Heaven and Hell

We could go at this all day, simply because of our very different views. Can I just ask: do you believe we have souls? (I'm guessing you don't)

Killing Loneliness:

We could go at this all day, simply because of our very different views. Can I just ask: do you believe we have souls? (I'm guessing you don't)

Not really.

If we had souls, that would mean so would every other animal.

skank.:

Killing Loneliness:

We could go at this all day, simply because of our very different views. Can I just ask: do you believe we have souls? (I'm guessing you don't)

Not really.

If we had souls, that would mean so would every other animal.

And that's where we disagree - I believe what makes humans special is that we have souls. That's what makes us different to other animals...
So, no, they don't necessarily have to have souls too.

^But I believe in evolution, as to me it makes far more logical sense, so therefore we evolved from the same ancestor as apes and aren't that special at all. :coffee:

We're a narcissistic race. Of course we want to believe we're special.

skank.:

^But I believe in evolution, as to me it makes far more logical sense, so therefore we evolved from the same ancestor as apes and aren't that special at all. :coffee:

We're a narcissistic race. Of course we want to believe we're special.

But I hope you agree that we can do a bit more than other animals.
Like know, love and create beauty.
:cute:

^Thing is, as we cannot see inside the mind of an animal (like, their thoughts), we can't prove they aren't capable of love, knowledge, etc. :think: Some animals certainly show attachment to people/other animals, and develop noticable personalities.

Humans are more complex. We're more evolved/have evolved differently. We're more intelligent (though we're plenty capable of idiotic things), but I don't think we're special in the sense we're more important than animals.

I mean, to us we're more important, because we're always going to put our own species first, but looking at humans and other animals from an outside point of view, I wouldn't say there was anything devine about the human race.

skank.:

^Thing is, as we cannot see inside the mind of an animal (like, their thoughts), we can't prove they aren't capable of love, knowledge, etc. :think: Some animals certainly show attachment to people/other animals, and develop noticable personalities.

Humans are more complex. We're more evolved/have evolved differently. We're more intelligent (though we're plenty capable of idiotic things), but I don't think we're special in the sense we're more important than animals.

I mean, to us we're more important, because we're always going to put our own species first, but looking at humans and other animals from an outside point of view, I wouldn't say there was anything devine about the human race.

It is true that we cannot get inside the minde of an animal, but we can study their brain activity and see that our brains are obviously more advanced. Our capability to learn, our incredible creativity make us more than special.
Just look at all the things we've invented for example. At the evolution of our language and the invention of written writing forms. At art forms and philosophy.

I think we are truly extraordinary as a species.
Yes, I agree that many of us have done foolish things but we mustn't deny our huge potential.

^Yes, but when it comes down to it, we're still animals ourselves.

We have potential to do massive things (whether amazing, or destructive), but it doesn't make us any less of a mammal. Species differ. Some are more intelligent than others. We just happen to be on top of the food chain, so to speak.

skank.:

^Yes, but when it comes down to it, we're still animals ourselves.

We have potential to do massive things (whether amazing, or destructive), but it doesn't make us any less of a mammal. Species differ. Some are more intelligent than others. We just happen to be on top of the food chain, so to speak.

Maybe the ability create the atomic bomb and paint the Sistine Chapel makes us a bit more than just the top of the food chain.
:think:
In a way, I think we have many self-esteem issues. : /

^We're going to end up destroying ourselves. :think: In one way, we are a very intelligent race, in another... We're complete idiots.

And what do you know, we've gone off-topic again. :XD

^We've already got Mutually Assured Destrcution thanks to nuclear weapons, I wouldn't put it past humanity to rip itself to pieces.
Totally off-topic, but an interesting discussion to read, anyway :tehe:

On-topic: Is there anyone who thinks there could be a heaven, but no hell, or a hell but no heaven? Or is it more of an all-or-nothing scenario?

...If that makes sense :shifty

Sheepy:

^We've already got Mutually Assured Destrcution thanks to nuclear weapons, I wouldn't put it past humanity to rip itself to pieces.
Totally off-topic, but an interesting discussion to read, anyway :tehe:

On-topic: Is there anyone who thinks there could be a heaven, but no hell, or a hell but no heaven? Or is it more of an all-or-nothing scenario?

...If that makes sense :shifty

I believe it's all or nothing.
Well, more inclined towards nothing, but you get the point

Heaven and Hell, where they are is not easy to explain. Heaven is where God Lives and Hell, where the Devil lives. One day Hell well be in an abyss of nothingness. Heaven Will be on the new 'earth'.
Heaven and Hell, I do believe they are real. To go to heaven you need to believe in God, TRUST what he says and follow the Ten Commandments.

( I am open to any questions and opinions)

^So to go to Heaven, you need to have blind faith? Even though as humans we posess logic and the need for proof (some of us, anyway), and it would be rather stupid to expect the entire human race to follow something blindly?

And "what he says" makes no sense. There is no speaking to God. Only the Bible, which is the word of man supposedly inspired by God. Oh, and prayers, but that's you supposedly talking to Him, not the other way round.

I think some of the ideals to get into Heaven are rather idiotic. You can be a perfectly good person, but if you don't believe in God, you're screwed anyway and going to Hell.

Same as, you can be a murderer, but "find God", repent and still go to Heaven.

Because a Heaven full of sorry murderers is so much better than a Heaven full of generally good people. :shifty

Ouch...no not blind faith. You need to have real faith. The Bible is proof. Life is proof. The entire universe is proof. The is what he says, God can speak to you also, not just you speaking to him. No affence but yes man wrote the Bible from Gods words. Again God can speak to you. Its not like only one person wrote the book. God can speak to everyone. In being a murder and finding God you will be judged differently on how you were. A person who devoted his live to God would have a 'Higher position' more rather. Kind of like different sections. Yes you can still be a good person and not believe in God that is your decision I have nothing wrong with the way people believe.

(Open to opinions and questions.)

XSilentlyCriedTearsX:

The Bible is proof. Life is proof. The entire universe is proof.

Proof of what? That God exists?
If that's the case, then no, it's not proof.

There is no actual evidence to suggest that God is real. And, no, the Bible is not proof that he's real. It was written by man, and no one actually knows if those are God's words. It's just blind faith. And it is blind faith because you're essentially believing in something that may or may not exist.

XSilentlyCriedTearsX:

No affence but yes man wrote the Bible from Gods words.

How do you know this?
No one knows this as a fact. People just believe it was written from his words.

XSilentlyCriedTearsX:

Heaven and Hell, where they are is not easy to explain. Heaven is where God Lives and Hell, where the Devil lives. One day Hell well be in an abyss of nothingness. Heaven Will be on the new 'earth'.
Heaven and Hell, I do believe they are real. To go to heaven you need to believe in God, TRUST what he says and follow the Ten Commandments.
( I am open to any questions and opinions)

But you need an equal balance of good and evil. If this new earth is just heaven then what's the afterlife? It would just wack the balance out of the universe.
You know God could be the one in Hell you know, and Satan in Heaven. It is just a concept after all with no physical evidence to back it up.
What if I believe in a God who is not called God but let's say: Princess. [lame I know -sigh-]? Yet I still followed the Christian beliefs lead an extraordinary moral life, would I still go to Heaven?
What about other people from other religions? If you say that Heaven will be on the 'new earth,' what happens to the other non-Christian people? Do they go into the void of nothingness that once was Hell? Just asking...

sunshines:

you need an equal balance of good and evil.

Forgive the bluntness, but...why do you need an equal balance?

sunshines:

XSilentlyCriedTearsX:

Heaven and Hell, where they are is not easy to explain. Heaven is where God Lives and Hell, where the Devil lives. One day Hell well be in an abyss of nothingness. Heaven Will be on the new 'earth'.
Heaven and Hell, I do believe they are real. To go to heaven you need to believe in God, TRUST what he says and follow the Ten Commandments.
( I am open to any questions and opinions)

But you need an equal balance of good and evil. If this new earth is just heaven then what's the afterlife? It would just wack the balance out of the universe.
You know God could be the one in Hell you know, and Satan in Heaven. It is just a concept after all with no physical evidence to back it up.
What if I believe in a God who is not called God but let's say: Princess. [lame I know -sigh-]? Yet I still followed the Christian beliefs lead an extraordinary moral life, would I still go to Heaven?
What about other people from other religions? If you say that Heaven will be on the 'new earth,' what happens to the other non-Christian people? Do they go into the void of nothingness that once was Hell? Just asking...

If your Gods name was 'Princess'. Would that not mean God? If your form of words saying Princess in 'your' religion would mean that you were talking about God. I am sure that you go to heaven. In my religion I call God. My Lord. I'm not going to get punished unless its mocking or down to earth mean. The New Earth is a long away prophecy. All believers of 'God' are more than sure going to be in Heaven. In the conspirecy of earth there will be no evil that is what heaven is about. Reason being evil will be in the void of nothingness, or abyss. You would be in the afterlife that is the point to live with God in Heaven for eternity.
Another belief... God is concenpted to be in Heaven and Satan in Hell. Following the Bible then satan wanted Gods powers, but used them for mean things. Nothing that brought more than one happiness.

( I am open for opinions and questions)

Sheepy:

On-topic: Is there anyone who thinks there could be a heaven, but no hell, or a hell but no heaven? Or is it more of an all-or-nothing scenario?

...If that makes sense :shifty

Why should there be a heaven and no hell, or the other way around?

In most religious beliefs the afterlife comes as a kind of reward for your mortal life. In my own conception it comes, at least, as a direct effect of your life on Earth. I think maybe the question to ask is why would a mortal life be necessary if your eternal faith is already decided?