Recently, I was posed the question if I were to die today, would I go to heaven and hell and why? The question's poser, being devoutly Christian, sees things from a perspective laid out by their beliefs which of course is only natural. Whether the intent was to cause me distress with my beliefs or to ask an honest question of someone from a differing belief system, I cannot tell. And in the grand scheme of things, such pondering are immaterial to the discussion and indeed to the pertinence of life. So instead of questioning the querant's motives, I simply offer up my response for all to see.
Blessed Be.
Ed.
Question:
if you where to die right now where would you go heaven or hell and why
My Response:
I don't personally believe in heaven or hell in the traditional christian sense. I believe our existence at this time and at other times is that we're a physical embodiment of a spiritual being and that the connection is never severed, there's something akin to a thread that keeps us constantly connected.
I also believe that we are living our lives at this current moment in an educational endeavor, not in an academic sense as we're used to it, but in an experiential sense. I do believe in reincarnation, and I believe that with each life we're here to learn, to experience and to grow from those. Each of our experiences, each thing that happens to us no matter how good or how bad contribute to the whole that we are and to the whole of the spiritual self.
As far as heaven or hell, we set ourselves up for that experience, whether we give into what the bible refers to as the 7 deadly sins, or make a name and a buck or two by putting others at a disadvantage, these things stick to us and leave their marks, just as acting ethically and properly do. It's about stepping up and putting forth the effort to make your life and the lives of those around you better, not more toys, not lustier, not gluttonous, but truly better.
I also think that if we all came to understand that our relationship with the creative force we call God and the many other names that God is known by is personal and will have its own variations that we can allow others to exist and to work towards each of us finding our personal path, our own straight and narrow and peace can exist through that. And that to me is the true love of God.
My thoughts on life and the insanity therein. Sometimes uplifting and inspiring, sometimes filled with rage or sorrow. Regardless, it is what I feel, who I am.
kydruid