Religion

[Tazz]

Like I said in the first place........what are you smoking?

[knuckledragger]

Cut me some slack Tazz. Just because I have Psychotic episodes now and then (oh shit!, did I say that aloud??) doesn't mean I smoke anything other than what comes out of Richmond Va. A karma to you for your sense of humor!

[knuckledragger]

I have to say again, I am VERY pleased with how this thread is going. Steamroller deserves some credit, for he is the one who suggested it after a pissing contest about what is acceptable to wear in church, lol. I would like for more people to take part in these discussions and not be afraid to post their views. I see that this thread has been looked at over a thousand times. This would seem to indicate an interest by most who come onto this site. For those that want to speak their views, fear not, you will not be criticized. This thread was intended to be educational and NOT judgemental. The most common reason I hear from people as to why they don't post on this thread is, "I don't know religion like you and the other's do." The truth is, I damn sure don't really KNOW and neither does anybody else. All I can say is what I feel to be true as do the others that post on this thread. So, all ya'll that take alil peek, post your views.

[lizzy]

I have a question that I like to see the different veiws on,
DO Animals go to heaven?

[grouchymom]

For giggles and grins, try on this position. If there is God, did he not create the heavens, the earth, the animals and of course us. If God created all living things, why would he give only humans exclusive rights to heaven? I have had pets that I think have more rights to a spiritual life after death than some humans I have known. I vote yes right now but could change my mind.

[knuckledragger]

It is my belief that ALL living thing's are a part of God. So to answer your question Lizzy, I would say yes, although to me heaven is really going back to God. So I reckon Fido and Fluffy will be one with God when they kick the bucket.

[osiferred]

i vote that animals do not go to heaven. My only explanation is that I dont believe they have souls, even tho they are creatures of God. I think heaven is reserved for those with souls.

[borgie]

"So, all ya'll that take alil peek, post your views".

Approximately six years ago, I did what most of us do at some point in our lives. I took a out on a "spiritual quest" to figure out my belief system. As an agnostic, I have always felt that religion was merely mans way of dealing with his own mortality. I was raised southern baptist, and have attended a myriad of different churches with different beliefs, but couldn'f find any religion that truely met the way I thought. Then I stumbled on a book about Buddhism. The more I read and studied, it became clear to me that this was what I had been looking for. One thing I have enjoyed about this thread the non-existance of criticism of alternate views. Without getting too philosophical, "I do believe there are many paths up the mountain, but when we get to the top, we all see the same moon". I do not feel anyone is wrong in their belief, as long as it is not doing wrong to others.
I attempt to be happy, make others happy and help those around me. If I cannot help them, I at least do them no harm.
Thank you for the time.

[knuckledragger]

I'm glad you posted. I hope others will come out of the wood work and not be afraid to post.

[officer1]

I might as well jump in this thread and ask a question. I am a believer, however a backslider. My wife believes in cremation and I believe in burying the whole body after death. I know the quote "ashes to ashes dust to dust" but can some one share what the bible says how the body is to be disposed of after death?

[Tazz]

The Bible does not mention "disposal". I will say however, in Biblical times, burning bodies was a sign of disrespect for that person. There are no christian denominations that I am aware of that forbid cremation. So, I don't really care what happens to me. I ain't gonna know it anyway.

I promotional for you Knuck. You earned it with all that stuff you been smokin'! ;D

[grouchymom]

Regarding man/woman having a soul and animals not, how do we determine who or what does or does not have a soul? Regarding burning someone's mortal remains, the Muslims apparently come unglued if one of their own is cremated, even accidently - remember the mess in the sandbox a month or two ago over the U.S. buring up some Muslim bodies. In India, they burn the bodies, old Nordic countries burned the dead, some North American Indians burned the dead, some put the corpse on elevated platforms or in cliff sides to rot and some buried them in mounds in the southeast. The Egyptians and Romans buried their dead for the most part. Makes me wonder if disposal of the body is more cultural than a religous matter.

[knuckledragger]

I don't think it says anywhere in the Bible as to how to go about disposing a body. I can't find it in the Bible or other texts. Many cultures around the world burn their dead, not just for sanitary reasons, but ritualistic as well. I'll have to look into that more.

[Logan]

Outside the walls of acient Jeruselam there was an area where a continuous fire burned. All manner of refuse was cast into this place to dispose of it. This included dead live stock because if it was not slaughtered in accordance with the law of Moses it could not be consumed. The bodies of criminals crucified by the Romans were also disposed of there.
This leads us to the second reason for the rush to entomb Jesus. If he had been on the cross after the sabbath his remains would have been thrown in this pit. These refuse pits were kept burning constantly so eventually even bone was reduced to ash. Hence the idea of total destruction being a lake of fire for the human authors of the bible texts. Oh, guess what these pits were kept burning with? Sulfur and brimstone.

[knuckledragger]

That's right Druid! I totally forgot about that! A karma for you. This is where we get the picture of Hell from. Although I am still inclined to believe true Hell to be out of God's grace.