Ok, so I ask TOTSE. Can I believe in God/jesus, and still go to heaven? and can my beliefs be seperate from someone elses, and they still go to heaven?

Exaples: christians:hebrews. Budhists:Muslums.

I'm sorry but can you elaborate with a little more details?

Ok, is it possible for Everyone to go to "heaven"?

By this I mean, I came to a realization that maybe, God just wants people to be happy, you can find that in many things, but in the end, god wants people to get along. What if revelations wasnt about someone being right, but people being Happy. Maybe God put that there so that we can avoid it. I mean the future is tommorow. If we can change our ways, get along and just help people out. Kindness,

Can you get to god by being happy, kind, and true to yourself?

I assume we're talking about Christianity and it's special utopia. From what I understand (anyone please correct me if I'm wrong) the only way into the Christian's Heaven is by accepting Jesus as your savior and repenting your sins.

im talking about all forms of religon.

Is anyone right?

In my subjective and biased eyes religion is bunk. But there's no real way to determine if any religion is 'right' or 'correct'.

ok, so were on the same page, Now.

I came to the conclusion that God just wants us to be happy. I mean there are still rules, dont kill, basic concencious laws.

But, I dont think what we do matters to God. My god is diffrent than most peoples defenition.

Why isnt being nice, caring, happy, helpful enough? Show emotions that are good. Thats what my God is about.

be open to god's existence

I can't think of any safe doctrines for you to believe in besides zen

Everyone gets back to god. It's inevitable. It just depends on how quickly you want to get there.

If god was a level headed dude you'd assume if you lived a good life with morals you'd go to a good afterlife no matter what you thought about him or his illegitimate child. But only lately has god been all merciful so I'd doubt it.

[This message has been edited by sketchy (edited 08-17-2005).]

quote:Originally posted by sketchy:

If god was a level headed dude you'd assume if you lived a good life with morals you'd go to a good afterlife no matter what you thought about him or his illegitimate child. But only lately has god been all merciful so I'd doubt it.



Thats what I thought, I mean I believe in jesus as a great person and maybe the son of God, but I dont think that thats the only way to get to heaven.

What is heaven and why would people want to be there?

Jesus provided a way to god to those who were unable to find it within themselves...

Institutionalised religions (while no doubt started out noble and commendable) have since declared themselves the only way to god because of their own agendas that have nothing to do with god!

First step is to realize what is god, third step is enlightment...

quote:Originally posted by Darwinist:

What is heaven and why would people want to be there?

Because it's reality. This existence we live now is like a dazed feeling after being hit hard on the head. Eventually we see the light. Everything becomes clear and we realise the true nature of ourselves.

Now is the illusion, powered by our ignorance.

Heaven can't be reached with fear in your heart, so once there, there is no suffering. Only the limitless experience of your own crystal clear imagination, without fear to hold you back from anything.

Assuming Chriistianity is correct, no.

quote:Originally posted by bushy:

Thats what I thought, I mean I believe in jesus as a great person and maybe the son of God, but I dont think that thats the only way to get to heaven.



Jesus said

6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."...I believe Jesus is establishing that the only way to GOD is through him. No one can get to GOD without believing in him.

Coming from the Christian perspective, Jesus was sent as the only way for us to get to God.

Back to your original question. If your going to believe Jesus, then no, 2 people with seperate beliefs will not go to heaven. So no, everyone cannot go to heaven according to the Bible.

and jesus said unto the people, "hey guys, dont kill each other, just be nice and lead a good life"

and the people said, "he's right...wait, those guys over there dont believe in him....lets go kill them!"

and jesus said, "ergh, this is sad, i'm going home now"

=P

bushy, i think if there is a heaven, you stand a much better chance of getting there then alot of hardcore christians do (or whatever other religion of choice inspires holy text thumpers)

quote:Originally posted by ---Beany---:

... This existence we live now is like a dazed feeling after being hit hard on the head...



Well, I like it.

So now I'm basicly living without thinking about metaphysical concepts too much. I used to think and read a lot about God / spiritual experiences / saints / Nirvana / Karma / ways to God / you name it. Somewhere on the road I realized that it doesn't matter at all.

And when I die and am forced to experience that I was wrong and the religions were right, and I'm going to hell or wherever for my stubborness... so be it. If the universe is that fucked up and God is some childish guy who separates the people in the ones who like to follow him and the ones who do not, then there is something entirely wrong with existence as it is.

I suppose I'm an agnostic. Maybe there is a god / heaven, maybe it's just a myth, either way I don't care at the moment (and I fail to see a difference compared to the periods of my life when I did).

quote:Originally posted by wearealldamaged:

and jesus said unto the people, "hey guys, dont kill each other, just be nice and lead a good life"

and the people said, "he's right...wait, those guys over there dont believe in him....lets go kill them!"

and jesus said, "ergh, this is sad, i'm going home now"

=P

bushy, i think if there is a heaven, you stand a much better chance of getting there then alot of hardcore christians do (or whatever other religion of choice inspires holy text thumpers)

Wow. That sounded really ignorant...

quote:Originally posted by Darwinist:

Somewhere on the road I realized that it doesn't matter at all.

quote:Originally posted by bushy:

But, I dont think what we do matters to God.

Bingo! I agree wholeheartedly, and I also congratulate you on searching for a spiritual place that feels right to you. Don't feel bad if people disagree with you, stay strong and keep going with what feels right with you. If you're interested in this kind of thinking about God, the universe and everything, I recommend reading "Conversations With God".

See, I believe Jesus died for people, but more as a martyr for people. Some call it dieing for our sins.

Jesus was a good man, He had a gift and he used it. I believe that everyone can use his gift. And everyone has it.

Im still reading the gnostic gospels. they fit me more than the KJ version.

quote:Originally posted by bushy:

Im still reading the gnostic gospels. they fit me more than the KJ version.

Do you think that thats possibly why you have warped veiws about religion?

Tell me, does your religion actually do something for you; in a more or less tangible way? Or are you using it as a mere excuse not to really commit yourself to anything and still go to heaven?

quote:Originally posted by ArgonPlasma2000:

Do you think that thats possibly why you have warped veiws about religion?

Tell me, does your religion actually do something for you; in a more or less tangible way? Or are you using it as a mere excuse not to really commit yourself to anything and still go to heaven?

im happoer and nicer and kinder.

I believe in doing good things and I believe that if there is a God, and if he is as great as everyone says, he'll take the good people to heaven, rather than the worshippers.

That's just my view on life. I'm not content to spend many hours daily/weekly pleasing God. I'll do it by being kind and nice when I can. And such.