What a concept!
I hate to say this, but eternal anything sounds either dull or monumentally cruel.
I am more inclined to think the next life is just another phase like this one. Like Reincarnation in Buddhism. Except coming back as an animal is kind of far-fetched I think.
Now before you Christian conservatives attack me for mentioning that evil word "Buddhism", try to keep an open mind. Hey, I'm still thinking they might be half right about things.
But so many Christians are excited about the "eternity" concept. Eternity with the Beloved. But I don't need to spend 24/7 with my partner or dog to be happy. I need to spend some down time. "I'm just gonna watch the football hon." I come back refreshed having spent some time away from her. And her too. She needs to see her friends.
The Buddhist idea appeals to me because of the step by step growth. What you don't learn in this life, you try to learn in the next. If you lead an immoral , selfish life, you will suffer in the next one until you wake up and humbly accept your lot. When you do, you make progress. So no one life is eternal. Each life is a stepping-stone.
Whereas the Christians think "oh I'm saved so straight to heaven". How simplistic! You think you've learnt all there is to learn in this life? No more growth required?
This blog is starting to sound heretical. And a part of me is black I know. Black with disbelief and scepticism.
Still I need to express that part of me and this blog is it.
I hate to say this, but eternal anything sounds either dull or monumentally cruel.
I am more inclined to think the next life is just another phase like this one. Like Reincarnation in Buddhism. Except coming back as an animal is kind of far-fetched I think.
Now before you Christian conservatives attack me for mentioning that evil word "Buddhism", try to keep an open mind. Hey, I'm still thinking they might be half right about things.
But so many Christians are excited about the "eternity" concept. Eternity with the Beloved. But I don't need to spend 24/7 with my partner or dog to be happy. I need to spend some down time. "I'm just gonna watch the football hon." I come back refreshed having spent some time away from her. And her too. She needs to see her friends.
The Buddhist idea appeals to me because of the step by step growth. What you don't learn in this life, you try to learn in the next. If you lead an immoral , selfish life, you will suffer in the next one until you wake up and humbly accept your lot. When you do, you make progress. So no one life is eternal. Each life is a stepping-stone.
Whereas the Christians think "oh I'm saved so straight to heaven". How simplistic! You think you've learnt all there is to learn in this life? No more growth required?
This blog is starting to sound heretical. And a part of me is black I know. Black with disbelief and scepticism.
Still I need to express that part of me and this blog is it.
