Heaven and Hell

[overnight]

Some time ago our church in conjunction with some other local churches (Catholic and Congregational) participated in an Alpha program. I did not attend due to schedual conflicts but I want to next time. Anyway one of the subjects is Heaven and Hell. Only the members on my church the UMC belived in Hell. I guess through discussion others made the ones who did beilieve not belive (or perhaps bielieve differently about what hell is etc.) I am asking today what are your thoughts about wheather Heaven and Hell exsist, what are they for (saved, devil, sinners, etc). You may add if you want thoughts about what these places may be like but that is not my main intent, my main intent is to see what others of a simialr faith as mine think.

Also give a thought to what happens to you when you die. I for one am still thinking on this so I will not write what I think. (the moment you die)

My Thoughts:
heaven is a real place that for those who beilive in Christ will go to.
Hell is a real place for the devil and his minions (it was origanally not intended for humans but because of there resistance to serve God will go there).

 

[bigsierra]

I wasn't sure if you wanted non Wesleyans replying to the poll so I didn't. Catholics should be believing in hell, that's for sure. I believe in both.

Here is what the CCC says:
1035 The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, "eternal fire." The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.

 

[overnight]

actually yes I did only want weslians to poll, however, i would like thoughts about this if you are not weslian.

 

[zoziw]

I do believe in heaven but, in my opinion, the jury is still out on hell.

I see various different verses in the Bible which would indicate:

1) Eternal Torment
2) Destruction of the Soul
3) A period of torment followed by the destruction of the soul
4) Reconciliation

Many people have strong opinions on this but personally I am unsure. Probably better to guarantee heaven than risk it.

 

[Celticflower]

I believe in both.

Heaven is being in God's presence forever. What could be better?

Hell is being separated from God forever. What could be worse?

Celtie

 

[cajunhillbilly]

I believe in both.

Heaven is being in God's presence forever. What could be better?

Hell is being separated from God forever. What could be worse?

Celtie

How very true.

 

[wvmtnkid]

I believe in both. I believe heaven is where we will dwell in the presence of God for all eternity. I also believe we will be reunited with our loved ones who have gone on before us. Actually, I believe anyone who has ever died before me that is a believer will be in Heaven. I am looking forward to meeting the heros from the Old and New Testaments!

I also believe in Hell, which is the eternal seperation from God, which is eternal torment in itself. I do believe in satan and his followers. I don't think he is a dude that runs around in red long johns carrying a pitch fork, but I do believe he is very real.

I guess the part I am a little fuzzy on is what exactly happens at the moment of death. I am not sure if we go immediately to heaven. I had a pastor who once taught on this. He believed that upon death, we go to a place called "Paradise" that was so much like heaven, we wouldn't know we weren't there, kinda like a holding area. We didn't actually go to heaven until the end of the world, on the second coming of Jesus.

What really threw me was when I read the last book in the Left Behind Series "Glorious Appearing". I don't want to spoil it for those who might not have read it yet that want to, but if you have read it and you know what I am referring to, I don't think the way they described how life will be is exactly how I picture things either.

I like to picture things like they are portrayed on Touched by an Angel, that at the moment of death, there will be an angel there to guide me on to heaven. But again, I am not sure about all of that. And I have heard some stories (from people I trust) who have been with those who have died and what some of their last words have been. Descriptions they have given. Makes you wonder.......

 

[bigsierra]

I'm curious what the person who voted neither thinks happens after death.

 

[MadeInOz]

I believe that there is both...

if it's not hell, there's a place which is greatly divided from heaven, eternal torment... I'd call that hell

4) Reconciliation

reference?

 

[zoziw]

reference?

My advice is to google universalism, read up on it and decide for yourself.

I've read the views of the people who believe the 4 things I listed above and must confess they all make good cases. Also, they are all really good at spinning the Bible to strengthen their own views and minimize the others.

In the end, the jury is still out for me.

 

[wonder111]

I believe in both.

Heaven is being in God's presence forever. What could be better?

Hell is being separated from God forever. What could be worse?

Celtie

my thoughts exactly.

 

[Rosa Mystica]

I believe in both. I wish I could only believe in the existence of one (i.e. Heaven), but that would be believing in a falsehood, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Texas Lynn]

I do not believe in a hell as described by Hieronymous Bosch paintings or the rantings of fundamentalist preachers. Beyond that I believe in living in Christian love, doing the right thing in terms of our treatment of others, and service to those less fortunate than us.

If people are recruited to Christianity on the basis of "if you are not Christian (of the type of the speaker) you will go to hell, the result is merely a Christianity of sychopants and cowards. That would not be a good strategy for a God that is wise.

 

[wvmtnkid]

I'm curious what the person who voted neither thinks happens after death.

When I was in college, I had a friend of a particular denomination (I can't exactly remember which one or I would post it) that didn't believe in either. They believed that once you died, you died. There was no eternal life, heaven or hell. When you died, you were buried and that was pretty much that.

 

[cajunhillbilly]

When I was in college, I had a friend of a particular denomination (I can't exactly remember which one or I would post it) that didn't believe in either. They believed that once you died, you died. There was no eternal life, heaven or hell. When you died, you were buried and that was pretty much that.

What a dismal view. How can any one who believes in God not believe in eternal life? We are made in His image. Very confusing.

 

[wvmtnkid]

What a dismal view. How can any one who believes in God not believe in eternal life? We are made in His image. Very confusing.

I totally agree, cajunhillbilly! I couldn't really understand the reasoning behind the belief even after he tried to explain it. What hope is there without the hope in the resurrection? To me, it would make life pretty pointless.

 

[Texas Lynn]

I totally agree, cajunhillbilly! I couldn't really understand the reasoning behind the belief even after he tried to explain it. What hope is there without the hope in the resurrection? To me, it would make life pretty pointless.

It's less dismal than the worldview that all the people you don't like are going to hell and gloating about it, which is de riegieur in fundamentalist circles, and certainly reflects a more decent view of God and other people than that.

 

[bigsierra]

When I was in college, I had a friend of a particular denomination (I can't exactly remember which one or I would post it) that didn't believe in either. They believed that once you died, you died. There was no eternal life, heaven or hell. When you died, you were buried and that was pretty much that.

How sad. I saw a show on TBN the other night where they went around asking folks what they thought happened after they died and some said it's just like being asleep, you don't think a thing or know anything. The ironic part is that our brains buzz along all night long.
Some compared it to never being born. Of course there were a couple that proclaimed reincarnation. While it may be exciting thinking about coming back as a bunny, or something, where do they get that? I haven't heard to many people claim to remember anything of past lives(none credibly anyway), so that would almost be the same as just poofing.

Lord Jesus, draw them to you, by your Spirit.

 

[cajunhillbilly]

It's less dismal than the worldview that all the people you don't like are going to hell and gloating about it, which is de riegieur in fundamentalist circles, and certainly reflects a more decent view of God and other people than that.

You know I have yet to meet any Christian- fundy, Anglican, Catholc, Orthodox, Pentecostal, whatever- who gloats that people are going to hell. Most do not want to see anyone go to Hell and pray for their salvation and witness to them and work towards saving as many souls as they can, by God's grace. Yes, non existence after death is a dismal view.

 

[wvmtnkid]

It's less dismal than the worldview that all the people you don't like are going to hell and gloating about it, which is de riegieur in fundamentalist circles, and certainly reflects a more decent view of God and other people than that.

I have to agree with cajunhillbilly. I don't know of anyone that literally gloats at the prospect of someone going to hell. The thought saddens me to think of others, particularly someone I know, and those I love, spending an eternally separated from the love of their Father because they will not accept what He gives freely.