If heaven does exist, do you want to be there?

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Most definitely!

Why?
Because it is the pinnacle of living.
Because it is limitless happiness with unbreakable peace.
Because there is nothing greater than to live eternally with the Greatest of Friends!
 
St Paul says that in this life we see as if through dark glass all that awaits.
Think of it this way perhaps?

First stage, womb, quiet, safe, warm, needs provided for.
We can’t stay there forever.

Second stage, born into a world unimagined by the child in the womb, a universe of many experiences wonderful and terrible, joys and comforts, heartbreaks, heat and cold…and so on.

Third stage, born into a world as yet barely imaginable?
 
Yes I hope I can go to heaven. I pray to the Lord that I can make it there. I want to be near God for all of eternity.
 
Bill_Martin said:
The answer to “Why” is “Why not?”
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Well, given some things I’ve read in the past, I can imagine answers along the lines of “no, because I don’t want to have to worship an egomaniac God forever,” stuff like that. I can understand a “yes” response, but I’m curious about any “no” responses and the thinking behind them.

EDIT: Edward Feser quotes a philosopher as saying “I don’t want there to be a God. I don’t want the universe to be like that.” (quoting from memory). Those are the responses I’m curious about.
 
snarflemike said:
EDIT: " I don’t want the universe to be like that." (quoting from memory). Those are the responses I’m curious about.
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I can understand that. I sometimes say “why?” to God.
But I don’t want to talk about it online or perhaps at all because I don’t wish to put doubts in others’ minds if they are not already present. 🙂
I certainly have written about it in my private journal.
Are not many of us sometimes asking Job’s questions of God…and God wins that debate.
We may still be left with questions, but perhaps these can only be answered in the next life?
I have said to God that “if there is life on any other planets in the universe, can it please be kinder?”
There is much that is not “kind” on our planet. Much is our fault, some not.
There are reasons why I hope for heaven, and I do my best to be a good Christian and Catholic.
I believe. But if there were no heaven that would be what is true, so I wouldn’t mind awfully much.
 
TriciaF said:
I have said to God that “if there is life on any other planets in the universe, can it please be kinder?”
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OT (this post, not yours), but have you read CS Lewis’ Space Trilogy? Much of it takes place on other, unfallen planets. Very rich food for thought.
 
snarflemike said:
Why or why not?
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One of the Devil’s oldest tricks is to try to convince us that there is another option in addition to Heaven and Hell: Annihilation. It is a tempting thought for those of us who at times grow weary of the struggle. Atheists like to proffer this alternative by saying something along the lines of, “Well, why do you find it so hard to imagine such an alternative? After all, before you were concieved you did not exist, so why is so hard to believe that you will not exist after you die?” But you see, when atheists say “you” they just mean your material parts.

And, you see, the Devil is a theist. He knows that there are only two options. But he always has a way of mixing in a little truth into his lies. For instance, it is true that the dissolution of the body will occur after death. But the soul is eternal and will be judged at the moment of death. Following the Last Judgement and General Resurrection, the souls of both the saved and the damned will be reunited to a glorified, perfected body which will then go to one of two places to either enjoy perfect happiness for eternity or to experience perfect suffering for eternity.

It is a hard truth to accept at times that there is a Hell and that it is has a real physical dimension. But I like to think on the positive side of things and I take seriously the prayer that says, “Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of Hell. Lead ALL souls to Heaven, ESPECIALLY those who are in most need of thy forgiveness.” And we also have the reality of Purgatory which, when you think about it, is actually a hopeful reality.

I think we see glimpses of Heaven and Hell while we are on this earth, and from what I have seen, I think I will take Heaven over Hell.
 
snarflemike said:
Well, given some things I’ve read in the past, I can imagine answers along the lines of “no, because I don’t want to have to worship an egomaniac God forever,” stuff like that. I can understand a “yes” response, but I’m curious about any “no” responses and the thinking behind them.
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That may depend on the understanding of the alternatives. Some Christians understand that after death the possible outcomes are heaven, taking care of the earth, or anhiliation. Some understand the possibilities to be heaven or an uneventful monotonous isolation from God. Some understand it to be heaven or eternal torture and/or burning. Some understand it to be becoming a god yourself and spirit prison and eternal torture. It may depend on what version of Christianity said non-believer is most familiar with.
 
snarflemike said:
Well, given some things I’ve read in the past, I can imagine answers along the lines of “no, because I don’t want to have to worship an egomaniac God forever,” stuff like that. I can understand a “yes” response, but I’m curious about any “no” responses and the thinking behind them.

EDIT: Edward Feser quotes a philosopher as saying “I don’t want there to be a God. I don’t want the universe to be like that.” (quoting from memory). Those are the responses I’m curious about.
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Hitch’s analogy is that going to heaven is the equivalent of being stuck at a party forever and being forced to have a good time.
 
ThinkingSapien said:
That may depend on the understanding of the alternatives. Some Christians understand that after death the possible outcomes are heaven, taking care of the earth, or anhiliation. Some understand the possibilities to be heaven or an uneventful monotonous isolation from God. Some understand it to be heaven or eternal torture and/or burning. Some understand it to be becoming a god yourself and spirit prison and eternal torture. It may depend on what version of Christianity said non-believer is most familiar with.
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So what would you choose instead of heaven?
 
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