Posted by CarolAnn(Sorry!keep hitting enter instead of shift on November 13, 1999, at 8:46:33
In reply to Re: Depression, Evolution...It, posted by CarolAnn on November 13, 1999, at 8:23:06
I don't know how much of the bible we can take literally. Seems to me that whether it is the Word of God or not, it was all set down by humans. Who are capable of mistakes, misinterpretations, and making changes simply to suit there own ego's.
I think the answer is to read and absorb the bible, or whatever holy book belongs to your faith, and use the knowledge to work out the belief system that feels right to you.
As far as heaven and hell, we'll never know until we pass over. But, I have to agree with Bob that hell is probably some form of realizing your earthly actions in a way that makes your soul accountable. Also, I think it is entirely possible that there is such a thing as reincarnation. My fear has always been that if I killed myself, the "powers that be" will just send right back down here to live the same type of life to learn what I was supposed to in the first place(my idea of hell is to have to live this same life over again!)
No real opinions of heaven, but read the book "What Dreams May Come" by Richard Matheson and it made sense to me(not the movie,though). I do think that the after life is not about a boring "eternal bliss", whatever it is, Paradise would have to be each individual's idea of anything that they would be happy with for eternity(could be problems to solve, challenges to meet, Knowledge to gain, ect.).
BTW if you haven't read the book above, it has a very intrigueing take on life after death.
On another note, As far as atheism is concerned, I really think it important that individuals not base their atheistic beliefs on the opinions of other atheists. If atheism is your thing, at least come to that conclusion through your own ideas and experiences. There can be just as much *dogma* in the atheist viewpoint as there is in any other "religion"(belief system).
Bye from CarolAnn
poster:CarolAnn(Sorry!keep hitting enter instead of shift
thread:14368
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991108/msgs/15139.html