Heaven

[l_h_kings]

If Heaven did not exist, do you think that humans would invent the concept of heaven to bring us comfort at the loss of our loved ones. And if so, doesn't this mean that heaven probably does not exist?

[RevShirls]

Interesting debate, here, I see. Yes, I am a female minister (formerly Church of Scotland but now living in Sweden and a minister of Svenska Missionskyrkan).

There is a lot more to my faith, views, and philosophy of life than I have submitted here including my studies of theology, arabic culture, psychology and criminology at university. This is not the forum for me to discuss all of my views - but rather to try to answer the particular question posed to the best of my ability.

Smadge, I am totally against indoctrination of any sort. I don't believe any faith or belief (religious, political or otherwise) has a monopoly on the truth. I belief more in "living out" my views and I encourage my congregation to do likewise. I don't see people as potential converts (although I know many Christians do). Don't be so hasty to judge.

Merlin, you are right. Regarding concepts such as heaven and hell I am rather non-committal and woolly. This is not the case with other things I believe in associated with my faith. With matters of faith I believe it is more healthy to always engage the head and the heart so far as one is able, but ultimately with faith, the head will only take one so far. The final step is a step in the dark.

[Octavius]

Merlin - If you choose to believe that heaven does not exist then it is up to you.  If I believe it does (which I don't, but I'd like to think there is somewhere beyond this life where my soul can carry on) then that is up to me.  Tra-laaa, what a happy co-existence we have.

As I said above, yes, heaven is invented by man but I don't think they were ignorant - it was used centuries ago for hope, prospect of destimny, fortune and control of the populus - that is enterprising!

Why should anyone try to convince you that heaven DOES exist?  I am sure it is really not worth the effort.

[Merlin]

Octavius

As is implicit in my earlier post, I do not choose not to believe in these things. There is no option involved.

Your trying to persuade me that there is a God, heaven, hell, etc may not be pointless. It may serve to hone your own understanding of these things and may even throw up an interesting concept!

RevShirls

From my point of view, it is expected that an honest, educated and intelligent person, such as you appear to be, would necessarily be 'woolly' about heaven and hell! I didn't mean to be critical, and re-reading my earlier post I see that I could have expressed it betterly. Thanks.