My late grandmother would sometimes say to me “If I was in heaven and a friend went to Hell I would let down a ladder to let them climb up”
I always used to think that this saying was somewhat true as I never doubted my grans heavenly abilities. But at the same time I would never of course have the courage to say to such a devoute Christian “Nan I don’t actually believe in Heaven nor Hell”. Yet it has always got me thinking.
So many religions have a “place” where the decent people reside after death and also a place where those who are not so polite will be destined to spend the rest of eternity wallowing in a pit of self despair. Some believe in reincarnation, others just don’t believe that anything else exists after the life we live in is over. I am one of those.
But I must admit I have seen things in life, call them apparitions, call them ghosts that I cannot explain so it gets me thinking, is there a place for the dead to go if they find peace in the “Next world”.
Does this place that rewards the good people in life the same place across all religions? Or can we only spend the rest of eternity with those of the same religion? It is such a difficult question to even speak to people about let alone trying to be convinced.
In fact it is quite sad to even think that if there is such a place then are we only destined to be reunited with those we have lost along the way if we conform to that religion? Will my Christian grandmother have access to a place where Pagans or Buddhists like myself believe in? Is the spirit of my Atheist cousin wandering around in some realm waiting to be reunited? Or is there just one global eternal place where all those who have done well can roam free in happier days? Who decides who is allowed in there? So many questions, so much difficulty.
I am never one to speak or have an opinion about any ones religion, but one thing I do feel is that the more I look into it and think about it, the more complicated religions seem.