Quote:
Originally Posted by pianogal
The best thing of all for those who believe is the great hope that Jesus offers of eternal life. As a Christian, I have confidence that this life is just a very short interval of time and then I will spend eternity in heaven. That puts a completely different perspective on death. Death is really the doorway to our new life in a much better place. This brings hope and peace to those who believe.
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I would agree with you, in that I believe that most Christians mean well, and want to help folks, during a time of crisis, and that's as it should be. However, how is it that Christians believe so ardently about the peace and joy they have in Jesus, when it comes to people dying? What I mean is, where is the comfort, if one is certain, (or at least reasonably convinced), that a family member, friend, co-worker, etc., was
not a believer? Where, then, is the great hope? I have been to funerals of professed believers, and the service does offer the comfort, that the family needs, at such a time. They can smile, even through the tears. But, what about the funeral of one who was not a believer? Where, now, is the comfort and the joy, for the believers? The
glorious eternal life that Christians speak of, only pertains to fellow believers. I've said this before, in another thread, but if you have two children, one is who a professed believer, and the other is not, and both die, where is the comfort, the hope, the joy, the peace? Because given traditional Christian belief, the chances are pretty slim that one will see one's child in heaven.
All that a believer is left with, in that scenario, is "maybe", and "perhaps". And, that has to be enough to carry through them the rest of their lives.
The thought that a believer can be in heaven someday, with God, can indeed, be a great joy,
until one remembers that there are loved ones who most likely would not. Someone, in another post, said that there is a verse in the Psalms, that states the memories of these people (unbelievers) would be taken from the believer. I find that argument troubling, because frankly, if one's memories are taken away, how then, are the believers the same people? Our memories and life experiences are what make us who we are.
I haven't sorted out all my feelings on the subject of belief, etc., (and, I come from an evangelical, fundamentalist Christian background, so I am pretty familiar with the beliefs
), but there is one thing that I have decided. I believe that God has
no intention of
losing the majority of his creation. Therein lies my own comfort.
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