Question for Christians...

[Jacquemar]

So I'm dying to know where you people think heaven and hell are located??? I can understand people fixing a location back before we knew the shape of the world and its composition; but since hell definitely isn't down, and heaven probably isn't up, then where are they???

 

[Diodorus]

They are within..

 

[greyhorse]

Don't know - possibly just a state of energy (if anything at all) or a state of mind if the soul/mind continues beyond this mortal world !!!!
Dunno !!

 

[panda29]

heaven and hell is what we live in every day

 

[tpabob]

I thought they all existed on the Lost island?

 

[kallipolis]

They are within..

The mind is its own place, and in itself,
Can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven. ~John Milton (Paradise Lost)

 

[Montre16]

This question cannot be answered for the reason that these 'places' do not exist. They are a fabrication of humankind. The reason - humankind does not know the meaning of true beauty, so they fabricate 'heaven.' And so that 'heaven' is justified in the tiny minds, they must then fabricate the opposite - 'hell.'

 

[Jack Springer]

I don't think the Bible gives a particular place. It talks about a new heaven and new earth.

I just believe that there is a real heaven and real hell.

 

[kallipolis]

This question cannot be answered for the reason that these 'places' do not exist. They are a fabrication of humankind. The reason - humankind does not know the meaning of true beauty, so they fabricate 'heaven.' And so that 'heaven' is justified in the tiny minds, they must then fabricate the opposite - 'hell.'

If you say, so. So it must be.

 

[kallipolis]

Jesus of Nazareth, said:

The kingdom of God cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, Lo here! or, Lo there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)

Each of us makes his own heaven, or hell according to the choices that we make.

 

[conrad]

In matters of faith language can be helpful; but, language, even at its best, never quite reaches the point of full clarity.

The believer desires to be close to God and heaven is the word that names that which is closest to God. By the same token, the separation from God is real and the ultimate in separation is named hell.

The literalist has no end of trouble with these concepts and tends to visit his own confusions on those with whom he has interaction.

Open almost any Christian book of hymns and you will be greeted by page after page of expressions which few would claim to be literally true but persist as ways of expressing that which the believers long for.

Consider: "Then I shall see Him (God) face to face,
And tell the story: saved by grace."
or; "To live apart from God is death,
"Tis good His face to seek."

And, do note how rich in obscure verbal references these expressions of faith are. One familiar hymn expresses that which the hymns strive for.

"Oh for a thousand tongues to sing my Great Redeemer's [raise.
The glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His love."

It may be true that "the highest cannot be spoken" but people of faith will never stop trying the impossible and the community of faith counts itself richer for those efforts.

 

[Irish Queer]

I always assumed they were both different demensions from our own.

 

[Jacquemar]

^^ And what evidence do you have of that?

 

[Jacquemar]

^^ Again, what evidence do you have of that??

 

[FirmaFan]

Blessed are they who do not see, and still believe. (Jesus' own words to the doubting Thomas after his resurrection)

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
--Voltaire

 

[FirmaFan]

What I believe in, isn't of any absurdities, because what I believe in is very real.

Then it shouldn't require belief.

 

[kallipolis]

^I believe that I am in love with my partner.

I cannot prove that to you, or anyone else, but I know that my love for this man is very real.

Belief is the acceptance of that which is real to me.

 

[Jacquemar]

Blessed are they who do not see, and still believe. (Jesus' own words to the doubting Thomas after his resurrection)

"An old metaphysical fiction stuffed with miracles, contradictions, and absurdities, that was spawned in the fevered minds of the Orientals and then spread to our Europe..."

Frederick the Great's words to Voltaire while discussing Christianity.

P.S. I'm leaving out part of it because I don't want to get cited.

 

[zoltanspawn]

that was spawned in the fevered minds of the Orientals and then spread to our Europe

Um hmmm, those Orientals sure do have some fevered minds best to keep them out of our quarter.

Hold it, wait...this couldn't be xenophobia, could it?

Here's the rest of the quote, by the way:

where some fanatics espoused it , some intriguers pretended to be convinced by it and some imbeciles actually believed it

 

[Irish Queer]

^^ And what evidence do you have of that?

Don't know just thought it. Just my humble opinion also I'd say for you to live for ever past the end of time you couldn't live inside this deminsion/universe to do so.