Philosophy 101 |
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Heaven |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan ![]() |
. So let’s suppose there’s a Heaven. What would make it Heaven for all eternity? . |
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© Copyright 2007 John Pawlik - All Rights Reserved | |||
Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
I've known only one thing that was heavenly. And, with that one thing in place, all else was pretty much irrelevant. Being with someone loved. Losing that love, irretrievably and forever, seems like a pretty good description of Hell, too. |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Ambrosia for the heart And a whole lot of Art ![]() |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
I think Ron hit it right on the head..... Love. Marilyn |
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MoonShadow Senior Member
since 2001-08-02
Posts 943Dark side of the Moon. |
Love itself is not heaven... but being with someone you love is... absolutely. MoonShadow . |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
. So in Heaven you're for eternity with the one who walked out on you or chose another on Earth or a God improved replica? . |
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Stephanos![]()
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
John, I think what Ron might be saying (correct me if I'm wrong Ron) is that human love is a shadow of divine love. And that if losing human love is such a woe, then imagine what losing divine love might be like. Conversely, the presence of God's love is more significant than the best of human romances. Hell is finally turning away a marriage proposal, only to regret it endlessly. Heaven is like saying "Yes", and hearing "yes" back, even after refusing before. It is the realization of relentless love. Stephen. |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Stephen understood perfectly. ![]() |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
I have thought about this since it was posted..and I came up with a lot of things that would make it heaven for me... and? the bottom line is on one level or another they are all the same as what Ron said... if you have that then all the rest fall into line. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
http://islam.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=islam&cdn=religion&tm=14&gps=70_9_833_580&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.islamworld.net/heavenhell.htm . |
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gwaihir Member
since 2007-07-20
Posts 58Sub-tropical, USA |
I am not sure about much else but for me Heaven will have to have chocolate chip cookies. |
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Kitherion Member
since 2006-08-01
Posts 181Johannesburg |
AND ICECREAM!!!!!! |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
I heard in order for them to last forevermore all the cookies and ice cream are locked in unbreakable glass cases so that no one may eat them ![]() |
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Stephanos![]()
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Ess, Are you sure that's Heaven? ![]() Stephen. |
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Stephanos![]()
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Ron I've been pondering what you've said. I wrote this poem. I hope you like it. Rosebud is fallen Citizen Cane Nods Exiled in Xanadu The time of singing is past The voice of the turtledove Is not heard in our land Yet broken hearts may dare To hope and pine But the lost soul and contrite Spirit are not the same Like Christ and Belial One is made sacrifice The other shame For when the lonesome mould Like a millstone is cast And there are no more bonds To keep or sever Regret becomes forever Undying fiery worms and such Can dissipate and some May find relief thereby But a loss of love divine Always makes true lovers cry And perhaps no hell is worse Than having two eyes Forever dry (I posted this in Critical Analysis as well. I hope that's okay since this was not posted as a "New Topic") Stephen. [This message has been edited by Stephanos (07-23-2007 06:33 PM).] |
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Hyaunt Member
since 2007-07-12
Posts 74 |
Stephanos, Will God pull regret souls out of hell since He is love or Does He send all non-regret souls(before physical death) into hell? Is there a regreting feeling in hell? |
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Stephanos![]()
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
My point was simply that "regret" (inasmuch as it is real) is a redemptive thing. It is for now, to be used to turn ourselves toward divine love (and paradoxically as an ultimate antidote to itself). But to be "okay" without God or Heaven is the worst kind of state. Tears would be preferable such a dry and hardened grief. Stephen. |
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Hyaunt Member
since 2007-07-12
Posts 74 |
Stephanos -------------------- But to be "okay" without God or Heaven is the worst kind of state. ---------------------- Can we lose God's love before physical death? or simply becasue we do not acknowledge the love that is already there? |
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hush Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653Ohio, USA |
"But to be "okay" without God or Heaven is the worst kind of state." Crap. I'm screwed. ![]() |
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Stephanos![]()
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
My opinion is that God's love is never withdrawn on his part, though we may render ourselves unwilling then unable to have it. As the character George Macdonald said in C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce: "Good beats upon the damned incessantly as sound waves beat on the ears of the deaf, but they cannot receive it." To what degree this state may be realized in this present life or after death, I am unsure. I am sure that we should be thankful for every tender feeling and opportunity to understand his grace now. Stephen |
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Hyaunt Member
since 2007-07-12
Posts 74 |
Stephanos You are very right. I agree with you. So when one is cryng for lost heavenly love, is it mainly a whining? or simply because one is not behaving well enough to get it? |
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Stephanos![]()
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
quote: I think "lost heavenly love" may have one of two meanings. Estrangement or final loss. If it is the first, then no matter how bitter the separation may seem, it is temporary. If Jesus cried "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", then so may we. And so may we hope to find God's grace even in times of struggle and darkness. About the second kind ... I have no pretentions of knowing when that point is for anyone. I'm only sure that God is longsuffering and willing that none should perish. Also, as to "not behaving well enough", I don't think it's that. What I'm speaking of has more to do with heart direction, and the birth of faith, than mere behavior. Though behavior is important, love always goes beyond the question of just keeping rules. That's probably why Paul spoke more of Faith and Love in connection with salvation, and reminded us of the powerlessness of the Law in that regard. The paradox is, we need God's help to even begin to love him. This is where the sense of "absence" may be redemptive, and result in a seeking that eventually finds. Stephen |
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blister Junior Member
since 2007-08-16
Posts 18here, elsewhere |
Heaven is one moment. One moment is all we can expect from perfection. |
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