Heaven

[Epistemes]

I don’t know why - but when I think about my family passing on I can’t help but doubt in the existence of Heaven.

 

[TOP]

Oh, there is a Heaven and there is no sin in it. Isn’t that awesome. Think about it. Tim

 

[FCEGM]

I don’t know why - but when I think about my family passing on I can’t help but doubt in the existence of Heaven.

What is it about the eventual death of each member of your family that gives rise to this doubt?

 

[Epistemes]

What is it about the eventual death of each member of your family that gives rise to this doubt?

I guess I just doubt that I’ll never see them again. I fear losing them forever to some unknown abyss.

I should probably go to confession about this - since my doubts obviously deceive my trust in God, causing me to despair in Him.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I guess I just doubt that I’ll never see them again. I fear losing them forever to some unknown abyss.

I should probably go to confession about this - since my doubts obviously deceive my trust in God, causing me to despair in Him.

Have you ever read any life-after-death stories, such as from Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross?

There is very strong evidence in the life after and its mostly good.

For us Catholics, its a matter of faith, that we will be with Jesus in heaven. This should be a source of joy and hope, not despair.

Jim

 

[InLight247]

Where do you think Jesus is if there is no Heaven?
The fact Jesus is in Heaven tells us there is a Heaven.
Does this make sense?

 

[Epistemes]

Where do you think Jesus is if there is no Heaven?
The fact Jesus is in Heaven tells us there is a Heaven.
Does this make sense?

See, this is where my doubt becomes paradoxical and even non-sensical. I pray a lot, knowing Jesus is in heaven. When I speak to the saints, I believe they are in heaven.

I’ve wondered why this is, and the only reason which makes sense for this doubt is that I’ve never had to watch any of the saints die, much less did I know them and love them like my family. From my point of view, Jesus and the saints have always existed in heaven. There never was a time, that I know of, that Jesus was not in heaven.

My family, on the other hand, is another matter.

 

[InLight247]

See, this is where my doubt becomes paradoxical and even non-sensical. I pray a lot, knowing Jesus is in heaven. When I speak to the saints, I believe they are in heaven.

I’ve wondered why this is, and the only reason which makes sense for this doubt is that I’ve never had to watch any of the saints die, much less did I know them and love them like my family. From my point of view, Jesus and the saints have always existed in heaven. There never was a time, that I know of, that Jesus was not in heaven.

My family, on the other hand, is another matter.

So, you are saying you do believe in Heaven, but you are not sure if your passed away family members will be in heaven. Is this your doubt?

If so, the only answer is to pray for them and trust in God’s mercy.

 

[Hellisreal]

I guess I just doubt that I’ll never see them again. I fear losing them forever to some unknown abyss.

I should probably go to confession about this - since my doubts obviously deceive my trust in God, causing me to despair in Him.

I think we all have thoughts that cloud our minds from time to time.

Ask in prayer, seek the comfort of Jesus and certainly speak to a priest, but I really hope you are not in despair and are just simply confused by these thoughts.

 

[puzzleannie]

I don’t know why - but when I think about my family passing on I can’t help but doubt in the existence of Heaven.

why? is it because you doubt that they could merit heaven? rest your mind, no one can merit heaven, it is a gift freely given to all who ask for it and do not wilfully reject it. If you are free to choose your own belief, which would you rather believe: your deceased loved ones are with God, or in a state of preparation for union with God, and that you yourself will oneday be in union with God, and hence, with your loved ones again for all eternity. OR you can go with the abyss-void theory. I know if I was looking for comfort which theory I would choose.

 

[Mirdath]

why? is it because you doubt that they could merit heaven?

I don’t think the problem is with the moral standing of Epistemes’ relatives, but a matter of death hitting close to home. It’s easy to say ‘oh, yeah, sure I believe in heaven and all that jazz’ when you’re not wondering if grandma is there or only dust in a coffin.

Doubt is a part of life, and of religion – we’re never going to know for sure what’s on the other side until we’re there, except religion gives us ideas to hope for. And beyond that, I’m out of my league, so I’ll second the advice to talk to a priest if it worries you.

 

[Epistemes]

I don’t think the problem is with the moral standing of Epistemes’ relatives, but a matter of death hitting close to home. It’s easy to say ‘oh, yeah, sure I believe in heaven and all that jazz’ when you’re not wondering if grandma is there or only dust in a coffin.

Doubt is a part of life, and of religion – we’re never going to know for sure what’s on the other side until we’re there, except religion gives us ideas to hope for. And beyond that, I’m out of my league, so I’ll second the advice to talk to a priest if it worries you.

This is a good post.

It’s true I’m not worried about their moral standing so much as just the actual existence of heaven. I’ve lost so much hope thinking about this that it’s really hard to have faith in heaven. Having faith in something that’s not there seems like an awfully big waste of time.

Pardon my saying so.

 

[FCEGM]

This is a good post.

It’s true I’m not worried about their moral standing so much as just the actual existence of heaven. I’ve lost so much hope thinking about this that it’s really hard to have faith in heaven. Having faith in something that’s not there seems like an awfully big waste of time.

Pardon my saying so.

But that’s not faith, then, is it? It’s wishful thinking - which is a waste of time. Faith, otoh, gives us a knowledge of and a desire for what we have not yet seen.

Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

**Act of Love **
O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

Act of Hope
O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

 

[Lorik]

I don’t know why - but when I think about my family passing on I can’t help but doubt in the existence of Heaven.

I’ve been in this situation before. It’s like Heaven’s just too good to be true. Especially for regular folks like me. I mentioned it in confession to a couple of different priests. But there was nothing they could say to ease my fear. The cure? Eucharistic Adoration. I went in for an hour and came out a new person. I’m not saying it’s like that for everyone but the good Lord showed me mercy. The grace for faith is there.

 

[Mirdath]

It’s true I’m not worried about their moral standing so much as just the actual existence of heaven. I’ve lost so much hope thinking about this that it’s really hard to have faith in heaven. Having faith in something that’s not there seems like an awfully big waste of time.

That you can’t see or touch it is why you have faith, as far as I can tell – no, it isn’t obvious, you can’t take a roadtrip there for a day and bring back a t-shirt – but you place your trust in God and in Jesus. Doubt will always come, but only because you can’t see it for yourself yet.

 

[Epistemes]

I must confess that the reason why I’m having these fears is due to the vocation to the priesthood with the Franciscans I’m considering. I’ve stated in other threads that I’m an only child, and this aspect aggravates me more than anything. I feel no calling anywhere else; and yet I’m hindered by my (possible) true calling for fear that there will be no one to care for my parents.

I just pray for forgiveness…and pray my folks go to heaven so that I could see them then…

I’ve been thinking alot about this issue lately…and I always get sad when I think about it. I know I should trust in God…but I’d like answers and yet there’s nobody to talk to, nobody who would understand. My mom says not to worry about them, but she says such when she’s not infirm. And I’m not even going to talk to the vocation director about these fears lest I blow my chances at entry. And so…I’m just a hopeless, confused mess.

 

[InLight247]

And I’m not even going to talk to the vocation director about these fears lest I blow my chances at entry. And so…I’m just a hopeless, confused mess.

You should talk to your vocation director. For such an important decision, you have to be honest with yourself and your future organization. If there is any issue, you must face it, not avoid it.