Civilized General Discussion, the NEW BLUE BOARD / In your opinion, are Hell and Heaven necessary ??

**Posted by Siagiah** 4/25/2019 8:52 pm

In your opinion, are Heaven and Hell necessary to a religion ?? (as in reward vs punishment)

Why or why not ??

**Posted by Christopher Blackwell** 11/24/2024 7:19 pm

Sia, nether as described the Christians sound appealing to me. Hell seems like overkill, and Heaven sounds boring to me. Perhaps I am not a spiritual, but daily singing to the glory of a god that needs endless celebrating of his wondrous self, does not sound like a god I would want to deal with for eternity Gold pave streets paved in gold and palaces embedded with jewels do not impress me and who wants to live in and overcrowded city of any kind. I want all the things of beauty on
Earth and all the physical and spiritual enjoyment of it in endless variety and discovery in my idea of Heaven.

**Posted by greenman** 11/25/2024 12:26 pm

Siagiah wrote:
In your opinion, are Heaven and Hell necessary to a religion ?? (as in reward vs punishment)

Why or why not ??

'Necessary?' No. They function as a carrot and stick intended to virtually force people into supporting a religion; an ignoble and unnecessary form of afterlife extortion. How could one respect a God who threatens you?

A real religion would, IMO, offer real-world benefits down here (see: Buddhism) combined with spiritual support after death (a bright light and final peace, perhaps, a la NDEs).

Negativity breeds negativity.

**Posted by Siagiah** 11/25/2024 2:36 pm

I agree. A carrot and stick relationship with any "god" isn't worth much.