Heaven is Up and Hell is down.

1. 76

   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   If there is only one place we go after we die… either heaven or hell.. according to our actions on earth, then, roll the drums...
   We Do Not Have Free Will.
   
   News Flash
   We do not have free will in the first place if we are REQUIRED to follow God's will
   ...or go to hell after this one single lifetime.
   
   Now, is that fair?
   No. Thats why I do not believe it.
   Do we read that in the NT? Do We????
   
   God encourages us… He certainly does not force us, which is why he remains allusive... preferring to work behind the scenes, apparently invisible.
   I believe God wants us to follow his will because we are motivated to do so. We see it as a benefit to know his ways and follow his will.
   He knows for sure that He can't force us.
   
   
   
   TWISI

   replyreport
   1. 95

      wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Don't understand why having a choice means there is no free will.  That one choice is preferable over another is almost inevitable - nearly every choice we are presented with has that.  It doesn't stop people from making stupid choices.

      replyreport
      1. 76

         Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Who would knowingly choose an action that would land us in hell ? no one. So there would only be one choice.
         And sometimes that choice is not easy.
         It makes it even harder if one is *supposed* to make that choice.
         For instance:
         If one should not divorce, but one really can't live with the spouse any more.
         Now your soul mate has become your cell mate.
         and to avoid hell after life you have to put up with hell in life.
         
         (of all the people to argue this... YOU?)
         
         Do not commit adultery.
         Who follows this? How many people are going to hell?
         Such a depressing concept.

         replyreport
         1. 86

            B. Leekleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            In his book Heaven and its Wonders and Hell From Things Heard and Seen, Swedenborg says that going to hell is a personal free choice which God permits and grants but does not command. The spiritual principles are that like attracts like and that "wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be" (as Jesus put it). Swedenborg's is the only theology I've encountered that has a plausible explanation for a loving God sending people to Hell. God doesn't. Quarrelers are attracted there by other quarrelers; haters are attracted there by fellow hateful haters, the lustful attract each other there, and so on. Swedenborg claimed to have traveled to Hell "in the spirit" and to have seen it himself. I am working on a short story based on his notion.

            replyreport
            1. 76

               Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               Ah ha! This makes sense!

               replyreport
2. 76

   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   For instance, if Catholic priests have been thusly indoctrinated and they have these unholy urges and act on them… then, there is no hope for them and end up resigning themselves to the fact that they are destined for hell… Might as well live it up,... or down…, in which case.
   
   If we teach our children there is only heaven or hell, I think that is psychologically detrimental to them.
   Maybe thats why the worst kids I knew were raised Catholic.
   I like the Catholic religion in general, and they preach with great focus on Jesus' words and The New Testament, but on this one point I do not agree.
   I believe in reincarnation according to the Bhagavad Gita.

   replyreport
3. 76

   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   So God is merciful and allows us to make mistake after mistake. He sent Jesus to show us God's love and forgiveness and that that there is a plan for our lives. And why would we not want to cooperate with God's plan?
   We have been given free will because, essentially, without it, heaven would not be heaven!
   Therefore, we have free will to guide toward our own happiness.
   Who doesn't want happiness? Its really just a matter of figuring out what makes us (truly) happy.
   In America, we have the red carpet rolled out toward the pursuit of (true) happiness through liberty within boundaries.
   Let's keep it rolled out.

   replyreport
4. 76

   Kathryn L Hillposted 8 years ago

   I think I will ask a question here:
   Are we happier today? or not?
   - do we think about hell?
   no.
   Do we think about heaven?
   no.
   These two things are not thought about anyway.
   What DO we think about?
   We think about the here and now. We think about survival and getting what we want.
   What do we want?
   Are we able to get what we want?
   Is life in America going up or down?
   In many ways it is going up.
   In many ways down.
   For instance, why are houses so expensive in So. Cal.?
   Why is food so expensive? Why are jobs harder to find?
   Will they ever come back? What are people doing to make money. Many things are being done due to the internet: networking, wheeling and dealing.
   It is an amazing time. For the young, for the old.

   replyreport