Or it could be we all have the right answer, whatever we believe may be our afterlife. So, everyone will be somewhere different. Atheists will be nowhere but they won't know it. This is the problem I have with religion and understanding it. It should be we all believe the same thing as in one God or No God. I've never seen so many different versions and beliefs just within Christians. This bible says this, that bible says that. Maybe there are many Gods, I don't know.
I don't understand everything about the God of the bible, that's for sure. But He is said to be infinite, and I am finite, so I don't expect to understand all. Jesus said in the bible: Luke 12:51-52New King James Version (NKJV) 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three.
What I wanted to add there, but I hit "post" too soon, was that I don't particularly like that it says that he came to separate, I want everyone together too Chrissy. I don't know, and believe NO one knows for sure, until we are dead and in the dirt. But my faith is in Christ, where the rubber meets the road because I don't see anything else that makes more sense. I am not doing church, because I don't like the conflict either.
My bottom line honest answer is...I just don't know. I live a good life and let the chips fall where they may. I did the best I could while alive and when I die that will be it. I will live forever in the hearts of those that loved me.
That is where I stand, the I don't know especially. What I believe, and what I know for sure, are two, different things. I know that I've heard many people say "they know this" or know that about God, afterlife, but what I feel is true for me, is that I can't know, and can only choose something to believe in, or have faith in. One thing I am hoping is that wherever I end up, I get a "younger" version of me, not this old, often, sore bag of bones
Jesus said the Kingdom of God, which would mean everthing, and all the laws are WITHIN us all. I believe Jesus because he said it to be true and no one else. We are not meant to be all the same as robots. Some say that death is finite and then they are also saying that there is an afterlife, be it heaven, hell, or what-have-you. I can only go by what he says and what my NDE that I had many years ago tells me that it is. Everyone is on therir own path, but they all lead to the same ending. We all are born, raised by our guardians and then we all age and our bodies die....and that is a fact.
Also, let's say there is a heaven and because you were a believer in the Bible or a certain religion, you die and go to heaven. Your children and grandchildren aren't religious or even atheists so they obviously won't go to heaven. That means you won't be reunited with the ones you care about. Isn't it enough to live one life and then die and have it be all there is? Be a good person and leave behind loving memories....that's not such a bad deal.
If, as I believe, there is an afterlife, it's not a matter of whether we want one or not. Rather, it's a matter of what kind of an afterlife we want. If there is no truth to religion, then there's no reason adhere to one, and if there is truth to it, then it's unlikely that you will be able to make it up in your own head.
Then I will continue on in the way I'm doing now. There is nothing for me to change. My heart is always in the right place. I'm not perfect by far, make mistakes but always try to do the right thing. If that's not good enough to get me in to heaven then I don't want to be there anyway, that would not be a kind and loving God. This is probably what I would call my belief system. I believe this as much as others believe what they believe.
I have to believe in an after life because I believe that I will see departed loved ones again. I have also felt the presence of those who have departed and I don't think that's my imagination. So, what does someone do in an after life, that is a good question. I tend to think that they live in a place where they are always there to guide those they loved in this life. Just a theory on my part I really have nothing concrete to verify that. I also do believe in reincarnation, and I think individuals can be given a choice or told to go back. Let's face it if someone has committed much sins in their lives they have to go back to try to get it right in another life time. Yes, I don't believe there is a lower place that we are doomed to go to, where we are now is the learning place and if we fail to learn the first time we come back to get it right. Again just my own theory here.