What do you do in Heaven? (eternity, worship, God)

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Coffee in heaven?! I don't think so.

Once upon a time, there was a man who had no religion, but was a very good and honest fellow. At death, he found himself in heaven. A kindly looking gentleman was waiting for him. Said the gatekeeper of heaven, "What religion are you sir?".

The man said, "I have no religion."

The gatekeeper said, "Well, where would you like to spend eternity, then?"

The man shrugged. "What are some options?"

Together, they strolled through the halls of heaven, looking in different rooms. In the first, a great congregation knelt before a great glowing figure, their faces to the ground and their hands outstretched. The man didn't think that looked too good.

Next, they stood outside a large sanctuary where a preacher was preaching loudly, to many "Amens" and "Hallelujahs." St. Peter put a finger to his lips and said, "And at this door, we need to be ver-r-r-r-r-r-y quiet."

"Why?" asked the newcomer.

"Because," St. Peter replied, "Those are the Southern Baptists, and they think they're the only ones here."

In another, a great congegration knelt before a fellow hanging from a big cross. The man didn't think much of that either. And indeed, in every room, the man found less than satisfactory situations in which to spend eternity. So, finally the gatekeeper said, "Okay, there's one last option."

The walked down the hall, and the gatekeeper opened the final door, behind which were a great congregation of Unitarians dancing in a big ring around a huge coffeepot singing "Coffee, coffee, coffee!".


OR


A Unitarian Universalist comes to a fork in the road. The sign pointing right says, "To Heaven." The sign pointing left says, "To a discussion about Heaven." The UU will invariably head left!

[Meesheltx]

It just kinda makes me crazy when people talk/sing about how they can't wait to get to heaven and do nothing but praise the lord. I have a big problem with the theory that all we do in heaven is basically soak up the joy of being in the presence of the lord...

If there is an afterlife, wouldn't it be best to do something useful for others? It seems many people on here even have kind of a selfish view of heaven. like its all about happiness for themselves...I would hope that heaven would be the realization that you should be totally selfless, but at the same time, not totally focused on God alone.

[robtex]

Originally Posted by Meesheltx

If there is an afterlife, wouldn't it be best to do something useful for others? It seems many people on here even have kind of a selfish view of heaven. like its all about happiness for themselves...I would hope that heaven would be the realization that you should be totally selfless, but at the same time, not totally focused on God alone.

What a beautiful thought. If you find that place could post directions to it on here?

[Faint]

Originally Posted by Meesheltx

It just kinda makes me crazy when people talk/sing about how they can't wait to get to heaven and do nothing but praise the lord. I have a big problem with the theory that all we do in heaven is basically soak up the joy of being in the presence of the lord...

I agree. I read a story once about this...heaven was basically a bunch of people sitting in chairs doing nothing all day because they were "content". They had no desire to do anything else, no motivation because they were satisfied just "being in God's presence". To me, this sounds like an afterlife of couch potatoes. I have no interest in this type of existence--I could get that here watching TV.

I'm not sure if there is an afterlife, but if there is, I hope it's one that offers infinite adventures, and I hope it's a lot like the world we live in. I happen to really enjoy life on earth--there's so much to do, so much fun to have.

I also like the Maize's story about having a choice as to how you spend eternity. Here are some alternate afterlife options from pop-culture:

~ In the movie "Defending You Life", the afterlife was like downtown Beverly Hills--there were all you can eat gourmet buffets but all the food had zero calories. There was also a sort of past-life theater to watch your previous incarnations.

~ "What Dreams May Come" had a heaven where souls could shape-shift themselves and their personal heaven-space to whatever they wanted. Also, there was work available--to do good in the world of the living.

~ In the Flying Spaghetti Monster's heaven there is a stripper factory and a beer volcano.

~ The afterlife in "Flatliners" was like a hell in which the bad things you did in life (and left unresolved) continue to haunt you.

~ In "Corpse Bride", people apparently hang-out underground singing Danny Elfman music while their bodies rot.

~ Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" stories include a hell in which people only suffer because they believe themselves wothy of punishment (in fact they are free to leave at anytime). It also has the quote, "you don't have to stay anywhere forever".

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Meesheltx

It just kinda makes me crazy when people talk/sing about how they can't wait to get to heaven and do nothing but praise the lord. I have a big problem with the theory that all we do in heaven is basically soak up the joy of being in the presence of the lord...

If there is an afterlife, wouldn't it be best to do something useful for others? It seems many people on here even have kind of a selfish view of heaven. like its all about happiness for themselves...I would hope that heaven would be the realization that you should be totally selfless, but at the same time, not totally focused on God alone.

frubal worthy.

I've always loved the hymn, "Amazing Grace" - the story of a personal experience of redemption - except for the last verse which I abhor.

When we've been there 10,000 years
bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we first begun.

Even as a kid I thought that image was more hellish than heavenly. Let's see: firely pit for all eternity or singing hymns in a blinding golden light for all eternity, what a choice!

In my view, heaven is when one recognizes that there are no boundaries between ourselves, God and others. Therefore, there's no issue between being too God focused versus caring about others versus caring about oneself.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Coffee in heaven?! I don't think so.

God might like a cuppa, who are you to deny Him

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Coffee in heaven?! I don't think so.

lol! The Mormons and the UUs are going to have to have different heavens, because apparently one person's heaven is another person's hell. Maybe we can keep separate quarters and just visit with each other.

[mr.guy]

Is homosexuality allowed in heaven?

[Meesheltx]

hmm...i'm lost...whats a frubal? i'm assuming its good..so thanks!

[Shadow Wolf]

Coffee in heaven?! I don't think so.