JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Christianity Question...

Thanks for all the replies. I absorb them all.

Lynn answered my specific question, and I especially thank you for that: "Answer: Isaiah 65:17 tells us, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”

Though this "born again" Biblical answer is a bit troubling to me, I can see this would be the only way to handle the conflict of leaving loved ones behind.

What is more troubling, I feel Heaven is built on a false premise. With the erasing of our memories, reality becomes fantasy, thus, our happiness in Heaven is only possible by extracting those we loved most from our minds. Shielding us from painful realities by deception.

Though I'd be delighted to discover an afterlife if loved ones were included, I find this scenario and quote: "we are an end in ourselves" a bit kinder.

I was born with a free will and developed an objective mind, but it appears having unconditional faith in the New Testament (being born again) is the only key that unlocks Heaven's Gate.

Though I believe that "life" (being born, created, coming into existence, and everything else) was the work of the Creator (God) and didn't happen from an accidental "Big Bang", at the same time the Biblical stance of being born again as a prerequisite in entering Heaven doesn't sound logical.

Thanks to everyone for their opinions and info and especially for keeping this discussion civilized.

Best, John