Describe Heaven

[AzA]

(I wasn't sure which of the suggested threads people wanted to expand on... so carry on... If you've already commented, feel free to cut/paste/develop your answer.)

What is heaven to you? A place you might go later? A state you might experience later? A state you might experience now? How would you describe it to a nonreligious adult? Does that differ from how you would describe it a small child from a Christian home?

 

[sentipente]

The concept of Heaven is a human creation. In the beginning God created the heavens, was simply another way of saying that in the beginning God created all we see and experience. Heaven is not a place. The idea that God would create us here on earth with plans to transport us to another place when we are good enough puts the lie to his pronouncement that his creation was "good."

 

[Avonia]

(I wasn't sure which of the suggested threads people wanted to expand on... so carry on... If you've already commented, feel free to cut/paste/develop your answer.)

What is heaven to you? A place you might go later? A state you might experience later? A state you might experience now? How would you describe it to a nonreligious adult? Does that differ from how you would describe it a small child from a Christian home?

We are addicted to division. I've seen little in Christianity that suggests very many Christians could stand to live in the heaven they describe. Without a shift in consciousness, a transport will not help us learn what we have refused to learn right where we are.

 

[AzA]

What is it you think we are here to learn?

 

[Avonia]

What is it you think we are here to learn?

A discrete "what" is probably less interesting than the insight that we are here to learn.

But if forced to reduce - "Who we are."

 

[AzA]

Ohhhhh... "She forced me to reduce!" LOL

Yes, there's an idea that knowing may be more valuable than knowledge. We can debate it.

 

[sentipente]

But if forced to reduce - "Who we are."

That is the crux of the matter because we are the ones who act on our behalf. If we don't know who we are how can we know we are acting as we should? To have faith in God is more about having faith in yourself: knowing who you are.

 

[Joe67]

Having trouble posting.

 

[Joe67]

Where Jesus is, that is heaven.

 

[Joe67]

Still having difficulty posting. Is there a delete function?

My difficulty began in the end of January this year. I Pmd Sophia7 and followed her instructions but the problem remains. These 4 posts (written yesterday) did not show up on the board for several hours after being written and submitted. But I am able to 'edit' today and it shows up almost immediately. Originally when I began posting, my posts showed up on the board almost immediately...not hours later, so hope this can be resolved.

Then I can be more active again!

Thanks
Joe

 

[Joe67]

We will follow the Lamb, wherever He goes.

Joe

 

[AzA]

Joe, what in practical terms do you think that means?

 

[JonMiller]

I honestly have no clue. I am going on trust of God and the knowledge that the evils of this world (torture, suffering,, etc) will be taken care of.

JM

 

[sentipente]

I honestly have no clue. I am going on trust of God and the knowledge that the evils of this world (torture, suffering,, etc) will be taken care of.

JM

You seem to see God as an absentee landlord who will put things right when He returns from His rather long journey.

 

[JonMiller]

Did you attend to ask me using the exact language of the parable where God is that?

But as far as after I die? Yeah, I have to trust in God. I don't believe I can live forever without Him.

And there is no evidence that we can overcome the evils of torture/suffering/etc in this world. Despite the reasoning and promise of humanism and the enlightenment. I am an empericist. We have all of recorded history showing that humans are no more capable of overcoming their problems despite all their philosophy, technology, and religion.

JM

 

[sentipente]

And there is no evidence that we can overcome the evils of torture/suffering/etc in this world. Despite the reasoning and promise of humanism and the enlightenment. I am an empericist. We have all of recorded history showing that humans are no more capable of overcoming their problems despite all their philosophy, technology, and religion.

JM

An empiricist does not conclude that lack of success means lack of capability. Sometimes a change of paradigm is all one needs.

 

[JonMiller]

Logic and empiricism has served us well as far as explaining the world and living longer lives. While I agree that they haven't solved the problem of evil, they have acheived results in other facets of life.

To change away from them seems to me to be foolishness.

JM

 

[sentipente]

Logic and empiricism has served us well as far as explaining the world and living longer lives. While I agree that they haven't solved the problem of evil, they have acheived results in other facets of life.

To change away from them seems to me to be foolishness.

JM

I don't recall anyone suggesting that we should. How did you get on this wagon?

 

[inder11]

I'm new here and am wanting to learn how the bible describes heaven. Is it one place where all the people that followed the bible go and live? And when I say live is that like we do here, but we are with God.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

I'm new here and am wanting to learn how the bible describes heaven. Is it one place where all the people that followed the bible go and live? And when I say live is that like we do here, but we are with God.

Thanks in advance.

A person's answer to this question will vary based on how literally they view the Bible. There are some who view Heaven as a literal place. Others view it as a figment of men's imaginations. I fall into the former camp.

BFA