- Feb 5, 2002
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Jesus draws all of us to Himself through the Cross and Resurrection. He returns to the Father in His glorious Ascension and brings our humanity with Him. He completes His sacred mission of the Word as prophesized by Isaiah (cf. Is. 55:11). Heaven is the destiny of those who follow Him. We believe in heaven (but without daring to judge any soul) we also believe in hell for those who live evil lives and reject the commandments of Jesus.
According to estimates, the world population is 8 billion. Christians represent 2.2 billion, with Catholics making up half of that. The various factions of Islam have nearly 1.6 billion believers. The Hindus have just over 1 billion, Buddhists ½ billion, those with no religious affiliation 1.1 billion, and many other religions—including Judaism, have less than 100 million adherents. Some suggest that 7% of the world’s population is atheist.
But admit it or not, we are all religious believers.
Let’s survey (in a non-academic way) various beliefs in the afterlife. Some components are compatible with Catholic teaching; others are not.
In Islam, heaven is the final abode of the righteous. “Believers” will enjoy pleasure in heaven (Jannah), while the unbelievers (Kafir) will suffer in hell (Jahannam). Afterlife experiences are physical, psychic, and spiritual. Heaven includes pleasures such as gardens with lush branches, flowing springs, every type of fruit, beautiful furnishings, elegant rubies, gushing springs, maidens with gorgeous eyes (sorry, ladies), and so on. For unbelievers, excruciating pain and horror in hell are on a scale to match the delights of heaven.
Buddhism holds we undergo reincarnation time after time until we get our life right. There are several strains of Buddhism, including various cycles of reincarnation. After many tries, the afterlife reflects a person’s “karma.” If a person has performed proper actions based on generosity, loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom—his rebirth is in one or more heavenly realms. It is important to adopt a positive attitude and avoid negative ideas. The deceased get help from different Buddhas who show them the path to the bright light. If a person has committed harmful actions by body, speech, and mind based on greed, hate, and delusion, rebirth as an animal or a hungry ghost occurs in a lower realm.
Continued below.
www.catholicculture.org
According to estimates, the world population is 8 billion. Christians represent 2.2 billion, with Catholics making up half of that. The various factions of Islam have nearly 1.6 billion believers. The Hindus have just over 1 billion, Buddhists ½ billion, those with no religious affiliation 1.1 billion, and many other religions—including Judaism, have less than 100 million adherents. Some suggest that 7% of the world’s population is atheist.
But admit it or not, we are all religious believers.
Let’s survey (in a non-academic way) various beliefs in the afterlife. Some components are compatible with Catholic teaching; others are not.
In Islam, heaven is the final abode of the righteous. “Believers” will enjoy pleasure in heaven (Jannah), while the unbelievers (Kafir) will suffer in hell (Jahannam). Afterlife experiences are physical, psychic, and spiritual. Heaven includes pleasures such as gardens with lush branches, flowing springs, every type of fruit, beautiful furnishings, elegant rubies, gushing springs, maidens with gorgeous eyes (sorry, ladies), and so on. For unbelievers, excruciating pain and horror in hell are on a scale to match the delights of heaven.
Buddhism holds we undergo reincarnation time after time until we get our life right. There are several strains of Buddhism, including various cycles of reincarnation. After many tries, the afterlife reflects a person’s “karma.” If a person has performed proper actions based on generosity, loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom—his rebirth is in one or more heavenly realms. It is important to adopt a positive attitude and avoid negative ideas. The deceased get help from different Buddhas who show them the path to the bright light. If a person has committed harmful actions by body, speech, and mind based on greed, hate, and delusion, rebirth as an animal or a hungry ghost occurs in a lower realm.
Continued below.
Everyone is a Believer
Catholic teaching is a remedy for the inherent inconsistencies of world religions, including the cult of atheism.
www.catholicculture.org
