I recently had a conversation with someone regarding heaven and hell that didn’t sit well with me. Actually, having these kinds of conversations never go over well with me. My ideals on this subject have progressed unconventionally and rebelled against the norm; therefore, I would only displease most traditionally religious persons. Although I consider myself Jewish, I am currently not a Practicing Jew. And I don’t believe any religion is wrong. The religion you follow is your religion and your choice. The important question you should ask yourself is, “Do you love God?”
Furthermore, I am more spiritual than anything. I love God and I talk to Him every day throughout the day. I believe that we all have a good spirit because we were created from God. Some things though do happen when we get here that affects some people in different ways that diverts them from their good spirit. Some people end up having mental illnesses while others just choose to be bad. I am not for the bad whatsoever, but if I can’t pin point why someone has become an unsavory person then it’s really not my place to say where anyone will go. We all have done something bad according to someone. I do weight things like rape, murder, and abuse etc, on something more than bad—leaning more toward evil. However, even in that statement I am really not one to judge even if I have been faced with all the subjects stated—that’s just my biased subjective opinion. Just like everyone else has their own biased subjective opinions. And some actually think they are their own facts.
Now on to the conversation I had…
This person asked me “Where do you think we go when we die?” I answered “I really don’t think about that much.” Because I really don’t think that is important as where I am going while I am alive. He paused, and asked me why. At the time I really didn’t have an answer. With thought now I do because I know why he asked me. He asked me because in this conversation he persisted with what he thought. And what he thought was so far-fetched, in my opinion, that I will spare you with the graphic details.
However, I will summarize the rest of the conversation. He does like most feel there is a heaven and hell, we will be judged and we will be in holding until it is our turn to be judged. His idea of “holding” was spine-tingling, to say the least. But let’s not talk about death. Let’s talk about life, because that’s exactly what I thought about while he was telling me his viewpoint on heaven and hell. It’s a much more proactive thought. It was the questions and comments he continued to ask that prompted this thinking like, “Do you think that all people go to heaven?” I answered with “Possibly, we all go to a better please but I am not one to make statements on this.” His answer to that was “Then if your thinking is valid, I might as well go rob a bank.” Let’s “hmmm” on that last statement for a moment.
Before we continue, so you know, my thinking is never thought to be valid for anyone but myself because it’s what I feel in my heart. Okay, now let’s continue…
Personally, I am not living to make myself better nor am I doing good things in order to go to heaven. If I did, everything in this world that I did for others would be disingenuous. But don’t you hear that a great deal? “Do good things and you will go to heaven.” Not often do you hear, “Do good things because you love mankind.” Or “Do good things to create heaven on earth.” I feel that people are a part of me, no matter how capable they are of hurting me, because I ultimately come from the same place that everyone else does. The same Being created us. I feel that it’s in our best interest to do good in this world as a symbol of love. That kind of love is capable of creating a heaven here while we are living. Although, yes we are not all perfect because we will get mad, do things out of character, and at times say mean things to each other, the thought of love alone makes us perfect to God. I really think the key that locks most anything in our lives is love in our soul. I believe we all have a soul, and if our soul drives us to do good things for the reward that we have created a happier life for ourselves and others while we are here then a hell can’t exist here or in the afterlife. So with thought, that is my answer to him.
“We should do good because at the end of the day, it will create a better world for those that are living.”
This is dedicated to those in my life that have moved on to a better place but did good things while they were in this place.
Ann Carter, James Carter, Linda Huntley, Laurie Marcanio, and Lashawna Threatt
All Content © 2011 Marika Dye
no, con uno fijo, 85mm
I am sorry, do you speak English?
Beware any religion which requires you to accept that all others are false.
Personally, I'm a "do good things because it's the right thing to do" guy. The act is compensation in itself. If you believe we are all One – and I do – then am I not helping myself? Further, did Christ not charge me with behaving like him in order to get to Heaven? Never once did he tell us to go to church on Sunday or to do as the pope or anyone else tells us to do.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
My interpretation: behave as Christ did… and the rest takes care of itself.
So do we go to heaven, or does it come to us? Question is, does it really matter? If we are helping ourselves and the One by helping another, does it truly matter how, when or where our rewards will come? If it does, I can't see why. Nor can I discern how it matters what inspires anyone to behave in this fashion, as long as they do so. For this reason, even many Christians would judge me a heretic.
I don't believe in converting people; I believe in bearing witness. I firmly believe that we must each seek our own path to God, rather than blindly following another. And once you embark upon that lifelong path, you'll be surprised at where you do find God… including within yourself.
We are always on the same page!
You are my kind of guy and get exactly what I am trying to say! What you said is very compelling … I also believe we should find our own path to God and I don't think we should FORCE anyone to take that same path what ever it may be.
I liked your conclusion. <3
The conclusion summed up the point I was trying to make in the whole article. Now I do believe that we need to have a relationship with God… and know who he is… all that Jazz that we are taught in most religions. But the point I was trying to make in the whole article is that we must not JUST be good people because we know if we are we are going to heaven. We should do it because we want to and that is who we are. We should do it because it's the right thing to do for other human beings around us. We should do it because we don't enjoy seeing others go thru pain esp on the account of what we did. Now the particulars on how we get to heaven in with each individual religion. I just didn't want to get deep into religion at least not on this article.
That's a good point that you have brought up. A lot of times, we are told that if we do good, we will go to heaven. Even kids are taught that. So, it is indeed refreshing to read that we should do good because it is the right thing to do and it is who we are rather than focusing on the reward of heaven one day for our actions.
I have found in different religions especially Christianity, there are so many things we must to do get to heaven like a check off list. I don't like that ideal personally. It's like when you ask your kids to do this and that but then when you see them do it on their own you know it was done with love and because they truly wanted to. I'd rather do things for God because I want to not because I want to get to a blissful place. I think really if do things from the heart and he knows it and we mean well we will all end up in the same beautiful place. I like that idea much better than do this do that to go to heaven because we are all not perfect and only one person. There are some strict guidelines that we must follow supposedly for us to even meet him but He is the one that created us. He knows what we are capable of and all of us have different personalities and motivations and He designed us like that on purpose— I believe.
Aww thanks! <3 right back atcha!
I'd say live righteously, and it'll all workout in the end.
Did you like what I had to say?
I guess the question is for many people what is righteously. Religion places so many rules.
Go and read Acts 2 The chapter. When you get closer to 38 thats where it tells you.
Also Mark 16:16
Also Ephesians 4:5
These are some good verses that God has commanded. That's not any man-made religion, which has diverted from the actual truth. There are many religions out there that divert from Gods word when it comes to Salvation. Salvation is the most important factor in our lives while we are still living to obtain heaven one day. Salvation is also important for having forgiveness of sins while we are still living here on earth, living right (renewing our minds daily-which is a process to go through in life) but as long as we stay on track after being Saved He will tell us when we meet him one day "Well done, good and faithful servant" That's in Revelation I believe 2;10.
Marika, I'd love to talk to you more about it.. b/c you are a sweet person.. I think many people in the world really do not know "The Truth" b/c of so many religions out there.. its all about what God's Word says, not man. B/c man has only diverted and has made all these other religions "their way" so to speak.. not saying they do not study the Bible, but when it comes to Salvation thats the part that "MAN'' has tried to change away from God's word.
If ya follow me. I know thats deep !
I am person that doesn't feel like ANY religion is wrong if we believe in God. I think we all have to find a relationship with him that is suitable for us. I love though what you have to share. I think you are an amazing person. You are a loving person and in that you will go to heaven in my book. You are always trying to do better and always there for people in need. Think about the guy you trusted in the church and what he did to you. None of us are perfect and just because we appear to be going by God's word does not mean we are good people that may make it to heaven. And for me its not about making it there… as much as I want to meet God, give him a hug and love him in person and not from afar. It's about the people he put on earth and what we do with each other and the other things he created. It's whether we choose to do good or bad while we are here. I know many people in the church that don't have this outlook. They have this handbook (not to downsize the Bible to this) of rules that they must go by to make it to heaven. But what do they feel in their soul on what the Bible says is more important to me. Are they actually FEELING these rules… are they rules EFFORTLESS or a chore? For some if they were honest they would say it's a chore. I am not going against what you are saying here. I give you the most respect. I love you deeply but I am from also a different religion than you. But even in a sense religion makes me feel bad for who I am and the things I do. It's my driving force to self hatred and sadness. I don't think God wants me to feel that or have that lingering so it diverts me from the plan he laid out for me. But often when I rely on religion's rules that's what it does to me. I can't get hung up on whether I am going to heaven anymore. I'd rather get hung up on making my life here while I am here heaven if I can…. not just for me but for other too.
Yes I see where you are coming from.
It shouldnt be a chore to do right and live doing well with life and others. As of course The Word says "without works, faith is dead" Like "man without a soul, man is dead" so you have to have the works and faith will live on b/c we are living in action!
We're not all perfect. Yes the guy that I talked to, I'm sure he's a great person and yes he's a Christian but he's not perfect either. To me religion, most people stick by a "religion" possibly through a tradition, religion to me is strictly following God's word, not because my parents brought me up and I am following their tradition. That's because I have Obeyed God's Word by becoming a Christian as God's word commands us to do. We are responsible for our own souls. Heaven and Hell is real and real important. We an either live and die once and go to Heaven, or live and die twice (going to Hell) B/c His Word warns us what Hell is like. The lake of Fire, distress, pain, for ETERNITY.
Life is not eternal here, But Heaven is Eternal also, which HE has the power to take away all the worry, sorrows, tears, fears, pain! As long as we Hear his Word, Believe in it, Confess that Jesus is God's son, Repent (which means) turning away from past sins, Be Baptized for the remission of our sins. Which that means remission is the continuing forgiveness we have access to while we are here on earth, as long as we are asking for forgiveness to the Lord. Renewing our Minds and keeping our Hearts right through this journey. And last Step is, staying Faithful to Him. He will always be faithful, but we have do do the Works. If we don't have the Works, Faith is not there. BC people out there say " I have the faith, I believe this or that" But they do not "work-it, or show it" So ya gotta have works.
So that's my feedback. I love talking about God's Word b/c that's what is important to help us through the journey. To help us make the right choices in life.
You are a great person too and so caring with others! Just the steps to become a Christian as God's commands state, will help you even further!
· 1 week ago
Well, my heart is being Jewish. But I love Christians so much. I just don't want to be stuck believing that other religions will not make it to heaven. I just can't think that way; however, I felt MUCH comfort in the words that you wrote! It's beautiful to know so much of His word and share it with others especially in your own words… that makes it so authentic. I don't think I am going to HELL, I feel in my soul I am going to Heaven and I am glad I am here to get to know God more and fulfill his plan which is what I strive to do every day I wake in the morning. =)
Marika you said this so wonderfully and with a heart that is full of wisdom and love that can only be given by the One Creator. I especially agree with living life to the fullest today but understanding that we it is in The Plan to bring His will on earth as it is in heaven. As you said none of us are perfect but I believe that we, I we chose the right path, are a work in progress. I do believe and have faith that there is a place of joy, peace, and no suffering and that if we have respect and love for our brothers and sisters then we are fulfilling the greatest commandment of all and that is to Love each other as we too are loved and to do for others as it was done for us by the giving of life so that we can have life. Marika this is a beautiful message that you have given and I hope that someone else reads what you have said and feel the exceedingly positive, riches without end, yes you can attitude that you have and it touches them as it has me. Thank you Marika and it is truly an honor and a pleasure to be networked with a person of your character.
Awww! What an honor and a kind sentiment here! Thank you. I am glad I touched you with this article. I think we all get caught up with religion itself and what she need to do to get to heaven but I think God wants us to be happy in what we do. Where is there happiness when we are MADE do things only to get something. I like to do things that bring me pure joy and fuels my soul. Religion often makes people feel bad about who they are and what they do. When we get in that kind of stooper we tend to feel like failures in life. I have felt that way because of religion unfortunately. I have felt like I was an awful person because I was doing things wrong according to religion. Even my thoughts were wrong. This is so unproductive. I think we should just talk to him and figure it out that way. There is much more love in that than reading a book to figure out what our destiny is. When we pray at night he tells us when we wake up if we listen. When we meditate or have our "me" time he tells us when we connect with our bodies. I have learned we don't need a book (which is of error) to seek what we need to know.
the Bible (which is God's inspired word) in john 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. meaning that the only way to heaven(which the bible also makes very clear that there is a heaven) is through Jesus Christ our Load and Savior! only by accepting Him as Lord of our life can we make it to heaven and ultimatly to His presents to worship Him for the life He gave us
Thanks for sharing that. I have only one issue with that. One, being Jewish I know that Jesus was not his name. Two, a person that is accepting of all Godly religions you are excluding other people that I believe will make it to heaven. I believe that there is more to it than accepting Jesus Christ. But I also will not go against what you believe either. I believe if he believe in God and do good things from the heart that he created everything else will follow no matter what religion you are. I know amazing people that are not Christian that I believe will be in heaven with me.
The key to the gates of heaven have nothing to do with doing good…those who have sinned get a key once they accept Jesus thru faith…That faith in Jesus will create a natural not forced desire to do good…Look at King David…he danced naked,commited adultery thru lust,and set a dude up for death…and Peter who walked with Jesus lied and he cut a dude ear off…plus he publicly lost faith in Jesus. but these 2 are said in the bible to be at GODs side once we arrive…and Paul was one of the ones who crucified Jesus…but repented and went on to write 3/4 of the new testament..