Does Heaven sound like fun to you?

Religions are able to gain followers by offering something that people want--eternal life. Their god has the power to grant you eternal life, and he does this by allowing you into heaven. If you've been around religious people then you are familiar with this.

But does Heaven seem like it would be a fun place? You will be in this one place for all of time. It is a perfect place where sin is nonexistent, and your free will is taken away in order for there to be no sin. Now, I really do not seem what sounds so great about this place. I would rather die than go to a place like this. It just sounds horrible.

People say that the belief that this life on Earth is all we have is a depressing outlook on life, but that certainly does not sound more depressing than the belief that we will live in this Heaven forever. 

I have been an atheist for a while, but I've just recently began to think about this, so this is not something I thought about that lead me to become an atheist. I lack a belief in Heaven for other reasons, not because it doesn't sound like a fun place.

Hmmm, I'm unsure as to when we enter heaven, our free will is taken away. I would think we would just not want to sin in front of a perfect God, and would be given complete control over what we do, but this is just speculation.

Whats interesting though, is you assert that religion gains followers by offering an afterlife to people. While I can't speak for everyone, the moment I converted, the afterlife was the last thing on my mind, and that was what made me religious.

And as for heaven sounding fun, I don't think thats the point of heaven, or even trying to get to heaven. Whether its fun or not is unimportant, though I would I have something to do other than be with God all day >_>

"It is a perfect place where sin is nonexistent, and your free will is taken away in order for there to be no sin"

People can say there would be no sin without free will but if we had no free will, what else would we be missing? Can we be happy without free will? Would we still be able to do things we do that make us happy?

Suppose we get free will in heaven, quite frankly I find it impossible to follow the ten commandments and I doubt anyone ever has! In order for there to be no sin in heaven the ten commandments cannot not be violated there. How is it possible to live an eternity in heaven like that, I don't know.

Hmmm, I'm unsure as to when we enter heaven, our free will is taken away. I would think we would just not want to sin in front of a perfect God, and would be given complete control over what we do, but this is just speculation.

 

Whats interesting though, is you assert that religion gains followers by offering an afterlife to people. While I can't speak for everyone, the moment I converted, the afterlife was the last thing on my mind, and that was what made me religious.

 

And as for heaven sounding fun, I don't think thats the point of heaven, or even trying to get to heaven. Whether its fun or not is unimportant, though I would I have something to do other than be with God all day >_>

123625

And sorry for the confusion--I didn't mean that the afterlife is the only reason that people choose to convert to a religion. It is but one of many reasons. 

 I think it would be pretty depressing if I knew that for all of time, I would be in Heaven simply worshipping God, and that's how I would be spending eternity. A never-ending cycle. A cycle so mundane that I simply couldn't look forward to it.

When Christianism talks about heaven -and we were preached a lot about this at school- it doesn't refer to a transition to a better place or a place whatsoever but rather a better way of life. That does make sense. It indicates that what will change in the afterlife is not the place we abide (and if it does that will not be the thing about it) but they way we live in it. I suppose in simple words i can say that in heaven we will be programmed so as not to do evil. And if that sounds without free will, well, I'd say that in the same way in this life we are programmed to be keen on doing rather evil but good because of the people around us, our standards, our education (or the lack of it) etc. All I mean is that not doing evil will come out of the understanding that evil is not needed in our lives. It would be a lesson taken rather than a lesson imposed.

As Socrates said: No one is willingly evil. His/Her ignorance of good makes him/her be evil.

[QUOTE="123625"]

Hmmm, I'm unsure as to when we enter heaven, our free will is taken away. I would think we would just not want to sin in front of a perfect God, and would be given complete control over what we do, but this is just speculation.

Whats interesting though, is you assert that religion gains followers by offering an afterlife to people. While I can't speak for everyone, the moment I converted, the afterlife was the last thing on my mind, and that was what made me religious.

And as for heaven sounding fun, I don't think thats the point of heaven, or even trying to get to heaven. Whether its fun or not is unimportant, though I would I have something to do other than be with God all day >_>

gbpman630

And sorry for the confusion--I didn't mean that the afterlife is the only reason that people choose to convert to a religion. It is but one of many reasons.

I think it would be pretty depressing if I knew that for all of time, I would be in Heaven simply worshipping God, and that's how I would be spending eternity. A never-ending cycle. A cycle so mundane that I simply couldn't look forward to it.

Hmmm, Good point, but still I won't say for sure what heaven is like, or if our free will is taken away.

Also, how could being in the presence of a perfect being for eternity be depressing? I think you take to much of a physical approach at heaven, that we will think, preceive and comprehend as we do on earth. I would imagine heaven a completely different realm of existence, far greater than I could ever think of. But this is just speculation, take note of that.

[QUOTE="123625"]

Hmmm, I'm unsure as to when we enter heaven, our free will is taken away. I would think we would just not want to sin in front of a perfect God, and would be given complete control over what we do, but this is just speculation.

 

Whats interesting though, is you assert that religion gains followers by offering an afterlife to people. While I can't speak for everyone, the moment I converted, the afterlife was the last thing on my mind, and that was what made me religious.

 

And as for heaven sounding fun, I don't think thats the point of heaven, or even trying to get to heaven. Whether its fun or not is unimportant, though I would I have something to do other than be with God all day >_>

gbpman630

And sorry for the confusion--I didn't mean that the afterlife is the only reason that people choose to convert to a religion. It is but one of many reasons. 

 I think it would be pretty depressing if I knew that for all of time, I would be in Heaven simply worshipping God, and that's how I would be spending eternity. A never-ending cycle. A cycle so mundane that I simply couldn't look forward to it.

There's a few misconceptions in this post which I'd like to point out:

1. We 'will' have Free Will in Heaven. Remember back to before the Fall. Adam and Eve both had free will but there was no sin. It will be much the same as that in Heaven.

Here's a link with a short article explaining - http://raptureready.com/faq/faq423.html

2. Many religions don't believe in an afterlife, Hinduism, Budhism, Sikhism etc. 

3. Heaven will be like nothing we've experienced on Earth. We'll see God in his Fullness for the first time. Believe me, it will 'not' be mundane. 

Adam and Eve both had free will but there was no sin.

Lansdowne5

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]

Adam and Eve both had free will but there was no sin.

gbpman630

That's irrelevant. Those who are saved from judgement will be free from Sin, just as Adam and Eve were before they ate of the fruit. 

[QUOTE="gbpman630"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]

Adam and Eve both had free will but there was no sin.

Lansdowne5

That's irrelevant. Those who are saved from judgement will be free from Sin, just as Adam and Eve were before they ate of the fruit. 

How's that?

So what they did is not sinful but was still against god? 

[QUOTE="gbpman630"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]

Adam and Eve both had free will but there was no sin.

Lansdowne5

That's irrelevant. Those who are saved from judgement will be free from Sin, just as Adam and Eve were before they ate of the fruit. 

I think it would be pretty depressing if I knew that for all of time, I would be in Heaven simply worshipping God, and that's how I would be spending eternity. A never-ending cycle. A cycle so mundane that I simply couldn't look forward to it.

gbpman630

Yeah, I remember that even as a Catholic, spending an eternity in worship didn't seem very appealing...

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="gbpman630"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]

Adam and Eve both had free will but there was no sin.

gbpman630

That's irrelevant. Those who are saved from judgement will be free from Sin, just as Adam and Eve were before they ate of the fruit. 

They weren't saved from judgement, they were free from Sin. Just as we will be in Heaven.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="gbpman630"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]

Adam and Eve both had free will but there was no sin.

7guns

That's irrelevant. Those who are saved from judgement will be free from Sin, just as Adam and Eve were before they ate of the fruit. 

How's that?

So what they did is not sinful but was still against god? 

Because I was talking about 'before' the Fall, when there was no sin. I made it perfectly clear in my original, unsnipped post.

Because I was talking about 'before' the Fall, when there was no sin. I made it perfectly clear in my original, unsnipped post.

Lansdowne5

This is my understanding, tell me if I'm wrong:

God created Adam and Eve and forbid them to eat that fruit. But he still ate it, knowing that the act was against god's direct command and so they suffered the consequences for commiting the act.

People say that the belief that this life on Earth is all we have is a depressing outlook on life, but that certainly does not sound more depressing than the belief that we will live in this Heaven forever. gbpman630

That should be a red flag to you. You can now see why folks believe in heaven-- because they want to believe it's true. Believing in heaven isn't being optimistic-- it's having false hopes. The reason they call you depressing is because they find thought outside their bubble of false hope to be depressing. None of them will ever admit it, though.

Heaven, by definition is a brilliant and sublime destination. So if it were to be true, then I suppose it would be the only eventuality that I liked it.

Heaven as I picture it looks very boring.

Although, Hell as I picture it looks like a place that I would definitely not want to be in either.

If God does exists and if I do have to choose between these two places, then either way, I lose.

Actually, I think heaven would be rather fun if you're a Muslim. All those virgins sound pretty appealing..Strategist1117

For Matyrs only, I think.

I think I can safely say that eternal happiness would be enjoyable.Funky_Llama

I honestly don't know.  The thought of seeing loved one's who have passed is the only plus for me.  I'd really rather take a very long dirt nap.btaylor2404

Honestly it scares the **** out of me

The problem I have with the concept of a heaven is that each person's idea of heaven is different. 

 Would probably be fun though.

Except you never wake up :|

Honestly it scares the **** out of mehelium_flash

To me, heaven is preferable but I've gotten so used to the belief of the absense of an afterlife, that I don't mind not waking up. I would imagine afterlife is much like how life was before conception.

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]I honestly don't know.  The thought of seeing loved one's who have passed is the only plus for me.  I'd really rather take a very long dirt nap.helium_flash

Honestly it scares the **** out of me

Really H_F?  Unfortunately I've had to think about this a bit here recently, latest blog, but again I take this life and run it 90 to nothing 24/7 trying to get all I can out of it.  All I really ask is for the chance to see my children grown, healthy, happy adults.  Anything else is a bonus.   Scared isn't the word I'd use, more like intrigued.

I agree with helium, the thought of being dead scares the sh** out of me more than anything else. I want to prolong my life as much as possible.

Well, I'm assuming most people have a hard time accepting death, which contributes to the low amount of apathetic people in this respect.

It's strange for me, though. I accept death, but I still don't want to die.

Am I the only one who feels apathetic towards death? >___>Funky_Llama

I would say I'm apathetic towards it in general, but to suggest that I haven't thought about it a fair amount would be a lie. 

It's strange for me, though. I accept death, but I still don't want to die.

Strategist1117

Yeah same here. I always believed there was a Heaven, but now that I've accepted that there isn't an afterlife (as far as we know), I'm not too concerned with the thought that I will be completely gone some day. I guess I'm pretty apathetic because death is inevitable.

Am I the only one who feels apathetic towards death? >___>Funky_Llama

Well, I'm assuming most people have a hard time accepting death, which contributes to the low amount of apathetic people in this respect.

It's strange for me, though. I accept death, but I still don't want to die.

Strategist1117

Same here! It's probably because I've gotten used to the idea of dying just thinking about it.:lol:

So yes, I'm apathetic... 

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]Am I the only one who feels apathetic towards death? >___>helium_flash

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]Am I the only one who feels apathetic towards death? >___>helium_flash

Point. :)

Eternal life isn't good in any form what's there to life if I cannot die.]

Edit: Also Heaven doesn't seem fun to begin with.

Your free will is unaffected in Heaven; you won't sin because you won't want to sin. Sin in the face of Eternity would by all logic feel so petty and meaningless that even the very idea of committing it would be as meaningless as eating a color.

As for whether or not Heaven sounds like "fun" to me, I think it's pretty presumptuous to believe Heaven is about "fun." I think Heaven is good, to put it in finite perspective, but not "fun."

Eternal life isn't good in any form what's there to life if I cannot die.]

Edit: Also Heaven doesn't seem fun to begin with.

 

Overrated_Hero

Your free will is unaffected in Heaven; you won't sin because you won't want to sin. Sin in the face of Eternity would by all logic feel so petty and meaningless that even the very idea of committing it would be as meaningless as eating a color.

As for whether or not Heaven sounds like "fun" to me, I think it's pretty presumptuous to believe Heaven is about "fun." I think Heaven is good, to put it in finite perspective, but not "fun."

Theokhoth

Exactly, it's not that you can't sin, it's that you won't 'want' to sin. You'll be in the direct presence of God. It's just something that you wouldn't do. :D 

Eternal life isn't good in any form what's there to life if I cannot die.]

Edit: Also Heaven doesn't seem fun to begin with.

 

Overrated_Hero

[QUOTE="Overrated_Hero"]

Eternal life isn't good in any form what's there to life if I cannot die.]

Edit: Also Heaven doesn't seem fun to begin with.

 

Funky_Llama

Ah, but wouldn't you complain about being in the presence of a "child murderer" as you've called the Lord so many times before? 

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Overrated_Hero"]

Eternal life isn't good in any form what's there to life if I cannot die.]

Edit: Also Heaven doesn't seem fun to begin with.

 

Lansdowne5

Ah, but wouldn't you complain about being in the presence of a "child murderer" as you've called the Lord so many times before? 

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Overrated_Hero"]

Eternal life isn't good in any form what's there to life if I cannot die.]

Edit: Also Heaven doesn't seem fun to begin with.

 

Funky_Llama

Ah, but wouldn't you complain about being in the presence of a "child murderer" as you've called the Lord so many times before? 

Indeed you are. :) 

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Overrated_Hero"]

Eternal life isn't good in any form what's there to life if I cannot die.]

Edit: Also Heaven doesn't seem fun to begin with.

 

Lansdowne5

Ah, but wouldn't you complain about being in the presence of a "child murderer" as you've called the Lord so many times before? 

Indeed you are. :) 

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Overrated_Hero"]

Eternal life isn't good in any form what's there to life if I cannot die.]

Edit: Also Heaven doesn't seem fun to begin with.

 

Funky_Llama

Ah, but wouldn't you complain about being in the presence of a "child murderer" as you've called the Lord so many times before? 

Indeed you are. :) 

I meant to say "Indeed you would be".

But if Christianity is right, God is not immoral and is not unjustified, God is Just and Righteous, so regardless of whether he broke His commandment (which was only for man anyway) he would not be in the wrong.