Heaven is a concept that is told people to help them cope with loss.

Hell is something you tell people to keep them in line.

I believe in reincarnation myself....but most likely when I die I will simply cease existence and that is the end of it all, no afterlife, no heaven or hell, no nothing.

 

Well the theory of expansion, lol. You need to look this up yourself because it took me forever to understand it. I was like you too, "How was the universe created? This stuff has to come from SOMETHING!". I then just figured it was there (stupid me trying to forget about it). Well I then spotted this in a discovery magazine and read up on it. It all started out with anti-matter, which is in space everywhere...it's matter, but it doesn't take up any space and is invisible. This lead to matter, which lead to more matter and so on. This theory is still being learned because it contradicts "Matter cannot be created nor destroyed". You should check it out, and maybe you'll know more about it than me, I'm still confused on parts.

 

When I think about that, it scares the sh!t out of me...I don't know why, but it is the thought of the existence of nothing that freaks me out...you know. There is nothing, no universe, no matter, no people...NOTHING. weird

 

Stephen Hawking? I remember he recanted something important about his theory.

 

Hence the reason to tell a story of heaven. It gives people that piece of mind just before they go. When the neural synapse begins it creates a white light and the body gives out at that point...if the person believes in heaven then they accept the light as a sign to heaven

 

wow, wasnt expecting this many responses so quick. appreciate everyones insite as to what they believe. i myslef am still undecided and take in as much as i can from people like yourselves and others bliefes as well.

 

i like your points, but at the same time, i want to go and cry

 

Reserving space for later input tonight

Here's a brief passage of scripture regarding the original question:

1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:

 

i asked a coworker (older secretary lady) and she actually went out to her car and got her bible and didnt come up with much after looking up "body"

ill wait for your input later tonight, because thats when ill be on. still interested in everyone elses ideas.

 

That's what I figured too. They actually taught that in Psych, but the teachings in Religion just overcome it.

Anyways, read this book. I was given this book by a pastor when I was a non-believer. It's totally worth it.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...23336?v=glance

Answers this and more:
"1) If there's a loving God, why does this pain-wracked world groan under so much suffering and evil?
2) If the miracles of God contradict science, then how can any rational person believe that they're true?
3) If God is morally pure, how can he sanction the slaughter of innocent children as the Old Testament says he did?
4) If God cares about the people he created, how could he consign so many of them to an eternity of torture in hell just because they didn't believe the right things about him?
5) If Jesus is the only way to heaven, then what about the millions of people who have never heard of him?
6) If God really created the universe, why does the evidence of science compel so many to conclude that the unguided process of evolution accounts for life?
7) If God is the ultimate overseer of the church, why has it been rife with hypocrisy and brutality throughout the ages?
8) If I'm still plagued by doubts, then is it still possible to be a Christian?"