the law of man and the law of my heart on moral issues. Why must I justify a book written by men describing a supernatural creature and its wrath when the entire purpose of the endeavor was to establish a reward/punishment system for moral/immoral behavior? Confucius did the same thing, before Jesus, covering more people, with the same intended social effect, without the need for supernatural creatures to scare people.

 

Despite the blasphemy, this is a good discussion point.

 

Did Confucius exist? There is really very little proof that he did.

 

I wanna go to heaven because its perfect! No worries, diseases, pain, death, hate, etc...

 

I'll take your word for that journey even though it suspiciously coincides conveniently with the tradition you were born into. And I will also look into those books you referenced, looking for the evidence you speak of. But be forewarned, I am not suffering or searching in they way you seemed to be, so my skepticism is not going to be swayed so easily. Please don't be offended if I respond negatively.

I also reference an enlightening e-book to you:
http://members.optushome.com.au/davidquinn000/Wisdom/WisdomContents.htm

In other words, you really don't know and are just guessing? Where did you determine God's character? Personal visions? The human-written books of Old testament or The New? Did God seemingly evolve between the writing of those two texts or did man?

Was this quality of human nature somehow suppressed during the writing of the Bible and the founding of the church? Do the visions of the authors of the Bible qualify as legitimate vehicles of credibility? Why are the same type of visions in people today seen as merely schizophrenic? What specifically has changed in humans?

 

Tharan:

This has been (and hopefully will continue to be) a most enjoyable discussion -- one I most certainly plan to continue at my earliest opportunity. However, I am leaving for Charlotte early tomorrow morning, and may not be around a computer until I get back home on 10/5.

I just didn't want you to think I bailed on this thread if I don't post for a week or so.

To be continued...

 

No prob. I agree, it is an enjoyable discussion. This delay is good because it gives me time to review the books you linked. My goal is not to change your mind, but really just to see how you defend yourself. (I mean that in a non-threatening, honest, and respectful way.)