To clarify though. I do believe in an afterlife. I am convinced that your soul moves on...and that makes me content and ameliorates any irrational fear of death. That alone is comforting.

For lack of another recognizeable word really. Soul, spirit, energy...they are words we recognize and can put a mental picture to.

Of course you know you are right. If anyone has the factual answer to that timeless question, it certainly isn't me. I have never had a 'revelation', an 'epiphany', or any other message from on high. I cannot say, without a doubt, that this world is anything other than an accidental freak of circumstance which has evolved into the amazingly organized chaos we see around us. Or, for certain, that it is the devine creation of a God who is at once merciful and merciless. I cannot say, truthfully, that I know. 

I read a lot. I am, admittedly, somewhat discriminatory in my choices of the information available. And I analyze it all in my own manner (and at times rationalize). When I say discriminatory, I mean that some subject matter is so alien to me that it does not seem to warrant any more than that. Subjects like Satanism, ****, sacrificial rites do not interest me, in fact are antithesis to my nature, and so I disregard them altogether.

But, having said all that. Everyone builds on some foundation when they read, investigate, ponder, analyze, rationalize or otherwise consider the information they get.  My foundation is a hopeful conviction (an oxymoron but the best way I can describe it) that this whole thing is not a freak accident...that there is more to it than that. I am not convinced, however, that the Creator oversees our every move and is personally, constantly involved in our physical, emotional or spiritual evolution. I do not think that everyday life is controlled, nor even monitored by anything or anyone other than our own volition. I think there may be interplay at times between the 'spiritual' world and this one - but I believe it is discretionary, and limited.

I don't believe there is a "hell", nor do I believe in a 'judgement day' in the biblical interpretation of that day when you will be judged for all of your 'sins'. I believe we will have an opportunity to reflect on our life on earth at some point, however, and make some judgements of our own.

I don't believe in a 'rapture' or 'armagheddon'.I believe those are doctrines of man - just like 'hell' - designed to draw people into a for-profit, organized religion which will ostensibly "protect them from the horrors of those events.

I am biased in my opinions of organized religions, but I also recognize that they are necessary for some people to cope with their own need for an anchor, or to feel a part of something bigger than themselves. 

And my theories are fluid. I am not above revision if I find the evidence (relatively speaking) compelling and realistic enough to me.

I am rambling on again about my own opinions. But they are just that. My opinions. I am not trying to convert, change any minds, or illuminate. I could be as right or as wrong as everyone else. But, nevertheless, I am comfortable with my convictions as far as they go, and continually seek further information, coherency, and my own anchor.

But how can you assume that energy = the soul?

If you asked a child about life after death, you'd get a fanciful answer or a blank stare. Ask us and you get a fanciful answer or the forum version of a blank stare. Ah, good to be a kid again eh?

So what is it? Whatever floats your boat, since no one has ever come back, except on TV, to tell us what goes on. Christains are sure they know. Muslims are too. Scientists take heart in the onion-like layers of theory and proof, and Atheists are positive you keel over and become plant food. Over and out.

I don't want to share my opinion.

Oh, OK, if you insist.

Religion is stories written by man. Science is too young and coarse to get an answer. Hoping to see mom, pop and uncle Jimmy again is wishful thinking.

So, is there life after death? The better question is, "Is there anything at all after death". And I'd be arrogant to say I thought I had a clue. Once thing is for sure though, we're all going to find out someday.

I believe you will find yourself in that stone house with the smell of food coming from your oven.

I think about life after death on occasion.  To me it may be like going into surgery, and when you wake up from surgery, you don't remember anything.  In this world i would hope that it may be life after death but, who really knows.  Sometimes i want to believe that i will see my mother and brother, but then i feel that i had them for the time that they were here, and that is it.  I mean, can you really expect to see all of your loved ones if you are granted access to Heaven?  I just hope that i have been the greatest wife, and the greatest mother and grandmother, for my husband and my daughter and two grandchildren while i have been on this earth.  And yes, i do believe in Jesus suffering for us, and i would hope that if i were suffering, that i could bear the brunt of it all.  Because what Jesus suffered, no one can even phantom it.  My visions of Heaven is where there is only peace and no sickness, and i always find myself living in a beautiful forest with a stone house, the kind you see in Thomas Kinkade paintings, and the smell of food is coming from my oven and you can see the smoke coming out of my chimney.  As far as Hell, i cannot evision it at all.  Maybe because this may just be hell we are living in now.

Patricia

I am saddened that your view of the Bible is so narrow.

Don’t be saddened for me.  I believe my view is much expanded from the view you present.

I won’t address all of your statements because, as you said, it is your opinion…and you are as entitled to it as I am to mine. It is reflective, however, of many religious opinions, drawing from interpretations of the tenants in the Bible and teachings from evangelists, priests or other religious leaders.  I respect your vigorous defense of those tenants.

But it is not my opinion. And neither of us will know beyond a doubt until that time that we pass on and come face to face with a reality. Until then, I am not frightened by the vision of “hell” that you present, and am comfortable knowing that the God that I love would not consign a good person to an eternity of suffering.

I am saddened that your view of the Bible is so narrow. Haven't you read that HELL was made for Satan and his Angels and not for man,that God does not want anyone to perish in such a place but you make the choice,of your own FREE WILL. God is not a tyrant. He has to endure so much even now as the world doubts His existance or destorts it. Have you never had to endure the anguish caused by having to allow something that you did not condone? Bringing up Children will make you very aware of this process. Allowing governments that you don't condone. The list goes on...God gave us free will knowing that He would have to endure allowing many hurtful things that He does not condone. Let us not forget the other part of this equasion,The Rebel,The Dragon,The Accuser,Satan who defies God at every turn and knows where his final place will be, and no he will not rein in Hell but he will suffer just as all who prefer to follow his ways. We as Humans have a great privilege. Our Creator has made a way for us to escape Satans fate. We are the only creatures that God has made that He has given a plan of escape. Consider,if an Angel of God fails or refuses God their is no forgivness! Its over for them just as it was over for Satan when he chose to rebel against God,no forgivness,no plan of escape! God is a just Father and we Humans are His greatest work. Perhaps we should begin to live up to that.